Current Production 686 Performance

[sjs]

Today after taking my 629-6 to the range to play I stopped by the LGS to see if they had any S&W rimfires. They did not but they had several 686's, including a 7" special, a few performance versions and a few standard ones.

I suddenly realized I needed a 686 but they would not allow me to work the action, or dry fire it or even close the cylinder. I sort of care how the trigger and action feel and how the gun feels overall in my hand but holding it with the cylinder open doesn't really cut it.

I have several Smiths now but no .357 and the ones I owned in the past were older versions. How do the current run of 686's stack up as far as the trigger and action?

I am not asking about Performance Center versions, but the standard 686 (I think I need a 6" barrel). Are they still smooth and slick from the factory?

 

[Toolguy]

They vary some from one gun to another, but none of them are very good, even the PC ones. With a PC gun all you get is a different barrel, maybe grips or laser engraving. The actions are all pretty much the same 12 - 14 lb DA.

If you want a nice action, plan on working it over yourself or have someone else do it on anything you buy.

 

[Pequod]

Good luck with mine

Everyone has a different story, but I purchased a 686 plus 5" barrel new about a year ago (TALO special) and while the double action pull is a little heavier than some of my older smiths, it is very smooth, and will certainly get better with use. The single action is perfect and light, and the overall quality of the gun is very high, it is a beauty to shoot and to view.

Pequod

 

[ImDrRich]

LGS

They wouldn't let you test the action? Swing out the cylinder? Put in snap caps to dry fire?

I'd have a hard time buying anything in that place. I mean, I know you can't sample the donuts in the bakery before you buy, but you can take the car for a test drive.

That's just not right.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

That's just not right.

I agree.

I have a couple of "modern" 686s, a three inch and a four inch, and to me they're just fine. I can't say for sure how you define "smooth and slick" but that seems appropriate. You might be fussier than I am, however.

My 2.5" 686 is a lot older and it has an action job from Heaven. I will have to dry fire all three and report back; maybe I'll get that done over the weekend.

 

[1sailor]

I also own a 686+ PRO 5" and I love it (mostly). Extremely accurate, very nice trigger and in single action I can't even tell the trigger is moving. It just gets up to the correct weight and the hammer falls. I know the trigger has to be moving but not so as you'd notice. My only objection is that it's a bit on the long side for a woods gun. In retrospect I wish I had bought a 3" 686+. I offered it for trade a while back hoping to get a 3 incher but no bites so I'd guess most guys with a 3" 686+ are pretty happy with them also.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I absolutely love my 3 inch 686. It shoots great. I do find it odd that they wouldn’t let you at least close the cylinder and check the timing. I probably wouldn’t buy it for that reason. Just me though. I’m very pleased with mine though.

 

[johngalt]

My 686 isn't current production (about 10 years old now), but is a -6, which I think is still the current revision.

Out of the box the trigger was decent but not spectacular. I took the sideplate off and gave the rebound slide a couple passes with a piece of emery cloth and installed a Wolff type-2 spring. It is very smooth now (10 years of use later).

 

[RGVshooter]

but they would not allow me to work the action, or dry fire it or even close the cylinder. I sort of care how the trigger and action feel and how the gun feels overall in my hand but holding it with the cylinder open doesn't really cut it

Ok that's fine. But as far as I'm concerned you have every right in the world to check for proper function of the revolver that you're actually taking home. When they pull a new one out of the box to check the serial # when it's time to fill out that 4473, ask to look it over. Pull the trigger, open & close the cylinder, Look real close and make sure the barrel isn't canted. If they won't let you inspect it before buying. Walk....

 

[Electraclyde]

I just bought a 686+ 3" barrel, about 2 weeks ago. Have only fired 150 rounds so far. Double action pull Is over 11 lbs and single action pull is 3.5 lbs, both measured with a Lyman digital pull gauge. Accuracy is better than I am. I also have a model 69, 2.75" barrel (.44 mag. L frame) trigger pull is 10 lbs and 2.5lbs. I expect both to get better with use. If they do not by about 1000 rounds, I will do some work on them. My next will be a 625. I do have a 442PC. And the trigger on that is far better than my standard 442.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

This is my 4" 686+ in a Dave Workman holster specially made to my specifications. It carries nicely on a belt for woods walking.

This is his website:

D&D Gunleather

(C) Dave Workman/D&D Gunleather

He was on this Forum but he might have left it; I am uncertain.

 

[sjs]

Well, I would like to thank you all for your comments. I appreciate the enabling as I have just ordered a new 6" 686 from Buds.

Seems they have an unusually high volume of orders now and I will have to wait a little longer than normal. I will make use of that time to work up some hand loads.

 

[argon18smith]

I have a 6" and it is great. I am not an expert but when I squeeze the trigger in DA it sure feels good. SA is very light. It hits what you aim at and I have never had any issues. Good choice IMO.

 

[kaaskop49]

Attn OP and several posters above

Not try a revolver action!? A foolish policy. Guess they don't want you to make any additional purchases in the future, such as CASES OF AMMUNITION...

My 686+ 3" bbl TALO of 3 years ago was a disappointment as the cylinder did not lock up solidly when the hammer was in the fired position. My 686SSR is magnificent.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[reddog81]

If they won't let you properly evaluate the gun at the local shop there's no reason to not buy online. That's the one advantage the local shop has over online vendors. Seems like a dumb policy to me. Good luck with the purchase from buds.

 

[Anglergator]

Well, I would like to thank you all for your comments. I appreciate the enabling as I have just ordered a new 6" 686 from Buds.

Seems they have an unusually high volume of orders now and I will have to wait a little longer than normal. I will make use of that time to work up some hand loads.

I'm sure you will be happy with your new purchase. I've got a 3" 686+ Talo version with unfluted cylinder. I took this to the range with a Ruger GP100, 3" Wiley Clapp edition, and the 686 shot much better than the Ruger. This was probably due to the 686's action being much smoother. These were both new guns, but it seems S&W just did a better job on the action. I have a 686-1 and a 686-4, and They are a little smoother than the new 686+, because they have been shot for many years now. Happy shooting.