Scope on a 686

[exfebee]

Been noticing over on GunBrokers as well as here, where there are several 686s, mostly 6 plus inch barrels that have scopes on them. There appears to be a Stainless Rail affixed to the top of the gun which the scope is mounted onto. How is this "Rail" mounted to the 686 ? Do you need to actually drill new threaded holes into the gun, or are they using the existing rear-sight hole ? When you blast off a .357 it seems like the scope & the mount may get a real "jarring". That Rail has got to be really affixed to the gun. Any comments or pics would be greatly appreciated.

 

[H Richard]

There are several mfg.'s who make scope mounts for S&W's. The rear sight is removed, and the mount fits with a shoulder against the rear sight cut out. This withstands the most of the recoil. With lesser calibers, the older frames which were not drilled for scope mounts can use mounts such as B Square sells but heavy recoiling guns such as the .357 and .41 mag and .44 mag really need multiple screw down points. I'm not sure just when S&W began putting the scope mount holes in the top straps but it has been quite a few years. Finding a 686 with pre-drilled holes shouldn't be difficult.

Of course you can always have a good gunsmith drill & tap holes to install a scope mount. Collector value of the gun may be affected, but it is of no difference with a shooting gun.

 

[skeeterbait]

Since '93 Smith&Wesson has been drilling most K, L, N frames for mounts. The holes are hidden under the rear sight, but you can open the cylinder and look at the bottom of the top strap to see if your's is drilled. Prior to '93 models can be drilled and tapped by a gunsmith. There are a couple of mounts that do not require the mount holes. These either pinch the top strap or use a barrel clamp or band. They are bulky and unstable. I tried them, then had my 686 no dash drilled and tapped. I am much more pleased with the results. This is the base I used made by Weigand.

 

[user]

Right. Remove the rear sight and the holes will be obvious. Use a little blue loctite on the screws.

I've put one on my 627, and it works very well.

 

[Revolver King]

Any 686-4 or later is pre drilled and tapped. Weaver sells a scope base for around $5 or 10 it is number 401S or 401B

 

[Lobo_79]

Been noticing over on GunBrokers as well as here, where there are several 686s, mostly 6 plus inch barrels that have scopes on them. There appears to be a Stainless Rail affixed to the top of the gun which the scope is mounted onto. How is this "Rail" mounted to the 686 ? Do you need to actually drill new threaded holes into the gun, or are they using the existing rear-sight hole ? When you blast off a .357 it seems like the scope & the mount may get a real "jarring". That Rail has got to be really affixed to the gun. Any comments or pics would be greatly appreciated.

I use a Nikon Red Dot instead of a scope. My mount uses three screws to attach it to the frame. The mount also has my original rear sight mounted on it with a blade front sight so you can use it without the Red Dot and without removing the mount. And, yes there is a lot of jarring but Blue Permatex helps.

 

[exfebee]

Lobo, that is one good looking piece. Are you doing much shooting with it or are you mostly a collector & who made your mount ? For the other guys who "educated me" on the Rail Mounts, i did not know about S&W predrilling the 686s. Thank you for your info. My 4 inch 686-1 does not have the holes, however my 2 1/2 inch snubbie 686-6 does.

 

[Lobo_79]

Lobo, that is one good looking piece. Are you doing much shooting with it or are you mostly a collector & who made your mount ? For the other guys who "educated me" on the Rail Mounts, i did not know about S&W predrilling the 686s. Thank you for your info. My 4 inch 686-1 does not have the holes, however my 2 1/2 inch snubbie 686-6 does.

I shot it today as a matter of fact. I usually shoot it when I can get a decent selection of .357 Magnums. My wife actually accuses me of being a collector but I'm not ~ LOL. I shoot everything I own, and this PC M627 is no exception. I bought the mount right off the S&W web site. It was a little pricey but I wanted one that would allow me to co-mount my original iron sights.

Eventually I'll try a scope but for now I'm happy with the Red Dot. It seems to take the recoil beating okay. I use the Burris FastFire II on my Beretta and that works great.

 

[tgwillard]

I just got a no dash 686 without the modification and am waiting for the shipping label to arrive from S&W. I plan on having it drilled and tapped while at the factory for the mod. I figure better let the factory do the drill and tap and get it done right. I have a red dot that I would like to mount on my 686. Will check on getting the weaver mount mentioned in this thread.

 

[exfebee]

Lobo,

went looking over on the S&W website & they seem to have a bunch of mounts. Which one did you get ?

 

[Lobo_79]

Lobo,

went looking over on the S&W website & they seem to have a bunch of mounts. Which one did you get ?

exfebee...hopefully this link will work. This is the mount I bought:
Product: Warne Silver Finish Base for S&W K, L, N & X Frame Revolvers

If all else fails, it has a reference number of: 19223000

 

[357 shooter]

Last time I scoped my 686 I used a Millett mount , very low profile and relatively inexpensive.

