686 2.5inch measurments

ccalda · Jun 27, 2012

Hello S&W forum! I have been reading threads on this forum for years and love the community. I should of made an account years ago but all the questions I ever had about S&W firearms have pretty much been answer at some point in time on this forum.

One thing I have never seen discussed is the measurements of the 686 2.5inch. This is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find on the S&W website and no different on the internet in general. There are a couple threads discussing cylinder diameter but no information regarding the frame height (with boot grips to negate any added length of a long grip) from the bottom of the frame where the grip is to the highest part of the gun not including the sights and a measurement of the thickest part of the frame itself. I know from reading past threads that the cylinders on the 686 and 686+ are the same measuring in at about 1.526 inches. Please correct me if I am wrong on that.

And if anyone is wondering why I just don't go to a gun store and look at one myself, it is because they are almost impossible to find at my local gun store.

If anyone can give some information of this it would be great!

Thanks!

DeafSmith · Jun 27, 2012

Can't give you a measurment right now as I'd have to dig them out of the safe but...

M66-3 on the left and M686-3 on the right. The 686 now has ebony Secret Service stocks not unlike the 66 has.

You can see the frame difference and cylinder thickness here.

ccalda · Jun 28, 2012

Thank you for the reply and the picture comparison, it really helps to put the size into perspective. That M66 is incredible, I cant imagine why Smith & Wesson ever stopped making them. Great looking guns though.

If you ever have time to get them out of the safe maybe you could measure the height of them, I'm guessing its around 4.5inches tall with boot grips?. It would be much appreciative. As I said before, this kind of information is almost impossible to find on the internet.

schneiderguy · Jun 28, 2012

ccalda said:
Thank you for the reply and the picture comparison, it really helps to put the size into perspective. That M66 is incredible, I cant imagine why Smith & Wesson ever stopped making them. Great looking guns though.

If you ever have time to get them out of the safe maybe you could measure the height of them, I'm guessing its around 4.5inches tall with boot grips?. It would be much appreciative. As I said before, this kind of information is almost impossible to find on the internet.

I've got longer grips on my 686, but it looks like it's a little bit under 5" from the bottom to the top of the frame.

DeafSmith · Jun 28, 2012

ccalda,

The M66 2 1/2 and the Ruger Speed Six 3 2/4 are THE best revolvers I have ever used on the street. Especially after having their actions slicked up.

I guess cost is the reason. A Glock 26/27 don't cost as much and gives pretty good performance (but they have the personality of a TV remote.)

I do pack Glocks (yes 26/27/and 33) but my heart is in wheelgun territory.

I'll see about getting them out if the safe. Will be good to fondle them some (but not obscenely.)

ccalda · Jun 28, 2012

DeafSmith,

I've been wanting a M66 2.5 for years but unfortunately their harder to find than a 686 2.5. I have seen several M66 2.5 for sale online at buds guns shop as well as other sites but for a used gun 10, 15, and 20+ years old I would like to inspect it myself before buying. Just my personal preference though.

I have carried the Glock 26 for 3 years now. It is my EDC but 1 year ago at the range the gun failed to feed not 1 but 2 times during the course of firing 4 boxes of 50 115gr. FMJ. The failure to feed happen not consecutively but about 60-70 rounds apart from each other. At that point in time I had fired about 1800 rounds through the gun with no previous malfunctions. It was very discomforting to know that a gun I bet my life and my families life on failed 2 times on the same day. The next day I ordered a new recoil spring and had no further malfunctions. At the time this is being written I have fired approximately 3000 rounds through my 26. About 2 weeks ago at my families land I was shooting some of the same 115gr FMJ i always shoot at targets...it happened again, a failure to feed.

My little snub nose 442 has fired countless times and never malfunctioned in anyway. I want a 686 + to *possibly* replace my Glock or at least be used for winter carry. I just need to know if the dimensions are appropriate for my carry needs.

As a side note maybe I expect to much from a firearm...maybe 3 malfunctions in 3000 rounds is exceptional performance, but for me that just hard to sit with.

ccalda · Jun 28, 2012

schneiderguy,

Thanks for the approximation. I was definitively thinking it was for sure between 4.5-5inch.

Thanks for your time!

DeafSmith · Jun 28, 2012

ccalda,

There is NO fame hight difference! At lest side by side the 66 and 686 are the same with Secret Service stocks. The 'Four Horsemen' below are all mine. All .357s and all shoot right on the money. Notice all Secret Service stocks. 4.5 inches almost exactly on frame height and both about 8.5 inches from muzzle to grip butt on both M66 and M686.

I am shocked about your Glock. I suspect the problem is weak wrist syndrome. That is for some reason you can't now and then lock your wrist strong enough to keep it from mis-feeding. It does happen!!! I know a few people who cannot use the small Glocks because of that. It's not the gun's fault but some people can't lock the wrist consistently thousands of times to avoid a jam, especially shooting one handed.

So maybe a revolver would be better. If so may I suggest Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP .38s in any of the four you see on the photo. That is what I use. From my 2 3/4 inch speed six it chronos out at 1100 fps (chroned it myself.) That's the FBI load on steroids. Manageable yet quite powerful. I keep a couple of boxes of it and then I reload for practice ammo.

ccalda · Jun 29, 2012

Damn...those are some nice guns and thank you so much for the measurements and your effort, it is much appreciated. I think after seeing those pictures and finally getting some solid measurements I'm sold. Probably going to order a new one Monday, just cant resist anymore. And those grips are some sweet wood. On the S&W site they note those for N frame only and the 686 isn't even listed as a compatible gun but they seem to fit like a glove.

And you may be right about limp wristing. Maybe I got lazy on those 3 rounds hehe

So finally the internet has some solid measurements on a 2.5 686:

Length - 7.5 inch long (S&W site) and 8.5 inch long (actual measurement)
Cylinder Diameter - 1.521 inches
Frame Height - 4.5 inches
Weight - 34.1oz (2.1lbs)

686 2.5inch measurments

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