Why doesn't the 686 get more press?

[Kamerer]

Originally posted by m657:
Speaking as a long-time 4" Python fan, the 4" 686 is what gawd had in mind when she invented shot & shell....

I have been making this argument for six months or more on this forum and others. I am glad finally someone is getting my back. Me loves me 28, 27, 66 (x2), and 19, but if push comes to shove, I want the 686's (and I have two now!) in hand. I recently acquired an ANIB 2.5" that just screams "I'm the holy grail."

 

[MJB]

My only Smith, my only revolver, my only handgun is a 686 no dash 4".

I'm not sayin' I'll never buy something else, but I am sayin' this one isn't going anywhere.

 

[chevypilot]

I vote with my wallet and camera

 

[dixiedawg119]

Man, I think a 686 looks good. I like a full underlug for looks and function.

I know a lot people on here like a 4", but mine's a 6". I didn't think the 4" would be as good for taking hunting.

I've never understood why it didn't get any press. It is a great gun for hunting deer and hogs.

Everybody likes it at the range. My friends with autos wanna shoot it cuz its got more power than their anemic 9mm. Females like it with 38's in it cuz it is real mild. I can shoot full house .357's without discomfort for longer than I can afford to stay on the range.

I keep it close to my bed at night for home defense. The 6" is a little much for concealed carry, but I've done it in the winter when I thought things might get real ugly

.

I will definitely buy a 4" someday. I recently bought a Taurus 605 for carry cuz the price was right. One day it will be replaced with a 2.5" 686.

Great all-around gun.

 

[vytoland]

I picked up my 686-4pp in august and all I want to do is go to the range and shoot, shoot, shoot!!!

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

dixiedawg119 they Made 3"er 686s Too!!
A bit of a Big Gun to conceal when your used to 12oz J Frames but a very servicable firearm..
I recently Picked this piece up & it's realy growing on me, Next thing you know I'll be looking at N Frames

Gary/Hk
3" Model 686/CS-1 US Customs Service

 

[dixiedawg119]

HK,

Do you get a full length ejector rod with the 3"? Nice gun, did you pick it up at Biff's?

 

[ldp4570]

Originally posted by HEADKNOCKER:
dixiedawg119 they Made 3"er 686s Too!!
A bit of a Big Gun to conceal when your used to 12oz J Frames but a very servicable firearm..
I recently Picked this piece up & it's realy growing on me, Next thing you know I'll be looking at N Frames

Gary/Hk
3" Model 686/CS-1 US Customs Service

+1000 on the 686/CS-1. Its the only 686 I own, and its going nowhere!!!
[IMG:top]

[/IMG]

 

[TiroFijo]

I LOVE the L frame 357s, specially the 4" 586

In my opinion, if one would buy guns just for purely practical reasons (...but who does

)the K frame is too small for the 357 unless you opt for 3" or shorter barrels, and the N frame is too large.

The L frame is stronger than the K and has less mass on the cylinder compared to the N, good for extended fast DA shooting.

I never understood why S&W married the L frames (or most of them) to the full underlug, they should have offered more traditonal barrels profiles for the people who like them. Aaah, just to think about a pre-lock, pre-MIM, square butt 586 with a 3.5" half lug barrel and wood target grips...

 

[chevypilot]

686-5 4"

 

[bigt5150]

My very first gun was a 686 and it's the only gun I load for. My friends often razz me about my devotion to it, yet at the same time they all want to shoot the "HOT" stuff.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Originally posted by dixiedawg119:
HK,

Do you get a full length ejector rod with the 3"? Nice gun, did you pick it up at Biff's?

I picked it up at Biff,s Gunworld but it was shipped there by a fellow forum member
It does have the full lenth ejector rod which is very nice to have to eject magnum brass
The CS-1 also Has a Round Butt that was something special with the No Dash 686s, early 586/686s were Square Butt, It also has the Matte Finish & undercut thinner width front sight that gives a Nice Sight picture..
I've taken the Factory Pachmayrs Grips Off & have Uncle Mikes on it Now..
Wanna score a set of factory combats or some Spegals.. Gotta Love Great Wooden Stocks
The CS-1/686 3"er is My ONLY L Frame
Gary/Hk

 

[HarleypsychRN]

I've only been shooting for a little over a year. I have a M&P 9 and a 686 plus 6". Yesterday is the first time I took them both out to the range and fired them side by side. What a difference. The 686 is much more impressive using both .38 & .357 rounds than the 9mm. I couldn't believe it.

 

[ruru]

picked one up today 4 in no dash m mod 98% condition very nice target grips 450 at todays berea gun show

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I've been looking for a nice L-frame 4" for a while - finally came on a mint 4" 586 at a local gunshow yesterday and walked off with it for $420 no tax/no paperwork. I'm pleased. One of the best balanced, most natural feeling revolvers I've ever picked up.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

If you go back and read Skeeter's writings you will find an article where Skeeter cobbles together his perfect .357 from various features from the guns of the day-The closest thing to skeeters "ideal 357" from his article is either a 686-5 or a GP100 with a 4" barrel. I believe if he was still around, a 4" 686 would be his go to gun over the 27 5".

 

[chevypilot]

did he mention type of grips?

 

[LOBO]

My one & only L frame is a 686-5 4". Here's an updated picture showing the Ahrends grips it's now wearing.