and now I'm having some regrets so just need to have a little cry to you lot who I know will fully understand... ....

....it looks like I may have jumped the gun on buying a new 686, having been unable to find a good second hand one - in particularly having been unable to find a good 686-4.

I've been getting the makings together for reloading 38's for my new 686 (that I'm just waiting on the license processing for - from this thread Finally joined the 686 club - thanks to all who gave their advice) so was in my local firearms store this arvo when I was shown a lovely 686-4 (pre lock) that looks in as-new condition.

Everything that I can see about it looks like it has been hardly used, if at all. I didn't get the serial number to check the date - but probably because I was in denial.......it is exactly what I was chasing up until about two weeks when I committed to the new one.

But, having already submitted my paperwork for the new 686 I know it would cause all sorts of delays and grief trying to get it changed with our licensing department, so I reckon I'm just going to have to suck it up and be happy with what I have committed to.

Nothing wrong with having 2 of the 686, one new with the frame mounted firing pin and one old school with the pin on hammer.

I have a new 686 4" and mine has been excellent. I feel for the people here that have had nothing but headaches but I can not relate. I have bought two new 686's in the past three years and both of mine were and are perfect. I hope yours is one of the great ones and you can enjoy years of enjoyment with it. And as stated above, there is nothing wrong with having two 686's.
Frank.

I recently bought a new 686-6 3". In spite of all the "S&W QA" issues being raised on the forum, mine (built in April '15) was perfect and is a real shooter. More accurate than I am capable of shooting. That said, if I come across a good deal on a early 581 or 686 in mint condition I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. Like the above post said, absolutely nothing wrong with having two.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

I'm curious what foreign country or communist state you live in that so much paperwork is involved before a sale? Every time I hear about someone in New Jersey trying to buy a gun, it makes me sick to my stomach that years after the Heller decision states are still getting away with denying your Constitutional rights.

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Jhawk412
Tulsa, Ok.

Australia.

Agreed that it'd be nice to have the two, but it's a bit soon for me to get a second just now...... I do have plans to buy a shorter barrel version down the track a bit.

I am sorry to be reading all of the recent posts regarding new 686's. My new 686-6 6" barrel ser cmd5946 has no flaws anywhere to be found. It is a 686 deluxe talo. I have only put 50 38 rounds and 50 magnum rounds through it. No barrel cant, no finish scratches, grips are perfect. I have shot it and it is now locked up for the future, if I ever fire it again. I consider the 686 my holy grail gun, and will never part with it.

I too bought a new 686, lock and all. And I am happy to say there is no problems or flaws whatsoever with the gun. Don't beat yourself up. You have purchased an excellent firearm that is going to serve you well for many years to come.

The first time you pull that trigger with that crisp single action break, all your cares will float away and all will be right with the world.

If you can swing it, buy the cream puff and sell the other one. You should be able to get your money back on it. And when it gets down to it, any version of the 686 is a good one.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have 3 of them. 2 four inch a no dash and dash 4 and a 2.5 inch no dash. They all shoot great!!! I shot a friends new 686 and it too shot great. Not the same smooth trigger pull but then again mine have been carried and shot at work and have thousands of 38 and some 357 down range. You will love the 686!!!!

Tony P

I too have a new 686 not a flaw and shoots perfect. If I come across an older one I'll pick it up but seldom come along here. In Illinois we have a 72 hr period. I buy a gun Tuesday get it fri enjoy it all weekend. Haven't lost much sleep with those laws but do wish we were a little more free with regulations.

Believe me, that's what's been crossing my mind over night, however the license application (here in Western Oz) is $175.00 - non refundable - so I've been weighing up what it'd cost me - i.e. what I'd lose in reselling the new one and to reapply for another license (though new prices have gone up since I put the money down on my new one so I may not lose that much on it).

Depending on how I'm feeling about the new one after I can collect it and compete with it, if this -4 is still for sale in a few months I may go back for it. But there's also an element of how many firearms you can buy of the same calibre/type before our licensing branch starts getting a bit snaky with you.

Of all states in Australia, Western Oz seems to have the most difficult and time consuming licensing application process, whereby you basically have to buy the firearm (or put a deposit on it) before applying for the license for that specific firearm, including stating the serial number. The whole process (other than for your first firearm which is significantly longer), from getting club support (required here for a handgun) through to submitting the license application through a post office and getting the license issued can take six weeks or more.

Whereas in Queensland, once you have the appropriate class license for the firearm you'd apply for a Permit to Acquire (PTA) for the type and calibre and can leave off the serial number so that you still have the opportunity to change the actual firearm right up until you buy it. Applications there are submitted on-line and are turned around relatively quickly.

Also the dealers vary quite a bit in their willingness to refund a deposit if you change your mind or can't get the license approved - for example my local licensed dealer will retain 20% of the value of the firearm if you don't go ahead with the sale...others will happily provide a full refund.

Sir,

I don't know if this will make you feel any better or not -probably not, but it's worth a try.

I have both a -4 and a -6, and the trigger pull is smoother on the -6, and it's just as accurate as the -4 if not more so. The -4 also has a strange abnormality which causes the hammer to move sideways partway through the double-action pull -doesn't seem to cause a problem, but kind of casts a shadow on the commonly supposed across-the-board superiority of forged parts.

Both guns are wonderful; I just thought I might provide a bit of perspective.

Best wishes,
Andy

I'm not sure what life is like on OZ but in OH I would just buy both and that would be the end of the conversation.

I just read your last post... sorry you live in Australia as far as gun laws go. The US has had its Port Arthur... called Sandy Hook a few /couple of years ago. Fortunately for us who live in the US, we have a Constitution that so far, has kept the government from confiscation and unusual overreach of powers. Except for a few states that I won't name..

It seems you are probably "stuck" with a nice 686 4" that is new. I can think of a lot worse scenarios. Enjoy.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Hi, my name is David and I own a 686. Or two.....or three......

Well have just had some good news. I contacted our Western Australian Weapons Licensing Branch to at least check what might be involved in changing the application mid stream - i.e. what cost and delays may be involved - (rather than not ask and find out one day that I should have)...... and lo and behold the answer has come back:

"This is a service that is not normally provided. However as the application has not been processed at this time I will accept this request.

Please provide to me a new Club Support letter and a new serviceability certificate by the COB 18/6/2015 and the exchange will be effected."


So I've now committed to the -4 and am very happy with the outcome. As well as saving $410.00 on the purchase (which can go into reloading gear - or a shorter barrel 686) I reckon I'll be happier with it. I'll post a couple of pic's to show condition when I can get some later today.

Wow !! Lots of hoops to jump thru just to buy a firearm. However, you are making the right choice with going for the -4 model.
Please give us pictures and a range report on your 686-4.

Congratulations!

Here are some pics of the second hand and much cheaper -4 that I'm now buying, instead of a new one:












It'll be a week or two before I get the permit to be able to pick it up, but once I do I'll swap the grips for a Nill grip (probably the Phil Hemphill ones), give it a good clean while they're off, maybe upgrade the springs and perhaps give it a bit of a general polish and will post some new pics when done.

Well done, Sir! That is a beautiful 686, and very well cared for by the looks of it.

That rear sight is waaaay up there - you may want to turn it down or your first few shots might sail over the target (unless you're shooting 100 yards )