New found respect - the 4" 686

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Kamerer

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I took delivery of this lovely machine a month or so ago. I honestly bought it just to let my girlfriend shoot it to decide what she wanted to use as a "woods" gun, a 2.5" 66, a 4" 19/66, or a 4" 686. I had no interest in it myself.

I figured she could keep the one she liked, then I could sell the one or two she didn't like at break even and basically do a "free trial." Renting and shooting at the range doesn't help - you need to try different loads, different grips, tote it a bit to see how it rides, etc. I don't mind tying up 400 or so for a month or three in a "trial" if it helps me find the gun I like.

I tell you what, I'm not "disinterested" in this gun anymore. I've been a k-frame fanatic for years and years, but I didn't know what I was missing. The smooth action, the steady handling that full lug gives - toss the ugly, ubiquitous goodyears these things normally come with and put on some nice wood, and she looks a little more like a prom queen than a street walker.

I love the way this thing just swallows, I mean just swallows, full-power loads - especially with a set of oversize targets on it (I haven't shot it yet with these grips).

I have a 4" 28 arriving next week (again, basically for a "free trial"). I cannot wait to put the two head to head with various loads and grips.

I know we all own lots of nice guns, but I just never hear this work horse getting it's full due. I know this isn't the prettiest gun around, but dang does it WORK. I am beginning to think I might try to find a "pretty" one in blue as a serious keeper.

IMGP2631.jpg
 
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I took delivery of this lovely machine a month or so ago. I honestly bought it just to let my girlfriend shoot it to decide what she wanted to use as a "woods" gun, a 2.5" 66, a 4" 19/66, or a 4" 686. I had no interest in it myself.

I figured she could keep the one she liked, then I could sell the one or two she didn't like at break even and basically do a "free trial." Renting and shooting at the range doesn't help - you need to try different loads, different grips, tote it a bit to see how it rides, etc. I don't mind tying up 400 or so for a month or three in a "trial" if it helps me find the gun I like.

I tell you what, I'm not "disinterested" in this gun anymore. I've been a k-frame fanatic for years and years, but I didn't know what I was missing. The smooth action, the steady handling that full lug gives - toss the ugly, ubiquitous goodyears these things normally come with and put on some nice wood, and she looks a little more like a prom queen than a street walker.

I love the way this thing just swallows, I mean just swallows, full-power loads - especially with a set of oversize targets on it (I haven't shot it yet with these grips).

I have a 4" 28 arriving next week (again, basically for a "free trial"). I cannot wait to put the two head to head with various loads and grips.

I know we all own lots of nice guns, but I just never hear this work horse getting it's full due. I know this isn't the prettiest gun around, but dang does it WORK. I am beginning to think I might try to find a "pretty" one in blue as a serious keeper.

IMGP2631.jpg
 
Very nice, especially with the smooth targets. I've never owned an L frame, but I'm going to grab the next decent one I see.
 
Nice post. In my opinion the 686 is the finest production .357 of all time and is clearly the benchmark by which all other .357s are judged as better or worse. That gun loves hot loads. Loves 'em.
 
SJshooter says it all. I have been a fan of the 686 4" since getting my Treasury job many years ago. The absolute BEST platform for the .357, EVER!!

Dale53
 
Nice 686, I'd hold on to that one.

I only have a few L frames, but I've noticed that the DA trigger pull is uniformly smooth and just feels nice on them. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Mind you I still like my K & N frames, but the L frame guns are good shooting, solid revolvers and should be a part of any S&W accumulation
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Bill
 
Yeah, Bill, one of my reasons for buying one was I had heard many comments about the smooth action. I think it is a consistent feature with them - though why I don't know.

I am going to have a tough time liking the 28 after this. I was surprised to see that the weight on each is identical. Given the more compact design of the 686, it appears it should have the edge in my thinking.

How does the 2.5" version compare? I do not find a large difference between the 2.5" and 4" 66. Is the difference as small between the two L frames?

