Performance Center Customized 686-6

[fotoman12001]

I bought this 686 on SIG Forum for a really good price several months ago. I took it to a local gunsmith to have a HiViz front sight installed and he commented that trigger was pretty stiff. He offered to do a trigger job for $180 which seemed a bit steep to me so I declined. It did get me thinking though that since I had gotten the gun for such a good price maybe I would spring for some work from the Performance Center.

That plan went on hold until the revolver developed a nasty issue. On one of the chambers the DA trigger pull became very heavy. When I tried that chamber in single action the trigger was almost impossible to pull. I actually thought I was going to have to leave the range with a cocked hammer over a live round but with both index fingers I was finally able to pull the trigger. Obviously I shelved the gun and called S&W for some warranty work. Since it was going home anyway I decided to have a Combat Revolver Package applied while it was there which includes: Tuned Action, Trigger Stop, Chamfered Charge Holes, and a Glass Bead Finish. This cost $85 more than what the local gunsmith wanted for trigger job.

The revolver got back to me after about two and half months and the difference is fantastic. The trigger in both DA and SA action is so nice, a significant improvement. I'm into the gun for about $800 overall I feel it's worth every penny. Now I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy an LPA rear sight for it like I have on my 627. It's a great sight and I did try it on this 686 before the work. I just can't decide if I really need one on this snub-nose.

While it was away getting work I invested in some more NFA stuff and considered selling this when it got back to recover some of the costs. Once I got it in my hands that plan went straight out the window. Even my wife told me not to get rid of it. She liked shooting .38 through it before and she was amazed by the new trigger.

Before:

• Shown with the LPA rear sight
• The tight group at the bottom of the red was DA. The scattered rounds are SA. It was weird but that's how this one always grouped for me before the work. I don't know why the SA groups were so big. Hopefully it's better now.

After:

I liked the bead blast on my 627-5 and wanted it on the 686 too:

I shot it the other night with my suppressed S&W Model 41. Shooting those back-to-back is interesting. LOVE the 686. It will never be as clean as it was in the photos above though This was my last target shot. I still need to practice more with the magnum rounds but I'm very pleased with it. With .38SPL it's easy to shoot.

Its shooting partner, another great one.

I took this one while the 686 was still clean. It's not all my S&W revolvers but an example of each frame size I have.

I forgot about my wife's I Frame and the Model One though...

 

[Super Dave]

Beautiful guns and photos. Thanks for the review.

I also like LPA rear sights. They make quality stuff.

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[GunarSailors]

I like those LPA rear sights, but they seem a tad taller than the factory rear sights. I am wondering if you had to have the guns with the LPA rear sights sighted in using 6 o'clock hold?

 

[fotoman12001]

I like those LPA rear sights, but they seem a tad taller than the factory rear sights. I am wondering if you had to have the guns with the LPA rear sights sighted in using 6 o'clock hold?

I typically sight my pistols for a 6 o'clock hold but I don't think it's required with this LPA sight. There seems to be plenty of adjustment in the sight. I only shot the 686 at 7 yards but I've shot the 627 out to 25 yards I think. It's been a while since I shot that one.

 

[da gimp]

you are missing the X frames in .460 S&W and the .500S&W in your revolver collection... yup I'm being cruel on this... now you have to get one of each to round out your partial (though nice) collection... your lady will surely understand....not sure if mine would understand it though, if I did the same.