I guess the better question might be what is your favorite... I asked around and most people seem to prefer the 686-4, pre-lock, pre-MIM, but with all of the "upgrades" and it is drilled, tapped, etc.

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Aaron Terry

Sir.
The best Model of the 686 is the one is was modeled after.
Colt Python.
Bill@Yuma

I like the -4 for the reasons you mentioned; my favorite is a 4" plus.

A 686 ain't a Python and wasn't modeled after one. Pythons are great until you need to buy one or get it worked on. Pythons are great guns, but different animals.

Aaron, IMO, the best 686 variant is the -4 and you summed up why. The 686-4 is the high point of DA service-sized revolver evolution.

Any 686 is a great gun my first revolver was a 3" 686+ yes it has the lock and mim parts but its my only smith that does,and anyways that was before I knew any different and guess what the gun works like a charm,sure others may disagree but thats my opinion.

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Take it easy. Chris

I recently purchased a model 686 with a 4 inch barrel and love it. I shoot mostly 38s at the range. Even with the 357 magnum load it is a great gun to shot. The wife and I also have model 340s as our carry gun.

Any model that is the original 6-shooter, with a 6" tube or less. I have the 6" tube, I need to collect the shorter barrel lengths.

Oh - & they need to be pre-lock!

I have no idea which model is the "best" but I think very highly of both the 3"and 4" CS-1s, the 686+ Mtn Gun and the 686 SSR.

My favourite and the one I own and shoot in target competition is a model 686-5 "International DX", SKU No. 104295. It's pre-lock, but features MIM parts. They are one of the few 686 revolver models that came frome the factory with a test target included.

In the shooting club I belong to newbies can use a club-owned S&W M686-6 (MIM and lock) with highly satisfactory results. Handles well, absorbs recoil, is durable and trouble-free - as are all L Frames! This one takes constant poundage by .357 Magnum rounds and keeps on ticking.

I know an outstanding handgun shooter who owns a model 686 since the late Eighties. His might be a -1 or -2 version. I don't know. What's more important is that his one was and is used heavily, with many thousands rounds of full power handloads shot through it. It holds up pretty good and is still as accuracte as it was when he first got it.

While I love the looks and history of the N frame model 28 Highway Patrolman (too bad there never was a stainless-steel version!), but as an "allround" .357 Magnum revolver the M586/686 reign supreme. While I also prefer the pre-MIM, pre-IL versions, they are all good, solid and accurate handguns. You cannot go wrong with any version you might encounter/find.

This is my favorite 686, a 4 inch CS-1

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Easy answer...the one I own! A pre-lock 686+ 3", (another special run of non-Performance Center 3 inchers) This one sports African Blackwood Spegels, great grips made by a true Gentleman. All kidding aside, IMHO any pre-lock 686 will give a lifetime of loyal service.

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the most important thing is not which dash number, as there are good ones and bad ones to be found in each. find one that is put together nicely with precise tolerances, and shoots accurately at any distance. my personal favorite is my 3" 686-6 plus. it has the lock, and mim parts. it's also accurate as all hell, has one of the nicest actions i've ever felt on any revolver, points and balances perfectly in my hand.

Hi,
I had a 686-3 4 inch and it was a fine revolver. But I can shoot 357s better out my 28-2 4 inch. Maybe its me. I traded my 686-3 4 inch for a S&W 5903 third generation pistol. I have never looked back. I think the 686 is a fine revolver but I would rather have a N frame for shooting 357s. I like pinned and recess revolvers and the 686 came out around 1980 and Smith never made them with pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. I feel the 686 is a "modern SA/DA revolver" like its competition the Ruger GP100. I feel a older M27/M28 that is in good condition is a better revolver than the 686 or a GP100.
Again opinion only,
roaddog28

Another vote for the 686-4. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Looks good doing all that too.

Why pay more for less? Regards 18DAI.

I've been in the market for a 686 since I've not located the 586 3 inch that I've looked for but all that I've seen in 686 have had the lock. Does all the NIB versions I've seen come with the lock? Everywhere I've seen on the Internet has this dreaded feature if you're looking for a NIB 686.

