Trying to decide between an older NIB 686 and 66-8

[charleswrivers]

Thanks for the replies. Since I currently already have 3 K frame .38/.357s and had a K22 to passed to my sister this past year, even if I'm leery to shoot the one .357 I have, I figure I'll pursue the 686 unless a 66/19 or DW 15-2/715 falls out of the sky for a price I can't refuse. Variety is the spice of life. Thanks for all the input.

 

[nachogrande]

NICE.

Thanks for the replies. Since I currently already have 3 K frame .38/.357s and had a K22 to passed to my sister this past year, even if I'm leery to shoot the one .357 I have, I figure I'll pursue the 686 unless a 66/19 or DW 15-2/715 falls out of the sky for a price I can't refuse. Variety is the spice of life. Thanks for all the input.

Be careful, you are classing up the joint.

 

[Telecaster]

Old 686 vs. new 66, as long as the 686 is really in "new" condition it's likely a sure bet. It'll shoot .357 more comfortably too.

A new 66 is a great gun if you have a good one to begin with. But for the same money go for the 686.

 

[Smithbug]

I know that I might be bucking the trend here on the thread but I would say go for the 66-8. They fixed the cone problems that the old one had. Even though people seem to complain about the two piece barrel it makes for a very accurate shooter. I personally never liked the full underlug style guns and for something that would be carried a lot I think the extra weight of a 686 would be more of a hassle. I guess if you plan on shooting a lot of 357 then the 686 would handle the recoil better but I think the new 66s are every bit as good at holding up to the 357 as an older 686. But these are just my opinions. No matter what you decide I don't hardly think you could choose wrong

 

[SeamasterSig]

I've been wanting another 4" 357 that, well, I'm not afraid to shoot the heck out of [...]
what seem to be the better buy, a vintage NIB 686 [...] or a modern NIB 66

What "vintage" 686? If this is clarified in the preceding posts, I didn't notice. If you're talking about a pre-IL/pre-MIM old school 686, then that would be worth more to me than any new S&W. I love my 66, but it's a -2. Since it's been in my possession, it has been fed primarily my own 158 grain moderately magnum reloads; so far no sign of the dreaded forcing cone crack and I'm not concerned about it. A 686 would be an even more comfortable and worry-free shooter. If you haven't already made up your mind, what are you waiting for? IMO, the price is reasonable for a pre-lock S&W in very good or better condition and if you can haggle, so much the better.

 

[OLDSTER]

This; no debate required

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Seems to me that if I bought a as new in the box older revolver I might hesitate to use it in extreme or rough use conditions just like you don't want to take chances with your family heirloom firearm which is understandable. I have a couple of guns that are great but I feel the same way about them .I love my older guns but I accidently on a trade got a newer 638 crimson trace with every intention to trade it off on an older non MIM no lock gun . Then I shot it and with all the bad things you read about new S&W I must say I was impressed .It is light weight accurate and very easy to carry I have kept it and put it in my picket everytime I walk out the door lately. Smooth trigger and single action capable with a very crisp SA pull. I would at least look at an handle a new one plus that factory warrantee means a lot for a rough use gun. By the way I have a 629-1 which doesn't have the performance upgrades I have hunted with and shoot a lot since 1989 without a single issue but I will admit I haven't shot hot hot reloads in it as a 240 grain bullet moving along at 950-1000 fps will do anything I expect a handgun to do out to 50 or 75 yards but at I'm saying is the older S&Ws are pretty rugged to that 629 is honestly smoother today than when I got it so either way you can't go wrong and as far as the 800 bucks goes in 15 or 20 years you'll be saying yea I got mi e back when you could pick one up for 8 hundred bucks but those days are gone because they honestly don't make em like that anymore what I'm trying to say is you have a heck if a decision to make my friend and I am absolutely no help because I would want both a new one and an old one lol sorry .I wanted to add I think it's so cool that your " old man" got you into shooting / reloading and you seem to be very respectable of his memory my dad did the same with me and I generaly take a couple of his guns out on fathers day his birthday things like that and at least think he us up there in heaven looking down smiling ,I usually take my boys with me if they atent working ( well they aren't boys being in their 30s) and tell them stories about their grandad just like my dad did with me ,sorry just thought it was cool how you seem to honestly honor your dads memory you are a good son I bet he was proud of you.

 

[wilburmay]

66-8 vs 686

I've got both.the 686 in 6" and the 66-8 is 2.75"
I can shot more rds comfortably with the 686 but I enjoy and shoot more accurately the 66-8. If I had to have just one it would definitely be the 66-8. JMO

WILBUR

 

[S&WsRsweet]

This; no debate required

Oldster now that is as close to the perfect revolver as it gets as I have said before you my friend have good taste in guns.

 

[EricR]

Buy the best you can afford.

 

[StakeOut]

Two of my 2 1/2" 686-4

This one shipped with the combat stocks,combat trigger and red ramp front sight as shown on the box label.Being a dash 4 it has the case colored hammer and trigger.

 

[charleswrivers]

I wanted to add I think it's so cool that your " old man" got you into shooting / reloading and you seem to be very respectable of his memory my dad did the same with me and I generaly take a couple of his guns out on fathers day his birthday things like that and at least think he us up there in heaven looking down smiling ,I usually take my boys with me if they atent working ( well they aren't boys being in their 30s) and tell them stories about their grandad just like my dad did with me ,sorry just thought it was cool how you seem to honestly honor your dads memory you are a good son I bet he was proud of you.

