S&W Model 686 SSR

[warbird]

Looked at a new 686 SSR at my LGS over the weekend. I really liked it. I've been researching it since. Does anyone here have one? If so, can you give me any input on it's quality. I intend to make a decision tomorrow on whether to buy it or not. It's pricey so I can't afford to make a mistake. Any help or advice is appreciated. Asking price is $899.

 

[lamarw]

I have an older 686-1, and it is a great revolver.

I would not hesitate too long. I have no idea what this next week will bring us with the politics of our Nation. You do not want to get in the quagmire of a Government Shutdown. I am sure a shutdown will mean no background checks. This was on the CNN list of ten services which would come to a screeching halt.

 

[gsparesa]

The 686 SSR is a quality revolver. I own one and the trigger is as good as my 627PC. It is such a joy to shoot.

 

[ridgewalker]

I will be surprised if anyone has anything bad to say about the 686 SSR. The only thing I have heard is a few traditionalists don't like the looks of the slab sided Smiths. I was pretty neutral about that look until I got my 627 Pro and then it really grew on me. I think the beautiful stainless matte finish really enhances its looks. Since then I bought a 686 SSR. I wear large size gloves but maybe my index finger is short because I am still looking for the right stocks for the 627 to get my finger on the trigger where I want it without having to shift my grip on the stock. It seems that my index finger falls to a better place on the 686 although I am not a fan of the Hogue grips but haven't shot it with the wood grips yet. I believe there is only a few ounce difference between the 627 and the 686 but it looks and feels like more. The 686 SSR has only been to the range with me 3 times. I've probably shot about 150 rounds of 38 special and only a couple cylinders of 357 magnum. I think as I get a little more used to it and break it in a bit more, I will be able to shoot it equally as well as the 627 Pro, if not better because of the trigger position. So if you have large hands with a long index finger, and 8 rounds would be more useful to you than 6, I suggest you consider the 627 Pro. I find them both to be excellent.

 

[silvershot]

900 is the average price new currently. I grabbed a used 686 SSR 4 1/8" for 575 some time ago and it was mint condition. They might hold their retail more now and with future events.

Shoots great but one has to love the look to really feel any performance gains as there are none as regular 686 shoots just as well IMO. I would never spend almost a grand on one but we all waste our money somewhere so who's to say who spends their money better?
I once spent almost 2k on DE .50 years back that I can now buy used mint for 1,200. You like it buy it. A new regular 686 isn't that much cheaper.

 

[ridgewalker]

I respectfully disagree. I have handled many new standard 686's in Gun stores and I say the trigger is much smoother on the SSR. I would say the SSR is just better in everyway. They use Performance Center parts and then the final check is by PC gunsmiths.

 

[warbird]

Thanks all for the extremely valuable input. Had not heard about the possible problem with background checks. I looked at it again today. Love the looks and feel of the gun. Great trigger. Still thinking. Again, thanks everyone.

 

[silvershot]

I respectfully disagree. I have handled many new standard 686's in Gun stores and I say the trigger is much smoother on the SSR. I would say the SSR is just better in everyway. They use Performance Center parts and then the final check is by PC gunsmiths.

There are plenty of PC revolvers being sent back for defects and/or repairs, more than one thread on that here. Just making a point that PC revolvers are really no different than basic ones. It is all opinion. I never owned one but I shot a PC .500 all day some time back, I own two "regular" .500s and there is nothing better with the PC .500 than the reg IMO. I shoot a lot of revolvers and know my triggers, I feel little to no difference in any PC firearms I've owned and/or shot compared to the reg S&W models. It's mostly about aesthetics as so many other things are about these days. Again, but this time IMHO.

 

[lamarw]

The Government Shutdown is an unknown at this point. Lets all hope the politicians can agree and preclude a Shutdown. I mentioned this on another Forum the other day just to alert any near-term firearms buyers.

Then today CNN mentioned the stoppage of background checks as one of the ten things to effect citizens. Even a brief Shutdown will be costly and created backlogs.

 

[Rock185]

warbird, I bought a new 686 SSR a few years ago. I could not detect any difference in overall build quality, trigger pull. etc. between the SSR and the regular production 586 or the several 686s I've owned, just different "features". Mine displayed non-existent accuracy as received. Shooting carefully from a rest at 25 yards, there was nothing any experienced shooter would call a group,it was all over the paper. It took me a while to figure out what the problem was. Timing, B/C gap, chambers and bore quality appeared to be just fine. I finally discovered that the barrel had apparently been crowned by a trained monkey using a hand held drill and a coarse grindstone. I have nothing against trained monkeys, just that this one obviously slept in class. Sent it back, came back with a proper crown, accuarcy was then just fine. After the warranty repair, the gun had no further issues. The SSR is a good gun IMHO, I just happened to get the one with a problem...ymmv