586/686 Compendium

[chief38]

My sights never get knocked out of adjustment,,,,,,,,,,,

Assuming they actually are for the load you are shooting, you are correct and for a carry gun I could not agree with you more!

For a target gun using multiple grain weight bullets, 38 spl. and magnums, hand loads, etc. the adjustable sights are a valuable asset.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

"The 686 was introduced in the 1980 as the S&W Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum".

The L Frame is perfect for .357 Magnum rounds.

I should probably add this to the history section, thanks!

Before I post some photos of my Grail Gun here I thought I should explain why it is for me. The reason the -3 snub is my Grail gun is that it is the most up-to-date 686 with a forged and flash chromed hammer/trigger. Which other than being pleasing to the eye, add another layer of protection against corrosion. I also wanted one with round butt wood combats, a problem I had with my -1 was the square butt targets did not fit my hand well and didn't conceal well. The wood combats conceal well and don't grab clothes like rubber hogues do, they are also easy on the eyes. The fact my gun was made on my Dad's birthday makes it extra special to me as he is no longer with us. I Paid a hefty price for it, but it will be with me for life so I believe it was worth every penny.

Even though many prefer the 4" and I get it as my first 686 was a 4", I prefer the balance of the snub and aesthetically I like that the sight ramp runs the whole length of the barrel. To me, no gun is better than my 686-3 to

 

[BabaBlueJay]

When intent on buying a Colt Python back in 1983 I walked into my LGS, looked at, handled, and fell in love with it - up until they told me the price was $440.00. Back then that was about $150 more than I had to spend! I was just about to leave and the owner of the LGS (Louis Greenblatt) said to me he wanted to show me a fairly new S&W which was about the same configuration. OK, I bit. He brought out a 6" blued M586 that did have a full lug barrel but did not have the Pythonesque rib. While it wasn't exactly a Python, it did have a very smooth action, was impeccably finished, had great QC and came with Goncalo Alves target grips. For the price of $283 it went home with me that evening.

I still have it and while originally shot it much more than I do now, I am going to shoot it this Friday. I could have also gotten the M686 or Nickeled, but I much prefer blued guns for target shooting.

I have the see this 586! Honored to know you also fancy the 586/686 platform as someone I hold in high regard here.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Although I am largely an N-frame and K-frame guy, recently I've been shopping around for a nice short barreled L-frame. Years ago I owned a Model 386PD (scandium-alum. frame and titanium cylinder; 7-shot) that was fun to carry but very punishing to shoot. I quickly traded that 386 for a PC Model 627-5 (2-5/8", 8-shot) and was glad I did. Lately I've been trying to pry loose a 686-3 3" CS-1 revolver from my son's boss, but no luck so far. While I wait for the CS-1, right now I'm negotiating for a nice used 686-6 3" (ca. 2015). I've been haggling with the seller, and should know today if I bought it. If I'm successful, I'll start another thread and post some pics.

BTW: Any thoughts on what a 3" 686 CS-1 would sell for these days?

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Although I am largely an N-frame and K-frame guy, recently I've been shopping around for a nice short barreled L-frame. Years ago I owned a Model 386PD (scandium-alum. frame and titanium cylinder; 7-shot) that was fun to carry but very punishing to shoot. I quickly traded that 386 for a PC Model 627-5 (2-5/8", 8-shot) and was glad I did. Lately I've been trying to pry loose a 686-3 3" CS-1 revolver from my son's boss, but no luck so far. While I wait for the CS-1, right now I'm negotiating for a nice used 686-6 3" (ca. 2015). I've been haggling with the seller, and should know today if I bought it. If I'm successful, I'll start another thread and post some pics.

BTW: Any thoughts on what a 3" 686 CS-1 would sell for these days?

I can tell you from experience that the recoil difference between the 4" 686 I had and the 2.5¨ is negligible. I imagine even less for the 3¨ variant. I also tested for hollow expansion and found the velocity loss was not bad enough to prevent expansion which is nice. I hope you are able to get a Customs Service one because those are super cool!

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice informative thread !

Here are a few 686 tidbits off the top of my head that I dont think were mentioned ,

The earliest 586/686's are unique in that they have a large Right side TM, this changed to a small left side TM supposedly to create a canvas for comemorative engraving.
Iirc the dash 4 was the end of the grooved tangs on (all ? Most?) upscale models, dash 5's and up are smooth like the old M&P line.
While it's correct the new rear site changed with the 686-4 to the new rounded leaf don't recall seeing any mention in the SCSW that it got slightly shorter on the 686-5, the result is the 686-4 rear site leaf is unique to that revision ( IIRC the 629-3 is same way ).
I would add a hat tip to a very hard to find and desirable variation that was introduced in the 686-5 which has all the new features except the internal lock , the 686-5 + seven shot Mountain gun , while the 4" 686-4+ is a highly sought after and coveted version I personally would be hard pressed to choose between it and thev686-5 Mountain gun which are equally desirable for different reasons, btw my buddy solved this problem by mounting a Mountain gun barrel on a 686-4+ frame....
Wallah problem solved.
There was something else but it slipped my mind,
On a side note the condition that warranted the hammer nose bushing mod in the first gen guns was called "Soft primer flowback" if memory serves, deemed serious enough that the recall supposedly still is in effect although it's doubtful any 686 no dash is being worn by a Leo that missed the memo years ago.
The 686 was supposedly SW's answer to the issue of cracked forcing cones on the K magnums and the N frame has no flat spot at barrels 6 O clock like the old K Magnums do.
One last thing to the 7 shot plus version fans not only does the added cylinder hole make the gun lighter ( at least when empty but probably when loaded too) than the 6 shot it also makes it stronger since the cylinder stop notches land over the partitions rather than over the charge holes, ( same thing on all odd # capacity cylinders IIRC).
The plus models are easily spotted from a side view when you see the notches in line with the cylinder flutes.
Thanks for putting together this thread ; )

 

[Engine49guy]

Ps, I just remembered that thing that slipped my mind,
It would be interesting to pin down which revision introduced the new flat bottom angled cylinder release,
Can't recall if that came in with a certain revision or in the middle of another,
( my suspicion is it was introduced with the dash 5 but not sure as my dash 4 has one that I've always suspected was swapped ,
The new style clears speedloaders better but purists prefer their SWs to be original and it's an easy swap.