bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
A 4" 686+ was my first handgun. Except for concealed carry, it's superb. It's the handgun I give all new shooters I introduce to shooting, and they all like it and shoot it well.
Looking to buy a 686
- Thread starter jrvariel48
- Start date
You never forget your first, it was mine too and I went full hickok45 and did what he told me to do: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2XX81_kPU&t=106s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2XX81_kPU&t=106s[/ame]
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I have a 686-4 with a 4" mountain barrel installed. 7 shot. One of my favorite revolvers. You are choosing a fine wheelgun.
RGVshooter
Member
I asked the same question before I bought my 686. The general consensus leaned heavily towards the 4" barrel due to my criteria; field, camping/hiking companion, occasional carry. Open carry is allowed in Texas however I don't carry openly. I do carry OWB, I just throw a unbuttoned shirt over a tucked in T shirt and carry it that way. It's just more comfortable that way. Now that I have my 4" 686, I've been very happy with it. I use it for bowling pin matches, steel plate matches, and yeah, I do on occasion carry it. The 4" is your best all around length.
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I have the 2.5,4,6 inch...all are great shooters
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
The penultimate 4-inch Model 686 was a variation called the "CS-1". These were guns hand-built in the '80's for the US Customs Service to rigid specs that far exceeded standard production guns. Special parts, hand fitting, and special testing.
They were made in large numbers and are not hard to find if you look, but you will pay a premium. Maybe 75% - 100%"more than an otherwise similar M686 from the same era. But there're worth it. The CS-1 was the best Model 686 ever made.
Search the forum for about a thousand threads on the subject.
Mehutch
Member
Some one say '686'?
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OLDSTER
Member
686
With a 686, you'll own one of the finest revolvers ever made anywhere, anytime, and by any manufacturer. This is my 686-4 round butt
. I would recommend a 4" 686 no dash through 686-4; however any 686 is a fine revolver.
With a 686, you'll own one of the finest revolvers ever made anywhere, anytime, and by any manufacturer. This is my 686-4 round butt
. I would recommend a 4" 686 no dash through 686-4; however any 686 is a fine revolver.
ShadyDrifter
Member
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The L frame revolvers (686, 681, 586 etc.) are much more practical for standard carry than N frames, IMO, though you'll also find a lot of love for N frames on this site. One thing I didn't see mentioned in the other comments, however, (sorry if I missed it) is a warning that early L frames were subject to a recall back in the 1980's. A firing pin/primer issue, and the ones that have been sent back have (as I recall) have an M (or maybe an X) stamped on the frame under the crane. If you're looking for an early N frame, and you see one without the stamp telling you it's been sent in for the recall, be cautious.
I say this because, while S&W will take the gun and a fix it free of charge even to this day (as well as pay for the shipping) I'm not confident that S&W still has people working there who are capable of adequately fixing this problem. I had a 681 that I sent in a couple of years ago, and they never really got the problem fixed.
The good news is that you can mostly avoid the problem by using ammo with firm primers. My gun worked fine with everything except powerful Buffalo Bore ammo. So I sent the gun in, but after a protracted stay at S&W, it came back with more or less the same problem.
There are a lot of people out there who talk down the lock era guns, but my current recent lock era 586 is a much better gun than my my old pre-lock 681 no dash was, and not just with regards to the recall. Seemed more solid, too. Some people won't agree with this, but that's been my reality. Best wishes.
I say this because, while S&W will take the gun and a fix it free of charge even to this day (as well as pay for the shipping) I'm not confident that S&W still has people working there who are capable of adequately fixing this problem. I had a 681 that I sent in a couple of years ago, and they never really got the problem fixed.
The good news is that you can mostly avoid the problem by using ammo with firm primers. My gun worked fine with everything except powerful Buffalo Bore ammo. So I sent the gun in, but after a protracted stay at S&W, it came back with more or less the same problem.
There are a lot of people out there who talk down the lock era guns, but my current recent lock era 586 is a much better gun than my my old pre-lock 681 no dash was, and not just with regards to the recall. Seemed more solid, too. Some people won't agree with this, but that's been my reality. Best wishes.
OP
jrvariel48
Member
Thank you to all! Great info from everyone! This revolver will only be for range use, as we can't carry here in New Jersey, and probably never will.
I look forward to the purchase and I'll give a report when I get to the range!!Thanks again!
Joe
I look forward to the purchase and I'll give a report when I get to the range!!Thanks again!
Joe
Matt Hooper
Member
I have the 686 + Pro. My absolutely favorite go to revolver. Shoots like a dream. Great for the range or home protection. Pro series upgrades and an extra round are worth the extra $. This has all the enhancements of the SSR for a little less. I found the 5" barrel to be the perfect length.
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OP
jrvariel48
Member
Thanks for the input Matt! That's a beautiful piece!
Cellar Hound
Member
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My Favorite
I would hope that I would never be asked to decide but if I were told I could only have one handgun it would be a 686 .357 magnum. Beautiful and versatile. Since I have not been forced to make that decision, I have many .357 magnums and my 686 is still my favorite (but I don't tell the others that.......).
I would hope that I would never be asked to decide but if I were told I could only have one handgun it would be a 686 .357 magnum. Beautiful and versatile. Since I have not been forced to make that decision, I have many .357 magnums and my 686 is still my favorite (but I don't tell the others that.......).
Attachments
one eye joe
US Veteran
HI Joe, WELCOME TO THE FORUM.....
IN MY OPINION, THE M686 IS THE FINEST .357 CALIBER REVOLVER, IN CURRENT PRODUCTION. THE 4" BARREL IS MY FAVORITE LENGTH--AT HOME ON THE RANGE AND IN THE FIELD--IT IS EASILY CONCEALED, FOR SELF DEFENSE, AND IS AN EXCELLENT HOME DEFENSE WEAPON. I SUGGEST THE M686+, WHICH HAS THE 7 SHOT CYLINDER. THAT 7TH SHOT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE, SOMEDAY.....
I THINK THAT YOU MADE A GREAT CHOICE, FOR YOUR FIRST REVOLVER.......
I got hooked on the 686 when I was issued one on the Socorro County Sheriff's Department in 1986. They are simply one of the very best 357 revolvers ever made. I currently own a 2.5 inch and a 4 inch 686-4+. As others have said here, great choice!
1sailor
Member
There is one thing I would like to add here that became very important to me. As I got older I found I had a hard time focusing on ramp front sights of any type or color. Some versions of the 686 have pinned front sights that can be changed. Most I've seen with the ramp front are one piece with the barrel. If you don't have any issues with ramp front sights then it's all open to you. Otherwise you may want to select a version that has the pinned sight.
The 686 plus is one of the very best handguns ever. My opinion of course but they're accurate. Hold 7 rounds. 38 to 357. Very versatile. You can find tons of leather for them. Just all around a very nice package
