Think I've decided on which Smith revolver I'm going to go with for all-around shooting/self defense/nightstand all in one gun. Was at a buddy's gun shop today and handled the Smith 686 Plus Talo edition, this one holds 7 rounds, and has a nice wood grip, I think the one I saw seemed like it was 4 inches but at any rate, It felt great and was the perfect size, I would have gotten the one he had, but it was the display model, and I wanted a new in the box one because I don't like buying a display model because of who might have handled it. He wasn't able to order it for me, but my other local FFL said they have it. I think it comes in 3 inch 5 inch and 6 inch. Pretty sure the one my buddy had was a 4 inch though. Anyway really liked the feel of it and the 7-shot option, was the best new Smith I've seen in awhile. I think we have a winner.

I like the 3in over the 4in, but either is a great choice. Just make sure you get your hands on the gum before buying, and dry fire. The newer Smiths are hit and miss as far as fit/finish and subsequently the trigger pull quality, when they come new from the factory.

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I think your right.

It also comes in a 7-inch barrel, with unfluted cylinder.

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Yea one of my local dealers said he could order it for me in 3, 5, or 6. I don't think it comes in 4, but I thought the one I handled today was 4. At any rate it was beautiful. If only he'd had a new in box one instead of just the display model. Ah well. Bud's Gun Shop to the rescue. The Talo one I looked at had the wood grips. I personally can't stand any rubber or pachmayer grips I don't like the feel of them they make my palm feel sweaty and I don't like the looks of them. So it's nice to see some new production ones with wood grips.

I'll be sure to look it over and check the trigger/hammer when I get it.

I would be all over the 3-inch. Plenty of barrel length for a .357 but short enough that it's easy to conceal, but still long enough that you get a full length ejector rod.

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Be sure to google the manufacturers part number before ordering. There are several "Talo" edition 686+ models. Different Talo models may have different cylinder profiles, grip materials/shapes, etc. You could easily order a surprise otherwise.
Personally I'm in lust with the 5" version ,3-5-7 series 686+.
Model 686 Plus 3-5-7 Magnum Series Talo Exclusive | Smith & Wesson

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Dave

It felt really good in my hands. I love the larger capacity I wish he'd had a new in box one I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Not sure why some dealers don't have more than just the display model, not a big deal, but for someone with OCD like me, if I'm paying 700 dollars for a firearm, I want it new in the box with the paperwork.Yea the size on these are perfect. Perfect balance, appeared to be well made and fit and finish was excellent. I'm assuming these are all forged, as all Smiths are supposedly. I was surprised at the 7-shot capacity, hadn't seen one of those before. Really liking that. If Bud's has one I'm definitely getting one.

I love love love my Talo 3" 686 plus but man did I hate hate hate the finger placement on those grips!

That's one of the ones I looked at today! One of the two he showed me was this model only it had an unfluted cylinder, which I'm not crazy about. But the fit/finish was excellent. The one I liked had a rosewood-color wood grip and I think was 3" but seemed more like 4". It was the 686 plus. Gorgeous.

Before you go buy look really hard at this one...

PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 686 Plus | Smith & Wesson

The unfluted is typically a TALO exclusive and more rare. It can command a premium to some, if you ever sell. The 7-shot has been out for a few decades now. All modern Smith's now use MIM parts. It is a non-issue though.

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I think the one I liked was the Deluxe Talo.

Here's mine. The first thing I did was get rid of the wood grips. Hurt like hell to shoot. Now have rubber grips.

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Go ahead... get them all.



However, I wont spend $800 to $900 bucks to get 1/2 inch more barrel on a gun (3" barrel), My 2 1/2 inch 686+ will do just fine... pre lock too.

Heres my 3"

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I love the 3", also aware that they have it in 44mag Talo, which I'm almost more tempted to get. I'd definitely get the 3", any larger would be too much. I'll check it out at Bud's and go from there. To me 3" seems the perfect size. And down the road I'm going to get an Airweight or a small .38 for car carry.

