Picked up my new 686 today, and shot 50 rd of 38 spl and 50 rd of .357. I thought the .357's might cause some "smack" due to the very skinny grips and the well-exposed backstrap. It's quite mild with .357's, but I still didn't much care for the grips, as they're very small in all dimensions, and hard to hold on to. I've already put on the N-frame grips from my 629 Classic. They fit great except they hang way back near the top. I'll probably leave the N-frame grips on, but I won't mess with them.




This was the first 5 shots at 10 yards, single action.



5 shots at 10 yards, double action.


15 yards, single action:


25 yd single action. Not a great group, but mostly 9's and 10's for an 88 on an NRA 25 yd slow fire target. Not bad for the first try.


The DA trigger is a bit herky-jerky, despite being pretty light. SA trigger is nice, a little heavier than my 27-2 or 19-3, but then it's brand new. I now have 3 brand new Smiths and I really have no complaints with any of them. The action is tight on this one, and cylinder gap at .004. The barrel is actually on straight. Hoping to put my Vortex Venom red dot on it soon.

Nice gun and nice shooting.

My 686P is a 2.5 inch version.

Beautiful gun. Hope to add one to my collection soon.

nice! i have the 3 inch 3-5-7 series and love it.

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I bought the 5" as well and it's a pretty darn nice gun. I put Ahrends grips on mine and sent it off to Frank Glenn and he made it even nicer. Haven't shot it a lot yet but it has promise to be a very strong shooter. Congrats.

Those 629 grips look much better. A few years ago, Santa left me a PC686+ that came with a lighter stained version of those grips, and they didn't work for me either.

Good shootin. Enjoy.

The 5" is awesome but the grips they come with are terrible. I prefer Hogue Bantams on all lengths. I have small hands and the Bantams just work for me.

Hogue rubber conversion grips #19002 are what I have on the one 686 I shoot the most. They're like $23-$24 shipped on ebay and worth every penny. I know N frame grips don't fit right, I've been down that road before

I have one I picked up earlier this year and I didn't much care for the grips it came with either. I put some Altamonts on it and I'm really pleased with them. Cleaned up the action a bit and now it's one of the best shooting guns I have.

The Hogues that came on my 6" no dash are adequate enough that I've never thought of changing them. The heaviest loads smack some and the 6" is a tad nose heavy, but I have no problem with the grip on the grips.

That is the VERY LAST gun that will leave my collection if necessity dictates it.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Congrats on your new revolver! Mine's a great shooter too.

Yeah, those grips aren't very good for shooting. I took mine off as soon as I got it home. The rubber Hogues are fine by me.

I've become a big fan of 5" barrel revolvers.

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S&W Five inch barrels - M686+, M25, M627, M629

(-01c)

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Waiting for the break of day

Picked up mine a while back. Did a little polishing and added a spring kit. Smooth, locks up tight, and very accurate w/ Zero 125 JHPs over a load of Enforcer. The 5" balances well and a good alternative to either the 4" or 6".

New Hogue Monogrips with the S&W logo can often be found on ebay for about $15.I've purchased several new ones there for $15.

I love the look of nicely grained factory wood but most often for me they are not the best for the range sessions.

Having the same monogrips on both L and N frames is a good thing between the ears.All my K frames have gone to new caretakers and no J frames currently also.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Congratulations!

Got the exact same revolver and I love the look of the grips but I've found I have to readjust my grip after every round so I'm going to have to look for something else. That's really disappointing as I strongly prefer wood grips over synthetic but since I will shoot it a lot and not admire it from afar, I'll have to address it.

kenneu, try a set of Kim Ahrends. They are wood, beautiful, and "oh so comfortable!!!!!

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Certainly not seeing much love for those factory grips. I shot it with the 629 grips the other day, and they felt good. Yeah, they don't fit quite right, but that doesn't affect me, the way I grip it. I have no problem with putting rubber grips on. I only have the 629 grips because I put the 500 mag Hogues on my 629.

Nice choice.
My 5" 3-5-7 was my first plus version of the 686 and it was my first late model 5" S&W revolver. I have to say that the 5" flavor has become a favorite. To me, 5" is the sweet spot. Nice sight radius without being too muzzle heavy.
Here is a picture of mine on it's first range trip. Groups were very good (for me) at about 20 yds as I recall.



ps. I've since picked up the 3" version too but the 5" is my go to.

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Dave

oooooh. shiny object! I'll go check em out.

Sorry to be so dense, but to what does "3-5-7" refer?

The caliber? If so, why the dashes?

A 3", 5" and 7"er in a 357 magnum L frame series.
So all three models have unfluted cylinders and wood grips with a "357" in lower corner. Hence the name, "3-5-7 series".

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Thanks much Lou

It appears the consensus is to remove the stock grips and put on a set of Hogue's to shoot with .. Those Altamonts look good also .. might try a pair of them also ..

I just ordered a 686+ PC and will have to see if I will decide the same ..

I believe the 3-5-7 is a code for
a slightly higher price and then
after purchase, the stocks are
replaced for another cost.

Really like the looks of the Altamonts also .. which ones do you have on yours in the picture ??

These stocks are great in my hands. 1 good shooting gun. Bob

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There are a lot of shooter who will never fire a target that good at 25 yards - very nice shooting! If you get the Vortex red dot let us know how you like it. I was thinking of adding a sight like that to my 2.5" 686 and my 1911.