Why doesn't the 686 get more press?

[MTAustin]

While I'm a dedicated Keith disciple, I pulled out ol' reliable the other night: my no-dash 686 4". NO gun has ever fit me like this one does. It was my first big handgun, and still my favorite. I submit that the 686 is arguably the most practical, all around gun that Smith and Wesson has ever offered. Handles a HUGE variety of ammunition, excellent woods gun when properly loaded, excellent man stopping caliber, excellent concealed carry gun in a Bianchi pancake. Given all that...WHY DO I NEVER READ ABOUT THEM??

I've been addicted to gun rags for almost 10 years, and can only think of a handful of times the 686 was merely mentioned in an article. The only times I can remember the L frame having an article of its own were: a couple years ago in Shooting Times, when Jim Wilson shot the new 619 and 620; and in a recent Handguns when they reviewed the 686SSR.

These are excellent guns that are strong yet reasonably compact, and, more interestingly YOU RARELY SEE THEM FOR SALE USED because anyone who owns one knows it is too good to sell.

Skeeter Skelton said that if he had to choose one gun (rifles and shotguns included), it would probably be a 357 revolver. While I would probably opt for a 44mag or 45 Colt, I certainly agree that there is probably no better all-around useful gun than the S&W 686. Thoughts?

 

[MTAustin]

While I'm a dedicated Keith disciple, I pulled out ol' reliable the other night: my no-dash 686 4". NO gun has ever fit me like this one does. It was my first big handgun, and still my favorite. I submit that the 686 is arguably the most practical, all around gun that Smith and Wesson has ever offered. Handles a HUGE variety of ammunition, excellent woods gun when properly loaded, excellent man stopping caliber, excellent concealed carry gun in a Bianchi pancake. Given all that...WHY DO I NEVER READ ABOUT THEM??

I've been addicted to gun rags for almost 10 years, and can only think of a handful of times the 686 was merely mentioned in an article. The only times I can remember the L frame having an article of its own were: a couple years ago in Shooting Times, when Jim Wilson shot the new 619 and 620; and in a recent Handguns when they reviewed the 686SSR.

These are excellent guns that are strong yet reasonably compact, and, more interestingly YOU RARELY SEE THEM FOR SALE USED because anyone who owns one knows it is too good to sell.

Skeeter Skelton said that if he had to choose one gun (rifles and shotguns included), it would probably be a 357 revolver. While I would probably opt for a 44mag or 45 Colt, I certainly agree that there is probably no better all-around useful gun than the S&W 686. Thoughts?

 

[john traveler]

I can only guess why the S&W L frame guns get infrequent mention in magazine articles.

S&W conceived the L frame size .357 Magnum as a possible replacement for the proven K frame M19/M66 series due to service complaints about durability issues with the lighter gun. The also responded to requests from PPC revolver shooters for a .357/.38 Spl gun that would stand up to indefinite shooting. The Distinguished Combat Magnum M686 shows it's PPC shooting heritage, and copied the Colt Python underlug and cosmetics. Few outside of law enforcement circles shoot PPC, and when the M686 was introduced in the early 1980s, the high capacity semi-automatic pistol was starting to replace the revolver as the law enforcement arm of choice. Revolver interest started to wane.

We revolver buffs tend to be more traditionalist and conservative in our gun tastes. That certainly does not match up with most gunzine writers that have to promote and are paid to help market the latest, greatest, newest shooting products.

 

[geoff40]

Because, we have a whole generation of young'ins coming up that think the semi auto is the greatest thing there is, including the people writing the stuff they read. They are oriented to spraying bullets rather than well placed shots, and a lot of them still think you can make a car blow up if you shoot it in the right place. Most of them know nothing about ballistic performance or handgun hunting, as a rule they don't reload. Revolvers are so old fashioned to them, a primitive weapon that holds little if any interest.

 

[OKFC05]

I've been addicted to gun rags for almost 10 years, and can only think of a handful of times the 686 was merely mentioned in an article.

I've finally cancelled my subscription to Shooting Times, the last gun rag I took, because
1. They never met a new semi-auto they didn't like, and
2. They refused to stop telemarketing me to buy all the other rags the publisher puts out.