 

[ambassador]

Weaver Rail

I have a 4"686+P I have quick detachable Weaver lever lock rings installed on a Leupold 2x scope and a Bushnell R/G Dot scope.This set up works well for me.Scope outdoors,Dot indoors.

 

[texashunter2]

I got a BSA red dot that will not mount with 401S weaver base what do i do to get this mounted and working

 

[Dale53]

Here is a fine mount for the Smith revolvers. Further, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Available in both blued and silver:

Smith Wesson scope mount KLN frame

These mount bases use the sight cut out as a recoil lug and you should have NO fears of problems. I've got a bunch of revolvers with scopes and Red Dot sights on them, so have a bit of experience in this area.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[folkenheath]

I don't like the piccatiny or weaver rails on the revolvers, I htink they look too large and don't fit it well, plus, a pinched chamfer is not as strong as a dual dovetail design. So I prefer the leupold dual dovetail mount. It also has the step in the back and a shaped bottom to conform to the revolver frame, so the screws do not take most of the recoil, they just hold the base down. They hold up to my 460 Magnum just fine and come in blued or nickel.

1-Piece Dual-Dovetail Pistol Scope Base S&W K L N Frame (Pre-Drilled Tapped) Silver

1-Piece Dual-Dovetail Pistol Scope Base S&W K L N Frame (Pre-Drilled Tapped) Gloss

It is definitely not a quick detach though.

 

[Wildman101010]

Not sure if this is the right place but I don't see why it wouldn't be? Subject matter does seem to fit. But I am new and I don't know how persnickety the moderators are

I bought three vortex venom red dots for an AR 15, CZ 75 auto and 686 7 round 357.

Although I'm a Smith and Wesson fan and actually, not to be makes you an idiot, and own both a .357 and 44 mag in SS, 4", as well as a M&P AR15, I joined this forum to place an order for the mount from a member here "revolver pH"' who makes these mounts himself and calls his company Raptor Engineering.

I have to say that these are stunningly well-made mounts! The fit and tolerances are basically as close as you can possibly get and everything was a spot on match. The quality can be seen the moment you take it out of the package and this is something that's going to hold up as long as the gun itself. I am so impressed that everything fit perfectly and there's no extra slop, meaning no unnecessary metal anywhere so that once you mount the red dot it is a precise fit and there's no overhang or overlapping and it looks exactly as it is, a PERFECT made custom fit!

But the most amazing part was the price, which would seem like some kind of a family price with the father telling the son-in-law he will pass it along to him at cost, $35 and $3 shipping??? As far as I'm concerned it's blatantly obvious that this man is in business to not make any more profit than to cover his cost and he's not trying to take advantage of anyone right down to and including the shipping!!!

This mount is as good as any other fancy name mount, if not better, and personally I think we should all support him

And FYI, I don't have a CLUE where the name wildman came from that's about as opposite who I am as I can imagine LMAO!

I am assuming I punched in my username requested and the computer must have said taken, here is an alternative and not paying the least bit of attention at age 56 it assigned it to me and I didn't notice until I logged on just now for my second time I hate those kind of macho screen names

Anyway guys and gals, you're not gonna find any better mount for a red dot much less a better price. He could easily charge $60 for this thing and I wouldn't bat an eye.

 

[steamloco76]

I've scoped quite a few of my S&W revolvers, all of which came factory drilled and tapped for the mounts. I've replaced the Weaver bases on my harder kicking revolvers with the dual dovetail Leupold bases and rings. The Leupold bases look better and the ring design eliminates the two screws most likely to loosen from recoil.

The Jack Wiegand "Weigatinny" Smith Wesson scope mounts KLN frame Weaver WEIG-A-TINNY®rail is also available for those looking for the ultimate in ring placement options. His items are very well made.

 

[diyj98]

Here is a fine mount for the Smith revolvers. Further, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Available in both blued and silver:

Smith Wesson scope mount KLN frame

These mount bases use the sight cut out as a recoil lug and you should have NO fears of problems. I've got a bunch of revolvers with scopes and Red Dot sights on them, so have a bit of experience in this area.

FWIW
Dale53

I've used those Weigand mounts as well. I currently have one on my 686+.

 

[Wildman101010]

I've scoped quite a few of my S&W revolvers, all of which came factory drilled and tapped for the mounts. I've replaced the Weaver bases on my harder kicking revolvers with the dual dovetail Leupold bases and rings. The Leupold bases look better and the ring design eliminates the two screws most likely to loosen from recoil.

The Raptor mount has 3 screws, not 2, I am sure for that very reason and I would find it very hard to swallow that 3 set screws would come loose with any amount of recoil, this thing is set a rock solid.

I use buffalo bore which has much greater pressures than regular ammo and so far no issues.