How do the regular 686 and the 686 Performance Center model differ?

[sw282]

l buy slightly used guns for the same reasons l buy slightly used cars. l usually get a better price and ''hopefully'' the first owner got all the BUGS out...

Dow side..There are a few miles on the speedo and that dreaded Turn Line on the cyl.. No worry tho... l plan on improving them both with lotsa miles and lotsa LEAD

 

[subvet69]

Picked up mine today. The only complaint is the handle fit. I'll probably go to the range tomorrow to see how crappy I am.

 

[Walky Talki]

Is there any good holsters for the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model?

 

[subvet69]

I own a couple from Wright Leather Works, so I ordered one from them for this weapon. Problem is the 8 to 10 week lead time.

 

[Walky Talki]

I own a couple from Wright Leather Works, so I ordered one from them for this weapon. Problem is the 8 to 10 week lead time.

Did you have to send it in for them to make it?

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I filled out my paperwork now I have a 10 day hold

What?

 

[WPWarhawk]

I own the 686 PC with 2.5 inch barrel. The current PC model. The barrel is tapered or flat on the sides. It has a 7 shot cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder is the same as the 6 shot so it fits standard 686 holsters. The front site is dove tailed and looks bright red orange. My favorite front site on all my guns. The action is as smooth as my Python. The performance center does work their magic on the action. I know this because it is much much lighter and smoother than any of my other Smiths and they are regular production models. The hammer and trigger are chrome flashed and the trigger has a trigger stop. I have started collecting new in box old and unfired revolvers. I own the Royal Blue Python and my next on the list is to buy a new and unfired 66-1. These old guns don't have MIM or locks. I'm mentioning this to say that even though my 2014 686 PC has MIM and a lock, it is still my favorite revolver. I really like it. I carry it everyday. All day on weekends. Even though it's a 34 oz gun, I don't even feel it on my hip. This is because I have a sturdy gun belt and holster. Galco belt and Galco Combat Master holster. The PC 686 is worth the $1k. Hope this helps.

I recently picked up one of these myself, and I agree that the action is very smooth.

Other differences are, unglued cylinder, cylinder cut for moon clips, and of course the grips, which fit my hand well.

 

[jtcarm]

l buy slightly used guns for the same reasons l buy slightly used cars. l usually get a better price and ''hopefully'' the first owner got all the BUGS out...



Dow side..There are a few miles on the speedo and that dreaded Turn Line on the cyl.. No worry tho... l plan on improving them both with lotsa miles and lotsa LEAD

I agree on the used philosophy. Guns get used way less than cars.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Other differences are, unglued cylinder, cylinder cut for moon clips, and of course the grips, which fit my hand well.

I wouldn't want the cylinder to come unglued! [emoji33]

 

[jtcarm]

Actually the old 686's from the 1980's are all Performance Center guns to me. PC guns are just Smiths way of saying we are going to try to make this one as good as we did 30 years ago. Just avoiding a canted barrel today takes a lot of searching and effort.

The PC guns are customized to a particular task such as carry, competition, or hunting.

Action wise, there were plenty that left the factory 30 years ago rough as a cob. Probably more since the forged parts were not as consistent dimensionally as MIM. Hence the need for all that wonderful "hand fitting".

The main difference is, 30 years ago, there wasn't a World Wide Web to report every problem and have it repeated and reposted.

 

[sodacan]

Among my favorite "PC" guns are models 1950, 1955, 357 Magnum and Highway Patrolman. All are pre model number guns from the 50's when the whole factory was a "performance center". Great fit and finish with incredibly smooth actions. I encourage anyone contemplating a more modern PC gun to plunk down the cash for any of these models. You will not be disappointed. Sorry, none of them are stainless, just an amazing deep blue. Shoot what you like, and like what you shoot. Good luck to all.

 

[varmint243]

I have a 686 Pro series.
I'm not particularly impressed, I would rather have a second regular 6" 686.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure why they cut all the weight off the barrel.
How is that an improvement ?

 

[M3Stuart]

Methinks you may be over thinking this.

One is 'a gun'.

The other is 'a cooler gun'.

(you can replace 'cool' with rad, outtasight, maz-maz, totes-magotes, or whatever - depending on your age...).

 

[subvet69]

Did you have to send it in for them to make it?

No, just mention the barrel size if it's less than the 4" you order it by.

 

[Walky Talki]

I went looking up the rules for the IDPA revolver division and it appears that the maximum barrel length is 4.2 inches . . which leads me to wonder why the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model is called a Competitor model when it can't be used in the revolver division

 

[bigfatty]

I have a 686 Pro series.
I'm not particularly impressed, I would rather have a second regular 6" 686.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure why they cut all the weight off the barrel.
How is that an improvement ?

Some would consider it an improvement in balance. Obviously, others do not.

 

[Co Th G]

I went looking up the rules for the IDPA revolver division and it appears that the maximum barrel length is 4.2 inches . . which leads me to wonder why the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model is called a Competitor model when it can't be used in the revolver division

News Flash.... IDPA is hardly the end all of shooting sports.

 

[rwsmith]

Their QC department.....

I'd say that, plus the fact that they don't seem to have any dedicated QC checkers anymore, AND their standards as to what is "acceptable" to go out the door has lowered. You can't tell me that the guy test firing the guns doesn't notice the canted barrels and misaligned top serrations. Both the guns I've had to send back were produced on the same day and test fired by the same employee ... and both had to go right back. It's pretty frustrating.

Their QC department is the customer. If it doesn't come back to the factory, it's a good gun.

 

[ballistic]

I'm very unhappy to hear about some of the less than satisfactory recent PC guns. The only solid information that I can share are about two PC guns that I have considerable experience with. I had purchased a used pre-lock 627 PC some years ago that has among the smoothest action of any revolver that I have ever handled (untouched from the factory, per the original purchaser). There are no issues, and I don't imagine that I would ever sell it. The other one was a 66 3 inch ported PC model from a few years ago, that had the dreaded lock but, was of similar quality and craftsmanship as my beloved 627 PC. Have things really gone to pot recently, or has the digital age made it so that hundreds of satisfied customers are drowned out by a few mistakes getting through? I can't say for sure.

 

[Walky Talki]

I'm very unhappy to hear about some of the less than satisfactory recent PC guns. The only solid information that I can share are about two PC guns that I have considerable experience with. I had purchased a used pre-lock 627 PC some years ago that has among the smoothest action of any revolver that I have ever handled (untouched from the factory, per the original purchaser). There are no issues, and I don't imagine that I would ever sell it. The other one was a 66 3 inch ported PC model from a few years ago, that had the dreaded lock but, was of similar quality and craftsmanship as my beloved 627 PC. Have things really gone to pot recently, or has the digital age made it so that hundreds of satisfied customers are drowned out by a few mistakes getting through? I can't say for sure.

Mine seems to be in exceptional condition, I was very relieved as I didn't want to be tasked/burdened by sending it in for warranty - I really like the gun but haven't been able to take it to the range yet. I'm kind of still lusting