686 general info

[jdlii]

6" is a "no dash."
2.5" is a -4.
4" is a -3.

If I had to pick one, it would probably be the 4" due to the great balance. My favorite would have to be the 2.5".

Choose a good one and post photos!

 

[wood714]

Yes Ahrends, and they fit really nice.

I wish they were wider at the shoulder like factory targets. I need to spread the load when shooting full power mags.

This one may end up with round targets or some Grasshorns some day.

CooL... I ordered a pair on 12.30.19 for my 2.5" 686.

The S&W RB target stocks are kinda hard to come by, which was the reason I ordered a pair of these.

I have a pair of the RB targets on my 3" 66, and a pair of Grashorns on my 3" 65-5.

 

[Old_Cop]

Probably the apex of police revolver development, go with the 4" for overall use.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I bought a 4" barrel, though I usually buy six inch probably for variety, and a stray thought that I might carry it. If no thoughts of carrying then I would think that six or longer would be the way to go.

 

[CompromisedLogin]

My only S&W (so far)

I had a co worker ask me if I wanted to buy a "Six shooter" from him. It's a stainless 686. I told him that I already had a stainless, Ruger GP 100 in 357 Magnum, so it would be redundant. He was asking $350 for it.

I went ahead and polished it, just out of curiosity as to how shiny I could get it. I don't know if I like the matte or the shiny finish better. After a little bit of Flitz metal polish and some elbow grease. It looks like this now.

 

[rwt1405]

I'm a fan of the "-4" series.

I have various 686's in 2.5", 3", 4", and 6".

If I had to make a choice, it would be the 4" first, 3" second, 2.5" third.

 

[NavySCPO]

686-1

I used to carry my 60-9 357 daily, I like the size and the power of the round.

But after I got this 686-1 a year or so ago it didn't take long to realize just what a fine piece of work this handgun this really is, dropped another couple of bills for the Combats and it's almost perfect now. Honestly a bit heavy for my taste, but the accuracy and power more than make up for that.

Hard to go wrong with the 686.

 

[cadmike]

I have no preference as to the prelock revolvers dash number wise, even the much poo-pooed -5 is a fantastic modern revolver IMO. As to barrel length I would lean 6 inch because I have plenty of carry guns already. A 4 inch is kind of a jack of all trades, master of none, IMO.

 

[zogger]

If you don't plan to CC it, then the 6" is the way to go. I own a 6" that I use for target shooting. Best shooter I have. If I miss with that, I know it's me.

 

[Univibe]

When I shoot my 686, the bullets don't know if it has a lock or not.

 

[rubiranch]

Well Pete, what did you decide??

You should get on like mine because its better than all the others.

 

[Narragansett]

I had a co worker ask me if I wanted to buy a "Six shooter" from him. It's a stainless 686. I told him that I already had a stainless, Ruger GP 100 in 357 Magnum, so it would be redundant. He was asking $350 for it.

I went ahead and polished it, just out of curiosity as to how shiny I could get it. I don't know if I like the matte or the shiny finish better. After a little bit of Flitz metal polish and some elbow grease. It looks like this now.

Thank you, and welcome to the forum

 

[Bumpus13]

The 1st S&W I ever bought was a 4" 686-6+

I bought the 4" instead of the 6" because it balanced better for me.

Mine has the internal lock ... I didn't know the difference at the time, but frankly I'm happy about that now. If I had more experience with S&W revolvers at the time, I probably would have waited for an older one. Which means I wouldn't own this absolute tack driver.

 

[jay72]

Here is my 686-2. Had it awhile and love it.

 

[S&W Fan]

My late father bought a new 686 (no dash) 4" in Sept. 1981. It came to me upon his passing in 1992. I can't even imagine how many thousands of rounds, both magnums and specials, it's seen. He did send it back for the M mod.

Afterwards it's been flawless all these years/rounds later. Used it to teach both my sons how to shoot handguns, have posted it many times here. Postimage doesn't appear to be working now otherwise I'd add a photo.

It's been amazing and will never leave the family.

 

[Mehutch]

I have 7 686's, 686-4+, 686-5, 686-6, 586-7, 586-5, 2.5", 4", 6" barrels.

 

[S&W Fan]

Postimage is running again, this is my late father's no dash 686. I have everything it came with when he bought it new including his receipt. Special revolver to our family.

It was his daily carry while out on horseback in the desert around Tucson, he had it bead blasted and an action job with polished trigger.

 

[3Gunnah]

There's some very nice looking revolvers on this post. Been a year and a half or so since I've been around, where have 686 prices gone recently especially for say a dash 3 four inch.

 

[rubiranch]

Postimage is running again, this is my late father's no dash 686. I have everything it came with when he bought it new including his receipt. Special revolver to our family.

It was his daily carry while out on horseback in the desert around Tucson, he had it bead blasted and an action job with polished trigger.

That's awesome to have your father's.





Here's the LNIB 4" 686 no dash I recently sold. Never did shoot it.

 

[CompromisedLogin]

Thank you, and welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome. It is appreciated.