686 Plus 7" for Bullseye

pittpa · Mar 19, 2020

I've been shooting a Python 38 Target in Bullseye competition for many years. I'd like to switch to a Smith trigger. My 625-8 has a great trigger and is accurate as can be, but is too light with it's 4" barrel for my preference when shooting timed and rapid fire in D/A mode. I believe a 686 with the long barrel would fit the bill, especially with the added weight of the 38 barrel.
I have some trepidation about buying a new S&W revolver in consideration of quality complaints, but used 8" 686 guns seem to cost as much or more as the new 7" model. I also do not feel it is necessary to spend another $400 for a Competition model with the weighted barrel.
I'd be happy to hear from folks who own the new 686 Plus models.

Jim Watson · Mar 19, 2020

Can't help you there, I just now learned that they were making 7" barrels.

Protocall_Design · Mar 19, 2020

As they say, Size Matters. I have 10 686es in various factory and custom configurations. They (686) are my primary competition gun. For bullseye, a 6 or 7 inch is probably better than 8-3/8. A really good action job will make the S&W a lot better for D/A than a Python. I have owned 4 Pythons back when, early 80's. I'll take a Smith 686 over a Python every time.

MajorD · Mar 19, 2020

I shoot all my timed and rapid in single action, not sure why you would shoot timed and rapid in DA. Plenty of time to cock the hammer for each shot.
I am not much for stainless steel and use a model 17 for .22 and a 14 in 38 for centerfire.

BE Mike · Mar 19, 2020

Have you considered a PPC revolver with heavy 6" barrel? You can pick used ones up at reasonable prices.

DanGee · Mar 19, 2020

I bought a 686 3-5-7 a while back for a range gun. I was told this was a distributor special that S&W decided to offer after the distributor "discontinuted" it. It has a 7" barrel. I swapped out the grips for Ahrends Retro Target Stocks as I felt the combat grips it came with were too small. I shoot mostly 148 grain wadcutters at paper and some 158 grain roundnoses at clay pigeons on the berm for fun. I am able to do some respectable shooting with it for bullseye for my age and crappy eyes. I don't shoot double action, only single, but rapid fire is pretty easy.

If I were into hunting deer, I'd seriously consider using this gun, but I'd add a red dot sight. I may just do that anyway as my eyes get more feeble!

Amp · Mar 19, 2020

I am currently shooting bullseye with a 686+ PC.
Tried with and without moon clips.

pittpa · Mar 19, 2020

MajorD said:
I shoot all my timed and rapid in single action, not sure why you would shoot timed and rapid in DA. Plenty of time to cock the hammer for each shot.
I am not much for stainless steel and use a model 17 for .22 and a 14 in 38 for centerfire.

I generally do better in rapid with D/A. Cocking 4 shots gets a bit busy in 10 seconds
I can shoot timed easily in S/A mode, but I use it for a D/A warmup to rapid.

pittpa · Mar 19, 2020

BE Mike said:
Have you considered a PPC revolver with heavy 6" barrel? You can pick used ones up at reasonable prices.

Funny you should ask. I have one but it is so heavy, I'd not thought to scope it and try it out. The Python weighs 4 pounds with a mount and red dot. Not sure what this 27 weighs.
Can you put rings on this rib? IIRC it is a Wichita. I'm not at home right now.

pittpa · Mar 19, 2020

Amp said:
I am currently shooting bullseye with a 686+ PC.
Tried with and without moon clips.

I shoot in the Metropolitan Police Revolver League (MPRL). How about you?
Not sure how many revolvers I shoot against. None on my team, except sporadically.

BE Mike · Mar 19, 2020

pittpa said:
Funny you should ask. I have one but it is so heavy, I'd not thought to scope it and try it out. The Python weighs 4 pounds with a mount and red dot. Not sure what this 27 weighs.
Can you put rings on this rib? IIRC it is a Wichita. I'm not at home right now.

You might consider removing the rib and seeing what Weaver mount might fit or having someone making a scope mount to fit the hole pattern of the Wichita rib. You might also have flats ground into the sides of that bull barrel to lessen the weight.

Protocall_Design · Mar 20, 2020

You can put rings on the Wichita Rib. Slab sides is a good idea for that gun. Removing the rib is also a good option. As is, that seems like a heavy gun for one handed shooting. You must be a pretty beefy guy to handle that.

Narragansett · Mar 20, 2020

Not sure what distance you shoot at, but this is pretty accurate 50' to 25 yds, and longer if you need it. I had it made in about 1978

Amp · Mar 20, 2020

pittpa said:
I shoot in the Metropolitan Police Revolver League (MPRL). How about you?
Not sure how many revolvers I shoot against. None on my team, except sporadically.

We shoot the same league. I am at Library. (league got suspended)
Started with a 686 Power Port.
Also use a 617 for rimfire since I resprung the action.
SW22 also does well.
What club are you with??

pittpa · Mar 20, 2020

Protocall_Design said:
You can put rings on the Wichita Rib. Slab sides is a good idea for that gun. Removing the rib is also a good option. As is, that seems like a heavy gun for one handed shooting. You must be a pretty beefy guy to handle that.

220# of chiseled chardonnay.

pittpa · Mar 20, 2020

Amp said:
We shoot the same league. I am at Library. (league got suspended)
Started with a 686 Power Port.
Also use a 617 for rimfire since I resprung the action.
SW22 also does well.
What club are you with??

Well darn, I belong to Library as well but shoot for Dormont-Mt. Lebanon, as I belong there in addition to Allegheny Country Rifle Club. My initials are DG.
I shoot with the Marine league as well, having had an invite from Jim W. to join as a civilian member for their PA Championship match. I've been placing there with the Python in the open match, but barely breaking 500 with the 1911.
I've asked my team captain to poll the other teams to see who else is shooting revolvers in the league.
Mark II SS slabside is my 22 of choice.

pittpa · Mar 20, 2020

Narragansett said:
Not sure what distance you shoot at, but this is pretty accurate 50' to 25 yds, and longer if you need it. I had it made in about 1978

Beautiful! Really got me hankering to pull out that big Smith, Gotta work on the trigger, though. It's as heavy as the gun.

Narragansett · Mar 21, 2020

pittpa said:
Beautiful! Really got me hankering to pull out that big Smith, Gotta work on the trigger, though. It's as heavy as the gun.

The trigger on that PPC gun is exceptional. Everything internally has been polished, the trigger too. The cylinder was spun with compressed air and jeweler's rouge to reduce friction, and the main spring has been changed to coil

686 Plus 7" for Bullseye

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