First revolver. (It's about time...)

[ibrokepegasus]

I'm pretty excited, also very impressed. I've been shooting pretty much my entire life. I've owned numerous firearms throughout my short adult life (if you call roughly 10 years short) haha. I guess it might be kind of sad to say/admit that today marked a new milestone in my firearm ownership. I purchased my first revolver, and along with that, my first Smith. It's actually an interesting story... (at least for me i guess). I originally had my sights set on a Ruger GP100 4 inch SS, and a co-worker of mine showed me a special TALO distributed Wiley Clapp edition GP. After seeing that, I changed my mind and thought for sure I was going to go with the blued version of it. After a few weeks of my boss searching for one (I happen to work at a LGS here in town), it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to get one. Out of no where, he brought out a Smith case, and set it down in front of me. I opened it, and inside sat a 686 SSR. I immediately fell in love with it, and decided to pick it up. Just put 50 rounds through it tonight, and must say again, I am VERY impressed with the way it shot! What are some of your guys opinions of the gun? Also, dry firing - snap caps or not? (I have dry fired my Glocks all these years, and haven't had a problem, but I'm not sure about the whole revolver with the hammer thing going on). I know it says on Smiths website that its ok. One more thing, any preferences on grips? (I kind of feel the want to preserve the originals). Is there a manufacturer of G10 or Micarta out there somewhere? Thanks!

 

[chud333]

Looks nice and "Welcome to the Club".
You have just wandered onto a very slippery slope
which is shooting fine revolvers. I don't dry fire any
of mine so i can't help with advise there. Also i would
like to take this opportunity to thank you for your service sir.

Chuck

 

[Gyrene6891]

Quite a day for both of us. I just put the same revolver on hold at my local gun store.have to wait on my next retirement check to pay it off. I have wanted a 686 every since i dry fired one in North Carolina way back in 1985. Guess i didn't want to move too fast. I was actually thought I wanted a Colt Python until I handled the S&W. Not my first S&W though I own a M&P 40 & a Shield 9.

 

[KEN L]

Dry fire away! Won't hurt a thing. Snap caps are okay, but seem like an unessessary expense to me when fired cases are plentiful and virtually cost free!

 

[nawilson]

You won't hurt anything by dry firing the centfire 686. Of course, the manual of arms for a revolver is very different than the autos to which you are accustomed. Snap caps are a great way to practice loading, unloading, and using speed loaders.

 

[silentflyer]

Welcome aboard, warning the quality steel and wood have a way of growing on you, makes one want to forget about tupperware and springs..especially when you find out how accurate quality big bore hand guns are.

 

[OLDSTER]

Congrats on the 686 and welcome to the forum.

 

[kennyb]

welcome to the forum....you picked a good one to start with!

 

[48Blister]

I'm pretty excited, also very impressed. I've been shooting pretty much my entire life. I've owned numerous firearms throughout my short adult life (if you call roughly 10 years short) haha. I guess it might be kind of sad to say/admit that today marked a new milestone in my firearm ownership. I purchased my first revolver, and along with that, my first Smith. It's actually an interesting story... (at least for me i guess). I originally had my sights set on a Ruger GP100 4 inch SS, and a co-worker of mine showed me a special TALO distributed Wiley Clapp edition GP. After seeing that, I changed my mind and thought for sure I was going to go with the blued version of it. After a few weeks of my boss searching for one (I happen to work at a LGS here in town), it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to get one. Out of no where, he brought out a Smith case, and set it down in front of me. I opened it, and inside sat a 686 SSR. I immediately fell in love with it, and decided to pick it up. Just put 50 rounds through it tonight, and must say again, I am VERY impressed with the way it shot! What are some of your guys opinions of the gun? Also, dry firing - snap caps or not? (I have dry fired my Glocks all these years, and haven't had a problem, but I'm not sure about the whole revolver with the hammer thing going on). I know it says on Smiths website that its ok. One more thing, any preferences on grips? (I kind of feel the want to preserve the originals). Is there a manufacturer of G10 or Micarta out there somewhere? Thanks!

I have one of those I bought new in the box and it had a S&W combat grip with it.

 

[Macinaw]

Welcome aboard, warning the quality steel and wood have a way of growing on you, makes one want to forget about tupperware and springs..especially when you find out how accurate quality big bore hand guns are.

I don't think a 686 is considered a "big bore". But, they are excellent guns to shoot. And also for competition.

 

[ibrokepegasus]

You won't hurt anything by dry firing the centfire 686. Of course, the manual of arms for a revolver is very different than the autos to which you are accustomed. Snap caps are a great way to practice loading, unloading, and using speed loaders.

I picked up an HKS speed loader and snap caps just for the purpose of practicing reloads. I guess I will have an added benefit of using them for dry firing as well.

also, anyone have any opinions on holsters? I tend to not be too keen on huge leather holsters that cover everything but the grip, as I personally like to show the gun off more than any fancy leather the holster might or might not be made of.

 

[tops]

A Threepersons holster will show off the gun and a revolver should not be in anything but floral tooled leather. Larry

 

[DR505]

Welcome aboard (that's Navy talk)! Good choice...you'll have a lot of fun with that revolver. But it won't stop there...the addiction starts small and grows. You'll need to acquire an actual big-bore revolver too!

 

[papajohn428]

You are several feet from the top of the Slippery Slope, and rapidly gaining speed..........enjoy the experience! I have had a few 686's, I think the 4-inch version is the perfect "utility handgun", but I'm queer for 3-inch revolvers, so that's what I currently have. Don't EVER shoot one, or there will be a sudden impact upon your wallet. I think the 686 is about as good as it gets, and the triggers are as good as any.

(Gratuitous photo attached.........you're welcome. )

 

[ibrokepegasus]

A Threepersons holster will show off the gun and a revolver should not be in anything but floral tooled leather. Larry

so is "threepersons" the style or a company?

 

[Stirling]

Check out this link. Congrats on your new acquisition. Tom Threepersons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia