686 plus questions

[sel1005]

I have read lots of posts and threads and I apologize for being so uninformed. There are apparently many many members of this forum that are very technical and far beyond my knowledge and understanding.

I want to buy a 686 plus, ideally in a 3 or maybe 4 in barrel. When I look at posts I see lots of comments about -X models, -mim, and on and on.

some say buy this one, or buy that one, or don't buy this one, but honestly, I get very lost in the details. On the S&W site is shows model numbers for given barrels but not all the -X or other details.

Is there a simple, easy way to sort out what you buy? My local gun dealer is very good, but they simply tell me its a 686 plus with X length barrel, and don't know, or want to get into, these fine details that I see on lots of forum posts.

Your help with this newbie getting on to buy the right model is very appreciated. Thank you!

 

[g8rb8]

........

I want to buy a 686 plus, ideally in a 3 or maybe 4 in barrel....

Is there a simple, easy way to sort out what you buy? My local gun dealer is very good, but they simply tell me its a 686 plus with X length barrel, and don't know, or want to get into, these fine details that I see on lots of forum posts.

....

Sometimes a really simple situation can be made unnecessarily complicated. On the other hand people enjoy the minutia of their hobby.

Your question is easy to answer. You answered it yourself. Get what you want. Get the 686 Plus in whichever barrel length you want. You will not go wrong with a new 3" or 4" 686 Plus. You will not wear it out in your lifetime and even if something unlikely goes wrong it will be under a lifetime warranty. Get it and start shooting it and you'll be satisfied.

Here's a run down of some of the minutia:
1. Lock versus pre-lock. There is an internal lock in many of the newer S&W's located above the thumb piece (piece on left side of frame when pushed forward releases the cylinder so it can be opened to load or eject cartridges). In my opinion I prefer the look of a no-lock gun, which I imagine is the consensus of most S&W Forum members, but the only difference between the two is that you can use a little key to lock the hammer/trigger mechanism in the gun with the lock. My recent favorite S&W to shoot is a 686 with an internal lock.
2. MIM (metal injection molding) versus case-hardened trigger and hammer. Myself, and I would guess most S&W Forum members, prefer the look of older solid steel case hardened hammers and triggers instead of MIM parts but in my opinion, from a functional standpoint, they are both excellent.
3. Wood grips versus rubber grips. Once again myself and I'd guess most S&W Forum members prefer wood grips to synthetic grips although I prefer the feel of the synthetic (rubber) grips on my newer 686 Plus.

 

[OKFC05]

If you want a new regular stock item, it's simple:

SKU# 164194 686+ 4"
SKU# 164300 686+ 3"

If you buy used, condition is the main price factor

 

[bigwheelzip]

Additionally, all 686's produced since 2001 are the sixth revision of that model and are marked 686-6. So if your buying a new one, that's the designation, regardless of the barrel length.

Both 3" & 4" are great choices IMHO.



686-6 Plus's: 4", 3", PC 2.5"

If you want to conceal carry, the 3" is a great all-around choice. If your not concealing, the 4" is a great range gun that everyone I give it to loves to shoot, and shoots it well.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

As mentioned you are the one who knows what you want. The 686 does come in a bewildering array of names for what is pretty much functionally the same thing, To me, and I suspect most people here, the major differences are barrel length and to some whether there is lock. Barrel length and whether to buy a gun with a lock or not is purely a matter of personal preference although it has been discussed on this forum ad naseum. By any account, in any form, the 686 is an excellent revolver, perhaps the most popular, certainly the most talked about in this forum. If you are interested in getting into the universe of Smith & Wesson details or models of firearms that we are so fond of here, you might consider acquiring the very soon to be published Fourth Edition of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas. It is available on pre-order from Amazon.com. A lot of the old timers here have the first three editions dog eared and revered.

 

[StakeOut]

I bought the 2 1/2" PC686 a month or so ago and liked the feel in my hand.

Put a pair of Hogue Monogrips on it a liked it even more.

I shot 35 rounds(5 moon clips full) and put it in the safe.

Went back to shooting my Model 25-5 and Ruger 5032 .45 Colt and forgot about the PC686.

 

[sel1005]

thanks

really appreciate the clarity and practical info. Thank you very much

 

[Engine49guy]

You really need to elaborate on what you want in a 686 ,
For example if I came into a GM forum and said "I want to buy a Corvette which year and version should I buy ? " you would get alot of replies asking what your intentions are.

Do you want a new gun with a lifetime warranty , a collectable shooter, a version that will appreciate more with time , best revision before Mim, best before IL etc etc.

IMO the high water mark for the 686 was the 4" barrel and 3" snub 686-4+ version because it has forged internals and a 7 shot cylinder (strongest design + 1 more round), second up is either the L comp or the 686-5 Mountain gun (Pre IL ),
Many unique 686 versions exist such as early snubs , black SS, Compensated models etc etc.
IIRC the no dash and dash 1 had an achilles heal that was overcome with the "M" mod, S&W ironed that out by the dash 2 revision,

So what are you more concerned with in a 686 ?

 

[Oddman]

IMHO .... 686 plus with a 4" barrel.

But if its your first gun, I would suggest buying a used Model 10 ($200-$250) and get to know it and understand it. Then you will have a much better idea what you really want/need.

 

[silentflyer]

Check any later version carefully, saw a 686-6 plus at a gun show Saturday with a canted barrel and the rifling lands at the muzzle were crooked and other problems. Looked more like a Taurus. Someone at QC as asleep when that one went through for final check.

Did find a nice older model 66 with 6" barrel there