Pic Of My "New" 686-3

[FrankD45]

I found this in a local gun shop wearing faux pearl grips and felt like I had to intervene. This is a M-686-3, 6 inch barrel and square butt. I added the grips while I search for a pair of "correct" grips for that model.

After cleaning, I took it to the range and tried some basic 158 gr loads and was very satisfied. Now the search for the perfect load begins.

Frank

 

[VM]

Very nice Frank! Who made the grips?

 

[RedBerens]

That looks great! How did you get the forcing cone area so clean?

 

[FrankD45]

Thanks very much for the comments. As far as the grips are concerned, I bought them on this forum last year. I believe they are S&W combats that were refinished. Since my last PC crashed and burned, I have no record of the purchase and can't remember who I bought the grips from.

As far as the forcing cone is concerned, I should have taken "before and after" pictures. It took about two hours with a sheet of KleenBore Lead Away to get it to the point you see in the pics. One tip to get the corners and crevasses clean is to use a dental pic to push the Lead Away into the recesses and scrub the surface. Thats the only way I know to get any scrubbing force behind the cloth.

Frank

 

[ki4dmh]

Dang nice piece!!

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Nice looking M686..
I don't think the grips are factory as the "Factory" Combats don't cover the backstrap & just look a little different, There's a guy on eBay from Thialand that I suspect is the maker of those grips..
Still Looks Great Though..
I just picked up a 686 No Dash Last weekend..
Gary/Hk

 

[Nframe357]

Congrats! 686's are some of my favorite revolvers. 2 hrs on the forcing cone area Huh? 10 minutes of shooting and it'll look like it did at first.

 

[357_mag_mama]

Damn that looks nice!!!!!

 

[Sportsterguy]

Damn that looks nice!!!!!

What 357 said. Beautiful S&W!! Congrats! My two (a 4" 586 and a 3" 686 CS-1) shoot everything well but love 158 gr. Speer Gold Dot's. I can ring a 12X12" steel plate at 100 yards rested consistantly in an old sandbag rest. 25 yards will give me 1" groups all day if I do my job.

Them grips don't look like S&W's to me but I bet they help with the recoil and give you a great site picture. They look great with the revolver no matter who made them!

Congrats and thanks for the cleaning tip. Try treating it with Militec-1 before your next shooting session. Makes clean up's a breeze and blows Break Free out of the water!!! I attached their link for you. I swear by the stuff. You're going to love that baby!

Roger / SG

http://www.militec-1.com/firearms1.html

 

[Emerson]

In my opinion the 686 is the perfect .357.........Yours is beautiful.

I'm gonna see if I can get my forcing cone that clean..........

 

[Alpha06]

Very nice looking 686.

I have always been drawn to them L-framed beauties.

 

[Palmer812]

Beautiful gun. I am looking for one just like it in NC. Where did you find it? thanks

 

[duckloads]

What 357 said. Beautiful S&W!! Congrats! My two (a 4" 586 and a 3" 686 CS-1) shoot everything well but love 158 gr. Speer Gold Dot's. I can ring a 12X12" steel plate at 100 yards rested consistantly in an old sandbag rest. 25 yards will give me 1" groups all day if I do my job.

Them grips don't look like S&W's to me but I bet they help with the recoil and give you a great site picture. They look great with the revolver no matter who made them!

Congrats and thanks for the cleaning tip. Try treating it with Militec-1 before your next shooting session. Makes clean up's a breeze and blows Break Free out of the water!!! I attached their link for you. I swear by the stuff. You're going to love that baby!

Roger / SG

MILITEC-1: The Ultimate Firearm Lubricant and Gun Oil

what powder are you using with the 158 gr Gold Dots?

 

[FrankD45]

Beautiful gun. I am looking for one just like it in NC. Where did you find it? thanks

I got this from Chuck Morris at Morris Firearms (Sportsmans Lodge) in Yadkinville. Chuck is also a member of this forum and is a great guy to deal with. You can PM me for location details, etc.

Frank

 

[Palmer812]

We have a gun show this weekend in Charlotte. I am going to try my luck there. I want one in like new condition. This will be my first S&W revolver so I don't know what to expect to pay but if I have $600 to spend do you think I can find one as nice as your's? thanks

 

[FrankD45]

We have a gun show this weekend in Charlotte. I am going to try my luck there. I want one in like new condition. This will be my first S&W revolver so I don't know what to expect to pay but if I have $600 to spend do you think I can find one as nice as your's? thanks

Without getting in to what I paid, I can tell you that you are in the ball park, depending on the barrel length you want. On my last visit to Morris, he had a 686 (no dash) with the 2.5 inch barrel and original factory grips for $675. He also had a 586 in nickel with the 4 inch barrel for $575. It is my understanding that in this area the short barrel does get a premium.

Good luck at the show. By the way, I have an S&W revolver inspection guide that may be useful. It is a Word document that I can send as an email attachment if you like. Let me know.

Frank

 

[Palmer812]

That would be great. Thanks for the help. Robert ps. my brother in law has a 6" 686-4 he bought new for $350. Where is a time machine when you need one? lol

 

[gunhappy]

maybe I can help

New to posting on this forum and y'all don't know me, but I have a pair of the Target grips you wantfor your girl that I don't want for my 686-3. I want one of the following to trade if you're interested:
Ahrends grips
miculek grips(even a pair of the copies by that guy from Thailand)
magnas with t-grip

all of these are for a square grip 686. Thank you for your consideration.