686 No Dash vs: 686 SSR

[ctkenc]

I recently acquired a 686 No Dash LNIB and now have the opportunity to Trade for a 686 SSR, also LNIB.
Setting aside whatever may be the current sale value should one choose to sell either one of these ... what are the differences as regards shooting and handling ?
I like the Fiber Optic front sight on the SSR but the slab side looks and truncated under lug are kind of a turn off.

I shoot mostly just Casual Target Shooting on the Range and maybe I'd use either one in IDPA occasionally after some lightening of the actions. Neither one would become my primary IDPA Gun.

Is one noticeably better than the other? Is it worth trading the 686 No Dash for the 686 SSR version ?

Thanks,
ken

 

[.357magger]

Without getting into the whole, "hole vs no hole" thing, I'd keep the no dash.

I just like the look better of the full lug vs the chopped lug they are using now. But on the other foot, that barrel sure does make it easy to change out front sights if thats your need. I also, when possible, like the SB profile rather than RB. A straight magna, for me, is a very comfortable hold vs the target grips. And you have just as many custom grip options in SB as RB. Finally, they just ain't makin any more no dashers while the 686R is current and who knows how many will be made. Wait a couple of years and pick up one of those used too (and I'll bet for cheaper than current retail).

All in all, I'd keep the no dash.

Just my .02.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Where are the pictures???????? You mean you haven't traded yet??? Three words of avise "in heartbeat".

 

[Nightowl]

Since you asked. I think at some point in my life, I have wished that I had every gun back that I either sold or traded. I do not do that any longer. I just buy another gun. However, I would not trade any non lock gun for one with the lock!! Almost every no dash L frame I have seen or handled has a very consistent carry up and were well built guns. i can't say that about the newer guns. The bottom line is what you want to do. If the SSR trips your trigger, then go for it, but you don't need to give up anything to trade for the newer model.

 

[ctkenc]

Thanks Guys

Thanks guys ... I guess we all feel the same way about this; the "No Dash" is simply too nice to let go. Maybe my Gunsmith can find a way to change the Front Sight to a fiber optic if I find this is really a 'must have", but, the bright Red Insert on the no-dash is pretty easy to see and may even be better in lower light where the FO's just don't show up.

Conclusion ... keep it.

 

[mark454]

Conclusion ... keep it.

That's the right choice.
Mark

 

[scooter123]

Personally, I find the slab sided barrels to be pretty ugly. However, when speed matters I've found that it's MUCH easier to shoot quickly with LESS barrel mass as opposed to more. Yeah, heavy barrels do reduce muzzle flip but that additional mass means you you have to fight the intertia returning to target and during transitions. IMO that SSR will prove the superior choice for any competition setting where speed makes the difference in how well you place. I'll also note that the interchangeable front sight is a rather clever bit of design and makes changing front sights a 30 second task with no tools needed. About the only area where S&W dropped the ball with the SSR is that it isn't moon clip capable from the factory, had they done that it would be the perfect choice for IDPA and similar competitions. Good news is there are gunsmiths who offer this modification and it's not terribly costly.

Quite simply, for competition, the SSR is the superior choice, even if it does have that hole that offends so many. BTW, I base my dislike for full lug barrel on my own experience, for high speed shooting I have yet to find anything that shoots better for me than my tapered barrel model 67-1. One of these days I may do the unthinkable and have it converted to run on moon clips.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Thanks guys ... I guess we all feel the same way about this; the "No Dash" is simply too nice to let go. Maybe my Gunsmith can find a way to change the Front Sight to a fiber optic if I find this is really a 'must have", but, the bright Red Insert on the no-dash is pretty easy to see and may even be better in lower light where the FO's just don't show up.

Conclusion ... keep it.

You might want to try a gold dot insert for your 686. Cylinder & Slide or your GS might be able to do the work. Really is a great front sight for fast target aquisition. Keep the no dash. More handsome revolver and no ILS. The slab sided revolvers look plain ugly to me, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Said this before. The only ILS revolver I ever saw lock itself was a 4" 686 3 or 4 years ago during a IPSC match at Blackwater. Made a non believer out of me but If I had one the lock would dissapear and I'd buy a plug from Bulleye Smith to make it 100% reliable from locking up and cover the hole up.

JMHO

 

[.357magger]

Thanks guys ... I guess we all feel the same way about this; the "No Dash" is simply too nice to let go. Maybe my Gunsmith can find a way to change the Front Sight to a fiber optic if I find this is really a 'must have", but, the bright Red Insert on the no-dash is pretty easy to see and may even be better in lower light where the FO's just don't show up.

Conclusion ... keep it.

Find you a 686-5. It has a pinned on front sight and is also easy to swap out. It is an MIM gun but I prefer it to the -4. Just recently sold my last -4 and kept the -5 for just this reason. Have used this pic before and here it is again.

Currently wearing an express rear, will soon have that front replaced with a bead for a "poor man's XS site".

 

[OKFC05]

S&W dropped the ball with the SSR is that it isn't moon clip capable from the factory, had they done that it would be the perfect choice for IDPA and similar competitions.

