The Ideal 686

[HOUSTON RICK]

Perhaps the single most frequently discussed revolver on this forum is the Model 686 based on completely unscientific observation, I am interested in pictures and descriptions of what you consider the ideal or optimum Model 686 and why. I would like, a 6" barrel, 7-shot 686 with a non-fluted cylinder just because. Thank you for playing along.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I shoot the 686+ 6" better than my 627. I dont know the reason. I know that Jerry Miculek has won using a 3" 686+. Why doesnt he shoot 8 shooters? Why does he load 6 rounds only in a 7 shot? When you make your own rounds, sometimes depending on the load, they creep out. Its happened to me. I load 6 out of 7 or 8 for that matter. So im sure you'll like the 6". Some would say a 4". Depends how you shoot them.

Home defense; more rounds, the better.

 

[SS57]

Sorry no pics but I will play anyway. I currently own a 3"-6, 4"-4, and 6"-3. My vote for "ideal" 686 would have to be the 3" or 4". And I would probably lean towards the 4". For two reasons-portability and balance. It is a personal choice for everyone to make on their own. You can not go wrong with any of them. They are great in any barrel length.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I own a talo 3" 686+ and have never been completely happy with it so decided to make it my own. I tossed the grips, went with old school magnas and Tyler-T. Replaced sights with a gold bead, and switched out the thumb piece with an old style one. It's almost perfect... Just need to get a plug for the lock and it'll be the perfect 686. For me at least.

 

[Riflemann]

We have a 4" and a 6" 686. I will take the 4" any day. I just shot it at the range today and I love this gun more each time I shoot it, and I shoot it every week. The balance seems perfect, trigger is great, hits where I aim. This gun does get cycled through as my carry gun about 25% of the time, depending what I am wearing. I am planning on adding a 2.5" 686PC in the near future. Good Luck on your choice....

 

[bemisgt]

I sold my 6" and bought a 4" and 3". Really nothing more than personal preference in my case.

 

[Engine49guy]

Model 686+ seven shot Mountain gun (pre IL)

 

[scooter123]

My first revolver was a model 67-1 with a tapered 4 inch barrel. Time spent shooting that revolver taught me that less barrel weight makes for a revolver that is more responsive in the hand. Basically it's sort of like a 1500 lbs Lotus 7 compared to a 3400 lbs. Corvette. While that Corvette may be more powerful the Lotus 7 is responsive in ways that someone only familiar with a Corvette won't ever understand. So my nominee for the ultimate 686 would be the Mountain Gun with a close second being either the 2 1/2 inch or 3 inch versions.

 

[Ashlander]

I have a 3" like Bemisgt above, but I put some Hogue grips on it that fit my smallish hands better. I love 3" guns.

 

[GLK43]

I have a 686-6+ Talo, unfluted 5" bbl. I think if you want unfluted, it would have to be the Talo, which is 3, 5, and 7" bbl's.
5" bbl is a good medium between 4 and 6". Very pleasant to shoot.

I spent about 3hrs buffing it with Mothers Mag the other night. I wanted to buff out the mim trigger and hammer.

25yds on a rest with the Leup 2x scope. First 7 shots before I sighted it in. It was bulls eye after.

 

[Super Dave]

I live in Hawaii, can't carry, and only shoot at the range. So, my ideal 686 range gun is the 8" version. But, the 6" shoots very well and is more versatile.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K4DS3Yd95I3dY3SeCu_1uuuwxemrKWJiIA3qapr-ZH8?feat=directlink

Sorry about the photo. Not sure why it's not showing up...never had an issue until now...

 

[ankona]

My vote is for the 3 inch version; but I am biased.

 

[keithherrington]

One of my two carry guns

My other gun is a pre-lock L-Comp, basically the same gun in blue. Size, balance and accuracy of both guns is first rate. Fit and finish is great as well. For their intended purpose, can't be beat.





Keith

 

[twodog max]

I have a 4 and 6 inch 686 and if you count it a 4 inch 586. My favorites are the 4 inch. I have never had or shot a 3 inch but sure would like to. I figure before to long the 6 inch may move along. It is real accurate but I rarely shoot it because for me it is to big for easy carrying. I wish S&W would make some with the old style shrouded ejector minus the big lug. The SSR is close but needs to go a little further.

 

[GTBL]

Have the 3" and it is in my hands perfect. As I have mentioned in other post, the 3" fits easier in a drawer, car console and laptop bag much easier than larger barrel guns. To each his own and there is no such thing as a bad 686.

 

[bananaman]

After I traded for a 586 no dash, shortly after I got a 686-3, 6". I never did a side by side comparison at the range. IF I had to eliminate 1, it would be the 6" Bob

 

[BAM-BAM]

Mine is a 4" 686-nuttin w/ an action job, that I had round butted in the 80s..... currently wearing Spegel checkered "extended' Boot Grips.

Back in the day it wore a set of Pachmeyr round butt compact grips.....still great grips for shooting........

 

[DD357]

For me it's a 4"; in a snub I want a K frame and I don't care for the longer full underlug barrels.

 

[SAFireman]

How about a 3" CS-1.

You might could improve upon it with a 7 shot cylinder, but what fun would that be?

A close second is the 686 mountain gun, 7 shot (pre-lock)

 

[girvin02]

This may be blasphemy, but I recently sold my (pre-lock) 586 L-Comp and bought a 4" 686-5 (also pre-lock) to replace it. I found the 3" L-frame too big to comfortably conceal and prefer the balance of the 4" at the range. As an added bonus, I could buy two 4" 686's for what I sold the L-Comp for.