Thanks for that. My dad and I were very close. Heck... he was my best man at my wedding. He and I would call and chat with each other randomly on our way back home (he and I both had a ~20-30 minute commute) when I got in the service and moved either up the coast or across the country. He actually tried to give me his pistol a couple months before he passed very unexpectedly from cancer (went into a coma... and passed just a few days later). Had the funeral and my mom sent the .357 back with me for the 600 mile drive back to my (then) home.

Yeah... he taught me to shoot when I was a little kid... made me a pellet trap out of an only shipping box with carpet remnants to catch the pellets/BBs. Shot my first pistols with him... a K22 Masterpiece that had been his dad's. Shot the heck out of the model 19. I actually passed the K22 to one to my sisters who shared the same birthday w/our grandfather and has a little boy of her own. I kept the model 19.

But, yeah... I loved and respected my dad a lot. It was a huge blow a lose him. Around that time, I'd had my 3rd (and last!) child. I'd bought my first home recently. I'd never had as much as I had at that moment... then lost him and two other family members in quick succession. I'm at that point where I feel like I've gotten all I'm going to have and have to love and hold on dearly to what I have.

As great of a dad as he was... he was an even better grandpa. My youngest, and only son, missed out getting to know him. That's were the Model 19 has a place. It's a tangible link to his PopPop. That's why it's important to me to keep it in good shape, to let him fire it and tell him a few stories my dad told me of his sheriff deputy shenanigans back in the '70s and it still be in good shape when it's goes to him. It'll always be dad's gun.

 

[charleswrivers]

What "vintage" 686? If this is clarified in the preceding posts, I didn't notice. If you're talking about a pre-IL/pre-MIM old school 686, then that would be worth more to me than any new S&W.

I spoke to the guy, who's a retired Miami police officer, living 5 miles from my hometown... which I'm stationed 2 hours from now-a-days. I'm either going to go there this weekend or next weekend and see. He couldn't tell me the revision number over the phone. The description actually changed from NIB, never fired... to 'in a box... I don't think it's the original box, but it's in a box. I don't know much about it. It looks like it hasn't been fired much.' then he asked about me putting down a deposit which turned me off a bit.

I told him I'd check it out when I was down next time. It might still be a good deal now that I've had a couple days to ponder it... but I was kind of put off when I got off the phone.

 

[charleswrivers]

I know that I might be bucking the trend here on the thread but I would say go for the 66-8. They fixed the cone problems that the old one had. Even though people seem to complain about the two piece barrel it makes for a very accurate shooter. I personally never liked the full underlug style guns and for something that would be carried a lot I think the extra weight of a 686 would be more of a hassle. I guess if you plan on shooting a lot of 357 then the 686 would handle the recoil better but I think the new 66s are every bit as good at holding up to the 357 as an older 686. But these are just my opinions. No matter what you decide I don't hardly think you could choose wrong

I kind of think I'm going to eventually come up with both a 686 and 66-8 before I shoot my last round.


I'd heard of the forcing cone improvements on the new gun and, aesthetically like the 66's half lug too. The only L I'd ever looked at previously was the new 69.


I oughta either have bought or walked from this 686 here shortly. It's been up for sale for awhile... and I see them pop up from time to time. I know and love how my 19-3 feels... so, if the new 66-8 fits my hand, I'll likely get one anyways.


I have a couple 10s, one of which there's no bluing left on hardly but is my #1 outdoor carry. First cylinder is snake shot. 2-6 are a 158 gr SWC w/5 gr. of Unique. I'd just love a .357 to try and wear out before I kick the bucket... that's not an heirloom.

 

[Dicem]

I have a 1980 M19 4" that I got from a family member, shot and carried a lot. Forcing cone had a lot of erosion. I shot 18 .357's through it after some 38's and had the barrel split. It took me 2 months to find a used barrel and another month to have it installed by a gunsmith and set up. Cost me a little over $300. I was happy and have only cycled 38's since. Went to a gun show in OC, Ca. and found another used "19 barrel for $40 and bought it as a spare. Then my brother and I went to another gun show and I got a new 686-6 6". I looked at a used '66 6" that was the guy wanted $50 more than the new warranted 686 and it was still dirty from the last shooting. Lazy or neglect? My brother came with me when I picked up the 686 (CA 10 Day wait) and ended up buying a 686-6 Plus 6" as a shooter like I did. I have only had time to run 100 38 +P's and 50 .357 through it so far, awesome! My brother's is still in my safe, 'till he can get in his safe, but he wants me to break it in.

 

[jdlii]

686? YES!

 

[oysterer]

not even a question to debate as other said: 686, even better 586. Proper forcing cone and good to go.

There was a very nice 681 posted for sale here for 500 some dollars. That would be the one to grab and run....dont discount the combat sights, they work wonders on my 58.

 

[SeamasterSig]

He couldn't tell me the revision number over the phone. The description actually changed from NIB, never fired... to 'in a box... I don't think it's the original box, but it's in a box.

I don't own a 686 and can't tell you what dash numbers are particularly desirable, but a quick search of the forum should provide that information. Having the original box is nice, but not very important if you really want a shooter as opposed to a safe queen. IMO any box that's not the original is of little or no value. At any rate, it's far more important that the gun is in good working condition. If you expected the original box because the item description was misleading at first and has since "evolved", use that to get the seller to lower the price a bit, then go buy a hard or soft case for it on the way home.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I think that a 686 of almost every type or version would be more popular here than most standard production (not performance center) handguns except maybe the 8 shot revolvers. Nothing wrong with a Model 66 though.

 

[rwsmith]

686.....

The L Frame 686 was made precisely for shooting .357s of any power, and can handle full loads continuously if desired. You would find the heft of the 686 to be well matched to the .357 and better on recoil.

The K frame model 66 was initially designed for .38 special. Though it is a handy package it doesn't lend itself to shootnig true magnum loads repeatably.