Hello ColColt:

To answer your 686 question: Yes...all newly manufactured S&W revolvers, (with few exceptions, i.e over-runs of export contract guns) have the very unpopular, (with me anyway...) internal lock...aka: the dreaded key-hole.

The lighter side of that dark equation is: you can find lightly used pre-lock examples...and if you are lucky or rich... sometimes both are needed, you can find a pre-lock 686 as new-old-stock unfired. They are out there, you just have to pay-to-play as they say.

If you'll notice, most S&W stocking dealers have taken to arranging their NIB revolvers lock-side-down. For a while, it was the most annoying shell game...pre-lock? Nope...how 'bout this one...pre-lock...nope. I now just assume they are locked variants. I am a regular at stalking the used cases at my LGS now. Just my taste...not everybody hates the lock as I do. To each's own.

Good luck in your search for your 586 & 686.

This month I like this 686+ 3" the most.

Since next month you may like another one better, want to sell this one?

dbracin...is that a Dash 5 ?

Many variations - many opinions - this is my 686P I bought new 4 years ago. Great gun.

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... ed ...

I've tried really hard to like the L-frame guns ever since they first started making them, with no success. I'd buy one and it would feel clunky and unwieldy compared to a K-frame like the model 19 or 66. So I'd sell it. A year or two later I'd buy another one, decide it was about as sexy as an East German female shot putter, and sell it. Rinse and repeat. Then I finally found the "ONE"! The 686-5 Mountain Gun. Cue angelic choir and beams of sunlight! I will never part with this L-frame!

i like my 686-1 with a 8 3/8'' barrel, although i know of 3 bucks that don't

I love my 6" 686-4. The only way it would be better would be if it had a square butt.
But a set of round to square conversion grips is almost as good.

Since my original April post I have purchased another model 686 - the 3 inch barrel. So now I have a 3 and 4 inch version. I shoot both regularly and enjoy both.

This is my 686-3 which has the Performance Center Master Action job, Spegel grips and not another thing done to it. Factory black finish. One of the best guns I've ever owned.

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Keith Herrington

I have a 686-6 (with the dreaded lock). I like the gun, it is accurate and shoots well. The lock does annoy me though. But the pre -5 models with the integral (non-pinned) front sights annoy me even more. Getting rid of that awful red ramp and replacing it with a decent sight requires expensive smithing. My -6 sight was easily replaced since it is pinned.

Once you get to the -3's you're past all the recalls and floating hand conglomeration so I'd go with 3 and 4 with a slight nod to the 4 if you prefer the classic S&W 686 but have to throw in the -5 as still a really great revolver. If you can live with the lock the -6's are still good with the exception that some of the most recent run need close scrutiny in the shop due to poor QC inspection. Just my thoughts from years of experience with this model.

My favorite was the '04 Stocking Dealer Exclusive, SKU #164284, shown below - with my 4" 627 Pro (My favorite .357M/.38!):



It came as shown - 5" half lug 7-shooter - with a HiViz front and V-notch rear sight, as well as the Ahrends cocobolo square conversion fg grips. Keeper!

Of course, a 2.5" or 3" 686+ would be nice too. As you can tell, the IL doesn't bother me... a current - or recent - production would be fine.

Stainz

I agree wholeheartedly. I have a 66 4inch, so have no need for a 686 4inch (although it might be the best all around revolver in 357 ever made). I love my 8 3/8 and use it for long range target and plinking. Amazingly accurate, relatively soft shooting due to the heavy underlug, and a handsome piece to boot! The only other 686 I would love to run across is the 3inch......primarliy because it is so simllar to my 696, a strong favorite of mine.

Ahoy... Arq12, at your service, and a long time lurker. I've had both a 6" and a 2.5" 686. The 2.5 is a white elephant, too large for concealed carry, too small for hunting; I still wish I had that 6" model, I forget what I traded it for.

I currently also have a 6" Python, just sayin'...

The 4" Stainless 7 shot is the best of it's breed, good balance and firepower a fine combo IMHO