686 variants

[frazzle]

Hi guys

i am about to buy a new 686 with a 6inch barrel. This will be used to target shooting at 25m. I see that the 686's come in many varients and those that are labeled 'Target' tend to be a lot more expensive than the basic models. Its easy enough for me to add a new set of grips, and even adjustable sights. After these additions i would still be saving several hindred dollars, so assuming S&W are not ripping people off, what else do the 'Target' guns have? Maybe a match barrel? Tighter tolerances?

Any ideas?

Frazzle

 

[frazzle]

Hi guys

i am about to buy a new 686 with a 6inch barrel. This will be used to target shooting at 25m. I see that the 686's come in many varients and those that are labeled 'Target' tend to be a lot more expensive than the basic models. Its easy enough for me to add a new set of grips, and even adjustable sights. After these additions i would still be saving several hindred dollars, so assuming S&W are not ripping people off, what else do the 'Target' guns have? Maybe a match barrel? Tighter tolerances?

Any ideas?

Frazzle

 

[cptdco]

Welcome to the forum.
I get a sense (maybe from your reference to 25m rather then 25yds) that you're writing from outside the US. If I'm right about that, maybe in your market there are 686s labeled as "target' varients, but I don't think that is the case here. I have a number of 686 revolvers and they're all fine guns and all capable of shooting a lot better then I do. For punching holes in paper at 25 meters I think you would be happy with any 686 (or 586 if they're available) with a 6 inch barrel. I got the impression that you're looking at new guns. Consider the used gun market. My first handgun was a 686 bought in the early 1980s and its still one of my favorite shooters and the one I use if I'm looking to impress people at the target range. And if there were ever any 686s produced with tighter tolerances, I've never heard if them.

 

[Revolver King]

I agree with the last post but would like to add that my favorite 686 is the 686-4. It has all the right features such as no mim parts, firing pin on hammer, and is drilled and tapped for a scope. I own 7 686s and 4 of them are dash 4.

 

[frazzle]

cptdco and revolver King

Thanks for your replies. Yes, im from Europe (born UK but living in France) and here the 686 and other S&W's are sold in many configurations. The 'target' one im looking at has micro adjustable sights and a nice contoured set of wooden grips. Its cost is around $550 more than the basic 686 (dont be too shoked at the price, the basic model here costs almost $1300!!!!). Im sure there must be other differences than just the sights and grips, but no ones seems able to tell me what. With another of my handguns (springfield 1911 trophy match) there are a number of significant differences such as a match barrel, tighter bushings, hand finished slide movement etc etc. They can justify the extra cost, but S&W seem very tight lipped as to theirs.

The 2nd hand market here is not good with S&W. As they cost so much, and people love them, they very rarely come up for sale. When they do, they are not much less than buying new.

Frazzle

 

[akr]

Originally posted by Revolver_King:
I agree with the last post but would like to add that my favorite 686 is the 686-4. It has all the right features such as no mim parts, firing pin on hammer, and is drilled and tapped for a scope. I own 7 686s and 4 of them are dash 4.

You have one, I believe, that I will have Monday. It is the 5" unfluted cylinder 686 coming in from Bud's. How do you like it?

 

[Revolver King]

I have not shot it yet.

 

[hihosilver13]

They made a 686 6" with adj. front and rear sights. The front had 4 settings for different ammo or distance that you would use. Had one, sold it, $500.

bob

 

[mulehide9]

Yea.......The 686 is an awesome revolver. I love shooting mine. I can"t believe you can still find them for under $500.

 

[Ironvic]

My 686 is the 686 Plus variant, a dash 8. I dislike the lock, but this baby's smooth. Right out of the box, the trigger was like old school Smiths and it's as accurate as one could want--all that in the 2 1/2" barrel size. I've had many snubbies and this is my favorite.

Thinking of buying it a nice Hogue Goncalo Alves grip for its birthday. Right now it's wearing Hogue finger grove rubbers outfitted at the factory, but a good gun's gotta have an outfit when dressy attire is the rule.

 

[mnhntr]

there is a target model for ppc shooting and it has an adjustable front sight

 

[Titan]

Frazzle,

In the U.S. there are MANY different model variations of the 686, including the 686 plus which is what they call the seven shot models.

The only major product content differences from the factory are in 'production' guns versus 'Performance Center' guns.

All production guns have the same mechanicals and aren't differentiated by Target vs. Non-Target.

The Performance Center is Smith & Wesson's custom engineering shop and, in addition to doing custom work, they produce limited quantities of 'Performance Center' gun models for resale. These generally have forged vs injection molded internal parts (trigger, sear, etc.) and a higher degree of finishing. These could include a special shaped barrel, vastly improved 'action' or trigger group, special grips, and other hand work from the Performance Center gunsmiths.

I suspect in Europe they may be differentiating guns with adjustable sights as 'Target' vs. those guns with fixed sights. The other possibility is that 'Target' models are really Performance Center models.

In the U.S. a Performance Center gun can cost 40% or more than their production equivalents of the same platform (686, 327, etc.).

I doubt that there are other differences in the quality of the barrel, etc. since we don't see any of that type of differentiation here in S&W product. The production guns are consistent and high quality.

I hope this helps.

 

[stevieboy]

A standard issue 686 6" with MIM parts, non-pinned barrel, and a lock, is capable of producing exceptional accuracy. In my opinion, all of the pricey "improvements" one can add to the gun add little to the basic package besides price.

 

[zeeew]

I have a early 80's 686 8 3/8 that I ordered with target trigger, red ramp/white outline target sights, and target grips, but I dont know if it is any different as far as fit/finish. It is an excellent shooter, though it did have the "lockup" problem that some early ones had with loads even slightly warm.
Factory installed a bushing to solve the problem, havent shot it since.

 

[Dale53]

I am really a "bit deprived" since I only have two 686's

. The 4" CS-3 was my first one that I bought many years ago when they first hit the market. It is absolutely superb and a fine shooter. This past year I added a used, like new, 6" to the stable. I haven't shot it a great deal but it seems to shoot VERY well. I'll be working with it a good deal more later this year when things warm up a bit.

Dale53

 

[jimbo-indy]

In the mid '80s I ordered a 686 with 8 3/8" barrel, 4 position adjsutable front, white outline rear, "target hammer and trigger and target grips. At that time S&W was pushing their custom factory order program in their advertising. It was a sweet shooting gun, very accurate. Had to sell to pay some medical bills. Have been looking for one like it for years and never fount one in that combination. Had to "settle" for the 686-3 Performance Center Hunter shown in another thread in this section. I am much happier now but still looking for that 8 3/8" with adjustable front.