New owner of model 686 - a few ?s

[R Kern]

I am a new owner of a Model 686, 6-shot, 6" barrel revolver acquired from my dad's estate. I haven't owned or shot a pistol for almost 30 years, so I need to get out there and practice. I was wondering if I should start practicing with .38 ammo, or use .357 bullets right away. I've heard differing opinions, but I just wanted to hear from the forum members.
Also, is there a website to check the year of manufacture, or do I need to check a reference book? Thanks for any and all help!

 

[jughed440]

that's a fine revolver you have. do you have any pics of it to share?
you can post the serial number (minus the last 4 digits..example DDFxxxx..) and someone will find the approx. date for you.

i mainly shoot .38s just so i can shoot more rounds...it's cheaper, and easier on the hands. but the .357s get used at every chance too.

 

[ab4ka]

Like jughed440 I mostly shoot .38 Specials through mine just due to the cost, but .357 Magnums are a lot more fun It's heavy enough that the recoil is just right to be enjoyable!

 

[bountyhunter]

I am a new owner of a Model 686, 6-shot, 6" barrel revolver acquired from my dad's estate. I haven't owned or shot a pistol for almost 30 years, so I need to get out there and practice. I was wondering if I should start practicing with .38 ammo, or use .357 bullets right away. I've heard differing opinions, but I just wanted to hear from the forum members.
Also, is there a website to check the year of manufacture, or do I need to check a reference book? Thanks for any and all help!

Use .38 for practice.

 

[scooter123]

If you haven't shot a handgun in 30 years you should definately start out with the 38 spl. Typically the 38 spl. will produce in the range of 200 to 210 ft.lbs. of muzzle energy. Most commercial loads for 357 Magnum range ammo run about 600 ft.lbs. of muzzle energy. This means the recoil with the Magnum will be about TRIPLE that of the 38 spl. So, it's an excellent idea to spend a bit of time getting acclimated with the milder caliber.

When you think your ready to try the Magnums, start out with just one round loaded in the cylinder. That way you'll get a good idea of how much recoil you have to contend with and how much more firmly you need to hold the gun when shooting this round. Once you know what your dealing with, you can then load up and have some fun.

BTW, I'm a wimp when it comes to the Magnums, my model 620 now has the grip for the 500 Magnum mounted on it. When I first got the 620 I tried it with the tiny rubber grips it came with and it only took 3 loads of the cylinder to convince me I needed a larger grip with a bit more padding. Now, it's just a big grin to run some Magnums downrange with no real pain involved.

I can also tell you that the 357 Magnum is not an easy caliber to master, even with well fitting grips it still hits hard enough to let you know you're dealing with a real powerhouse. It also hits hard enough to promote a flinch if you overdo it, if you find your accuracy tanking, it's time to call it a day. Finally, it's LOUD, I suggest that you double up on the hearing protection and use both ear plugs AND over the ear muffs when shooting the Magnums.

You will also want to familiarize yourself with the difference between the Round butt and Square butt grip frame. Your 6 inch 686 could have either style of grip frame depending on when it was made. You'll need to know this if you decide you want to try a different grip. Note, the 500 Magnum grip I mentioned will ONLY fit the Round butt grip frame, which is typical to the newer 686's. Take a look at the following link, it provides pictures of the two different style grip frames.

K or L Frame Revolvers : Hogue Inc., The Best Value In Handgun Grips, Rifle Stocks and Accessories - Bar None!

 

[jpwhel]

First of all welcome to the forum, lots of knowledgeable people here to answer questions.

When I go to the range with any of the 357mag guns I shoot mostly 38spl. They are less costly and just more enjoyable to shoot and I can shoot more.

However I will always bring a box of 357 magnums to shoot. Maybe only a few cylinders of the magnums but I have to shoot some. Puts a smile on your face to know that you have that extra power in your hands.

Another issue, determine whether your 686 is the no dash or -1 version and whether it was subject to the recall modification. If so it will have a M stamped above the model number on the yoke. S&W will take care of the recall if not modified.

 

[H Richard]

Something else to consider is putting Pachmayer rubber grips on it. They have cushioning qualities when shooting heavy calibers. When you first shoot the .357 you may want to use lighter bullet weight, 125's, instead of the heavier 158's. Bullet weight also contributes to recoil.

 

[amd6547]

Recoil tolerance is obviously very subjective and individual. I myself dont find the 357mag in common factory loads to be too bad at all.
Some loads, like the Blazer 158gn 357mag load are not much more than high-end 38spl +P (a good low cost and accurate load, in my experience).
I shoot 357mag through my Model 19-4 2.5" using the OEM wood round butt grips and have no difficulty at all.
My 4" 686-1 has worn OEM wood targets, OEM Magnas, and Pachmayr Professional Grippers (the one with the open backstrap). Shooting 357mag is no problem for me at all in the 686.

 

[buck460XVR]

Recoil tolerance is obviously very subjective and individual. I myself dont find the 357mag in common factory loads to be too bad at all.
Some loads, like the Blazer 158gn 357mag load are not much more than high-end 38spl +P (a good low cost and accurate load, in my experience).

I gotta agree with the above post. My youngest has been shooting my 6'' 686 since he was 8 years old using blazer ammo. At seventeen, he now outshoots me with it in DA. The Blazer aluminum cased ammo is generally cheaper than .38 ammo also and you don't have to scrub the cylinders afterwards.

 

[R Kern]

Thank you all for the great replies, everybody. This is why I joined this forum.
I took a few photos, and it looks like I definitely have a round butt frame, so I guess it was made from the mid '90s on. The grip that is on it is a Pachmayr. I'm not sure if that was on it from the factory or not, as my Dad was notorious for changing the grips on all his pistols.
I took a pic of the first part of the serial number (I put a piece of tape over the rest), in case someone could tell me the year of manufacture. Where exactly is the dash or no dash I need to identify? Thanks again everybody for all your help and advice.

 

[scha]

The AAD serial numbers are usually 1981.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[Wayne M]

Your revolver should have been made in 1980 or 1981 and would have a square butt.

 

[TAROMAN]

Nice gun. These are really sweet shooters.

Looks as if yours is 686 "no dash", the first one. There was a recall on these for a firing pin bushing issue that showed up mostly with certain types of full-power service ammunition. Updated guns had an "M" stamped in there next to the model number.

This has been discussed to death here so I won't belabor the point.

 

[Nightowl]

You can shoot .38 Special ina a .357 Magnum 686 all day long. However, it is common for the .38s to build up a debris ring in the chambers so that .357 Magnum ammunition will not chamber. This ring will not harm the gun, just needs to be cleaned before .357s are fired.

Great gun. I have a 586 that I bought new right after they were initially distributed and have thougsands of rounds fired through it, almost all .38's and it still functions as well as it did when it left the factory. It just appears well used.

 

[scooter123]

Looks to me that your father was a pretty smart fellow. I believe that particular grip is the Pachmayr Decelerator and that is the exact grip I would recomend for shooting Magnums in a Square butt 686.

You will want to look for an M stamped under the yoke or on the rear of the cylinder. The original edition of the 686 was recalled for issues with the firing pin bushing when it was used with some of the hotter 357 Magnums. My memory is that the hole for the firing pin was a touch too large and it allowed the primer to "flow back" into that opening, causing the gun to lock up. If you only going to use it for 38 spl. or 38 +P, it's not really a concern. However, if you want to use it for 357 Magnums you should call S&W and see if they will service your gun under the recall, it's been a long time so they may say no, however it never hurts to ask.