Thoughts on the 686 Competitor?

[Buzzsaw]

I got a little jingle in my pocket, cant decide what to get. I really like the looks of the Competitor . I like the weights "in or out" seems very accurate, eats anything. It has great sights and a rail for optic.
Only con is I don't think I can conceal it, "grin"

I might have enough left over for a Taurus Ultralight.

I know one member here has a Competitor that shoots like a rifle, anybody have some thoughts suggestions for me??

Still cant find a Python under $2500 worth buying

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've had a bad case of Revolveritus now for the last 30 years. When the Competitor first came out, I handled one with the intent to buy. Truthfully I found it to be heavy and a little unballanced ( not unlike an old school PPC /Pipe gun.) I just couldn't come up with a good fit for it in my working collection. Eventually filled the " big revolver with a rail" need with a R 8 instead.
Of course your tastes/needs may vary but I'd argue that if you go with the R8 (or any other L/N frame), you might have enough left over for a S&W Ultralight.

 

[Buzzsaw]

thanks for the input Dave just what I'm looking for since I haven't handled one, going "shopping" today to see what I run across.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have a Competitor. It's very accurate. I really like it. The LPA rear is one of the best rear sights I've used. It is a bit muzzle heavy, but not bad if you are somewhat muscular. I'm used to the old school PPC guns so it isn't much different than that to me. I have other ones to choose from, so having one with a limited purpose doesn't matter.

The main thing to do before buying a gun, especially a specialized one, is to figure out what you want to do with it. Then figure out what would be the best choice to do that with.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Thanks Tool Guy, If you remove the weights and put in the plastic "fillers" is it more manageable?

 

[sw282]

l have a 686 Competitor.. App 1500 thru it to date. Very accurate also..

The weights are of little use to me tho.. Mine has a barrel mounted TRS25 reddot

Good smooth action.. Don't care for the bead blasted finish.. lts a PAIN to clean

The LPA rear site is a true WORK OF ART. Sadly S&W ran out of sight

MONEY when they got to the FRONT.. l don't understand the logic :-(

LPA makes beautiful FRONT ones too. They sell them in SETS

 

[Protocall_Design]

Thanks Tool Guy, If you remove the weights and put in the plastic "fillers" is it more manageable?

Yes, it helps some, but the barrel is already heavy enough, it's hard to tell the difference between no weights and one or 2 weights.

 

[sw282]

l am using one weight in mine. Positioned forward w/3 plastic weights behind..

Shot it @ a IHMSA silh match in Lincolnton May 2017 and Patrick SC June..

Used Factory 357 Ammo in Match and some heavy Silh loads in the other.

Silh loads were 170gr Sierras W/Lil Gun. The gun is very Robust/well made..

Ck the Competitive Section for some 686 Pics.


btw/ Tooolguy-- Ever find that Silhouette video of you shooten Double Action on Chickens/Pigs??

 

[savit260]

I know this is an older thread, but can any of you who own the Competitor models tell me how much the individual barrel weights weigh? Searched high and low with no results.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[RGVshooter]

Only con is I don't think I can conceal it, "grin"

open carry is the law in Texas but I don't OC, but close to it. I carry a 4" model 10 and sometimes a 4" 686 in a outside the waist holster, good quality gun belt and what I do is I tuck in a tee shirt and carry outside and just throw a unbuttoned short sleeve shirt over it.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I know this is an older thread, but can any of you who own the Competitor models tell me how much the individual barrel weights weigh? Searched high and low with no results.

Thanks,
Mike

First to your question:
There are 5 weights . All weigh exactly .5oz per my postal scale. I didn't weigh the plastic spacers. Personally, I don't find any significant difference in balance/ handling characteristics with various combination of weights. It's just a tank. A beautiful tank though

Now to my confession:
So as much as I felt this 56 oz ( with weights) revolver was unwieldy, I fondled another up at a gun show last fall and marveled at the workmanship. A few sleepless nights later and I snagged a clean used one off GB at a nice price. Once it arrived, I added a big butt grip to it that seems to help with a good two fisted hold. I still don't think I could do any action shooting with it, and it won't replace my R8 but I have found it to be super accurate and a joy to own. Guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after all.

 

[one eye joe]

I got a little jingle in my pocket, cant decide what to get. I really like the looks of the Competitor . I like the weights "in or out" seems very accurate, eats anything. It has great sights and a rail for optic.
Only con is I don't think I can conceal it, "grin"

I might have enough left over for a Taurus Ultralight.

I know one member here has a Competitor that shoots like a rifle, anybody have some thoughts suggestions for me??

Still cant find a Python under $2500 worth buying

IMHO---YOU SHOULD SPEND YOUR SPARE CHANGE ON MORE AMMO, BEFORE YOU WASTE IT ON A TAURUS ! ! !

 

[Protocall_Design]

btw/ Tooolguy-- Ever find that Silhouette video of you shooten Double Action on Chickens/Pigs??

Sorry sw282 - I just now found this thread again. The video of shooting DA on chics, pigs, turkeys and rams out to 200M is in the Competitive Shooting forum in the "New glasses and a better score at the big bore IHMSA match" thread. I'm sure you've seen it by now.

 

[savit260]

First to your question:
There are 5 weights . All weigh exactly .5oz per my postal scale. I didn't weigh the plastic spacers. Personally, I don't find any significant difference in balance/ handling characteristics with various combination of weights. It's just a tank. A beautiful tank though

Now to my confession:
So as much as I felt this 56 oz ( with weights) revolver was unwieldy, I fondled another up at a gun show last fall and marveled at the workmanship. A few sleepless nights later and I snagged a clean used one off GB at a nice price. Once it arrived, I added a big butt grip to it that seems to help with a good two fisted hold. I still don't think I could do any action shooting with it, and it won't replace my R8 but I have found it to be super accurate and a joy to own. Guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after all.

Thank you very much. That's exactly the info I was looking for .