Not a revolover guy but I might try

[awmp]

Was given a S&W Model 66 for graduation from High School many years ago by my Grandfather and since then never really liked another revolver or really carried one.

Well the Smith & Wesson 686-6 .357 Mag Performance Center, 7 shot , smooth cylinder is now being made and I really like what I see.

So I still want to put one in my hand.

Is it worth the price ?

Anyone have one? Like it? Thanks

 

[Earthquake Jake]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my 686 plus!!!

What's not to love?

I love all my revolvers, but my 686=My favorite.

Revolvers are American classics.

Revolvers rule.

Try it. You'll like it.

Cheers!

 

[rajbcpa]

luv my 686..... unlike autos, they go bang every time... much prettier too...

 

[awmp]

Do you have the factory grips or did you change them?

Pictures?

 

[younggun22]

I've carried a 686 no dash 4in for a while. It is an absolute work horse. I have quite a few revolvers and I am always draw to the 686.

I say go for it.

 

[MTKTM]

Was given a S&W Model 66 for graduation from High School many years ago by my Grandfather and since then never really liked another revolver or really carried one.

Well the Smith & Wesson 686-6 .357 Mag Performance Center, 7 shot , smooth cylinder is now being made and I really like what I see.

So I still want to put one in my hand.

Is it worth the price ?

Anyone have one? Like it? Thanks

Do you still have the 66? What barrel-length was/is it? The 686 is certainly a fine gun. I have the 686SSR which is my only L-frame, but it's a great shooter and one of my favorite all-arounders. Hard to beat the balance and feel of the K & L frames.

 

[coltle6920]

You can't go wrong with a 686. I prefer the blued 586-7 but I wouldn't turn down the 686 if someone wanted to give me one.One can always make room in the safe for another keeper.

 

[awmp]

I will always have the 66, it is a 4 in.

Do you still have the 66? What barrel-length was/is it? The 686 is certainly a fine gun. I have the 686SSR which is my only L-frame, but it's a great shooter and one of my favorite all-arounders. Hard to beat the balance and feel of the K & L frames.

 

[BigBill]

Why not a m27 in nickel? A m28 in matte blue?

I really suggest some of the s&w N Frame history even the m58? 41mag.

It's not the guns capacity it's the accuracy per round of the shooter.

I feel if I can nail something with five rounds and stop the threat the sixth round is for me.

Start practicing with a revolver it will grow on you. Seeing the hammer move back while the cylinder rotates gets my juices flowing.

My misses shoots double action more than I do. She only shoots double action.

 

[gsparesa]

luv my 686..... unlike autos, they go bang every time... much prettier too...

"Go bang every time"? Well, most of the time. Did you ever have light primer strikes?

 

[HarrishMasher]

Absolutely love my 686PC. Read my thread from today.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/399632-686pc-386ng-386pd-winner.html

One of the few guns I have kept the factory grips on. They are excellent.

 

[HarrishMasher]

"Go bang every time"? Well, most of the time. Did you ever have light primer strikes?

Not in thousands and thousands of rounds. And NEVER EVER once with premium defensive ammo.

If it does happen, just pull the trigger and go to the next round. No jams to clear, no slides to rack, no mags to drop and re-insert. The next round is a millisecond away.

 

[Chukar60]

I think you would be happy with the 686. I have owned 2, and really liked both of them. Unfortunately, both my safe and budget have their limitations. I sold both to accommodate some older guns. The 686 is an absolute work horse and a very handsome revolver. The ones I had were reliable and more accurate than I am.

 

[g27racing]

I am more of a Colt guy as I own about 70 Colt DA revolvers. I only own 4 Smith revolvers.... 3 of them are 686-4's. What does that tell you? Its a sweet revolver.

 

[Ranger514]

The full barrel underlug of the 686 makes for great recoil control, and IMO, the 4 inch barrel has great balance. I carried my personally owned 4" 686 for several years in my duty belt. Now, I own a 7-shot, 6-inch 686-4 that I plan on using for hunting.

From what many who are knowledgeable in the subject have said, the newer models built with MIM parts are every bit as durable and accurate as the older models. Although I don't own one of the newer models, I don't think you can go wrong with what you're considering buying.

BTW: That 66 is a wonderful gift, and one that I hope stays in your family for many generations. Your grandfather knew quality.

 

[gr7070]

Since you already have a 66 the 686 would be a waste of money.

There's no role the 686 can play that the 66 can't. If you don't like revolvers owning a 66 I don't see why the 686 would change that.

And fwiw this has nothing to do with old vs. new - I love my 686 and I do not own an older k-frame.

Lastly, I don't get the desire for a 7-shot. It won't play in some games, has no benefit for hunting, and if capacity is a concert get the 627 and if capacity is a real concern get an auto.

 

[629shooter]

Since you already have a 66 the 686 would be a waste of money.

There's no role the 686 can play that the 66 can't. If you don't like revolvers owning a 66 I don't see why the 686 would change that.

I disagree for one reason, older K-frames don't stand up to a steady diet of 125 gr. magnum loads. I have seen two M19s with a cracked forcing cone.

 

[LTJMH]

I carried the 66 as my duty weapon for years prior to the acceptance of the 9mm semi as standard issue. Love the 66. It is on my do not sell list. The 6 shot is a reliable workhorse of a revolver. Would like to find a good IWB holster for it though.

 

[CoMF]

I can't say I've handled and fired a 686-6, but I do have a 686 no-dash and can tell you it's much nicer to shoot full house .357 Magnums through an L-frame than a K-frame. More weight to dampen recoil and quite accurate, to boot. If you decide to buy the Performance Center model, I think you'll be very pleased.

 

[lhump1961]

I will always have the 66, it is a 4 in.

Good for you for keeping the 66. Not only an iconic gun but has sentimental value to you and speaks of your grandfathers good taste in revolvers.

I have a few K frames and as much as I love them and will never part with them I also love the 586/686. The K's make the best 2 1/2" while the L's are best at 4" and longer. The 3" is wonderful in either K or L. This can be argued with the model 27 and 28 N frames but I like the grip size of the K's and L's a bit better. JMHO.

Pictures always spice up a thread!