686 SSR (decided for reals this time)

[Sparkyshooter]

I got a 686 SSR. It's expensive, I know, but it's been my dream revolver since it came out. I was sold on the forged trigger, interchangeable sight, and the switchable grips. I'm finally going to have my own revolver for the first time ever! I'm so freakin' excited to start training with the thing.

There are no moon clips for this gun but I don't need/want them. As far as I know IDPA SSR competitions generally use speedloaders.

Some people don't like the barrel. I think it looks pretty slick.

The gun comes in friday, and then my ten day waiting period starts, so I won't be able to take it home until on or around October 20th.

I don't have any pictures yet, but I noticed that there is a paucity of pics online for this puppy, so I promise that when it gets here I will take a whole bunch from different angles and post it in a thread so everyone else can get a good look at this new much-talked-about-but-little-known-about revolver.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

I got a 686 SSR. It's expensive, I know, but it's been my dream revolver since it came out. I was sold on the forged trigger, interchangeable sight, and the switchable grips. I'm finally going to have my own revolver for the first time ever! I'm so freakin' excited to start training with the thing.

There are no moon clips for this gun but I don't need/want them. As far as I know IDPA SSR competitions generally use speedloaders.

Some people don't like the barrel. I think it looks pretty slick.

The gun comes in friday, and then my ten day waiting period starts, so I won't be able to take it home until on or around October 20th.

I don't have any pictures yet, but I noticed that there is a paucity of pics online for this puppy, so I promise that when it gets here I will take a whole bunch from different angles and post it in a thread so everyone else can get a good look at this new much-talked-about-but-little-known-about revolver.

 

[OKFC05]

As far as I know IDPA SSR competitions generally use speedloaders.

Always use speedloader because the rules require it in SSR. The Safariland Comp 3 shown in your picture, often used with Blade Tech holders, is a familiar sight at IDPA.
http://www.idpa.com/

The 625 with moonclips and major power .45 ACP is king of ESR. Some use 610.

 

[lzhome]

I also have a 686 SSR on order and it should come in later this week. I have no waiting time so it'll be on the range by this weekend.

This will most likely be a winter carry gun to replace a 1911. As time has gone by I like revolvers more and more and this one should prove to be an excellent shooter! I've also got a Simply Rugged Pancake holster on the way from "Wassila, AK".

 

[1130cc]

I have an SSR that I got about 6 months ago. I really like the style and looks of the gun but must admit I could be happier with the way it shoots. I have a 4" 686+ that is much more accurate and actually I think my 2.5 686+ is probably as accurate. I know that it's the luck of the draw and that many of them are probably tack drivers. I still enjoy shooting the gun but I had hoped it would do better then it does.

 

[Revolver King]

Yes I like mine too.

 

[magnum12pm]

1130cc when you compare how accurate your 686s are. Do you mean to say that off a pistol rest the SSR fails to match up with the others of your collection? I have had my 686SSR since last x-mas, could not be happier with accuracy from the rest, but my ability to shoot it doesn't compare with the rest however.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

magnum12pm - you mean it shoots better than the rest of the 686 series? I didn't think there would be that much difference.

 

[stevieboy]

I got mine in April (after waiting nearly 3 months for it) and, at first, I was a bit disappointed. It seemed like a nice enough gun but I wasn't able to get groups nearly as tight with it as I was able to get with my 6" 686. After owning it for a month I changed the grips from the very pretty laminated grips that are featured with the gun to the second set that Smith supplies with it, the Uncle Mike's combat grips. Instant success! I now shoot as accurately with it as with any revolver that I own. It's very strange: the wooden grips felt fine, indeed, quite comfortable when they were on the gun, but there was simply no comparison with the Uncle Mike's. For some reason the Uncle Mike's feel as if they were made for my hand, and, I suspect, they align my hand and wrist in a way that makes me a much more accurate shot.

