New 686-6 ... good to go?

[Hoyle]

I snagged a S&W 686-6 (brand new) off gunbroker for a great deal.

Now I know everyone seems to hate the internal lock, but if I am just using this as just a range toy (not carrying or using for home defense), is this revolver good to go?

The way everyone trashes the new production S&W revolvers, it makes me re-think if I should just sell it for $100 profit and find something else pre-lock.

I'd like to keep it and shoot the hell out of it, but let me know if the internal lock is seriously something to worry about.

 

[JayFramer]

I just posted a thread asking about the new 642s as well.

 

[hittman77]

I'd like to keep it and shoot the hell out of it......

There's your answer! Do it!

On the very incredibly remote possibility the lock ever causes you a problem I'm sure S&W would fix it for free. After all, it's not like a carry gun or duty weapon your life depends on.

Others will disagree I'm sure.

 

[BigDog48]

Don't worry; just shoot it. If you ever have trouble S&W has a lifetime warranty and a good service department.

 

[Owly]

I've got a 686-6 that has several thousand rounds through it now. Never once an issue with the lock, other than it being an eye sore.
The hatred towards the internal lock is mostly just a matter of principal. It doesn't NEED to be there and most feel it shouldn't be there at all. Truth is, the internal lock guns operate just as reliably as older non lock models. Don't sweat it, just shoot and enjoy.

 

[SS57]

As I type this I have my 686-6 3 inch in my lap. Love it. I carry a 642-2 which has the Lock Hole. Totally trust it. My advice--Shoot it. Enjoy it. Great guns.

 

[rwsmith]

There's nothing wrong with the internal lock....

The problem us old timers have is that the locks alter the traditional appearance and most of us don't us it anyway.

There has been some talk about the lock actuating without the key, but I don't know if that's ever happened or somebody just says that it COULD happen.

If you like everything else about the gun, by all means, shoot the dog mess out of it.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

You will only hear rants about the IL here. No where else. And these people are happy making someone who just purchased a $1k+ gun- completely miserable about it. So forget about those losers and enjoy your gun as it should be.

Can't wait until these forums become separate - for that reason.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[domyalex]

I have both and enjoy them exactly the same. Newer ones have lifetime warranties, while older ones don't. Enjoy your gun!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

It's good to go! Shoot the snot out of it...I do.

.

686-6+ TALO 5"

.

 

[Shotgungordo]

I bought the -6 and didn't even really notice the "Lock Hole," UNTIL I started learning more about the history of S&W. I keep a strong pulse on politics and I really have a disdain for any gun control measure. I also have a raging headache every time I see Hillary Clintons face or her name. I could not stand having such a fine firearm with a Hillary pimple on it,...so I turned around and bought some -3's. I still have the -6, but I'll probably part it out and put that gorgeous unfluted, seven shot cylinder on a -3. (I still think the newer S&W's have an edge on aesthetics vs Ruger imo)


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[Anglergator]

I snagged a S&W 686-6 (brand new) off gunbroker for a great deal.

Now I know everyone seems to hate the internal lock, but if I am just using this as just a range toy (not carrying or using for home defense), is this revolver good to go?

The way everyone trashes the new production S&W revolvers, it makes me re-think if I should just sell it for $100 profit and find something else pre-lock.

I'd like to keep it and shoot the hell out of it, but let me know if the internal lock is seriously something to worry about.

I just went to the range on Friday, shot my 686-6, 3" against my Ruger GP100, Wiley Clapp 3". The 686-6 out shot the Ruger by a significant margin. The trigger was smoother on the 686-6, this had to help. I have 686's without the "IL" and with, and they all shoot really well. The "IL" is ugly, but the L frame is such a nice platform we learn to live with it. Just shoot your 686 and enjoy it.

 

[typetwelve]

I'd trust my life to my IL 627...

 

[at_liberty]

One way or the other, every thread is about locks. We need a "safe space" for pre-locks plus a space where no apologies need be offered for owning a gun with an ILS.

 

[MJFlores]

I have a 629 with a lock, with a few thousand rounds through it with no lock issues. With that said, there are people who did experience a lock up so I can not trust the lock 100%. And, something that makes you wonder is that Jerry M has the lock disabled on his competition S&W guns ( there are a few close ups floating around showing the flag missing next to the hammer). The problem with the new guns isn't just the lock...it's a combination of things like the MIM parts, terrible finish, misaligned parts, crooked sights, canted barrels, irregular forcing cones, etc. It's as if there's no pride anymore...they send out **** and depend on the consumer to send it back knowing most people have significantly lowered their standards when it comes to guns and their fit and finish. What was once a thing of beauty that you could hold and admire....is now just a metal "thing"...and with rubber grips even.

 

[catadjuster]

No worries here

I just added up my shooting logs for two guns with IL purchased in the last 12 months. The total between the two of them is 14,975 with NO issues related to the internal lock. That is zero problems with the internal lock.

Granted, from a pure esthetic perspective, I don't care for the looks of the lock, so I would prefer it to not be there. But from my experience it has not caused any issues. As much as I have heard about the potential for this to lock up just when you need it most, I don't know of any verified instances of this happening.

Run the gun as hard as you like and enjoy it.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

In this age of polymer tacti-cool handguns I like to think you'll find your 686-6 is an awesome gun and a great amount of fun to shoot. In reality, I have never had a problem with the IL nor have I heard anyone ever mention the IL anywhere outside of this forum. Of the four S&W revolvers in our family all are stainless and only one is a pre-lock. Maybe that makes it extra special, but it does not detract from the fact that the others are also very fine guns. What sets your 686-6 apart from the crowd at the range is that it is a modern revolver and not some colorful plastic thing that looks like it was made out of Legos.

My son loves his Sigs with tact-opt rails and in that community I'm sure they run their own debates over nuances about things that completely escape me. Men in my father's generation wore grey felt Fedoras and we favor baseball caps. My grandparents never forgave the Brooklyn Dodgers for leaving for Los Angeles but many don't even realize it was ever any other way. The world moved on. You can be a blued gun, pinned barrel, pre-lock type if you choose. Appreciation of those things is admirable, but it gets limiting if those choices are held exclusively.

Enjoy your new gun!

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Granted, from a pure esthetic perspective, I don't care for the looks of the lock, so I would prefer it to not be there. But from my experience it has not caused any issues. As much as I have heard about the potential for this to lock up just when you need it most, I don't know of any verified instances of this happening.

Run the gun as hard as you like and enjoy it.

I looked into "the plug" briefly, but when I saw pictures of plugged holes I thought they were uglier than the hole itself. I have no problem with changing grips or sights, but the factory IL just doesn't bother me.

In all fairness, I have to say my guns are limited to being range toys because I live in a high crime inner city neighborhood (although my Mayor will disagree with that) where law abiding citizens are generally prohibited from having any defensive capability what-so-ever. So...my life will never depend on the IL in my carry weapon not failing. Instead I get to forfeit my life by being left to depend completely on my cell phone and calling 911 (which is the way both my Governor and my Mayor think it should be). Regardless, I still think the chance of an IL failure is so statistically low that it is almost moot.

 

[bipe215]

My 686-6 is easily the best shooting handgun I have. It's won many first place plaques in our local matches. It's action is buttery smooth, and just keeps getting better. The only gun I have that comes close is my R8. I did remove the flag from all my newer Smith's. Easily done in 10 minutes. Don't worry about the MIM parts. They're have closer tolerances and are way smoother than any forged parts in the older guns.

 

[Tyrod]

Of course, it must be said that if I wanted to increase the value of my safe full of pre-lock pre-mim revolvers, I'd bad mouth the IL & MIM guns too.