rsl
Member
Hello.. Any body out there have any +'s or -'s on the SSR? Any problems or comments on the action? Thanks Rick
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Looking at 686 SSR Any thoughts?
- Thread starter rsl
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I have one and it is a great looking firearm. My gun, two chambers are just slightly off perfect carry up that I did not catch that at purchase time. When I asked other members here if it should be sent back, they all said, just shoot it and don't worry about. No big deal.
The front sight is unique in that it is spring loaded, (at least mine), and can be easily swapped out for a variety of other styles such as a gold bead, etc. I did not love the grips so I swapped for some wood of a different style.
All in all, it is a very nice revolver and accuracy is above average due to the nice DA action.
Here it is with his little brother a Mod 60.
The front sight is unique in that it is spring loaded, (at least mine), and can be easily swapped out for a variety of other styles such as a gold bead, etc. I did not love the grips so I swapped for some wood of a different style.
All in all, it is a very nice revolver and accuracy is above average due to the nice DA action.
Here it is with his little brother a Mod 60.
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rsl
Member
Pro Series
Boy I like that 60 Pro Series.. Now I'm confused.. I have a 1980 model 60 in 38 I love.. Food for thought
Boy I like that 60 Pro Series.. Now I'm confused.. I have a 1980 model 60 in 38 I love.. Food for thought
I've mentioned this in previous postings. I owned an early 686 SSR, which I shot very well. It had a forged trigger, forged hammer and a trigger stop. I foolishly traded it in for a mint condition Walther P5 that I equipped with a brand new set of Nils stippled grips. As much I admired the workmanship and ball-bearing smoothness of the P5, I couldn't group it worth a ***t. If a handgun is not acceptably accurate for me - out it goes. I am not a collector, but rather enjoy making really "tight" groups.
To make a long story short, my Christmas present to me was another 686 SSR. It's nice to have one very accurate revolver back in the rotation. The newer one has no trigger stop, the hammer and trigger are MIM, but the single and double action are as crisp as I remember the previous one. I've replaced the spring loaded red ramp front sight with a .250" SDM gold bead, which works perfectly with the standard height S&W sights. It's perfect now.
I highly recommend this revolver. I regret the day I ever listened to the Walther P5 siren's song. But, I've returned back to the 686 SSR and could not be happier.
Good luck with your choice.
To make a long story short, my Christmas present to me was another 686 SSR. It's nice to have one very accurate revolver back in the rotation. The newer one has no trigger stop, the hammer and trigger are MIM, but the single and double action are as crisp as I remember the previous one. I've replaced the spring loaded red ramp front sight with a .250" SDM gold bead, which works perfectly with the standard height S&W sights. It's perfect now.
I highly recommend this revolver. I regret the day I ever listened to the Walther P5 siren's song. But, I've returned back to the 686 SSR and could not be happier.
Good luck with your choice.
jeffrey
Member
Say Gnystrom,
Is that a HiViz front sight that you put on your SSR? I was thinking of a fiber optic sight to help out my aged eyes. How has it worked for you? How difficult was it to swap out the factory sights?
Jeffrey
Is that a HiViz front sight that you put on your SSR? I was thinking of a fiber optic sight to help out my aged eyes. How has it worked for you? How difficult was it to swap out the factory sights?
Jeffrey
My SSR came stock with the hi viz sights. They were spring loaded and interchanged with a Mod 625JM I owned. The swap could be done with no tools. It was a sort of dovetail arrangement. I remember they came in different heights also.I am not sure if the current SSR's offer this system.
As for fiber optics, I myself, am not that impressed unless there is a direct light over them. Outside great, inside in dim situations, not so much. TruGlo TFX are fiber optic with tritium so they work very well in all conditions. I guess I am old enough now so I won't pull the trigger on anything I cannot plainly identify.
