686 general info

[Narragansett]

I am considering a 686, but know very little about them. Obviously I want a pre- lock. Is there a preferred dash number?

What is the general opinion on best bbl length for balance?

Anything I should know that I did not ask? I am more up on older guns.........................being older

I do realize I am asking for subjective opinions

Thanks

 

[Dieseltech56]

The most refined are the dash 3 and dash 4 variations. Most people say the 4 inch is the best overall length but I prefer 6 inch

 

[CH4]

Many, including myself, consider the dash 4 to be the pinnacle of the 686 lineage.

Pre lock
Pre mim
Tapped and drilled for a scope base
Dash 4 plus was the first 7 shot
Case color hardened trigger and hammer instead of flash chrome


For my uses I prefer the 2.5" dash 4 plus

 

[oldman10mm]

I believe -5 and earlier are prelock. No dash and -1 required recall/rework to obtain 'M' stamp-changed/modified for hammer nose bushing.
I'm a fan of all the barrel lengths.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

You cant go wrong with anything -5 down(since you said prelock)
Top two are no "M"s. Bottom is a -3.

 

[k22fan]

Dash 4 would be my first choice if I was going to mount optics or wanted a 7 shot. Not needing either of those things I prefer dash 3 for their non-rusting chromed hammers and triggers. Also the 2 1/2" dash 3s like the one Lou-the-welder posted a picture of were the last revolvers shipped with S&W made Combat Stocks.

Long before S&W discontinued square butts across the product line they made 3" and 4" round butt 686s for the US Custom's Service then sold more of them onto the civilian market. You might like their early engineering features combined with a 3" barrel.

Most 686s are full lug. 6" full lug are uncomfortably heavy in belt holsters but make great target guns. 4" full lug 686s made better belt guns. 8 3/8" full lug 686s are so snout heavy that they almost need to be mounted on a tri-pod. There are small numbers of 5" barreled 686s that do not have the full lug and 4" light barrel 686 Mountain Guns with both 6 and 7 shot cylinders.

In case you really do not know much about them I'll add L frames were never made pinned or recessed.

 

[rubiranch]

I had a 4" no dash, a 5" -6+ (+ means it holds 7 rounds) and a 6" no dash.

I sold the 4" and the 5" and kept the 6".

I am a better shot with my 6" 686 than I am with any of my other guns.

 

[ajgunner]

You cant go wrong with anything -5 down(since you said prelock)
Top two are no "M"s. Bottom is a -3.

This is definitely the way to go---one of each size so you can cover all the bases.

 

[wood714]

I have a 2.5" and a 4", Both -1's.

I think Smith really upped their game when they came out with the 686/586 series.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I like a 6" -5, but it depends on what you want to do with it. I have 10 686es in different configurations. They are my favorite target and competition gun.

 

[TTSH]

The most refined are the dash 3 and dash 4 variations. Most people say the 4 inch is the best overall length but I prefer 6 inch

It would be a 686-3 in 6" for me. It has to have the old style thumbpiece for this old timer or it ain't a 'real' Smith & Wesson.

The 6" may not balance as well as the 4" as many folks say, but I love that l-o-n-g Python-like look on my revolvers in the 586/686 series.

 

[Invictus357]

Through the years I had a 6" -5, 2.5" -6 and a 3" -6+.

All were nice. But if I was after a pre-lock I would most definitely get a 6" -4.

 

[Struckat]

686-1 is my new favorite. I grew up with K frames and never considered the L.

I bought a M69 and really like it. I started wondering about L in 357, while looking for a K snub.

My LGS got in a used 686-1 and it sat there for a few months, hood rats only buy plastic. After seeing it there for a while, I finally asked to see it. Well that was all it took. Went home and found some thing in the safe that would make trade.

Well I could not have imagined how good of a decision that was.
It is as though this is the only gun I have had all my life. It's like an extension of my hand. I am as accurate with it as guns I have owned for years.

I am very sorry that I ignored these to this point. Now it is my constant companion.

I say buy at least one. You will need a snub and a 4"

 

[wood714]

686-1 is my new favorite. I grew up with K frames and never considered the L.

I bought a M69 and really like it. I started wondering about L in 357, while looking for a K snub.

My LGS got in a used 686-1 and it sat there for a few months, hood rats only buy plastic. After seeing it there for a while, I finally asked to see it. Well that was all it took. Went home and found some thing in the safe that would make trade.

Well I could not have imagined how good of a decision that was.
It is as though this is the only gun I have had all my life. It's like an extension of my hand. I am as accurate with it as guns I have owned for years.

I am very sorry that I ignored these to this point. Now it is my constant companion.

I say buy at least one. You will need a snub and a 4"

Are those Ahrends stocks?

 

[Struckat]

Yes Ahrends, and they fit really nice.

I wish they were wider at the shoulder like factory targets. I need to spread the load when shooting full power mags.

This one may end up with round targets or some Grasshorns some day.

 

[Engine49guy]

My favorites are :
The 4" 686-4+ (7 shot, grooved tangs, Pre MIM, Pre IL, Pre Internal firing pin).
The 686-4 is probably the high water mark in the 686's evolution but the rear site unit is unique to the dash 4 so dont ever remove and lose it.

The 4" 686-5+ (7 shot Mountain Gun, Pre IL )
The Mountain Gun is my favorite barrel profile and IIRC the 7 shot version weighs a little less than my 4" Model 66 ,
The MG appears with the 686-5 which also introduces the internal firing pin on SW center fire revolvers, the IL appears in the -6 revision .

 

[Eddietruett]

I have a 2.5", 4", 6" 7" (pro series barrel) and 8 3/8". Love them all. Probably shoot the long barrel the most. Mounted with a red dot tube it is deadly accurate and a hoot to shoot at 100 yards.

 

[Benchrest1]

Of all the 686's I have, I like my 5" 686 Pro the best. Second would be the 6" version.

 

[EricR]

I only have the pictured - 3. As for balance, this revolver is perfect for me. Rock solid. I don't have real big hands so between the frame size and combat stocks this short little barrel shoots mighty straight for me.

 

[OLDSTER]

I'm partial to the 686-4 as the best variant of the 686. I've owned this one for many years. However, any 686/586 is world class for sure.