686s anyone like these old guns?

[nawilson]

I'd like to buy a 4" one day and have the lug milled off to resemble a 4" Model 66. Then I'll have the good looks of a CM with the durability of a DCM.......someday

Isn't the 620 the same as the 686 minus the full length lug? There may be some other difference of which I am not aware, but that may be a more economical route.

 

[Titan]

The 586/686/686+ will never be an old gun (IMHO).

As perfect a tool as you can own.

 

[C/O]

I love my 686 (no dash).

 

[hamr56]

They are simply my favorite. I have three and hope to continue to add to my collection. I will see if I can find some pictures.

 

[TDC]

Yep.... No doubt about it, the creation of the L frame was one of the wisest and most practical additions to the S&W line-up ever....

The N frame may be stronger but is its strength needed or necessary in a .357 .... no. The K frames may be lighter but is the lighter weight and size significant or necessary .... no. And the J frame in a .357... hard to make a case for them at all in a mag caliber.

The L frames are arguably the most versatile all-around revolvers ever produced by S&W and are uniquely deserving of their high regard attested to by their happy owners...

Old? No way!! The L frames haven't even reached puberty yet.....

 

[M3Stuart]

686-1 6"

Well, now that you mention it, I DO like the old 686s.

I can't pass up an opportunity to show off my 686-1.

This pic is not current as I recently replaced the Hogue monogrips with the Pachmayr Decelerator. The metal backstrap was hurting my hand when I fired a lot of .357s.

 

[Hondo44]

I'd like to buy a 4" one day and have the lug milled off to resemble a 4" Model 66. Then I'll have the good looks of a CM with the durability of a DCM.......someday

Isn't the 620 the same as the 686 minus the full length lug? There may be some other difference of which I am not aware, but that may be a more economical route.

The 620 is close with the exceptions of a 2 piece barrel and internal lock. It may be possible to still purchase the two piece barrel and install it on a 686. If one didn't mind a two piece barrel, that would be easier and less costly than custom milling a full lug barrel. Even after milling off part of the full lug/ejector shroud, the shroud would still need significant recontouring on the sides to match the 66.

Still another solution was to use an actual 66 barrel. The ejector rod slot in the shroud needs to be opened .050" along the bottom and the locking detent hole and cross pin hole in the front end of the shroud plugged and redrilled .050" lower. One might also want to weld up the flat spot on the underside of the barrel throat; required on the 66 frame and the supoosed weak point of that frame size.

My solution was the one piece Mtn Gun 4" barrel which not only has the traditional shroud but one of very few modern barrels with the beautiful tapered barrel of the early '50s era. I wasn't trying to match my 66 heavy barrel however. And since it's for my 586, I have to send it off to get blued. No one around here can blue stainless steel.

 

[Hondo44]

Well, now that you mention it, I DO like the old 686s.

I can't pass up an opportunity to show off my 686-1.

This pic is not current as I recently replaced the Hogue monogrips with the Pachmayr Decelerator. The metal backstrap was hurting my hand when I fired a lot of .357s.

Yes an excellent solution! Mine was similar for my son's 329 PD, the Hogue Tamer grip from the 500 Mag with the gel back over the backstrap.

 

[Slick Steve]

Nice pictures SW44spl. I love all things Smith & Wesson. I have a special issue 686 called the Mountain Gun in .357mag. The under lug is shorter than the barrel's length. I believe the barrel's length is 5" if I am not mistaken. I bought it as a carry gun when camping and as a backup gun when hunting wild boar. Sure is a dandy.

 

[Hondo44]

Nice pictures SW44spl. I love all things Smith & Wesson. I have a special issue 686 called the Mountain Gun in .357mag. The under lug is shorter than the barrel's length. I believe the barrel's length is 5" if I am not mistaken. I bought it as a carry gun when camping and as a backup gun when hunting wild boar. Sure is a dandy.

Yes, a real dandy. Lightweight 4" tapered barrel.

 

[Hondo44]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinett_11B
I'd like to buy a 4" one day and have the lug milled off to resemble a 4" Model 66. Then I'll have the good looks of a CM with the durability of a DCM.......someday

Quote:

I forgot to mention the Model 686 DCM "plus" 7-shot came with a heavy barrel and half shroud but 5" length.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have a few:

 

[kcode]

My first love was a 586 Nickel 4" that I had around 1985 and traded it for a new set of tires. But now, it has moved on to the 686 family.

 

[bwelch47]

686-old

Old gun?????

 

[jughed440]

Old gun?????

definately not old guns (i don't like calling anything younger than me "old" ), but i love 686s

 

[snubbiefan]

Thanks for the heads-up on the recall Andy (the Aussie). S&W is sending me a shipping label to return my 686 ND for the re-call and modification you mentioned.

 

[sjmjax]

Just happen to take my 4" 686 to the range over the past weekend. Haven't shot it in awhile and was quite pleased with its performance.

However, I think you have a curious concept of "old".

 

[snubbiefan]

Mine was born in 1985. Boy....I wish I was only 26....again!

 

[Jeroenw114]

The 686 is my faforite. Second is my 696.
I own this 686 classic hunter for years now. These grips I just got, someone made them out of originals I think.

 

[sw44spl]

old is a figure of speach.not meaning a million years ago.