 

[stevieboy]

I meant to add that, although I haven't yet done it, the SSR would appear to make a superb carry gun. It's significantly lighter than the fully underlugged 686, and with the Uncle Mike's grips on it, I can acquire the target very very quickly.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Are the SSR cut for moon clips from factory? I like the looks, when I get back to work I may get one

.

 

[1130cc]

Originally posted by magnum12pm:
1130cc when you compare how accurate your 686s are. Do you mean to say that off a pistol rest the SSR fails to match up with the others of your collection? I have had my 686SSR since last x-mas, could not be happier with accuracy from the rest, but my ability to shoot it doesn't compare with the rest however.

My SSR has two cylinders that go right at any distance. Not much but when bagged up and tested it confirmed my fear. At 25 feet it would push two cylinders to the right every single time with three different types of ammo. I considered sending the gun back but was afraid they might say it was within spec.

 

[Revolver King]

Originally posted by Bullseye Smith:
Are the SSR cut for moon clips from factory? I like the looks, when I get back to work I may get one

.

The SSR doesn't come moon clip ready. as far as accuracy, it shoots better then me.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

Hey Revolver King, glad to know you're having good experiences with it. I'll be testing mine this weekend sometime and I'll post an update on my results.

You don't want to share any more pictures, eh? I wanna see that slick barrel from some different angles.

 

[magnum12pm]

Originally posted by Sparkyshooter:
magnum12pm - you mean it shoots better than the rest of the 686 series? I didn't think there would be that much difference.

I also have a 6 inch 686, at 25 feet the SSR has a little tighter group, however it so slight that it would be moot when hand held.

 

[magnum12pm]

Originally posted by 1130cc:

Originally posted by magnum12pm:
1130cc when you compare how accurate your 686s are. Do you mean to say that off a pistol rest the SSR fails to match up with the others of your collection? I have had my 686SSR since last x-mas, could not be happier with accuracy from the rest, but my ability to shoot it doesn't compare with the rest however.

My SSR has two cylinders that go right at any distance. Not much but when bagged up and tested it confirmed my fear. At 25 feet it would push two cylinders to the right every single time with three different types of ammo. I considered sending the gun back but was afraid they might say it was within spec.

If your that sure that it is not right, I would not hesitate to send it back. SW is real good about taking care of their customers. You might include test targets to better explain your position. Hey man they cost too much to let it slide. I just sent a S&W 1911 back because it was one pound, ten ounces over the trigger pull they promised. I took it to UPS on a Tuesday, it was back on Monday, done right!

 

[magnum12pm]

I shot this target with SSR, testing some of my 38s loads. I was testing for variation in the 125 grain and 158 grain Berrys plated bullets. The target was shot at 75 feet. You will note the 125 grain have two groups of three touching each other. The others were 158grn. I have been unable to duplicate this grouping with the standard 686- six inch barrel. I could be wrong but my guess is the SSR is a little more accurate. I could be wrong but the SSR has a Recessed Crowned Barrel, the 6 inch does not, does that matter, draw your own conclusions, I'm not sure if it affects accuracy. I may get jumped on for this but in my book 75 feet is a fairly long shot for a 4 inch revolver, not likely to be required very often. Hope this helps with the discussion. By the way I have owned the SSR for almost a year and have shot about 5000 rounds, needless to say I like the weapon.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

I'm psyched for this thing to get here, but it isn't going to ship anytime soon from the sound of it.

And I have to wait my ten days AFTER it arrives. WTF?

 

[GB]

Just to touch on a topic brought up in the thread.. Grips. There isn't much that is nicer looking than a Smith with quality wood grips, either factory or after market but for shooting the key is what shoots the best and for me that means goodyears. Others have great luck with wood but they don't work well for me...
Back on topic. Congrats on the new unit. Several people,in the last year or so have asked me what I would buy if I was buying a new 357 mag. You picked the one I would choose, followed by the regular 686 or + followed by the 620.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

When I get back to work, I think this will be my X-mas gift to myself

.