Money is down on a 686

[S&W357]

686 is my best revolver. I do love the look of wood grips................BUT !!!! Shooting 357 mag with wood grips has to start hurting your hand. For carry and looks -great but for shooting at range the grips that come with the gun are great.

 

[Northeast kingdom]

S&W 686 "The boss"

Congrats on your ALMOST purchase of a 686... Only one other gun and only one can match it's beauty and authority... I bought mine in 1987 and no way in h--- would i even consider or think about letting it go... (bought the 4")...

I do agree with Wee Hooker about the grips... Wood for looks but hougue rubber for range and other business... If your planning on shooting a lot of .357's i think you might see what we mean...

Enjoy your new purchase my friend, you won't regret it...

Be safe --- SHOOT STRAIGHT ---...

 

[DDDWho]

I'm liking my "heirloom" quality guns more and more as I see what's being offered these days. They've pulled the wool over the eyes of the younger generation with plastic, laminated, MIM and other junk.

I've only managed to come up with 4 guns which I will be proud to pass on the my grandsons. The 686 is one of them.

 

[Stargater]

I have the 4" version. It's hard to improve on the factory grip, if you ask me. It just feels right, but that's personal fit thing. Wood grips look cool, but I just don't feel like I have as good a grip on the gun and that disturbs me.

Yes, it seems that for every 6-incher I see referenced, there are 3-4 4-inch guns referenced. When the 686 came out, S&W was very taken with the Colt Python and they wanted to clean Colt's clock from an accuracy-standpoint. And it did. All the initial reviews showed the 686 easily keeping pace with the Python accuracy-wise. And most 686 owners thought their actions were actually better than the Python's.

But outdoors people weren't happy with the 686 6-inchers. Many hunters and outdoorsmen who really liked their 66 6-inchers, found lugging the heavier revolvers around was a royal pain. Picking up moving targets was more difficult and the pistol was too front-heavy. The 66 and the Ruger Security-Sixes remained popular. Then, suddenly, both of them were gone. Now it seems you can't get a decent revolver with a long barrel that you can go camping with.

I'd love to see a 6-inch 686 come out with a skinny, tapered barrel with rounded, slightly smaller grips. Strength with greater portability. But all the 686s are known for their superb accuracy. The 4-inchers are as close to perfection as one can get in a revolver.

I don't know if S&W changes barrels on guns, but I have a 6-incher I'd like to convert to a 4-inch. I live in a state where it's so difficult to get a new gun that it would be less trouble just to switch barrels, though I know it's a chore. Or, does anyone know of any gunsmiths who do that type of work?

Thanks!

 

[hkcavalier]

686 with wood grips looks great! I almost put faux ivory on this one, glad I went with Cordia.

 

[sdustin]

Yes, it seems that for every 6-incher I see referenced, there are 3-4 4-inch guns referenced. When the 686 came out, S&W was very taken with the Colt Python and they wanted to clean Colt's clock from an accuracy-standpoint. And it did. All the initial reviews showed the 686 easily keeping pace with the Python accuracy-wise. And most 686 owners thought their actions were actually better than the Python's.

But outdoors people weren't happy with the 686 6-inchers. Many hunters and outdoorsmen who really liked their 66 6-inchers, found lugging the heavier revolvers around was a royal pain. Picking up moving targets was more difficult and the pistol was too front-heavy. The 66 and the Ruger Security-Sixes remained popular. Then, suddenly, both of them were gone. Now it seems you can't get a decent revolver with a long barrel that you can go camping with.

I'd love to see a 6-inch 686 come out with a skinny, tapered barrel with rounded, slightly smaller grips. Strength with greater portability. But all the 686s are known for their superb accuracy. The 4-inchers are as close to perfection as one can get in a revolver.

I don't know if S&W changes barrels on guns, but I have a 6-incher I'd like to convert to a 4-inch. I live in a state where it's so difficult to get a new gun that it would be less trouble just to switch barrels, though I know it's a chore. Or, does anyone know of any gunsmiths who do that type of work?

Thanks!

One light weight long barrel option is the 386 hunter. Ive got one and its basically a air weight 686 with a 6" barrel, 7 shot and weighs 30 oz empty. I really like mine.

 

[3strokes]

Just put a layaway payment do a 686!
Super excited, should finish paying off mid next month.

Will probably put some affordable wood grips and polish sometime later in the new year.

This is my first revolver and I'm in love, my uncle carried a 6" 686 for 30 years as a deputy Sheriff and was some kind of art hanging off his hip if admire when he was around in uniform.

$754 New from my LGS

Congrats (I have the 586 in 6")
Rather than wood grips (which do look very nice) have a look at Hogue's rubber grips with big wooden butt (Item 10006 in Hogue's products.).

 

[3strokes]

Holy hell! Those are the grips I want! From the shape to the wood shade...
Anyone!!?? Who makes those?

I've seen them (and purchased a couple from ebay). Mostly Made in Thailand. Prices are fair and include shipping.I use them on my 617 and 586. They fit K/L round or square butts.

Happy New 686 and 2014

 

[408essj]

Ok well the impatience is gonna be the death Of me..

Going in after work to pay it off and start my 10 day wait.

Crazy I know lol

 

[MattJames]

Congrats! I know that I couldn't wait for mine and dipped into some emergency cash to pay it off

 

[408essj]

PAID OFF! Pick her up the 11th.

Crackers and ramen for breakfest lunch and dinner for the next few weeks and I will be riding my bike to work for a while lol

 

[Green Frog]

PAID OFF! Pick her up the 11th.

Crackers and ramen for breakfest lunch and dinner for the next few weeks and I will be riding my bike to work for a while lol

I like a man who has his priorities straight! The "sacrifices" you go through to get it will just make the ownership sweeter.

Froggie

 

[wproct]

Way to go!

Good for you! The 11th will be here before you know it.

 

[dmiller50]

email

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[1911Teacher]

Yes, it seems that for every 6-incher I see referenced, there are 3-4 4-inch guns referenced. When the 686 came out, S&W was very taken with the Colt Python and they wanted to clean Colt's clock from an accuracy-standpoint. And it did. All the initial reviews showed the 686 easily keeping pace with the Python accuracy-wise. And most 686 owners thought their actions were actually better than the Python's.

But outdoors people weren't happy with the 686 6-inchers. Many hunters and outdoorsmen who really liked their 66 6-inchers, found lugging the heavier revolvers around was a royal pain. Picking up moving targets was more difficult and the pistol was too front-heavy. The 66 and the Ruger Security-Sixes remained popular. Then, suddenly, both of them were gone. Now it seems you can't get a decent revolver with a long barrel that you can go camping with.

I'd love to see a 6-inch 686 come out with a skinny, tapered barrel with rounded, slightly smaller grips. Strength with greater portability. But all the 686s are known for their superb accuracy. The 4-inchers are as close to perfection as one can get in a revolver.

I don't know if S&W changes barrels on guns, but I have a 6-incher I'd like to convert to a 4-inch. I live in a state where it's so difficult to get a new gun that it would be less trouble just to switch barrels, though I know it's a chore. Or, does anyone know of any gunsmiths who do that type of work?

Thanks!

Stargater, sounds like you might like a model 66.

 

[ginzo]

Congratulations, a fine piece at a fine price.

Well, one thing is for sure, you're right about it being your " 1st revolver".
'nough said

 

[BikerRN]

Congratulations!

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[bananaman]

You should enjoy your 686! I have a 6 incher from 1989. It has factory target grips on it. I have picked up nice used grips on ebay quite reasonable. I shot it Thursday with 148 wad-cutters that I loaded. Recoil nil, accuracy lots. Bob

 

[Brasky]

I've seen them (and purchased a couple from ebay). Mostly Made in Thailand. Prices are fair and include shipping.I use them on my 617 and 586. They fit K/L round or square butts.

Happy New 686 and 2014

Definitely from Thailand. Excellent quality despite what others may say. Love mine

 

[derfarhar333]

Congrats. I have a 4" 686+ on my hip as I type this. I don't own very many handguns but it's definitely my favorite.