The 7" 686+ Talo is on my short list to acquire.

Watch these and then go buy one!


Smith and Wesson 686 - YouTube

Smith & Wesson 686 (Chapter 2) - YouTube

S&W 686 (Close-Up) - YouTube

The TALO 686 group come in 3", 5", 6" & 7" lengths and unique grips.

Picked up one (3" Deluxe Talo SKU:150713) new for full price.
Using Mother's mag polish I buffed it up, replaced the lock with the plug, replaced some springs, put on a pair of Craig Spegel boot grips and dropped it in a John O'Rourke pancake holster.
Really like this gun - well balanced and shoots well.

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2B1ASK1

Keep in mind these two are on two completely different frames. The 44 is a good bit bigger. The 7 shot .357 in the L frame IMO is simply perfect in size/weight/firepower.

I've always wanted a 44 mag, and love 44spl, really like the 3" 629, but the 686 plus seems a bit more balanced. I like both! Do you go for the caliber you want/prefer? Or the more available one? I like the 44spl best.

Unless you reload or have a high cash flow I'd stick with the 357. I like the L frame much more than the N.

I have a non-talo 686+. It is a sweet shooter. Good size for the house and for the range. I mainly shoot .38s that I reload soft. I also use wadcutters so the holes are nice and pretty.
I also like 44spl. If I could get a 3" .44 I'd pick it up quick. I could think about carrying a 3" .44mag shooting 44spl.
Working around the property pocket carry a Lady Smith .357 or Sig 938. In the late fall and winter when I'm wearing pants and jacket I carry one of my .45's.

The 686+ is a great all purpose gun in 4".

Have fun, shoot straight.

Support a small business if you can. Not sure of what you mean you don't want to buy one from a buddy because you don't know who handled it. Its kind of like he lets you kick the tires and then you go elsewhere to spend money.

I meant that he had the display model of the one I wanted which was the only one in stock he had, but he didn't have the paperwork that came with it, just the gun and the box, and I wanted a new one like it in the box with the paperwork and the cool wax paper that S&W wraps their new guns in. He did try to order it for me, but for some reason, he couldn't. I've bought several guns from him before, but this particular one he did not have another in stock unfortunately.

If you've handled and liked a 44 Mag N frame, then you might also want to look at the 627 Pro, which is an 8 shot 357 Mag with a 4" flat sided barrel. I bought one in April to celebrate my 60th birthday and it is an absolute hoot to shoot. I still rather the traditional round barrel's looks over the slab sided barrel, but I can forgive that because of the way it handles and shoots. It does come with Goodyears on it, but I cured that right away by installing a nice pair of cocobolo wood Kim Ahrends stocks on it.

BTW, if you decide to go the 686+ Talo route, don't turn your nose up at the 5" barrel model either if you aren't going to try to conceal carry the revolver. The little bit longer sight radius really helps at longer ranges over a 3" barrel I find and multiple people here have said they don't offer the 686+ Talo in a 4" barrel.

I will be buried with my 6 inch 686 Classic Hunter with Hogue grip and unfluted cylinder. I actually think i am in love with it. lol
Best shooter ever, and zero regrets, other than I should have bought 5 of them when they were 375.00 brand new.

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I've got the 6 inch 686+ Talo Deluxe. Bought it over a standard model because of the wood grips. Now I wish I'd just bought a standard and saved a few buck. Wood grips got all scratched up from the first time I ejected spent empty brass. Not enough clearance between the 7 round ejector and the left grip panel. S&W was kind enough to send me a new grip but it just sits in a box. Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips are much more functional.

I really like the Talo 686 because of the wood grips. I like the 44 mag version, but would probably go with the 357. Going to drop by Bud's and check one out. If I like it I may just grab one. I really am liking that 627 Performance Center Model! Very nice! I may even like it more than the 686 one. Definitely narrowed it between those two. Either would serve me well.

