Just looked at a new 686 snub

[oliveview]

I just handled a brand new 686 Plus 7-shot with the 2.5" barrel.

My impressions:

It seemed to be put together fairly well. Nothing immediately jumped out as horribly wrong, although, I didn't bother to check to see if the barrel was canted or not.

The cylinder lockup was just average. My 30-year-old used Model 60 is as tight as a vault. This brand new gun was not. Don't know if that's the way all the new guns are now?

The action was fantastic. Absolutely great, and you could really feel how that extra chamber shortens the pull on the action.

It had really nice rubber Hogue grips, which had combat grooves, but also was a boot-fit. Interesting, and not the same grips as the hard plastic looking things on the S&W website. Not sure what the story is with that.

That's about it.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm in the group that really likes the seven shot + option. I like that the notch is cut between the chambers, like you mention I like that it seems to shorten the lock time just that little bit, and what's not to like about having an extra shot??? I've never been mind melded with the revolvers can only have six shots mentality since I grew up around four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten shot revolvers being around. I would even argue that despite the thinner chamber walls, I would think with the stop notch cuts being between the chambers then it should be stronger than the normal way of milling in a pair of angles right into the thinnest part of the chamber. I think the three inch 686+ will be one of my future buys at some point sooner than later. I would snap up one of the 586+ with the comp but at local prices well over $1K I don't see that one coming home with me.

 

[oliveview]

Combined with the buttery smooth action, the shorter distance to lock-up really did feel great. Also, the single dry-fire I performed showed that the SA trigger break was light and crisp as can be.

As for the greater strength of the seven-round cylinder, I have no reason to doubt that. Although, I've never been particularly concerned with the old fashioned six, either. Never had a gun go kaboom on me in all my years of shooting. Knock on wood, of course.

 

[BobR1]

The new 686 and 686+ guns do look good. I was bidding on a LE Model a while back on GB. It was an as new 3" 6 shot in 38 Special. I quit at $700 on it, when it auto bid $705.

My wish list gun would be a 686 with a 3" Red Ramp Barrel with a pined on front sight blade, Full Length Ejector Rod, 6 Shot, No Loc, with nice wood finger groove Grips. I am easy a 586 with Delux Blueing just like that would work also.

Now the reason for a 6 shooter over a 7 for me. I shoot Defensive Pistol Matches every month at our local Sportsman's Club. For shooting matches I would like for the 686 to be able to use Safariland Comp III Speedloaders. The Comp III comes in 2 Models 6 shot K Frame, and 6 Shot L Frame which also works in the GP100. No 7 Shooter L Frame Model.

If I had the above described revolver I would have Ron Power do a little tuning on it while I was waiting on a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster for it. The Power Custom Combat 686 would then probably replace both my 64-3 SSR Gun and my 2-1/2" 66 No Dash Carry Gun. Ya Right, I would probably just add it to my carry rotation, and wait on Midway to run the L Frame Comp III Speedloaders on sale again. We all know that you cannot own to many Smiths.

The 686 Snubs are nice, and Bud's normally has pretty good prices on them.

Bob

 

[oliveview]

Well, we'd all love to see the lock go away. But there's no reason to expect that will happen. So, no way around that for a brand new gun.

I have to tell you, that action on the gun I handled was so nice that I can't imagine just how much one would gain by doing any work on it. Serious point of diminishing returns. That being said, I still wonder why the cylinder lock-up was so mediocre, though. Does a custom action job entail fitting a new, tighter cylinder stop? I would assume that would be the only way to lock the cylinder good and tight.

 

[Engine49guy]

I have a 7 shot 686 Mountain gun ,
Wasn't sure if I would like the extra chamber until I got it to the range and shot it.
Definitely spins up faster and requires less effort to cycle,
The extra round capacity doesn't hurt either ....unless you forget.

I give it a thumbs up.

 

[oliveview]

I have a 7 shot 686 Mountain gun ,
Wasn't sure if I would like the extra chamber until I got it to the range and shot it.
Definitely spins up faster and requires less effort to cycle,
The extra round capacity doesn't hurt either ....unless you forget.

I give it a thumbs up.

How's the cylinder lock-up on yours? How would you describe that?

