First time S&W Owner! Did I make the right decision?

Moritsuna said:
Hey guys, yesterday I purchased a barely used 686-6, and I'm really excited. I was debating for weeks the gp100, match champion, and this gun, but after seeing the 686 in comparison I had to have a smith. It feels great and it's already been "broken in".

I am a relatively new gun owner, my only other gun is a beretta that I had for a few years. I had to have a revolver after trying my friends Taurus. Did some research and came upon smith and wesson of course.

Now, there is one thing that is bothering my "OCD" mind, and it's that lock. I have heard reports of people firing "J-Frame" revolvers with hot loads which have cause the IL malfunction. Now, I have an appropriately sized "L-frame' revolver that has been used for about 1000 rounds.

Did I make the right decision? I bought it out of the feel of the trigger, the fact that is already been slightly used (not a lemon), and the legacy of smith and wesson.

I might go ahead and buy a ruger match champion in a month or two, but with smith selling their guns for so many years WITH locks, I am thinking this gun will last me for many years alone.
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[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_IlNbsILLE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_IlNbsILLE[/ame]
 
Welcome to the forum......... doom..... doom..... your addiction is sealed. I was a devout 1911 man.... till, I had to buy a revolver to get my CHL Instructor Certificate. I bought a used Mdl19-8 at my LGS..... doom.... doom.... my addiction was sealed. I have 3 now and actively looking for more. A 686 snub is first on my list unless I come across a 586 snub, or.......
 
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Unburned powder and residue under the ejector star is the cause of most cylinder lock up on all S-W wheelgunss over the last 100years or so. Keep it clean and and enjoy it. The 586 is a workhorse fighting Cannon. Lock or nolock. I like the newer ones better in 7 shot. Never had a problem if cleaned when needed.
 
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You made good decision if YOU are happy with it...It doesn't matter whether you got the Smith or Ruger. I have Smiths and Rugers and I'm happy with them all. Two of my Smiths have locks...I just ignore them. Neither one has ever spontaneously locked when being fired. I have them because I liked the design of the guns. It seems many people are obsessed wit the lock...I see references to Smith and Wessons that are "no lock or MIM and are P&R" as if that makes them magical. Well, I been around and owned many over the last forty plus years and I can tell you that some of those guns were lemons...I had a few. So if you lke your new gun, enjoy it and to hell with the lock.
 
Couldn't go wrong either way! I have the 686 Plus Pro and love it. My most accurate production revolver. Great trigger out of the box. I also have the Match Champion. I think they are pretty close but I would give the slight edge to the S&W. A bit better finish and a little better balance for me

That being said, now you know what your next purchase will be!

BTW, almost all my S&W revolvers have the lock. Never had an issue and never thought twice about them.

 
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I have owned S&W revolvers with the lock in calibers from .22 to .500. Total count is most likely around 15. Never had any issue with any of them.
 
Matt Hooper said:
Couldn't go wrong either way! I have the 686 Plus Pro and love it. My most accurate production revolver. Great trigger out of the box. I also have the Match Champion. I think they are pretty close but I would give the slight edge to the S&W. A bit better finish and a little better balance for me

That being said, now you know what your next purchase will be!

BTW, almost all my S&W revolvers have the lock. Never had an issue and never thought twice about them.

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What kind of grips are those?
 
No bad choice to be had there, and no "right" choice either. You're excited, you like the gun, that's "right." Some will say you shoulda bought X because they own X and their self-worth is tied up in being right or having the best. You bought what excited you, and you'll no doubt enjoy it for many years. Can't go wrong there. For the Ruger-bashers, I say hooey. I have S&Ws, Rugers, and others. I have won competitions with S&Ws, Rugers, and others. A good gun is a good gun, and in the hands of a good shooter it can be a great gun regardless of brand snobbery. Just enjoy, and prepare for the steady increase in guns in your safe, and the corresponding steady decrease of disposable income. Welcome to the revolver addiction!
 
SilentKnight said:
Good choice. S&W revolvers are like peanuts. You can't just have one. S&W owners are smitten with all things S&W. You have been bitten... welcome to the club.
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Wow just came back to this thread haha. So true, actually today I ordered a new model 66! Looks like I've been bitten! (Will post a pic once I get it from my FFL)
 
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