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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 09-02-2009, 10:20 PM
Rob B Rob B is offline
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Default Performance Center 686

I am interested in purchasing a S&W revolver (because by all accounts they are the best) for use in ISSF Center Fire and Service Pistol. Always wanting the best, I am very interested what the S&W Performance Center has to offer.

Do all Perf. Center revolvers come with match barrels or only a selected few models? I know the DA trigger pulls are a lot smoother but what can expect in terms of trigger weight for SA and DA in a performance center revolver verses the non-perf. center equivalent?

I am looking at a (recently discontinued I believe) 686 .357 6" with weighted barrel and scope rail from the Perf. Center and would like to know the difference between it and standard 6" 686 in terms of barrel quality and trigger weights.

Thanks

Future S&W owner.
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  #2  
Old 09-03-2009, 12:16 AM
socal s&w socal s&w is offline
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I have a PPC 686 heavy barrel and it is really well put together IMO. Mine is called the 'Competitor' and is labeled such on the barrel. I understand that there is also a 'Hunter' that has porting and was a limited run. (I think 200 or so.)

The trigger is very smooth and the muzzle flip is zilch with all of the weights toward the muzzle. (They can be shifted with a plastic 'dummy' for a spacer.)

It is absolutely my favorite gun to shoot. I put a red dot on the rail and it really works well with this arm.

IIRC, these were discontinued in the late 90's and ran about $1,000-$1,100 new. I have seen a few on GB for close to that price used.

I put some Hogue 'Big-Butt' smooth stocks on mine, but should have gone with the checkered as there is so much barrel weight that smooth just doesn't give a good enough grip, although it's okay.

I cannot verify any true difference between this barrel and a stock barrel as they both shoot well. (I personally think that it's better, but there is no real reason.....other than it looks cool!)

I like the look of an unfluted cylinder, so I sent mine to the factory and had one installed. Now I like this gun even more!

Here is a pic of the one I have.

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  #3  
Old 09-03-2009, 01:15 AM
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Default Welcome to the Forum!

Can't say that I can answer your question offhand, but I do have a 686P-4 from the PC that shoots pretty well. But it only has a 2.5" bbl. I also have a Light Hunter 44 similar in configuration to the current "Competitor" model, and it's my understanding that the barrel for it was made by Walther. It is very accurate.

My experience leads me to believe that you don't necessarily need a PC gun to have good accuracy. Many box stock S&W's are capable of incredible accuracy with the right loads, and in the right hands. I'd think that any 686 in good condition will be as accurate as you are, and probably more so. ymmv, of course. ;D

You can contact the Performance Center and talk to them directly, or hang out here and I'm sure some members more knowledgable will stop in with more info.
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Old 09-03-2009, 07:21 AM
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I purchased a 4" 686Plus Performance Center last Spring. I was questioning the extra cost, but after shooting it throughout the summer I have no regrets. The DA and SA on mine are like silk. It seems after every session of shooting it gets more accurate. I had to tune in the right load and that made a bit of a difference too. You will enjoy. Just a FYI....Ray from Lobo Leather ( who is frequently on this forum) made me a outstanding holster for it.
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Old 09-03-2009, 09:44 AM
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welcome aboard from Houston
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Old 09-03-2009, 01:32 PM
philip.de.baets philip.de.baets is offline
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Default one-holer competitor 686

I have a 686 competitor in .357, it groups beautifully with S&B
factory ammo - both FMJ and SP. I screwed a simple red-dot on top and shot 20 consecutive X's at 25 meters from a sandbag-rest once the gun was sighted-in.
What more would you want?
Bowling-pins start to shake when I point the gun at them, but to no avail..
Haven't handloaded for it yet, but it shot well(++) with just about all the ammo I tried - S&B happens to be very affordable
as factory ammo goes.
Philip - Belgium
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Old 09-04-2009, 08:08 PM
Rob B Rob B is offline
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Thanks for your input
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  #8  
Old 09-05-2009, 12:33 AM
philip.de.baets philip.de.baets is offline
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My pleasure !
Some more : I tried the gun at 100 meters with a Leupold 2.5-8 X
variable scope with quick-detachable mounts, at that range and magnification the problem is wobble from your heartbeat or even breathing ; but all the shots were in the black on a standard handgun
paper target. Best score at 50 meters = 98/100 with the same scope.
Like socal s&w's, mine has a Hogue BB-grip (rosewood chequered) too;
very comfy and a real looker.
In fact, the gun gave me so much satisfaction that I placed an order for
sth similar in .44 Mag : a Stealth Hunter, and I ordered the same grips
at Hogue Europe. Am eagerly waiting for both since April.
Philip - Belgium
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  #9  
Old 09-05-2009, 06:47 AM
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An older model 14 will do fine and might be better for the duelling stages in International center fire. A weighted 686 would make my arm hurt and might even be too heavy for the rules. Remember, one hand, raising and lowering and never resting on a table. Accuracy is not an issue with S&W revolvers (unless its damaged). NRA service pistol is one event, but you have a lot more options for ISSF centerfire. (model 52). Here's a slow fire target I shot with a K38 from the early 70's. I liked slow fire with the revolver, but I could never fire the duelling stage with the revolver like I could with the 52....
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Old 01-26-2017, 11:19 PM
Goodbrew Goodbrew is offline
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sorry to jump in on an old post but thought the info might help someone.
I have a 686 competitor but was dismayed recently to discover that even with the barrel weights removed it exceeds the ISSF Centrefire match (international olympic) rules by 135 grams! Bummer !
So I cant use it in serious competition!
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686, fluted, hogue, k38, leather, model 14, model 52, nra, performance center, ppc, rosewood, scope, unfluted, walther

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