9mmsubgun-m11
Member
A wise choice. My 686 4" was the first REAL revolver I purchased and is still probably my favorite.
How does the 686 rate among other SW revolvers?
- Thread starter mjblazer
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A wise choice. My 686 4" was the first REAL revolver I purchased and is still probably my favorite.
derek45auto
Member
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Love the 586/686
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You can get.....
You can get more expensive revolvers or ones with more features. For a medium-large frame gun that can take any kind of .357 load continuously I can't think of anything I'd rather have. There are some older .357s that have a little more of the craftsmanship, but I find that the 686 is a good compromise between old and new.
About trigger jobs. I don't want a trigger job on mine because it's great just the way it is. The 620 is a good model if you don't want the full underbarrel lug.
You can get more expensive revolvers or ones with more features. For a medium-large frame gun that can take any kind of .357 load continuously I can't think of anything I'd rather have. There are some older .357s that have a little more of the craftsmanship, but I find that the 686 is a good compromise between old and new.
About trigger jobs. I don't want a trigger job on mine because it's great just the way it is. The 620 is a good model if you don't want the full underbarrel lug.
I really like my 686-3! It has a very good trigger rivaled only by my Model 27 and 627 N-Frames. But it shoots consistently tight groups irrespective of ammunition brand or type. I'm going to keep it. I just need to swap out stocks for wood and I'll be set.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I'm immensely happy with my 686-3. I bought it used as you see it in the photo, and the prior owner did a fine job modifying it with Hogue grips and a 2.0 power Leupold scope. I bought a 686 shortly after they first came out and sold it. I regretted that sale and decided I wouldn't replace it until I found one with the adjustable front sight. It took me a few years, but I finally found the one pictured at a local gun show. My son and I are hoping to hunt with it this season.
Best regards,
Dave
Best regards,
Dave
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muddocktor
Member
Although I personally like my Model 27 5" guns better, then 686 is a great gun to have and shoot. I have a friend that bought one when they first came out and it's a great shooter and has held up well over the years. Now if you want to add to your 357 collection, a Model 27 or 28 in 3 1/2 - 6" would be a great place to go to. And if you look around, you can still find some decent deals on the 4" and 6" barrel Model 28's on GB. But I have a feeling that they will only go up in price in the near future.
I like mine.
bananaman
Member
Everyone has their own thing! I have a 4" 586 no dash, and a 686-3, 6".
I do not have any K frame .357's. I know if need be that the L's will take all of the (heavy) loads you can give them. Have a 28, 6" also. I would consider trading the 586 up to a .44 Special, or 45 Colt. I have a 625 JM now. The 686 will stay here. Bob
I do not have any K frame .357's. I know if need be that the L's will take all of the (heavy) loads you can give them. Have a 28, 6" also. I would consider trading the 586 up to a .44 Special, or 45 Colt. I have a 625 JM now. The 686 will stay here. Bob
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The M585/686 model was designed to be direct competition for the Colt Python and as a compromise between the K & N frame Smiths. I own a 6" 586 and have always been happy with it.
Originally I went to the LGS to buy a Colt Python and when I balked at the price ($425), the store owner brought out the (new model at the time) M586 which was almost half ($263). I opted for the L Frame because I did not (at the time) like the size of the N Frame and was not going to part with the bucks for a Python (silly me - wish I had). I have put through many Magnum loads and it's still ticking like a fine Swiss Watch!
The one feature it has (and wanted at the time back in 1983) is the full underlug, unlike most other Smiths. I have recently thought of reducing the full lug to a more traditional size one like on the K or N's but that would obviously mean a re-blue which I don't really want to do. So I'll just leave it just the way it came from the Factory and continue to enjoy it.
Your M686 is a great Smith and will last you a lifetime of shooting. It's an accurate, rugged and great shooting Smith - enjoy!
ADDED: Better or Trade-up is strictly in the eye of the beholder. The N Frame will do nothing "better" than an L Frame, it's just larger and has a traditional Under-lug. Some do like the look better, but that's a personal thing. I personally like the fact that even though the L is larger than the K, it shares the same grips - unlike the larger grips of the N.
Originally I went to the LGS to buy a Colt Python and when I balked at the price ($425), the store owner brought out the (new model at the time) M586 which was almost half ($263). I opted for the L Frame because I did not (at the time) like the size of the N Frame and was not going to part with the bucks for a Python (silly me - wish I had). I have put through many Magnum loads and it's still ticking like a fine Swiss Watch!
The one feature it has (and wanted at the time back in 1983) is the full underlug, unlike most other Smiths. I have recently thought of reducing the full lug to a more traditional size one like on the K or N's but that would obviously mean a re-blue which I don't really want to do. So I'll just leave it just the way it came from the Factory and continue to enjoy it.
