Hello, forum!

I joined a couple of years ago super-excited about my M&P Shield and the new world of concealed carry. In that time I haven't posted much, but I have enjoyed reading and looking at pics I could only dream of...until now.

Wife and I decided to buy me a congratulatory gun earlier this year after finally going back and graduating college (in my 30s), resulting in a great new job. That gun was a 3" 686+, something I'd been staring at pics of online for some time.

Since then I've put a couple of different Altamont grips on it, had a smith put on night sights, gave it an amateur polish job (don't judge me), and received my early Christmas present...a Simply Rugged Cattleman holster that I think is simply fantastic.

Anyway, it sure is fun to shoot but when I can't shoot I like lookin' at it, and I hope you will too

Nice. How do you like the night site? Is it just the front? (The first two pictures appear to show the original black ramp w/red insert).

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Your cup runneth over. Congratulations on getting your degree, job, and 686 (and wife who encouraged you to get it).

Nothing wrong with safe queens, but that's a confidence inspiring working gun also, with a good conceal holster and belt.

Yep. I've worn mine AIWB with a Triple K #314 and it works surprisingly well. (I also have a nice horsehide belt holster from JRC Holsters of Emmett, ID.)

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Great looking 686 OP. Shoot the heck out of it. I have late model 686 6" (6 shooter) and the 686+ 4" and they are both fun and good shooters. Don't make a 686 into a safe queen!

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

Shoot your 686! It won't hurt it, and the great thing about stainless is that it will clean up. You'll enjoy the gun even more if you shoot it a lot. I have a 686-6 2.5 inch with well over a thousand rounds and it still looks new.

bigwheelzip said it perfectly!

Congratulations from another S&W semi-auto owner that also longed for a 686.

Just beware. These revolvers are like Lays potato chips. You can't have just one.

....I thought that you kept your 686 in the safe and didn't shoot it. I said "WHAT?????" Besides looking at mine, I just like holding it. It's my favorite gun not only in my collection but anywhere.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Very nice. I hate when manufacturers make a gun so pretty you don't want to shoot it. I have a couple I just can't bring myself to shoot for that reason. I know they are tools but it is just difficult sometimes to use something knowing you might change the appearance. Funny how we think sometimes.

Maybe I misspoke. It definitely gets shot, and I've carried it once or twice, it just isn't an everyday working gun. I shoot it, I baby it, I put it back in the safe.

I reallly like it, being used to mainly semi-autos (and having terrible eyes) the 3-dot setup is much better for me. Also, even though I carry it only rarely, I prefer to have night sights on my carry guns.

I believe they are Meprolights and quite bright, but I can't remember the model number. One replaces the whole front blade where the other replaces the red ramp insert. Obviously I have the former.

You have that beautiful S&W Model 686+, and you carry a bottomfeeder? What is wrong with you?

THESE are carry guns!

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Give me time!