New 686-3

[Asta]

The good news:
I just layed away a 686-3. I had to get it as soon as I saw it...pretty good shape with the combat grips. Oh...and it's a 2 1/2 inch too.

Bad news:
I'm probably going to have to sell my 66-2 with a 4" barrel to pay for it.

However:
Maybe I'm late asking this but are there any "gotchas" with the 686-3? I did a few quick searches and came up with nuttin.

( I haven't contributed for a good while but all of a sudden I am listed as a new user...strange )

Thanks,
Joe

 

[AveragEd]

The 686-3 is, in my opinion, perhaps the best of the breed - it's the last with a square butt and old-style flat-front end rear sight yet it contains some engineering improvements that the earlier guns don't have.

But having said that, I don't know that I'd dispose of a nice 66 to get one. There are a lot more 686s for sale on sites like GunBroker.com than 66s. I don't have time to get my SCoSW out to see, but if the -5 Model 66 doesn't have MIM parts or a lock, I'd have to think long and hard about the transaction.

Ed

 

[glwt06]

Hi Joe,

I just put some money down on a 686 myself. I have done a lot of research in the last couple of days. The 686-3 seems to be an excellent find. The initial issue of the gun binding up with magnum loads is fixed. Plus, the internal parts should still be non-MIM if that is an issue for you.

I'm really looking forward to getting mine, I hope you enjoy yours.

Paul

 

[Asta]

Thanks guys.
I am anxious to get the 686 home. Those combat grips really fit the hand well. I couldn't pass it up for the price.

Looks like the -3 in a 2 1/2" barrel is a good model.

As I corrected, my 66 4" is a -2 and has a fantastic trigger. I may have to keep it also.

Thanks again,

 

[shooter686]

The 686-3 is, in my opinion, perhaps the best of the breed - it's the last with a square butt and old-style flat-front end rear sight yet it contains some engineering improvements that the earlier guns don't have.

But having said that, I don't know that I'd dispose of a nice 66 to get one. There are a lot more 686s for sale on sites like GunBroker.com than 66s. I don't have time to get my SCoSW out to see, but if the -5 Model 66 doesn't have MIM parts or a lock, I'd have to think long and hard about the transaction.

Ed

I have a 686-3 that binds with Magnum loads. Only I thought they were high pressure loads. It was not until I happened upon this site that I learned of the firing pin hole issue. I still have those "high pressure" loads and when I get time, I'll pull them apart to see if its the loads, or the gun. Not likely the loads, but every guy who blows up his guns starts the thread with "I'm sure it was not my load" - LOL! That said, the 686-3 has no MIM, but flash chromed trigger and hammer.

Shooter686

 

[Asta]

Thought I would bring back this old thread of mine and post a pic of the new-to-me 686-3:

It has a few scratches...nothing big...and the grips have some character also:

It shoots great. I put a cylinder each of .38s and .357s through it so far.
I was all over the place with the .357s but with .38s it was like shooting a fun .22.

Thanks for looking!

 

[jspick]

Keep both. Get an extra job, anything just don't sell your 66.
I have sold guns that I later regretted selling.
I have a 66-2 and a 686 no dash that does not bind up with magnum loads. Maybe it was fixed but it does not have the "M" stamp in the yoke area.

I have passed on guns that I should have bought too. I am not a collector. I am a shooter. Some guns are worth keeping.

John