Thinking of a new 686

[Hylander]

New here.
So I am going to purchase a new 357.
I have been looking at the
686 6" Stainless 6 shot.
Also the Ruger GP100 in same.
I shot both side by side and like both.
Will be using mostly for silhouette matches, so medium heavy loads.
A lot of shooting.
Tell me why I should choose the Smith over the Ruger.
Honest pros and cons.
Thanks in advance

 

[chief38]

It all depends on when each of the S&W or Ruger Revolvers were made, IMHO. If you're talking about a vintage M586/686 I'd definitely go with the vintage S&W. If you are talking a new production, you might want to consider the Ruger - at least from a trouble Fred prospective. Personally, I'm not a Ruger fan as I feel the Ruger's are clunky and not as well made as the vintage S&W's were. That said, Ruger's quality has steadily increased over the years and the company continues to grow and their customer service seems excellent. Ruger's triggers (at least from the examples I've shot) are creepy, sloppy and heavy while the S&W triggers were precise, crisp and smooth. All my Smiths are vintage and are incredibly well made, smooth and accurate. While never impressed much by the Ruger's, they have been improving.

So if you're interested in a vintage S&W and know how to properly check it out when purchasing, that would be my choice. If you don't know Smiths, bring someone with you who does!

 

[Dave Lively]

Since 2015 I have bought a Ruger GP-100 in 22 LR, and S&W 69, 617 and 686 revolvers. All were new production, not vintage.

The only problem I had with any of them was that the 69 was an early model that shot high with heavy loads.

I still have all the S&Ws but sold the Ruger shortly after buying it. I was solid and reliable but felt clunky and the trigger was heavy and gritty. It is normal for a 22 revolver to have a heavy DA trigger pull but even the SA trigger was heavy and gritty.

Cosmetically the Ruger had some casting marks that were only visible when the cylinder was open or grips were off that had no effect on function but bothered me more than the lock does.

There is no denying S&W's quality control is not what it used to be. I would recommend getting a S&W but buying one you can examine before you buy. Don't just buy one online.

 

[AlHunt]

New here.
So I am going to purchase a new 357.
I have been looking at the
686 6" Stainless 6 shot.
Also the Ruger GP100 in same.
I shot both side by side and like both.
Will be using mostly for silhouette matches, so medium heavy loads.
A lot of shooting.
Tell me why I should choose the Smith over the Ruger.
Honest pros and cons.
Thanks in advance

You shouldn't. Were I in your position, the internal lock and seemingly frequent horror stories of poor customer service from S&W would make the Ruger my choice, without question.

 

[mnkdad]

My nephew bought a new 6" 686 two years ago that he has put 500 rounds of 38/357 through. Fit and finish is great. Accuracy is very good. He is very happy with it. If it were me i would want to inspect one before i bought it.

 

[Shark Bait]

For me it would be the 686. Even the new ones have good triggers. Just look it over carefully to make sure everything is good before buying it. I know a store in Albuquerque that had a vintage 6 inch for sale last week. PM me if you want their info.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums!
Either will suite your intended use, both are likely to be equally accurate and durable. The S&W is more likely to have a smoother, more crisp trigger than the Ruger, but some Rugers are blessed with good trigger actions. If considering a newly made S&W, be sure to give it a thorough inspection before buying. S&W seems to be busy cranking out polymer pistols by the truck load and the quality of their revolvers is suffering for the effort.

 

[ladder13]

Buy either from a local shop after close visual inspection.

Trust but verify.

 

[gfors]

I would not hesitate to buy a new 686 on-line. Make sure you give it a thorough inspection before signing for it. If problems develop later, you'll have the lifetime warranty to fall back on. A factory new 686-6+ (7 shot) was my first revolver purchase 5-6 years ago. Out of the box, it has as fine a trigger as any gun I've ever shot. I gave my Ruger GP-100 to my sister. It was accurate enough, but i just couldn't warm-up to its clunky looks and gritty trigger. The 686 will handle a ton of shooting. Lots of guys here use them for various competitions. The internal lock is a non-issue.
Welcome to the campfire!

 

[985Plowboy]

Coincidentally, there is a member selling a no dash 686 here on this very forum right now.
I don't know the seller, I'm not involved in any way, nor have I ever seen this particular firearm, etc. etc. etc.
I'm just saying…

 

[Der Verminator]

Just buy a vintage Smith.

Preferably pre-1990.

It's as simple as that.

This example of that era is one of the best ever made and certainly preferable to the current production.

 

[Rich Richardson]

I went with a 686, unfluted, 7 round, 3-5-7. Nice shooter.

 

[Hylander]

Thanks for the input.
I would be buying new online.
I have not seen either local for over a year and I work at the LGS. The internal lock does not bother me at all.
Have not delt with S&W CS much but I know their turn around time has been slow.

 

[H Richard]

For your purpose, Silhouette competition, the S&W is far more accurate at a distance than the Ruger in my opinion. The trigger is better. The iron sights are more finely adjustable. New guns are drilled and tapped for scope/red dot sights.

Not much of a choice for me.

 

[Gunaholic]

I have 3 686-6s in various barrel lengths. All good shooters. I've never had a problem with the lock, besides it's ugly.
I've shot my son's 4" GP100. It was okay, but I prefer my Smiths.

 

[wproct]

First, I wouldn't buy either without personally seeing and handling. If the Smith & Wesson was a pre-lock model I would probably lean towards it. Otherwise, I would probably take the GP100. Don't mean to turn this thread into a lock versus pre-lock discussion, but that's my honest personal opinion.

 

[stansdds]

Thanks for the input.
I would be buying new online.
I have not seen either local for over a year and I work at the LGS. The internal lock does not bother me at all.
Have not delt with S&W CS much but I know their turn around time has been slow.

Then be sure the seller has a return policy that is acceptable to you, just in case what you get is unacceptable. If you do buy a brand new 686, at least there is a factory warranty and you may need to make use of the warranty to correct any issues.

 

[Hylander]

Thanks again for the input.
Still have not found either.
Is the internals of the 686 different pre lock to lock model

 

[photoman]

I have purchased two 2022 production year 686 Plus models and both have been lemons. Just sent the second one back to the factory today.

Internals are the same design but quality will be MUCH different.

 

[K Harris]

the 686 is awesome. If you have to have a pre-lock model, the -4 is highly thought of. If it doesn't matter, find one in the barrel length you desire and go for it, whatever the era. You will not be disappointed.