New 686-6 6" is a keeper

[Jboutfishn]

Great to hear. I am torn between a 686 or a Ruger GP100.

Anyone own both to compare and contrast?

Before I bought my 686 6", i shot both. the Ruger is a solid gun but there is no comparison in the triggers.

 

[The Norseman]

686

Here's mine.
357 Magnum, Smith & Wesson Model 686-3 Stainless Steel, 6 shot Hand Ejector,
circa Nov 1992, 6 inch barrel. Paper Target hole puncher, and Pop-can plinker.

Been reloading some old DEWC's, 148grs. Unique 3.6grs/ CCI Small Pistol #500 /
Win Nickel or Midway cases/ FPS 750? / crimped at cannelure.

I was given 8 pounds of Red Dot so I've been trying that; Lead DEWC 148grs./
Alliant Red Dot 3.0grs/ CCI Small Pistol #500 / Win Nickel or Midway cases/
FPS 750? / crimped at cannelure.

Both reloads are very accurate.

Boolits are tumbled lubed with Ben's L.L. (Liquid Lube).

When I do my part, this Revolver is very accurate. Here's one of the many groups
I gotten with the Red Dot powder, at 40 feet.

 

[joecatusmc]

686 no dash

I have had a 686 no dash 4in for quite some time and it is a great gun ...I also have a 696 no dash 4 in....I tell you that they are both GREAT guns
Good luck with yours
Joe Cat ,Semper -Fi

 

[jstanfield103]

I have both the 686 Competitor 6" and the Ruger GP100 in the 6".
The trigger is better in the S&W and the finish is more refined. The Ruger is built stronger and can take more powerful loads. Even Buffalo bore ammo states Ruger is one of the guns that can handle the pressure.
I use the S&W for facture loads and reloads of 38 special also lighter loads of 357 Magnum. really just not the very heavy loads of 357 in the S&W. The Ruger I will shoot anything in.
I love them both but that 686 is really a fine shooting revolver and shots smoother than the Ruger.

 

[dakota1911]

Glad to hear the new ones are good. I bought one back in the 80s. I ended the Ruger thing by buying it also. Both in 6 inch.

 

[merlin9800]

Robert, I have a 686 also. The 686 is a fine revolver. However! My model
19 combat masterpiece will out shoot the 686 all day long. I also have a 6 inch Python which will also outshoot the 686. The shooting test was with a Ransom rest at 25 yards. The test was with reloads 158 gr Keith and red dot. My money says buy a good 19 or Python.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Congratulations. 686-6+ has been on my list for a while.

 

[Englishrob]

Good to read your posting. The 686 has to be one of the all time greats. I was also pleased to hear from a 60+ yr old shooter that has the same bad vision days that we older shooters seem to be afflicted with from time to time... I, personally, intend to stick with open sights... resisting red/green dots until I have no option.

 

[SgtBill]

Smith & Wesson 686

Well it was nice reading about you young guy's and your exp. with a 686. For the record I am 69 years old. I have a 686 that I purchased back when they first came out in the 1980's. Since then I have had a problem with my children fighting over who will get it when my shooting days are over. It will punch 1 hole groups all day long out to 20 or so yards when I am up to it.

I will admit that I was a N.R.A. Combat 1500 match shooter for many years and a State Champion as a High Master for a lot of them.

As far as the Ruger is concerned it is also a fine weapon but just not as fine as a Smith & Wesson.

Bill

 

[Voyager28]

4" No Dash and a 6" Dash 4. Love my 686s. The 6"er is a bit nose heavy but, it is most certainly a hog getter.

Bob

 

[robert1804]

Well it was nice reading about you young guy's and your exp. with a 686. For the record I am 69 years old. I have a 686 that I purchased back when they first came out in the 1980's. Since then I have had a problem with my children fighting over who will get it when my shooting days are over. It will punch 1 hole groups all day long out to 20 or so yards when I am up to it.

I will admit that I was a N.R.A. Combat 1500 match shooter for many years and a State Champion as a High Master for a lot of them.

As far as the Ruger is concerned it is also a fine weapon but just not as fine as a Smith & Wesson.

Bill

That's some good shooting, Bill! I think the loads I mentioned in the original post might do something close to that in skilled hands. I am curious about what barrel length and loading give you those nice groups. I'm very farsighted and used to be pretty good at 100 yard revolver open sight shooting with 6-7 1/2 barrels. But I was poor at close ranges, particularly with 4" barrels. 32+ years later, I'm finding I can do much better at short ranges even with 4" barreled open sighted Smiths. There's a new 586 4" at my LGS that's looking mighty appealing about now...

 

[adams484]

Very nice gun...

I love all my S&W revolvers. Your experience echos mine with the 686. I have had two over the years. The first one I bought for my wife and after we sold it I missed it so much I bought another one for myself to replace the wife's that we sold. I carry it in a shoulder rig on occasion.

 

[Desert]

Well it was nice reading about you young guy's and your exp. with a 686. For the record I am 69 years old. I have a 686 that I purchased back when they first came out in the 1980's. Since then I have had a problem with my children fighting over who will get it when my shooting days are over. It will punch 1 hole groups all day long out to 20 or so yards when I am up to it.

I will admit that I was a N.R.A. Combat 1500 match shooter for many years and a State Champion as a High Master for a lot of them.

As far as the Ruger is concerned it is also a fine weapon but just not as fine as a Smith & Wesson.

Bill

When in L.E., I was a member of our pistol team, we shot all over the state in competition....we shot at 7 yds, 25 yds, and 50 yards and at 50 we shot out the bulleye...I used a K-38 6 " in the matches...carried a Mod 19 6" on duty.....