As for fiber optics, I myself, am not that impressed unless there is a direct light over them. Outside great, inside in dim situations, not so much. TruGlo TFX are fiber optic with tritium so they work very well in all conditions. I guess I am old enough now so I won't pull the trigger on anything I cannot plainly identify.
Probably my finest non-snub revolver. I originally had a problem with the strain screw loosening and causing light hits. Many posters assured me that this could not be, or that I had bought the gun "pre-owned." Neither was true. My gunsmith Loc-tited the screw in place and the loosening and light hits went away.
I understand this gun is used in a type of revolver competition involving rather energetic speed reloads and that this causes undue wear on the yoke/crane retention screw. My informal competition involves 6 Magnum rounds on 6 pie plate targets (no speed reloading) and at this, the SSR performs well.
IMO, it's sole shortcoming is that it is too big to carry concealed.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I understand this gun is used in a type of revolver competition involving rather energetic speed reloads and that this causes undue wear on the yoke/crane retention screw. My informal competition involves 6 Magnum rounds on 6 pie plate targets (no speed reloading) and at this, the SSR performs well.
IMO, it's sole shortcoming is that it is too big to carry concealed.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I don't think there is a bad 686 design. Individual specimens may unfortunately have defects or neglectful prior owners. but they are great guns.
trigger945
Member
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My 686 SSR is probably one of my best revolvers in the stable. Action is smooth, balance is great, and looks good, too.
twodog max
Member
I have had one for several years now and it is a keeper. I carry it a lot because it is a great balance of power and ease of carry. I was shooting mine yesterday and as always it was a pleasure.
I also had the strain screw backing out problem with my SSR but I had the same thing in a 6 inch 686. Both were manufactured close to the same time. For what that is worth.
IMO you can't go wrong with it.
I also had the strain screw backing out problem with my SSR but I had the same thing in a 6 inch 686. Both were manufactured close to the same time. For what that is worth.
IMO you can't go wrong with it.
ridgewalker
Member
I shot mine last week at the 25 yard range and it performed beautifully.
First shot standing unsupported 2 handed hold, shot out the red bullseye on the 5 inch Shoot N See target. First cylinder had 4 of 6 in black, other 2 just barely outside black. Shooting 158 gr semi-wadcutters. My range buddy rolled his eyes. When I cleaned it later, I noticed the bossed main spring. My 4 inch 627 Pro also has the bossed main spring. I think my 627 Pro has the best action of any of my steel framed revolvers.
I would suggest that you think about what capacity you need/want and also size. If you don't need 6 shots for competition, there are other 4 inch revolvers to consider. The 627 Pro has 8 shots and I can shoot mine even better than my 686 SSR. There are 7 shot versions of the 686. If you don't mind used, check out some of the K frame models or I think S&W has reissued a couple K frames too.
First shot standing unsupported 2 handed hold, shot out the red bullseye on the 5 inch Shoot N See target. First cylinder had 4 of 6 in black, other 2 just barely outside black. Shooting 158 gr semi-wadcutters. My range buddy rolled his eyes. When I cleaned it later, I noticed the bossed main spring. My 4 inch 627 Pro also has the bossed main spring. I think my 627 Pro has the best action of any of my steel framed revolvers.
I would suggest that you think about what capacity you need/want and also size. If you don't need 6 shots for competition, there are other 4 inch revolvers to consider. The 627 Pro has 8 shots and I can shoot mine even better than my 686 SSR. There are 7 shot versions of the 686. If you don't mind used, check out some of the K frame models or I think S&W has reissued a couple K frames too.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I bought one when they first came out. They were aimed at IDPA revolver shooters who don't use/like moonclips. IDPA doesn't require major power factor for this gun so most use powder puff factory or handload ammo.
Downside: If you want to shoot lots of 357 Magnum ammo the light front end will wear you out.
They are very good guns.
Downside: If you want to shoot lots of 357 Magnum ammo the light front end will wear you out.
They are very good guns.
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