MODEL 686 PLUS Opinions

[Ranger514]

You don't say which Sig P-series you've decided to replace. Regardless, the 686+ is an awesome handgun. Mine is a 6-inch, dash 4, and I carried a 4-inch 686 as my duty handgun when I started out in law enforcement. They are excellent handguns.

 

[one eye joe]

Maybe apples to oranges but the Mtn Gun + in the -5 variety is a good un and prolly my fave 686 + model.

I HAVE TO ROLL WITH jack the toad ON THIS......

IMHO, THE 4" 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN IS THE VERY BEST, AND MOST VERSATILE REVOLVER, AVAILABLE TODAY. IT HAS SUPERB BALANCE AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. IT EXCELS AS A HD / SD WEAPON. ITS EASILY CARRIED CONCEALED, OR IN THE FIELD FOR HUNTING, OR JUST PLAIN WOODS WALKING. ITS A VERY ACCURATE RANGE GUN, WITH .38 SPECIAL TARGET AMMO, AND ITS BUILT TO HANDLE A STEADY DIET OF ANY FACTORY AMMO, INCLUDING THE HOTTEST OFFERINGS FROM THE BOUTIQUE SHOPS. THE 3" VERSION IS JUST A TAD LIGHTER, AND GIVES UP VERY LITTLE ON THE RANGE, AS FAR AS ACCURACY......

I CCW A 2 1/2" NO DASH, FITTED WITH A 7 SHOT CYLINDER BY S&W, AND GIVEN "THE DELUXE TUNE" BY DENNY REICHERT @ SAND BURR GUN RANCH. DENNY IS THE VERY BEST S&W 'SMITH WORKING TODAY, ACCORDING TO MASSAD AYOOB. THE ACTION IS SLICKER THAN SNOTS. (THAT'S AN ENGINEERING TERM, FOR YOU NEWCOMERS...lol). IT IS ALSO QUITE ACCURATE ON THE RANGE, DESPITE ITS SHORT BARREL.....

IN THE PICS OF 3 MOUNTAIN GUNS BELOW, THE 686+ IS ON THE LEFT. THE GRIPS ARE AHRENDS TACTICAL CONVERSIONS. THE 2 1/2" WEARS PC MAGNAS, AND A TYLER-T......

MY ONLY OTHER 686 IS A NO DASH, 8 3/8" VERSION, THAT WEARS AN ULTRA DOT, RED DOT SIGHT, AND SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE.......

 

[charlie sherrill]

I had a 7 shot 4" dash 5 with MIM that I bought new in 99. I carried it some until they issued Glock 22's. About four years ago a pawn shop friend called me with a -4 with the hammer mounted firing pin for $300 + tax. Ten minutes later it was mine. I sold the dash 5 the next weekend to a dealer at a gun show for twice what I paid for the dash 4 and a little more than I paid for the dash 5 new. I'm happy. I shoot it occasionally and carry it some on the mower, tractor, and 4 wheeler.

 

[thomasinaz]

All that being said above, I now have a 5-shot, a 6-shot, and 8-shot revolvers. THAT alone turns me off of ever owning a 7-shot revolver. TOO DANG many speed loader types, even though the 627PC has moon clips.

I see this as a reason to fill the glaring hole in your group of revolvers. You need a 7 shot to complete the revolver circle of life. Kind of a glass half empty or half full thing...

 

[S&W Rover]

Well, I've got a 3" 686-6 Plus, purchased about a year ago, that is great. I've replaced the red ramp front sight with a Big Dot, which makes it a bit easier for my old eyes to see.

The versatility of these revolvers is tremendous. I can plink with my hand-loaded lightweight .38 Spec bullets (125 grain Rim Rock lead bullets over 4.0 grains of Trail Boss), or use any commercial .38 Spec or +P .38 Spec bullets. I can make up my own reasonably powerful loads in .357 Mag (125 grain HDY XTP or Sierra FMJ over 9.0 grains of Power Pistol) or, as I did this past week, shoot some Black Hills 125 grain JHP .357 bullets -- rated at 1500 fps.

Yes, with a 3" barrel I am losing some of the ballistics a 4" or longer barrel would give me, but the Black Hills ammo is an experience. In addition to loosening the extractor rod and the screw on the thumbpiece, for which I forgive S&W, the Black Hills ammo STOPPED OTHER PEOPLE SHOOTING on the range each time I shot a cylinder full. That's not what I'm shooting them for, but it made me chuckle.

Still, after shooting 14 of the Black Hills rounds, the next day my wrist and hand feel no pain -- because the 686 is heavy enough to dampen the recoil. Shooting +P .38 from my Mdl 640 leaves more aches and pains.

 

[joe44va]

I only have one 3" revolver, a 60-15 Pro. I have two 686+s, a 4 and a 6. my favorite, because it's the best shooter, is a 686 SSR.

 

[Redlegvzv]

My 686+ 4" has the best trigger of all of my revolvers. These are sweet shooters. Personally I think that the 4" is the best all-around 686.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The 686 is probably the most popular revolver on this forum.

That is possibly true!!!! Especially the 686+.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/517460-s-w-686-357-magnum.html#post139550811

With a slight nod to the less discussed 586, because it is truly a magnificent handgun in both looks and shooting.

 

[jeeps]

I have had a new 686+ , 3" for a few years now and it has been 1 00% reliable and very accurate. I prefer this over the older M66-1 snubby and over the early 686 which were troublesome. The 3" has full extraction with its ejector rod. This are great Sw's and one of the best S W ever made bar none! !