Just got the same one last week:

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I have one and it's my best shooting revolver. I did change grips and install Jerry Michelle spring kit as well as perform a trigger job. It's a great gun.

Recently got the Talo 5" unfluted off layaway. Just about the perfect balance in my hand. Can't wait to touch off a box or two

Hi,
I just acquired a brand new 686 Talo with the 5" barrel a month ago and absolutely love the way it looks and the way it shoots. The unfluted cylinder is sooooo coooool. I first shot .38 rounds through it and then went to the .357 rounds. My buddy warned me that the .357 rounds might cause the gun to kick up in the air but I found it to be no problem.....the weight of the gun and the 5" barrel obviously helped absorb all that energy from the .357 rounds. All I can say is the gun is a joy to own.

Mondo

......but then again, you won't have followed your own advice then, will you?
Have to say you have more willpower than me. if I was just a 1/2" short of filling my collection I couldn't sleep at night ;-)

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Dave

I really like my 7" Talo 686.

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I'm thinking of getting a 686+ with 3" barrel and putting on Altamont grips of my choice. Not that I need another S&W revolver, I just think it would make a nice addition. I may even have it engraved.

The Talo versions have forged hammer and triggers which is really nice for the modest price increase.

yup. had that same one and the grips are the worst. who ever designed those need to get another job.

There are 2.5", 3", 4", 5" 6", 7" and 8 3/4". I knew when to say "Say when", Mine are pre-lock generation. I do have the lock version too. In any case, I am a happy man.

Here is another...

My go to... Carry... Bedside... and feel naked without SECURITY blanket. She goes by, 'GHOSTMAKER!'. I feed her Underwood multi-grain once a week, clean her regularly, & oil her inside out with Mil-Comm TW-25.

Come on, lets see does 5"ers! There are hardly any pictures of those things on the web.

For the record, the Talo versions have forged triggers and hammers. That alone is reason enough to justify the price, at least for me.

5" bbl. 686 TALO pictures...?

The TALO's were all unfluted cylinders and 3", 5", & 7" seven shots.

S&W 686+ TALO -357 Magnums-.pdf

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686-6+ TALO, 5" bbl., Product Code:# 150854, Mfd: Feb-2012


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S&W Five inch barrels


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The 5" bbl. almost looks short compared to the 7-1/2" bbl. on the 657 Classic Hunter.

...M500....M686-6
..........M657-5....
...M325NG..........
...........M686-0...



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Waiting for the break of day

Ok, so here's my 5" Talo... (swapped for wood for rubber for now)








"

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Big HAROLD

Am I the only one who can't see the pictures? The links are not working.

Big Harold, those are some nice pieces of hardware! Are they mirror polished or not quite? There awesome looking either way.

John.

Now I see the rest of the pictures.

I just love the looks of the 5" barrel, and the unfluted cylinder goes very nice with it as well. Just need to pick me up one of these

Great pics all!

Ive got a 686 3" Talo coming in this week and it wasn't until after I ordered I found out about the barrel cant issues some Smiths have. I read that it is less of a problem from the Talo guns because they inspect them before they distribute them, does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

I have a 686-5 with a 7 Inch Barrel and a 7-shot, unfluted cylinder. Also came with wood grips. I think it was produced in 2000 or so. Its very similar in appearance to these newer Talo versions, but is definitely a pre-lock. Ill have to learn how to post pics.

Sorry but that sounds like sales talk. Same quality as standard production IMO.

Mine is slightly canted requiring rear sight adjustment to the right to center the POI.

Irregardless it's very accurate (even slightly better since I camfered the crown) with no plans to send it back to S&W for tweeking.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I have noticed that anytime there is anything special about the gun, Talo, scandium, classic, DX, ect. They seem (In my limited experience.) to be slightly better, usually with better triggers.

But as always,
your mileage may vary!