What is the best 686 version?

[haifabuddy]

BRAVO - Rollin, Ladder, Bullseye, Rickkster. Now if any of those 2.5 or 3 inchers are for sale........ My lock 686+ 3 inch even with Spegels extended boot grips no holds the candle to those.

 

[exfebee]

I really like my 686-1 4" which i carried for my last many years before i retired. Have put 30,000 rounds thru it - mostly on the range - some else where. Then my 686-4 snubby which i still carry today, and my 686-4 6" with a Red Dot sight for target practice & for shooting coyotes, fox, armadillos ... etc. I particularly like the S&W Combat wood grips over the Rubber ones. Got into photography & have taken pics of them. Some 8.5" by 11" pics are mounted on the walls in my Den. Here they are. Post them pics of your 686s guys.
Carl

 

[spearcrow]

That is some nice shooting skills...with the camera at least...as you posted no target.

 

[fyimo]

My only 686 is a no dash with 6 inch barrel and I love it. That said, I'm thinking of sending it to S&W for the recall as the last time at the range it started to lock up on me after firing a lot of full house 357 Magnum loads.

 

[vytoland]

Smith & Wesson model 686-4PP

 

[exfebee]

Gota try something new everyday with my 686. These are such great guns.. no matter what you shoot thru em. They go on & on & on, just like the Energizer Bunny.
Carl

 

[Nightowl]

Some of the later models may be "better", but I have a 586, probably first year production or close, that has fired thousands of rounds over the last 30 years. Its just as good as it was when new, functionally, now getting finish wear. Hard to give better service. I think it would be hard to give any iteration anything less than great respect.

 

[RightWinger]

Its all a matter of opinion I reckon, me personally I prefer the -4. Of course I like it because it's pre-lock, no MIM, and has the HMFP, but I also like the rounded rear sight that is on the newer models as well, I think it looks nicely finished. The case coloring to me looks very sharp as well, and I prefer that over the chrome flashed hammer and trigger. The -4 did vary as far as the cylinder latch goes though, some had the newer one and some had the older style one. I have 3 686-4's, and all are 2.5 inches, but the 7 shot one had the older latch. I'm not sure if the older latch is MIM or not. I must say, I like the newer front sights how they have trashed the red ramp, I always hated that and thought it looked cheap and poorly crafted, not to mention it left little options to be able to change it. Changing the red ramp is the last project I have for this gun, I have since bobbed the hammer but have not gotten a updated picture of it since it's been bobbed.

 

[ab4ka]

I think they're all great, although I'm partial to my 6" 686+ (I don't care if it does have a lock, it's a tackdriver )

 

[2hawk]

Hey Guys, sorry I'm late...

686+-4

with Spegels
;D

 

[mdwiese]

I have owned a -6+, a -5+, a -3, -4, and finally a six shot -5. I know many take exception to the -5 because of the MIM parts, but I feel this is possibly the smoothest one I have owned. The double action on this one has to felt to be appreciated!

 

[Nframe357]

Interesting thread, I've got 4 686's and none of them are newer than a 1993 dash 4 6" that is without a doubt the most accurate revolver that i've ever fired. I've got a no dash 4" that I love as well as a no dash 2.5". But my favorite is my cherry 3" CS-1, just about perfect combo of ease of carry and performance IMO.

 

[ect1222t]

My 686

Having only one 686 , I can only comment on it. It is a 686-3 . I love it. It is capable of more accuracy than I can deliver . Sorry I don't know how to post pictures . It would have to be one heck of a deal to make me part with it. -Ed.

 

[Stainz]

Below is what I consider the best 686 production variant - the 5" half lug 686-6 plus, SKU #164284, actually, a 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' from 2004:

Yes, heretic that I am, I suggest a model with MIM parts, IL, and recent manufacture as my 'ideal' 686 variant. I love partial lugs... it's my only 686! It came as shown - Ahrend grip, HiViz front sight, and V-notch rear - a great and complete package. Excellent hand feel - and balance. Going bang seven times between reloads is nice, too. It was my favorite .38/.357M until the 627 Pro below it 'appeared' here (5/08). Gads, another recent manufacture - and it works great, too!! What's this world coming to??

Stainz

 

[rollin_hot]

Rr sight?

Its all a matter of opinion I reckon, me personally I prefer the -4. Of course I like it because it's pre-lock, no MIM, and has the HMFP, but I also like the rounded rear sight that is on the newer models as well, I think it looks nicely finished. The case coloring to me looks very sharp as well, and I prefer that over the chrome flashed hammer and trigger. The -4 did vary as far as the cylinder latch goes though, some had the newer one and some had the older style one. I have 3 686-4's, and all are 2.5 inches, but the 7 shot one had the older latch. I'm not sure if the older latch is MIM or not. I must say, I like the newer front sights how they have trashed the red ramp, I always hated that and thought it looked cheap and poorly crafted, not to mention it left little options to be able to change it. Changing the red ramp is the last project I have for this gun, I have since bobbed the hammer but have not gotten a updated picture of it since it's been bobbed.

Do you know if the rear sight on your 686 is metal? I am going to order a few sets, but I cannot confirm if they are polymer or metal. Thanks

 

[valkyriekl]

Hey you guys have forgotten the rules of this fine forum. Whatever you say you have you do not have unless YOU POST PICTURES!

Well alright then. My 686-1M (bottom) and 686-5+ (top):

If I could have only one 686, it'd probably be a -4+ w/ seven shots, and maybe have a 5" barrel installed on it to split the difference between a 4" and a 6". Though honestly, I like my -5+.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I have a 686-5 7" I had it lettered. Only 30 made.

 

[exfebee]

Boy, LouisianaJoe, is that ever a Critter & a half. Like that one.

 

[roaddog28]

I like my 686-3 4 inch. One of my best all around revolvers. I don't know of a bad 586/686. Here is mine.

Thanks,
roaddog28

 

[Mule88]

I like the 7 shot mountain gun and also the 7 shot 5 inch bbl model.