New 686... My first S&W...

[riverrat38]

I just bought a new 3 inch 686 TALO 357, although I understand they are not TALO anymore, but current S&W catalogue items.
I have loaded a hundred rounds of 357 MGN "light special" and I will try to get to the range Wed to check things out.
Everything looks good, well the front sight blade is clocked a just noticeable amount, clockwise from my point of view, anti clockwise as seen by a Zombie, if a Zombie can see. I don't think they can, after all they don't have a brain!

Best,
Rick

 

[OLDSTER]

Great choice and one of the finest revolvers ever made. I like the Altamont/S&W combat grips as well; have them on my 686-4. Lock ? What lock--don't give it a thought

 

[Jaymo]

L frame is always a good answer.
My 586 shoots a lot better than I do.

 

[S&W Rover]

I've got a 3" - now with VZ G-10 grips. It is a great shooter and looks right.

Most of all, it is just shootable. I shoot everything from very mild 148 grain HBWC to Black Hills 125 grain JHPs at 1500 fps. And everything in between. It is accurate with everything. And the recoil is manageable, even with the hotter rounds.

So I predict you will have many years of enjoyment with yours!

 

[richcory]

Welcome & enjoy your 686.

Cory

 

[dmillar74]

I have the 5" 686. One of my favorite firearms. I'm gonna eventually get a 3". The 686 is about about as best as they come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scatter shot]

The only thing better than a 3" 686+ Talo Edition.......

Is two of them.

 

[357 shooter]

I've always been a revolver fan and just picked up my first S&W... a 686+ 3". It's got rave reviews and is just beautiful. I went with S&W because well... it's S&W and everything I read online and watched on YouTube told me to get this gun.
At any rate, glad to be here!

Great choice for a 1st S&W revolver! I really like the look of your 3" 686 and those grips are nice! My first handgun ever was also a 686 back in 1987 - a 6" version. I later sold it but picked up another 6" in 1994 and have no plans to part with this one.
Oh yeah , welcome!

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Great choice and one of the finest revolvers ever made. I like the Altamont/S&W combat grips as well...)

Can you buy those grips anywhere? I know Altamont makes a similar pair, but not the snakeskin version. They are sexy grips for sure!

 

[cmj8591]

Great gun! Welcome to the forum. (We're not supposed to talk about the lock any more.)

 

[DeafSmith]

Travis,

The locks are ok. No biggie. I don't want them but there are no big deal.

Your 686 looks to be a real good shooter!

 

[TravisPNW]

Wow! Thanks to the awesome community for all the great replies!!!

I bought a mixed variety of ammo... a box of 38sp, 38+p, and 3 different magnum loads.... 110, 125, 158 gr. Haven't had a chance to go to the range yet because work has been crazy for a while now to the tune of 70+ hours per week. (I don't complain, it allows me extra cash to buy things like this)

First chance I get though I'm there! Got a highly rated one already picked out in Bellevue, WA.

One question... see attached pic from the box. Is the 101017 the mfg date? I'm assuming so but wanted to ask.

Thanks to everyone for the replies!

 

[Ashlander]

Can you buy those grips anywhere? I know Altamont makes a similar pair, but not the snakeskin version. They are sexy grips for sure!

You have to try them in your hand. The finger grooves are very large and if you have small or medium size hands those grooves just don't work at all (my index and middle finger want to share the same slot). Anyway, those beautiful grips just sit in a box. I have Ahrends grips on it now (the finger grooves of both Ahrends and Hogue fit my hand size much better).

 

[Ashlander]

Wow! Thanks to the awesome community for all the great replies!!!

I bought a mixed variety of ammo... a box of 38sp, 38+p, and 3 different magnum loads.... 110, 125, 158 gr. Haven't had a chance to go to the range yet because work has been crazy for a while now to the tune of 70+ hours per week. (I don't complain, it allows me extra cash to buy things like this)

First chance I get though I'm there! Got a highly rated one already picked out in Bellevue, WA.

One question... see attached pic from the box. Is the 101017 the mfg date? I'm assuming so but wanted to ask.

Thanks to everyone for the replies!

That's the date of shipping.

 

[TravisPNW]

That's the date of shipping.

Oh.. ok. Doesn't matter to me was just curious. I've seen people asking about mfg dates on their boxes so wanted to ask.

The other side of the label shows a serial # and a SKU # so I'm assuming neither of those would be the answer.

 

[Ashlander]

Oh.. ok. Doesn't matter to me was just curious. I've seen people asking about mfg dates on their boxes so wanted to ask.

The other side of the label shows a serial # and a SKU # so I'm assuming neither of those would be the answer.

The date of shipping is, more or less, the date when manufacture is complete. Once a gun is completed, it's shipped. The shipping date is precise while the date of manufacture is more a period of manufacture; e.g., the frame might have been made months (sometimes years) before it is finally assembled into a gun.

 

[TravisPNW]

Well... the verdict is in.

I love this gun!!! I went to the range for the first time and man... this thing shoots like a dream. I shot a few 38 sp's... then +Ps... then went to the magnum rounds. I ended up shooting about 150 rounds... LOL... had a blast. Pun intended!

Very accurate at 15-20 yards with a mix of single and double action.

See attached. I had a few errant shots but for the most part I was hitting what I wanted to hit... LOL

1000% happy with the purchase!

 

[springer99]

Well... the verdict is in.

I love this gun!!! 1000% happy with the purchase!

We knew you would. Welcome aboard

 

[Ruger1911Fan]

Welcome to the forum. I too am new to S&W. I picked up this 686-4 6" just a couple of months ago. It has quickly made its way to the top of my "favorite handgun" list...but don't tell my Ruger 1911.

 

[fchretireddet]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. I have the same model 686-6+ 3" (with very similar grips also). If there's any downside to having this gun, it's that it's so great to look at that I hate to get it dirty. Enjoy it, and Merry Christmas!