Hello everyone, my father asked for my help in getting him a new 686. He wants it to have wooden grips. I see the Deluxe model comes with them but good luck finding that in a local shop. So it he gets the regular 686 we'll have to put wooden grips for it.

I believe my research said that the current 686 is a round butt with grips that convert it to square. I also see Altamont makes several grips of the K/L frame, but how do I choose a set that works? would like them to be square butt.

The current 686's are round butt L frames. You can use round butt or round to square butt conversion grips. Check out the options that Hogue offers.

I think these OEM wood grips on the Deluxe/Performance Center are awful. Replaced them with rubber Hogue Bantam and love them. The Bantams also come in wood.

My dad and I went to go look at a new 686 at a local shop. Unfortunately he was not very impressed with the finish; he's feeling the itch for a revolver since he saw my new 2020 Colt Python and he wanted one of his own but there's none to be had. Are there 686 variants with upgraded finishes? I'm also going to have him try looking at the 586 classic.

The standard 686 is satin stainless, and the Performance Center is matte finish.

Satin - top, matte - bottom


Some people put a high polish on them.

Hogue grips gets my vote. They have a lot of different styles and types of wood to choose from. I find Altamont to be nothing but dyed plywood. My Hogues are solid cocobolo.

What you saw with the 686 is the standard finish; even the Performance Center versions (if you could find one) will look pretty much the same. I presume your new Python looks nicer, which probably explains in part the price difference between it and the 686.

You may find a nicer polish job on a current 586, or definitely on an older used version of these models. Or be a good son and let your dad borrow the Python until he finds something he likes.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If your dad prefers the polished stainless steel look of the Python that is fairly easily achieved with a little Mother's Mag polish and a soft cotton cloth while watching a ball game (or anything else) on TV. I would not use any tools for this job as they are not necessary and the polished effect is achieved in short order - simply stop polishing when you get what you want. Most folks don't care for the polished look however as you can actually achieve a near mirror finish that is a real fingerprint magnet! Of course the advantage is the 686 is about half the cost of a Python.

Badger Grips make very nice wood grips and will put the S&W insert in if you want one. I have two sets in goncalo alves and they look really great. In my opinion, the Atlamount grips that S&W uses are god awful! Ugly and not very comfortable.

My hands are small so I use Miculek wood round but grips on my 686 and like them a lot.