I may need to part with a 66 or 19 2.5" and get one of those, too.
 
Here's mine, a one-time Missouri Highway Patrol issue weapon with the MHP shield stamped on the side:

sw686a.jpg
 
Gorgeous pic! I also love the 4" 686, my first duty weapon when I started out in LE back in the early 90's, before the days of the bottom feeders, yuk!
 
I think you'll like the 4" 28 just fine. My 4" 586 and 4" 28-3 are both great shooting guns.

While the weight is the same the balance is different - the 586 has a more muzzle heavy feel while the 28 kind of sits back into your hand and feels more lively & pointable, if you know what I mean.

I haven't shot the 28 all that much (something I need to work on) but it has impressed me with it's accuracy so far. And it does look cool, in an "Indiana Jones" sort of way
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Although I've wanted one since the 1980's I've yet to pick up a 2 1/2" 686 (something ELSE I need to work on!) so I can't comment on a comparison with a 4" L frame.

Bill
 
you just can't go wrong with a 686.
that is a very nice looking 4".
right now all i have is a 6" 686, but plan on adding a 4" 686 to my collection sometime this summer.
I'm a big fan of the K frames also. I carry a M65 4" k frame daily and when i get a 686 4" i will be carrying it also. its worth the extra trouble it takes to carry a 4" revolver when you feel as confident in them as I do.
 
I have one L Frame. Its a 6 inch 686 with un-fluted cylinder. Great gun! I want a plain jane 4 inch real bad. Local shop has had a few come in this past summer. I was foolish and passed on them.
 
I have a 4" 686 that I really enjoy shooting, like a lot, and will probably never sell. The best .357 platform? Not quite. The 27 and 28 are THE .357 platforms. If you've spent any time with the 27 or the 28 you'll lnow what I mean.
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......moon
 
Can we revive this 586/686 lovefest?
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I just acquired my first 586 today, a 6" 586-3 with targets. I haven't shot it yet, but it's the first gun I've brought home that my wife said, "wow, that's pretty, I like this!" PROGRESS!! I also have a 4" 686-5 coming in the mail!!
 
I have a bone stock 686-5 I bought from Mark at Summit Gun Brokers, absolutely love it, I shoot it LOTS, and like it better than (sacriligous words to follow) than a K frame .357! I love my M-28, but the 686 is a keeper! Enjoy...
 
That is a J point sight and yes they make a mount for S&W revolvers and it only takes a few minutes to install. My wife loves it.
 
Here's mine, a no dash from 84.

SW010.jpg


I have Hogue rubber grips on it now, which don't look as nice but I like the feel.
 
L frames are great! I really like the balance of the 4" versions.

Here's the 686-2 I had until I sold it last month.



Here's what I bought with the proceeds.



Truth be told, I prefer the 586 and it shoots better for me with cast loads. This piece eats up 170g Keiths 358429 with unholy amounts of W296 behind them. I have also found it to like 160g SWC 358160 w/o the gas check over 5g W231. Real crowd pleaser.
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The M-686 is stainless, and the M-27/28 aren't. And their heavier cylinders wear the timing faster.
 
I've got two 686s, both of recent vintage (an SSR 4" and a -6 6") and I love them both. I can't say enough about their accuracy, their smooth triggers, and their superb feel. Over the years I've bought and sold many guns but I've never found anything that I like as much as these two.

Recently, I had an opportunity to fire a Performance Center 627. I'd heard a lot of good things about the gun and I've read numerous laudatory comments about it on this forum, so I really expected something special. To my surprise, I wasn't really all that blown away by it. It has a nice trigger and it's extremely accurate. But, that doesn't make it any better than either of my 686s. It didn't seem to absorb recoil any better than the 686s. And, as for its 8-round capacity versus my two six shooters, all I can say is that I tend to count to six when I shoot, so the extra two didn't do all that much for me. I'd thought about buying a 627 before I tried it but, now, I'm content to stick with my 686s.
 
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