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S&W Model 686 + 3-5-7
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SquarePizza
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I've had one for a very long time. I bought it for the barrel length and I liked the unfluted cylinder.
The stock grips were some of the worst designed things I have ever used. While they are very thin at the top, allowing for good reloads with a speed loader, they force a very low hold on the gun. I prefer to get up high, so those were swapped out for ahrends stocks and I never missed the originals.
The unfluted cylinder is pretty, but it adds a tiny bit more weight. Shooting in IDPA I find it a little harder to index the loader to the cyl without looking, but I'm not shooting for high score so it didn't bother me when I was using it.
Overall I think the 3" 686 is the perfect sized L frame, it just feels right in my hands and I am glad that I own it.
The stock grips were some of the worst designed things I have ever used. While they are very thin at the top, allowing for good reloads with a speed loader, they force a very low hold on the gun. I prefer to get up high, so those were swapped out for ahrends stocks and I never missed the originals.
The unfluted cylinder is pretty, but it adds a tiny bit more weight. Shooting in IDPA I find it a little harder to index the loader to the cyl without looking, but I'm not shooting for high score so it didn't bother me when I was using it.
Overall I think the 3" 686 is the perfect sized L frame, it just feels right in my hands and I am glad that I own it.
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Post pics and you will get better response.
Loyaljeeper
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I have one, but I changed out the grey-black Altamont grips. They were some of the worst grips I ever shot with.
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I'm asking about Buying it. Kinda hard to post pictures of something I don't have yet.
Loyaljeeper
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The unfluted cylinder adds about a tenth of an ounce is all. The 3-5-7 was a Talo exclusive and made in less common 3”, 5”, and 7” barrels.
Thanks for that info. Good to know.
This is almost verbatim what I would have posted. I’ve had all 3 lengths and sold them at one time or another. Ended up with another 3-inch 686+ deluxe and miss the unfluted cylinder.
scruffy
Member
I really like mine. Good trigger and the 3" barrel feels balanced in my hands. Make no mistake it is a heavy gun. Not a fan of the stock grips so I changed them out for Altamont Falconias. Much more comfortable and absorb recoil better when shooting .357s.
I don't have one of those but I have this gorgeous little bedside friend and it's top notch in many ways. It's far better balanced than my 2.5" 686+ and I just like it better, unexplainable, really, than my 4" 696+.
Side note - I actually have no issue with the original S&W rubber stocks and I like them better than the ones that came on the 4".
Duckfood
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Loyaljeeper
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I’m happy to hear you say that. I have had seller’s remorse for selling my stock 3-5-7 grips. Now I think they were as bad as I remembered them being.
The 686+ 3-5-7 (3" & 5" & 7") was an exclusive Talo distributor item. The Smith & Wesson/Talo partnership ended at the end of 2016. S&W now offers the 686+ 3-5-7 as a standard S&W item. I had a 5" for a while, incredible balance because of the 5".
Very good information "Oldman." Thanks. There is so much knowledge here.
I picked up one of the 7” versions awhile back because of the odd barrel length. My personal favorites of my 686’s have 5” barrels. They are nicely balanced. If you are looking for a carry gun, you should consider the new design 66 with the 2.75” barrel. Mine is a great shooter and has enough weight so you don’t get beat up shooting full power load.
geekeye
Member
i have the 5" version. like others, i didn't like the laminate wood grips it came with. they are thin and pinched the web of my hand so i swapped them out for hogues. it is very nicely balanced, and heavy enough to shoot full power magnums all day. the unfluted cylinder gets lots of compliments at the range.
OLDSTER
Member
I've owned this 686-4 for many years. IMO, there is no finer revolver at any price. I've got a whole wardrobe of stocks/grips for it. Wearing these Altamont combats for a while. Think I'll go back to the original Hogues since I've been shooting it more lately and the Hogues just feel good.
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