- Joined
- Aug 16, 2025
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 14
I am beyond elated to have finally got a beautiful (to me) early year 686-4. I have been wanting a nice older 357 revolver to specifically shoot irons with at moderate distances because all my other handguns seem to have grown red dots. Also getting into loading a handgun cartridge is something that has been on my list, I have done a bunch of rifle reloading but this will be my first go at loading handguns. When I found out about the 6inch silhouette models of the 586/686 I knew that was the one I wanted. I love the blacked out front and rear sight picture compared to the front red ramp model. The 4 positions for different loads or distances is just extra for me but I do love the look of the front sight so that honestly contributed to the decision. From my understanding the -4 got all the desirable updates (updated bushing, yoke, rear sight, drill and tap for mount) but shortly after this year of manufacturing the -4s moved to rubber grips, then later years moved to the round butt, and maybe some other smaller changes I'm missing before the -5s came.
Given what I was looking for I feel I hit the sweet spot. I wanted a beautiful piece of classic American craftsmanship when it was at some of its best, but not too special I feel bad using it and putting LOTS of wadcutters through it. If I get super confident and capable with this gun I might turn up the pressures a bit to work up some hunting loads and maybe throw a scope on it but for now I will be playing with titegroup and seeing what this thing likes. This gun has seen some shooting, there is a small amount of flame cutting above the forcing cone but nothing significant, some minor surface scratches here and there. The only real blemish I have been able to find is a double stamp of the USA and REGISTRADAS lettering, which I do not care about lol. The trigger on this thing is amazing, the best I have pulled on a handgun. The single action is exactly what I was looking for, it's night and day difference compared to the gp100 sa trigger I shot side by side with it.
I used this forum more than a bit to look up info and read opinions before making the $ jump so thanks to all for their contributions. 
Given what I was looking for I feel I hit the sweet spot. I wanted a beautiful piece of classic American craftsmanship when it was at some of its best, but not too special I feel bad using it and putting LOTS of wadcutters through it. If I get super confident and capable with this gun I might turn up the pressures a bit to work up some hunting loads and maybe throw a scope on it but for now I will be playing with titegroup and seeing what this thing likes. This gun has seen some shooting, there is a small amount of flame cutting above the forcing cone but nothing significant, some minor surface scratches here and there. The only real blemish I have been able to find is a double stamp of the USA and REGISTRADAS lettering, which I do not care about lol. The trigger on this thing is amazing, the best I have pulled on a handgun. The single action is exactly what I was looking for, it's night and day difference compared to the gp100 sa trigger I shot side by side with it.
I used this forum more than a bit to look up info and read opinions before making the $ jump so thanks to all for their contributions. 
Last edited:
