New 686+ 3'" report

[Invictus357]

Bought it last week. Test fire date was May 15th.

Fit, finish and function is superior to the last 686 I bought about 4 years ago.

I included a top down pic to show that S&W is perfectly capable of fitting straight barrels.

When I bought it, I cleaned and lubed it a tad. Also gently rubbed lead remover cloth all over the gun. Then I --gently-- polished it with Mother's Mag for a few minutes to give it a hint of luster. I don't want this particular gun to be highly polished.

Went to the range yesterday. DA is a little too heavy for my liking but was very smooth. SA was fantastic. And it should go without saying that the gun performed perfectly.

I'm generally not a very accurate shooter so the target was only out at 15 feet.

I used Atlanta Arms 357 JHPs. Very clean burning and gun was super easy to clean up afterwards.

For those lusting over the 3" 686, get one. I love mine.

 

[Eaglestroker]

That is a beauty. Congrats on a nice one!

 

[old doc]

I love my 3 inch 7 shooter as well.

 

[Horace & Daniel]

Beautiful wheel gun, my friend. The 3-inch is on my short list. I really prefer the NL versions, but that new one looks pretty damn sweet.

 

[papajohn428]

Aren't those just the neatest guns? I got mine about four years ago, and it's a special day when it goes to the range with me.

 

[brucev]

Congratulations on the purchase of a fine S&W revolver! Your posted target looks good to me. I've never owned or fired a such a short barreled .357. I can only imagine that it would be a handful w/ full power ammunition. You might want to practice dry-fire to master the double-action feature. You might also want to consider practicing with .38 Special ammo as it will allow you less expensive live fire experience. If your POA was 6 O'clock on the orange dot, then it looks like your POI is just about perfect for the .357 ammo.

 

[BobR1]

All you need now is a Lobo Enhanced Pancake to carry it in, and you are set.

Bob

 

[jbear29]

686+ with 3" bbl

I have the exact same model that I received this week but have not fired any acutal rounds yet. It has the flat hammer like some other guns I have but it makes a distinct pinging sound when dry fired. Is this normal for this type of gun or should I be worried??

 

[afultz075]

A shooting-buddy randomly offered me his 3" 686+ for $500 the other week. I was hesitant after having some horrible luck with the last two post-lock guns i've owned, but ultimately I couldn't pass it up for $500. It's really grown on me and is fast becoming my favorite revolver in my collection. It has perfect fit/finish and has no quality issues whatsoever. It has helped restore some of my faith in S&W's ability to manufacture revolvers.