BORING, plus annoying. Who needs it?

 

[Spotteddog]

Don't disagree with a thing written by any of the posters so far?

 

[shooter429]

Shhhh. We are trying to keep the best dang revolver buy on the market all to ourselves. If new shooters find out how good they are...mumble...law of supply and demand

 

[Poohgyrr]

Wheelguns aren't as fashionable right now. But I don't think a 686 is ever a bad idea.

 

[BUFF]

When the L frames came out in 1980-1982, they were HUGE news. Gun makers rarely introduced anything new. An additional barrel length was a big deal, let alone an all new frame size. You would read about the 586/686/581/681 about as often as you read about Glocks or 1911's now.

 

[Kamerer]

"Press" is about what sells magazines - that's the business. Stating what is "good" or best is up to others who aren't in it for a buck. This is the same everywhere, not just in guns or the gun press.

We all know the 686 is bang-for-dollar the best handgun in the world. This is not "news."

I'm also guessing you missed my 686 love-fest thread this winter:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5301039...211072082#4211072082

No need to re-invent the wheel. We know it works. This thread I started even got Massad Ayoob to come out and comment. This has to be my high point of gun commentary!

He's not someone who goes with the flow in the "gun press," he goes out and says what he feels. This is common now in the days of de-centralized internet commentary, but he's been doing it since the mid 70s. If you don't know his writings, go check them out.

 

[29Wheelgunner]

Somebody knows the secret, just try to find a pre-lock 586/686 at a gun show, let alone gun a shop.

A 586 6" made a great PPC gun.

 

[TAC]

I think it has a lot to do with it being boring. It's so evolved, and perfected, it just works! There's not much to talk about. It doesn't require any modifications, adjustments, enhancements, accessories, etc. You buy it, and use it.

The guns that are always being discussed are often quite the opposite.

I think revolvers are beginning to make a big comeback. S&W continues to crank them out, with new designs, new looks, new finishes, etc. The demand is there!

 

[Kamerer]

Originally posted by TAC:
I think it has a lot to do with it being boring. It's so evolved, and perfected, it just works!

I agree. My two 686's are the last hand guns I'd ever part with - well, just about. In one of those "EOTW" or "SHTF" stupid scenarios, a 4" 686 would be my 1st choice gun, and a 2.5" 686 my next choice. But a zombie "EOTW" or "ShTF" scenario might make me alter that...

Wait,are zombie threads allowed here? Oh, that's THR and TFL who ban them. Glad I'm somewhere that respects the whole constitution, not just the bits it wants to cherry-pick and that suits them like "the High Road" or TFL.

 

[stevieboy]

I discovered shooting relatively late in my life and my first gun was a 686. It was love at first sight. I've bought and sold many guns since but I'll never sell that one. It is by far the most accurate, easy-to-shoot, versatile gun that I own. I've put thousands of rounds through it without so much as a hiccup and it performs as well or better today than the day I bought it. There's nothing glamorous about it, it's just a great gun.

I recently bought an SSR. It performs as well as its older sibling so, now, I have two 686s.

 

[S&W Fan]

What's not to like? This is my no dash 686 that I inherited from my late father. An outstanding all around revolver that can do it all.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have four guns I like to shoot, two of them are the 686. One 4 inch and a 6 inch with the Power Port. Great guns to have and use. Later John

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

I love the 686 and would never be without one. I thought I would give a little attention to its' little blue buddy, a 586!

 

[mm6mm6]

18 years ago I had a 4", round butt, Model 66. It was unpleasant to shoot with anything except light .38 Specials.

I traded it for a 6" Model 19. I thought the longer barrel would help. I was wrong. It was still unpleasant to shoot with anything but light loads.

I went a very long time without a .357 in my possession.

Then a co-worker wanted to trade me his grandfather's 6" 686 no dash for a backup 9mm I had.

As Inspector Clouseau would say, "All of my problems are sol-ved." The 686 6", with its heavy, full length underlug, tames the recoil of the hottest .357's for me. I love it!

 

[powerkicker]

I am pretty fond of my 686.

 

[H Richard]

I've had this No Dash 6" since 1984. Lots of others have come and gone in the past 24 years, but not the 686.