Would you buy a 686 with a half-lug and square butt?

[aterry33]

I was sitting here thinking today about how much I prefer K-Frame magnums and dislike the 686 due to the full-lug. Yes, S&W made the 620, but I would strongly consider buying something like this (which will never be made of course):

L-Frame .357 Magnum
Square Butt
No lock
Half-Lug Barrel (not the weird looking one on the 620 but something more similar to the lugs on the 19/66)
6 Rounds (I have never gotten used to 7 or 8 rounds in a revolver, but that's subjective).

 

[Camster]

Sounds good,the look of a typical magnum lug has always appealed to me,but I've never really gotten into L frames.It's either a K or N for me. I don't like the look of a full lug on a six inch gun,but don't mind it on a four.Personally,I'm fine with eight shot revolvers too,such a PC 27,and the ten shot 617s,but seven shot guns have zero appeal.

 

[AveragEd]

I probably wouldn't buy one because a Model 19 or 66 would work for me. I only shoot full-house magnum ammo in my 629s and then only when hunting so my K-frames are in no danger of being damaged by it. But I like the idea! I much prefer square butts to round and of course I'm down with the no-lock stuff. I also prefer that my six-shooters be just that.

Ed

 

[murphydog]

Don't have my SCSW handy, but I think there was a limited 686 run as you describe - not the Mountain Gun.

 

[aterry33]

Don't have my SCSW handy, but I think there was a limited 686 run as you describe - not the Mountain Gun.

I don't have mine around either, but would be interested in seeing that...

 

[S&WOkie]

I would gladly trade my 4" nickel 19-4, for a nice 4" 686 no lock!

I have always loved the 686 full lug. They look great, and feel great to me.

 

[k22fan]

There was a run or a small number of runs of half lug L frame .357s. Maybe they were five inch, but I don't remember much, except that they were they only S&Ws that I believe are properly called half lug revolvers. S&W traditionally described their revolvers as having ejector rod shrouds. Ejector rod shrouds extend down lower than half lugs and are thinner, plus they have the bulge running part way down their length on their right side. The only L frames I recall having ejector rod shrouds are the Mountain Guns.
More L frames with ejector rods shrouds would tempt me into buying more, especially in the longer barrel lengths. I don't care so much about square butts because I'm not crazy about old target stocks and I can add round to square conversion stocks.

 

[fyimo]

If I really liked it I'd but it.

 

[Allen-frame]

I have for some time considered taking a 6 inch 686 barrel and machining
the full underlug off of it and installing it on a round butt 686 frame.

Now that I have access to a lathe on the weekends at my friends house
I'll be looking for a donor barrel to make my start.

Hmmmm , heh , heh, heh,


Allen Frame

 

[jhvaughan2]

L-Frame .357 Magnum
Square Butt
No lock
(similar to the lugs on the 19/66)
6 Rounds

So all you want it a 19/66 with a larger forcing cone? I suggest you get two 19/66's for the price this new revolver would cost. You think you can wear out two?

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

Would you buy a 686 with a half-lug and square butt?

Affirmative. In fact I want a 586 in this configuration also.
And I would gladly pay the new gun price.

 

[caromrk]

This post has a picture of a 5" 686+ with a half underlug.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/91515-686-5-5-full-lugged-barrel.html

 

[Engine49guy]

Don't have my SCSW handy, but I think there was a limited 686 run as you describe - not the Mountain Gun.

I remember seeing that same one Alan mentions in the SCSW when I was looking up the 686 MG.

For now the Mountain gun with conversion grips will have to do.

Her is a pic of a 629 MG (Top) with a 686 MG (Center) and a nickel Model 19 (lower) all wearing Herret Cocobolo grips for comparison.

 

[Stainz]

I bought one of the 2004 'Stocking Dealer Exclusives'. It is still my only 686/686+. The 7-shooter came, as shown, with the 5" half lug barrel topped by an orange HiViz front sight and sporting Ahrends cocobolo square conversion finger grooved grips. Not shown, it also has a V-notch rear sight. At a tagged $489, it was $10 less than a standard 4" 686/686+ on the same shelf.

It balances about the same in the hand as a full-lug 4" 686+. The IL isn't desired by me - but I don't fear it, as many seem to. It was a great SPC gun - until I bought the new 4" 627 Pro 5/08. It's been a safe-sitter since.

Stainz

 

[Maximumbob54]

That gun needs to be a current model.

 

[jdh]

I bought the 586 because of the full lug.

 

[Yurko]

Maybe I'd buy one.
But my grail gun would be a 5" 581 with a half lug.
P&R would be even better

Ya, I know, I'm dreamin'

 

[Stainz]

The data sheet on my '2004 Stocking Dealer Exclusive'. BTW, never let a cat help you file...

Stainz

 

[TSQUARED]

I bought one of the 2004 'Stocking Dealer Exclusives'. It is still my only 686/686+. The 7-shooter came, as shown, with the 5" half lug barrel topped by an orange HiViz front sight and sporting Ahrends cocobolo square conversion finger grooved grips. Not shown, it also has a V-notch rear sight. At a tagged $489, it was $10 less than a standard 4" 686/686+ on the same shelf.

It balances about the same in the hand as a full-lug 4" 686+. The IL isn't desired by me - but I don't fear it, as many seem to. It was a great SPC gun - until I bought the new 4" 627 Pro 5/08. It's been a safe-sitter since.

Stainz

Stainz,
That's the same 686+ I purchased since it did not have the full lugged barrel.
I have no aversion to either the round butt or the lock. I shoot some of my 686's with a round butt grip and the IL is a non-issue in terms of performance.
The full lug makes the gun too muzzle heavy for my taste and I enjoy shooting 6 inch guns with the old non-lugged barrel or one of the PC guns which has extra weight trimmed off the barrel and lug (Models 646 & 686 in 38 Super).

 

[stantheman86]

Underlugs are subjective.......for me.......

4" revolvers with the full lug

6" revolvers with full lug not so much......

I love my Ruger GP100 6" guns with the full lug,and have several of them....... but don't care for it as much on my 6" 586-2. But yet, I still own the 6" 586 and would never part with it. I love my 4" GP100's with the full lug a little more though.

BTW, I know this is the S&W forum but a few of us like Rugers too, and the half-lug 6" GP100 may be the answer to your question...it has the "N-frame" type ejector rod housing...they were dropped but there are many on the 2nd hand market. Ruger just did a run of them recently too. I had a 6" blue GP100 half lug and foolishly sold it. It was as close to perfect as a 6" .357 can get for balance and ease of carry. I want another in stainless really bad.

A Colt Python or King Cobra without an underlug just wouldn't be right........but for those who didn't want it, there was the Trooper.

Then again I love my 2 581's and would buy a 4" 586 in a second if I saw a nice one.