New 686 Plus, 2.5"

[Bob1943]

Been about a year since I started looking for one of these, 686-Plus, 2.5" barrel. Looked at 20+ over that time frame, but encountered canted barrels and/or scratched frames. Finally found one last week that looked pretty good, probably 99%, which is about as good as you will get on a production line gun. The vertical rear sight blade was slightly crooked, but S&W said they would send me a new one.

Spent about a half hour at the LGS inspecting the gun, especially the barrel. If it has a cant to it, it is not readily perceptible. I probably looked along the frame top and barrel rib alignment 15 or 20 times. In good direct light at home it looked dead-on straight, so I'm happy. Front sight blade is perfectly vertical.

Had to get rid of the stock rubber grips. Within an hour of getting the gun home, I had placed an order for Hogue round to square butt conversion, Cocobolo, top-finger groove, checkered, with striped cap, grips. Just received them today, so I thought it was time for the obligatory pictures. They really look and feel nice.

I included an un-boxing picture along with a close-up with the stock rubber grips. The rest of the pictures are with the Cocobolo grips.

Here are the first 5 pictures, 2 more in the next post.

 

[Bob1943]

Last 2 pics

 

[snubbyfan]

That's a beauty you got there.

 

[Pef]

Last 2 pics

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that yoke-to-frame gap in the top picture looks out of spec.


Just Kidding! Nice 686!

 

[Bob1943]

In the last photo, it is hard to see, it looks like the wooden cap has a metal butt plate. Am I correct about that or is it merely the level of laminated wood?

In either case the grips are handsome.

Good thread.

The striped butt cap is all wood. There is a single screw that goes through the bottom of the grip to secure the grip to the interior steel stirrup that is connected to the frame.

 

[Mehutch]

Hellva great gun. I carry mine 50% of the time. Accurate, powerful and damn so good looking.

Great find and good-by..... (I mean good buy.)

 

[bigwheelzip]

Hellva great gun. I carry mine 50% of the time. Accurate, powerful and damn so good looking.

I wish I could have kept the wood grips on mine, it looks so much better with them. Couldn't keep a firm enough grip for fast follow-up shots with magnum loads. Hogue Bantams tamed it but the looks are meh.

 

[Mehutch]

I wish I could have kept the wood grips on mine, it looks so much better with them. Couldn't keep a firm enough grip for fast follow-up shots with magnum loads. Hogue Bantams tamed it but the looks are meh.

I was at first reluctant to get the grips, but sent in the order. After getting them on, it was so comfortable to hold, it filled my hand and I have been very impressed. I will buy another one for my other 686. And they look fabulous.

 

[dwever]

A couple times it looked like it might have maybe .001" overclock (I know, you can't eyeball something that small, that's why it's imperceptible). Front sight blade is perfectly vertical.

Nice weapon. Nothing can look to the human eye like it might be 1/1,000 of inch out of alignment.

So now that we know who you really are, watch out for Kryptonite.

 

[chrisangel]

I was at first reluctant to get the grips, but sent in the order. After getting them on, it was so comfortable to hold, it filled my hand and I have been very impressed. I will buy another one for my other 686. And they look fabulous.

Can I ask you exactly which grips those are? I've been looking for a set for a 627PC and those look great.
Thanks.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Great looking gun. Those grips are perfect.

 

[Roy P]

nice piece. I picked up mine used, maybe took 2 minutes to decide.

 

[Mehutch]

Ahrends Grips;
Retro Combat Round Butt: Oil Finished Moradillo

These grips are the round butt model of the Retro Combat grips. They too are are rounded at the bottom to aid in concealed carry. I find these grips to be proportioned well enough to work on both short and long barrel guns. These grips are for K/L and N frame revolvers with a round butt.

Another look:


I think this would be one of the 'Run-out-of-the-house' guns, it is just that good.

 

[Gpsman]

I bought a slightly used 2.5" 686+ earlier this year.
It was a good deal and I kind of liked it. Brought it home and started shooting it.
It's now one of my favorites! Originally it had the stock rubber grips that fit my hand well but were too long for concealment.
It now wears Altamont round butt combats.

I liked it so well I bought another one in 3" and have almost bought another 2.5".

It's that good. Shoots great. Heavy yes, but it's good weight.

Carrys well in a Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake or a Lobo Gunleather Enhanced pancake.

I have many pistols to choose from....but if I had to choose one pistol to walk out the door with and have it and only it forever, the 2.5" 686+ might just be it.

Enjoy yours! They are FUN to shoot.

 

[Gpsman]

Here it is in it's BBQ holster.
Alex at American Classic Gunleather made for me.
Wonderful holster!

 

[5Wire]

I was at first reluctant to get the grips, but sent in the order. After getting them on, it was so comfortable to hold, it filled my hand and I have been very impressed. I will buy another one for my other 686. And they look fabulous.

Same model revolver and holster, Hogue Bantam stocks.

 

[grip frame]

Here is mine.

Its a fun one to shoot and accurate.