Nobeard
Member
I said that I looked at a 686 and it had end play in the cylinder pin I was wrong it was not the 686 I can't remember what it was it was a used gun. Must be getting old 76. I apologize to the S&W 686 and anyone that owns one.
I apologize to the S&W 686
- Thread starter Nobeard
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No apologies needed!! I have 3 686's and they are great guns. If you don't have one you really need one. You just may not know it yet. 
OP
Nobeard
Member
I was looking at a used S&W's the other one was in poor shape the 686 was a nice gun but it had a long barrel looks for something with carry gun. Do they make a 2 or 21/2 inch I'm going to look next week and see what they have.
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There is a 2.5 " 686. I have one. May be the best .357 Mag carry gun, despite the slightly short barrel.
OP
Nobeard
Member
I have my S&W 66-2 4 inch that is a little big for carry I will look into getting a 686 21/2" next week.
Thanks for the info
Thanks for the info
OP
Nobeard
Member
Nice looking gun, I have no idea what they cost what do you want for it?
If you think the 66 is to big for carry, the 686 is actually "larger" than the 66. The 686 L Frame is larger and beefier to withstand heavy 357 Magnum shooting.
OP
Nobeard
Member
Thank you for the info, I will need to go look at some different S&W for carry. I'm set-up to give my guns to my sons and grandson but need a carry gun for myself. All of my handguns are large 1911's S&W N frame and one K frame (66) no small ones. I need to find something to carry with all the bad things going on I have a CPL.
trigger945
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FYI, there are also 3" versions of the 686, in case they are of any interest to you
OP
Nobeard
Member
I think I will look it to getting a model 19 or something about that size.
Thanks for all the help and info!
Thanks for all the help and info!
SeamasterSig
Member
The shorter barrel versions are popular and can be pricey. Especially if they are pre-lock. But the 3" 686 has amazing balance. Still, it's a trade-off. Beefier frame, shorter barrel vs. lighter frame, longer barrel. Personally, I carry a 4" 66-2 like you already have. Not ideal for concealed carry, but a great barrel length all around. If you are motivated, it can be carried under an untucked shirt.
My 686 isn't great for carrying:
But it is accurate:
But it is accurate:
Green Frog
Member
If you want to carry it, S&W makes a great stainless gun called the Model 60. I don't leave home without mine!
Froggie
Froggie
Lonestar57
Member
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
.............Apology accepted ........Apology accepted ..........Apology Accepted
..................................We knew you didn't mean it.
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loeman
Member
VERY impressive set of 686s lonestar57! As much as I like the 19s and 66s, I prefer my L frames for general use. I have a Lew Horton 2.5 inch and a 4 inch 686-3 along with my 681 but but I think I also need a 3 inch 686. You know...just because!
trigger945
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Now that is a fantastic set [emoji106] [emoji106] [emoji106]
I was also considering the 2 1/2" 686. Not sure if you have seen my other post, but I saw this 3" 686 + Talo edition and had to have it.
Real nice gun, great fit and finish, and will carry as well as the 2 1/2". Something to think about...
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.............Apology accepted ........Apology accepted ..........Apology Accepted
..................................We knew you didn't mean it.
Great looking set Bigwheel! I have a question on the grips. How is the felt recoil on the 2 1/2" (with the exposed grip frame in the back), compare with the other two (with the rubber grip covering the back of the grip frame)? I'm thinking of getting a set of rubber grips for range sessions, and wondering if will help much if the grip frame is still exposed... Thanks
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
It came with wood grips from the factory, which made magnum loads unpleasant. In comparison to those wood grips, the Hogue Bantam rubber grips are much more user friendly.
In comparison to the factory rubber grips on the 3", I like the Hogue Bantam marginally better, and have now installed the Hogue's on the 3" also, I just never bothered to pose them for another family photo.
The Hogue's rubber seems to absorb shock better than the factory grip and feels a bit "grippier". The finger groves are more pronounced on the Bantams, and that helps control recoil also.
The context of these comments is that these shorter barrels are not typically "range" guns for us. My husband and I break them out every other month, and we each put a box of 158gr. .357 FMJ factory loads through them. However, these loads are comfortable to shoot with these grips, and I could easily shoot many more.
Our SD loads, 125gr HP, are snappier but still comfortable. Our woods walk loads are 180gr hard cast, and are unpleasant but still controllable.
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keithherrington
Member
586/686 are some of the finest guns S&W ever produced
My carry guns. 686 is primarily my practice gun and the 586 is primarily my carry gun, though switching back and forth is normal practice for me.
Keith
My carry guns. 686 is primarily my practice gun and the 586 is primarily my carry gun, though switching back and forth is normal practice for me.
Keith
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