Your M686 is a great Smith and will last you a lifetime of shooting. It's an accurate, rugged and great shooting Smith - enjoy!
ADDED: Better or Trade-up is strictly in the eye of the beholder. The N Frame will do nothing "better" than an L Frame, it's just larger and has a traditional Under-lug. Some do like the look better, but that's a personal thing. I personally like the fact that even though the L is larger than the K, it shares the same grips - unlike the larger grips of the N.
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I always preferred the look of the Python to the 586/686, so I have more Pythons. Back when there was little price difference it could come down to looks, although a lot of people bag on the Python as being delicate. That hasn't been my experience. Having said all that, I'd say you have the best S&W, because I only see the 27 and 28 as being bigger, not better. And if I were you, I wouldn't consider moving to a Python, as I don't see them as better, just better looking for my tastes. At today's prices, the looks of the Python would no longer lure me past the 586/686. I don't like the lock, so I'd say you have one of the finest revolvers ever made, but you could always customize it with an action job or sights to suit you.
HYPURR
Member
Even an amateur like me knows this is one of the best 357s. I purchased my 686 No Dash (1st wheelgun) December 1984 for $ 249.84!
Shot and loved, now retired back with its never been on wood grips. I also have a 66 No Dash (1974) to go with. These 357s are hard to beat...
Shot and loved, now retired back with its never been on wood grips. I also have a 66 No Dash (1974) to go with. These 357s are hard to beat...
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Rick_A
Member
It's the most practical choice in a 357, me thinks.
I like the SSR and 3" TALO edition.
The Mountain Gun version is quite nice as well.
Just not a fan of the standard full lug barrel.
I prefer the feel and balance of a tapered barrel N frame, but that's largely preference. It won't do anything better, and is a bit less carry friendly.
I like the SSR and 3" TALO edition.
The Mountain Gun version is quite nice as well.
Just not a fan of the standard full lug barrel.
I prefer the feel and balance of a tapered barrel N frame, but that's largely preference. It won't do anything better, and is a bit less carry friendly.
Oh goody, another chance to post mine. I inherited this no dash when my dad passed, he bought it new and I have the box, docs/tools and even his receipt (Sept, '81). He had an action job and beadblast done to it and it's an amazingly accurate, fun gun to shoot. It will one day go to my grandson (now 13 months old).
This gun spent 10 years on my dad's hip during his horseback rides in the desert around Tucson, while fishing, near at hand at home-generally always close by. All these thousands of rounds and years later it's still a fantastic shooter. I really need to take a new pic with the prop rod turned the correct way LOL.
This gun spent 10 years on my dad's hip during his horseback rides in the desert around Tucson, while fishing, near at hand at home-generally always close by. All these thousands of rounds and years later it's still a fantastic shooter. I really need to take a new pic with the prop rod turned the correct way LOL.
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at_liberty
Member
Seems intrinsically about trigger locks. We are too coy about whether we refer to current production, post trigger lock introduction, versus older models from the used, bought long ago, and inherited world.
I have a number of .357 Magnums, as you might imagine since I list collecting .38s/.357s in my profile. My 686+ happens to be a 2.5" flavor and if I had to keep just one .357 it would probably win over my 2.5" M19 or 4" M27, just to mention a couple of other S&W .357s. If, when I bought that 686, it had been a 4" instead of a short barrel, it is very likely that I wouldn't have bought the 4" M27. Not that there is anything wrong with the M27; it's a Cadillac of firearms, equal to anything anyone else ever made as far as I am concerned, but I was mentally replacing a blown up 4" .357 Magnum which, had I already replaced, would likely have resulted in a different S&W handgun at the time I bought the M27 Classic. In sum, don't look for what ain't there - your 686 is way ahead of the rest of the field. Reasonably sized, easy to shoot, it's also a Cadillac...........
***GRJ***
***GRJ***
wildenout
Member
One of the best revolvers Smith makes! I SERIOUSLY CAN'T BELIEVE I SOLD MINE LIKE AN IDIOT!!!
mike from st pete
Member
My not too humble opinion; only the 681 is better.
The only .357 better than a 4" 686 is a 3" 66.
If I could have only one .357 and knew I could not get another; it would be my 4", round-butted w/ Spegel extended Boot grips...... 686-nutin.............
I would love a 6 shot, round butt, 686 Mountain Gun...................
If I could have only one .357 and knew I could not get another; it would be my 4", round-butted w/ Spegel extended Boot grips...... 686-nutin.............
I would love a 6 shot, round butt, 686 Mountain Gun...................
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