New 686, first trip to the range.

[2001SportTJ]

Hi all, new guy here, I recently got my first S&W, a 686 no dash 8 3/8" barrel, and finally got a chance to take it to the range today. I must say, I was very impressed. My experience with wheel guns is limited(I have been mostly a Glock/1911 shooter until recently) but I can say this gun has the sweetest trigger pull of any revolver that I have ever shot, and the smoothest action. I have a Ruger GP100 4" and the trigger on it is heavy and gritty in both single and double action, so the 686 was a blast(no pun intended) to shoot today. I didn't even pull the Ruger out of the range bag today. The 686 is very accurate, I was able to shoot a 2" group at 20 yards, which is better than I can do at 10 with the Ruger. Anybody wanna trade a Ruger GP100 for a 4" 686?

Here's a few pics of the 686:

 

[Ashlander]

I have a bunch of Ruger and S&W revolvers. Newer Rugers have better trigger pulls fresh from the factory, but the old ones (and new ones as well) can be smoothed out a lot with just a little polishing of all the steel-on-steel contact points involved in the trigger pull (not just the sear) for a couple minutes. For example, often the side of the hammer rubs on the frame or the transfer bar does. You'd be shocked how smooth you can make your GP100 with any real work.

You could also try the poor man's trigger job: cock the hammer back and push it forward with your thumb (but don't go nuts) while slowly pulling the trigger -- the pressure helps "marry" the contact points at the sear -- without ruining it.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the Forum! Reach out and touch someone w/ that long barrel.
I'll trade you a 4" 586, for that Gp100 + $500. Nothing against the Ruger! I just like my 586 that much. Enjoy your 686! I need to try out 1 of those long barrels sometime. Bob

 

[one eye joe]

Welcome to the forum, 2001SportTJ. That was a GREAT choice for your first S&W revolver. I have an 8 3/8" no dash 686 also. EACH of my S&W revolvers is a jewel in it's own right (ONLY in my eyes of course), BUT this long barreled one is really special. It's slicker than snot and shoots like a rifle. Mine has a red ramp front sight as opposed to your Patridge front sight, and a white outline rear sight. I also have a 686+ Mountain Gun, and the 2 1/2" no dash below, converted to a 7 shooter @ S&W. The 686 is a wonderful revolver. Yours is a beautiful example. Enjoy.......

 

[armybass]

Hey I got one of those!

 

[one eye joe]

Yours looks like mine, Armybass. Red ramp front sight.

 

[2001SportTJ]

Thanks for the kind words and the warm welcome everybody. I'm diggin' that 2 1/2" 7 shot. I want to find a 7 shot to put in my carry rotation. I also want to find a .38 +p pocket gun to use as a BUG. Too many "wants" and not enough funds though, for now anyways.

 

[snowman]

Congratulations. I also have one of the long-barreled 686s, a dash 3. Mine also has the red ramp, which I changed to black with a felt-tip marker. I would like to switch to a patridge like yours -not sure what it would cost. My groups are better with the patridge; it is what I use on my 629 DX.

I trust that your 686 will serve you well.

Andy

 

[2001SportTJ]

Congratulations. I also have one of the long-barreled 686s, a dash 3. Mine also has the red ramp, which I changed to black with a felt-tip marker. I would like to switch to a patridge like yours -not sure what it would cost. My groups are better with the patridge; it is what I use on my 629 DX.

I trust that your 686 will serve you well.

Andy

I prefer the patridge over red ramp as well. I have a red ramp on my Ruger and want to switch it over to patridge, if I decide to keep it.

 

[one eye joe]

Thanks for the kind words and the warm welcome everybody. I'm diggin' that 2 1/2" 7 shot. I want to find a 7 shot to put in my carry rotation. I also want to find a .38 +p pocket gun to use as a BUG. Too many "wants" and not enough funds though, for now anyways.

Allow me to point you in a good direction. The 642-1 (NO LOCK), with Crimson Trace LG-405 Laser Grips........

 

[2001SportTJ]

Allow me to point you in a good direction. The 642-1 (NO LOCK), with Crimson Trace LG-405 Laser Grips........

Nice, I like that.