RedBerens
Member
I bought this one after it had been retired from service and traded in for Glocks by the Colorado University Police Dept. After finding a nice set of targets, this old 686 no dash has become one of my favorites.
686s anyone like these old guns?
- Thread starter sw44spl
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sw44spl
Member
hey red did you polish it up? or did you get it in that nice condition.
scooter123
Member
At my age I don't consider any revolver younger than myself as "older". While a Triple Lock or RM may seem "older" to me, a 686 is definatly NOT "older", taint even approaching middle aged.
As for the 686 itself, I could get rather worked up over a 686 Mountain Gun, however not really a fan of fully lugged barrels. Because of this I chose the much better looking "sister" of the 686 and chose a 620. Having recently tried it out with a scope, I have to say that many people missed the boat on the 620. The accuracy is nothing short of amazing and it balances in the hand the same as a 4 inch model 66.
As for the 686 itself, I could get rather worked up over a 686 Mountain Gun, however not really a fan of fully lugged barrels. Because of this I chose the much better looking "sister" of the 686 and chose a 620. Having recently tried it out with a scope, I have to say that many people missed the boat on the 620. The accuracy is nothing short of amazing and it balances in the hand the same as a 4 inch model 66.
my 686-1 has the 8 3/8'' bbl. got it as a x-mas present/bonus in 1988 from a guy i worked for. since then i have put many many rounds through it and has never given me any problems. one of my shooten buddies at the time had a colt python with the same 8 3/8'' bbl. so we shot each others gun from time to time, tell you the truth i would take the smith over the colt every time.
Bear Bait
Member
I recently contacted S&W and then sent back both a 4-inch 686-1 and a 586-1 for the modification. Tunraround was quick and no hitches with the modifcation. When they came back they both guns had the "M" stamped above the model number inside on the frame at the crane.
I contacted S&W by phone first, but the procedure is simply to go on the web site under the customer service warranty section and send an e-mail. They will check the serial number of your gun to verify that it needs the modification, and if so send a pre-paid fed ex shipping label. You will have to ship it from a Fed Ex World Center, or arrange to have it picked up by a Fed Ex driver. It cannot be shipped through one of the Kinkos, Mail Box Etc. or other franchises.
S&W will ship it directly back to you but an adult has to be present to sign for delivery.
I have a friend in another state who also recently sent in a couple of L-Frames the same way, and same experience.
I have owned the 686-1 for twenty years or more, and never had a problem with it shooting magnums or anything else, and I have shot it a lot. I did know about the recall and just never got around to it until this year. I am glad I did now that it is done.
Robinett_11B
US Veteran
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 
Over the years I've owned a number of 586/686 revolvers. Currently I only own one... a 4" 686 that I bought last year. I had to send it back to S&W to have the bolt spring replaced, so while it was there I had them do a little magic to the trigger. The single and double-action are now simply magic in you hand. It is a beautiful revolver. It handles dynamically and shoots with a precision that makes it one of my favorite revolvers for carry. It sits in the nightstand every evening on HD duty. Nearby is a Glock G-22RTF. I figure one or the other will be at hand if and when they are needed.
.357magger
Member
A 4" -5 7 shooter with Mr. Ahrends shoes...
and a recently sold 2.5" -5 7 shooter with Mr. Smith's combat boots...
No pics of the newly acquired -4 snub 7 shooter yet but as you can see...I don't "do" pics too clearly anyway.
and a recently sold 2.5" -5 7 shooter with Mr. Smith's combat boots...
No pics of the newly acquired -4 snub 7 shooter yet but as you can see...I don't "do" pics too clearly anyway.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
What's not to like? My no dash is my youngest S&W but is probly the last I would sell.
I paid significantly more than $325 for it...
I paid significantly more than $325 for it...
nawilson
US Veteran
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
Member
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The 586/686/686+ will never be an old gun (IMHO).
As perfect a tool as you can own.
As perfect a tool as you can own.
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.....
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
Member
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.
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.
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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
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
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
Member
I have a few:
definately not old guns (i don't like calling anything younger than me "old"
), but i love 686s
snubbiefan
Member
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.
snubbiefan
Member
Mine was born in 1985. Boy....I wish I was only 26....again!
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.
I own this 686 classic hunter for years now. These grips I just got, someone made them out of originals I think.
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sw44spl
Member
old is a figure of speach.not meaning a million years ago.
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