Just Got a 686-4 2.5"

[jmcisc]

I just picked up a 686-4 2.5" that looks to be in very good condition. I've never been a big fan of short barreled revolvers, and don't know much about them. My preference has always been 6" barrels, with an occasional 4".

Any help/information would be greatly appreciated.

It's a long story about how I bought it, but it was an offer I couldn't refuse, being a package deal with a Beretta PX4 Storm subcompact.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I love short-barrelled S&W revolvers, and own a 2-1/2" 686 like yours. They balance well in the hand, and feel great. Expect recoil and muzzle flash to be a little more prominent than on the 4" or 6" models, but other than that, you shouldn't notice any anomalies. If you decide you don't like it, shoot me a private message...there's always room in my safe for another one of these!

 

[rwsmith]

OOOOOO

Nice. I have a 686 no dash.. That looks like a jewel.

 

[Truckman]

I just bought its 7-shot cousin in 2.5"...Congrats, that looks like a winner......Ben

 

[Shark Bait]

I have a 686-4+ with the 2.5 inch barrel. It is insanely accurate for a short barreled gun. Congratulations!

I recently equipped mine with some of John Culina's amazing stocks.

 

[jdlii]

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W, it appears to be a 1994 manufacture. The previous posters are definitely correct when it comes to their assessment of the accuracy of this 2.5" revolver.

They are great shooters, can handle a full diet of .357 magnum. They are a little heavy for carry but, with the right belt and holster, they are a wonderful carry piece.

Hogue grips were standard, beginning in 1993 but, there are several variations and S&W Combat grips are very comfortable. They look fantastic with stag grips as well.

I hold mine in high regard!

Congratulations on your very nice looking 686 2.5" Distinguished Combat Magnum! Enjoy!

 

[jmcisc]

I have a 686-4+ with the 2.5 inch barrel. It is insanely accurate for a short barreled gun. Congratulations!

I recently equipped mine with some of John Culina's amazing stocks.

Those grips look fantastic! Thanks.

 

[Tytan01]

I just picked up a 686-4 2.5" that looks to be in very good condition. I've never been a big fan of short barreled revolvers, and don't know much about them. My preference has always been 6" barrels, with an occasional 4".

Any help/information would be greatly appreciated.

It's a long story about how I bought it, but it was an offer I couldn't refuse, being a package deal with a Beretta PX4 Storm subcompact.

Lucky Dog! That must of been an interesting package deal considering the shorty 686 is worth like...3 PX4 Storms.

I wish I came across package deals like that.

 

[jbtrucker]

Nice 686 ! , here is mine with Ahrends have older pair of Pachmayrs on it now.

 

[schutz5]

Never seen so many 686 snubs!
I thought they were uncommon.

 

[Truckman]

Mine with the extra hole in the cylinder......Ben

 

[CH4]

I have a three 2.5" 686s, a no dash, dash 3 and a dash 4+ 7 shot. Too bad not all 686s aren't 7 shot.

 

[Gunhacker]

Another member of the short tube 686 club... another poster said that he thought they were scare, in way yes, when trying to find one for sale... but, not scare on this forum, because we're the reason why they aren't out there for sale

About the only negative aspect of the 2-1/2 barrel with the shorter ejector rod, sometimes cases don't fully eject, it hasn't been a regular occurrence since I changed from factory combat grips to the slimmer Ahrend combat grips.

 

[jcs266]

Mine is a 3" and it's by far my most-carried (Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB).

 

[Scott_HM1000X]

About 20 years ago I bought a brand new 686 with the 2.5" barrel. It had the S&W factory wood grips that looked very similar to Shark Bait's grips. As usual, back in that day someone wanted it and was willing to pay big to acquire it, so I sold that little jewel of a gun. It is defiantly one of the guns I wished I never sold.

 

[ShadyDrifter]

My ported dash4+ 2.5 and cs-1 3"

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

 

[51ti]

Another -4 which is also amazingly accurate...


Beautiful examples of wood stocks show above. I could be wrong but I believe rubber stocks were standard on some of these variations.


Mine had a lot of issues when I got it. The trigger pull was so soft misfires were common - someone had "over tinkered" with the main spring and strain screw previously. A new main spring and an "adjusted" strain screw has now returned reliability to flawless at only a modest increase in trigger pull.