This would be an absurd modification for IDPA. Why? You can't use moonclips in IDPA/SSR.
You would have to shoot in IDPA/ESR against the Model 625 .45s, and make major power to boot. Serious disadvantage.

The 686SSR comes set up for IDPA/SSR, which is why they call it "SSR."

 

[scooter123]

You're correct, blame it on a "blonde" moment which seems to happen a bit more frequently as I grow blonder with age.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

BUT, I say "BUT" you can have the SSR cut for moons for other classes and just don't use moons for the SSR class .

 

[OKFC05]

BUT, I say "BUT" you can have the SSR cut for moons for other classes and just don't use moons for the SSR class .

There is no such thing as a SSR Class: Class is the shooters rating based on how he/she shoots the classifier.

Sure, you could cut the SSR for shooting bowling pins or some such, but that has absolutely nothing to do with any use in IDPA. Any DIVISION (determined by type of gun) that allows and benefits from using moonclips, in any Sanctioned speed event I'm familiar with, would be better served .with a different model S&W: 625 in USPSA revolver, 627 in pins and steel, etc.

It's something of a peeve of mine for people to tout compensators, moonclips, optic sights, etc for IDPA/SSR, when all are prohibited. I'm just the poor snook official that has to tell the newbie that his ported Taurus revolver is illegal in IDPA, and throws him into open in USPSA, in spite of how often he read otherwise on the internet.
No offense given or taken, just want to keep valid info out there on the forum.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

There is no such thing as a SSR Class: Class is the shooters rating based on how he/she shoots the classifier.

Sure, you could cut the SSR for shooting bowling pins or some such, but that has absolutely nothing to do with any use in IDPA. Any DIVISION (determined by type of gun) that allows and benefits from using moonclips, in any Sanctioned speed event I'm familiar with, would be better served .with a different model S&W: 625 in USPSA revolver, 627 in pins and steel, etc.

It's something of a peeve of mine for people to tout compensators, moonclips, optic sights, etc for IDPA/SSR, when all are prohibited. I'm just the poor snook official that has to tell the newbie that his ported Taurus revolver is illegal in IDPA, and throws him into open in USPSA, in spite of how often he read otherwise on the internet.
No offense given or taken, just want to keep valid info out there on the forum.

Lets get this right now, you say the gun is not allowed by the rule book to shoot the SSR class if cut for moon clips?????? Or is it in the rules that moon clips can't be used in the SSR class?????? Or is it both???? I can't see any gain over shooting a 686 which is cut for moons than one that isn't if moons aren't allowed in the match. Because I think it say's that the gun must use rimmed ammo and not require a moon clip to load the ammo .

 

[OKFC05]

Lets get this right now, you say the gun is not allowed by the rule book to shoot the SSR class if cut for moon clips?????? Or is it in the rules that moon clips can't be used in the SSR class??????

SSR DIVISION (not class) does not allow use of moonclips.
Once again, Class is the score achieved on the classifier, like novice, marksman, sharpshooter, expert, or master.
Division is determined by the characteristics of the equipment used, like Stock Service Revolver (SSR), Enhanced Service Revolver (ESR).

It is legal to use a revolver cut for moonclips for IDPA/SSR Division, but pointless, since the moonclips cannot be used.

As a practical matter, the moonclip cuts, used without moonclips, tend to increase the frequency of ejection hangups. However, the cut itself is the option of the competitor.

If you come to our club match with moonclips and want to shoot IDPA/SSR Division, we will allow you to shoot for no score only. You'll get in some trigger time, but the official results will show DQ for illegal equipment. If you want to shoot IDPA/ESR Division, which allows use of moonclips, then you better have major power ammunition in ESR, or face DQ for failing to make required ESR Division power factor of 165,000.

I hope this information will be of benefit to any shooters who actually want to shoot IDPA.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Divison then (WHO CARES) then I can have a SSR (THAT IS A S&W HANDGUN) cut for moons and use it, then if I what to shoot ICORE where I can use moons then I can use the same gun to shoot that match with it. Plus pins or any other divison of another class of matches.

The above was the only point I was trying to make, That a person could take one gun (LIKE THE SSR) cut for moons and use it in any match they want. Because some people can only buy one gun. Plus the 625 45acp can be used with rimmed cases .

 

[cyberiad]

Divison then (WHO CARES) then I can have a SSR (THAT IS A S&W HANDGUN) cut for moons and use it, then if I what to shoot ICORE where I can use moons then I can use the same gun to shoot that match with it. Plus pins or any other divison of another class of matches.

The above was the only point I was trying to make, That a person could take one gun (LIKE THE SSR) cut for moons and use it in any match they want. Because some people can only buy one gun. Plus the 625 45acp can be used with rimmed cases .

Exactly. I thought that was what Scooter meant to begin with when he said IDPA "and similar competitions." The fact that moonclips are not allowed in IDPA SSR was not really the point and the S&W "SSR" would then be useful as an IDPA and ICORE gun.