 

[Engine49guy]

How's the cylinder lock-up on yours? How would you describe that?

Well,
While it is cosmetically perfect in all honesty lockup is on the loose side,
I bought it used from a friend and he probably shot it plenty
but that's no excuse as I have others that lockup tight and have been fired a bit ,

The MG's dont come around that often and it was too good a deal to pass up.
Probably going back to S&W for a tune up in the future.

 

[Invictus357]

I was in a GS looking for a new revolver. The sole 686 they had for sale had a canted barrel. Not bad though. It was well made in all other respects.

The 629 was in a different class altogether. The barrel alignment was perfect and finish/fit/workmanship was excellent.

If I can find a comfy IWB holster for a 44, I think I may have to step up to a 629.

 

[oliveview]

I was in a GS looking for a new revolver. The sole 686 they had for sale had a canted barrel. Not bad though. It was well made in all other respects.

The 629 was in a different class altogether. The barrel alignment was perfect and finish/fit/workmanship was excellent.

If I can find a comfy IWB holster for a 44, I think I may have to step up to a 629.

Interesting. It seems that there are so many more .357 threads here, that I don't always think about the .44 models. Besides the barrel, you're saying there were other very discernable differences between the two guns? Can you expand on that a little?

 

[Invictus357]

Interesting. It seems that there are so many more .357 threads here, that I don't always think about the .44 models. Besides the barrel, you're saying there were other very discernable differences between the two guns? Can you expand on that a little?

I'll try

Very discernible? Hard to say.

I held both together and the 629 felt smoother, tighter lockup,more...solid. Do you know what I mean? The finish of the gun was certainly nicer.

The ruggedness of the 629 reminds me very much of my GP100. Just feels strong.

I have seen other new samples of the 686 that match the 629 in quality but I've been lately noticing the 629 never seems to be afflicted by so many issues.

I worked for a major engineering company a long time ago and we had CNC machines that were placed into "cells" for making each different product.

Some cells did better than others making higher quality items. Be it from more experienced craftstmen, or just better maintained equipment, or perhaps the quality control guy catches tolerances going out faster than others...

I've been getting my heart set on a 3 inch 686 but if I can't find a new one in pristine shape, I think my next gun will be a 629 4 inch.

 

[oliveview]

Thanks for the good elaboration. It certainly wouldn't surprise me to find out that the N-frame guns come from a different part of Smith manufacturing, with different people and machines.

 

[M3Stuart]

I've handled a lot of new Smith's lately and I would concur that the 'looser' lockup you describe is now standard. I don't know the specs, but it's definitely noticeable.

I'll say this; if you think that's bad, just check out the play on the 'other' brands (besides Ruger - Rugers are tighter than Smiths).

 

[StatesRightist]

I was in a GS looking for a new revolver. The sole 686 they had for sale had a canted barrel. Not bad though. It was well made in all other respects.

The 629 was in a different class altogether. The barrel alignment was perfect and finish/fit/workmanship was excellent.

If I can find a comfy IWB holster for a 44, I think I may have to step up to a 629.

I winter carry a 629, I have both 3" and 4". You will love either one.

 

[StatesRightist]

Interesting. It seems that there are so many more .357 threads here, that I don't always think about the .44 models. Besides the barrel, you're saying there were other very discernable differences between the two guns? Can you expand on that a little?

I have/had 3 686's. 2 1/2's and a 3". They are great guns. I have the exact 686 you were looking at. It is one of my favorite carry guns, it's small enough for summer carry, shoots well and as you said, has a fantastic action. You can't go wrong with it.

That said, I have 2 M29's that are on the no sale list, both are destined for a visit to Magna-Port for an action job, velvet hone, combat triggers and polished cylider, ejector rods etc. It's not that they are not good guns now. I will never sell them, so I'm going to spend the money to take them from good to great.

I'm not selling my 686's either, but if push came to shove and I could keep only one, it would be the 3" M29. Loaded with Gold Dot SB's it is a perfect do it all gun. 1st speedloader is full of Fed 185's for a little more knockdown, 2nd speedloader is Hornady 300's....just in case a random grizzly comes through lol...they go through barriers pretty well too.