[Ohio guy]

Hi everyone im a new member with a few questions. I bought a new 686 2 1/2 barrel almost 3 years ago,and still have not fired it as of yet. I was wondering if any of you have one in that barrel length, and if so how you like it ? And givin the short barrel, how accurate do you find them to be at a resonable distance. Are you happy with quality, craftmanship, durability even with the lock ? Mine has the lock, thats why i asked. I thank all of you for any replies to my post, it greatly apreciated.

[MrBorland]

Welcome!

Don't have a 2 1/2" 686, but I bought a 4" 686 3 years ago (with the lock) and have shot the snot out of it. No problems. Either with accuracy or craftsmanship.

As far as accuracy of the short barrel, it doesn't affect the inherent accuracy of the gun, but the shorter sight radius generally makes it tougher on the shooter. There's an active thread going on about this on TFL:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335795

I recently asked a well-respected revolver 'smith his opinion in old vs new S&Ws. He felt that while the new guns don't have the fit and finish of the old ones, they are still well-made, shoot just fine and are as accurate as they ever were.

So now...go shoot that 686!!

[Peakbagger46]

My airweight .357 subbie is very accurate at 25 yards... get past that and it is hard to make hits with.

[66912]

The gun in which you describe has been my carry revolver for the last six years or so. I have fired thousands of rounds through this gun with zero disappointment.
The only thing that has gone wrong was the screw to the cylinder release latch. For some reason is would always come loose after a range session and would never really tighten back up. Locktight worked it out just fine.
I usually practice out to 50' max with it and the bowling pins do not stand a chance against this revolver.
It is also a great back packing piece. If a snubby .357 is going to be your go to gun then make sure you Practice, Practice, Practice!

[glockman19]

I have a 4". Love it. Can't wait to get a 3". In the 2-2.5" I prefer the model 60.

That said...You have a great gun with great accuracy and heacy enough to make recoil bearable.

Go shoot it and let us know what you think.

I'm still blown away that you have had it for so long and not shot it...I call gun abuse...you need to give your firearms more attention.

How do you store it? Has it ever been cleaned?
After 3 years you mignt want to check the barrel for rust before shooting.

If you find you don't like it...Please offer it to another High Roader

[Oro]

Yes, I picked up one of these last year. It is not my favorite S&W .357, but it's an excellent gun. I'm just picky!

I had a 2.5" 19 and 66 .357, and a 4" 66 and 686, and a 3.5" 27. My favorite to shoot was the 4" 686, and for carry I loved the 2.5" 19 and 66. So I figured why not the 2.5" 686? I got a -4 variant, pre-lock and frame/fp changes - just my preference, later ones are excellent quality, too, and your position on the lock is your call.

It's really well made, and it shoots very well. Almost as well as the 4" model. Accurate and very controllable for a short barrel. However, it's added weight and size over the 19 made me keep carrying that gun. It is not a big difference, but since I had a choice I went with that. It does handle the hot loads better than the K models with the barrel lug and added weight, but that is a detriment when carrying. Since they don't make the K models now (in the .357), it's the best of the bunch they make now for a snub-nose .357 in my opinion. It is a gun you can actually go enjoy shooting - the .357 J frames are carry guns, not "shootin' irons" if you know what I mean. You'll probably love this gun.

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum...

A short barrel revolver is no less accurate than one with a 4" or 6" barrel. It's the short sight radius which makes it harder to shoot well. (like said above) Small mistakes "we" make are multiplied because of the short barrel. Go to the range and shot that revolver already!!! The more you shoot it the better trigger control you will have and your accuracy will improve because of it. Don't give up on a short barrel revolver because you might not shoot it well to start with. Like anything else, it will improve with practice. Once you are comfortable with that revolver you will not want to shoot anything else. (well, you know what I mean... lol) Also, buy a set of snap caps and do a lot of dry firing which will quickly improve your trigger control.

Have fun with that revolver. I don't know how you were able to own any gun for 3 years and not fire it!!!

[Generic Name]

Start out with .38Spl and work your way up to .357, the 2.5" kicks a mite with full power loads and you don't want to get disillusioned by bad early results. Practice makes perfect. You'll get stronger over time with practice and the .357 loads won't seem such a big deal then.

[Logos]

Yes, I bought your gun's twin about that same time. I couldn't resist it.....a great looking gun.

I've shot it quite a bit with both .38s and .357s. Always reliable, always accurate.....it has the solid "feel" of a longer-barreled gun.

It carries well (IWB) even though most would consider it a pretty heavy bit of ordinance for carrry.

As to the lock, I did lock and unlock it once to get a feel for how the lock worked. I made sure the key was firmly turned all the way to UNlock and haven't messed with it since.

Apparently there have been a few lock problems with alloy frame lightweight guns, but I've never heard of a problem with a 686 and mine has always worked great.

You have a great pistola......have fun with it.

[Ohio guy]

Thanks everyone, I really apreciate all the positive feed back. In other forums i belong to ive heard some preity negative things about the new 686s, but i feel alot better now about my purchase. So again thank you all.

[Oro]

In other forums i belong to ive heard some preity negative things about the new 686s, but i feel alot better now about my purchase.

Most people just love their 586/686 no matter the barrel length. It is truly a "poor man's Python" and a great 357 design. I don't hear much against and I listen quite a bit!

I imagine you are hearing people bashing the lock/MIM parts, etc. This is quite a bit of hype. A MIM hammer and firing pin are simply modern construction techniques, not a defect. Heck, you couldn't BUILT a 1911 today without MIM parts - and no one bashes that.

As to the lock, that's your call. I don't like them and like older ones, but I wouldn't yell at someone that bought one with an IL, and it doesn't change the feel/balance/accuracy of the gun - which is what it is about in the end. So you should be exciteed you have a very versatile, accurate and quality .357.

PS - this is what they looked like when they first came out, without the frame lug, flash-chromed MIM hammer, lock, and with factory combat grips. But these details are small, and you can always dress it up with some fancier grips (though the factory rubber ones are indeed practical). I do like the 686:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd275/kamerer/S-W/686-4%20snub/pix1132267672.jpg

[Logos]

You know.....I HATE the looks of those factory black rubber Hogue grips.....but they happen to fit my hand with absolute perfection.

I just can't argue with perfect function.

[Oro]

I HATE the looks of those factory black rubber Hogue grips.....but they happen to fit my hand with absolute perfection.

I just can't argue with perfect function.

yep, I agree. It annoys me to no end that the "goodyear" grips work...;)

I usually split the difference and go with smooth magnas and a Tyler T-grip. Fits well, works well, but doesn't look "cheap" - but it is more expensive than a rubber grip for arguable gain (better control, but more recoil). Choices, choices...

[LTR shooter]

The 2 1/2" 686 I owned was a great shooting revolver - unfortunately I sold it along with my 4" and original 6"! My plan was to eventually add the 8 3/8". Moving to IN , lack of an outdoor range at the time and little money lead to the sales.

I now have a bought new in 1994 686-4 that I am not selling! Still wish I had the old 2 1/2" and 4" to go along with it! :(

Ohio guy , I am sure that 2 1/2" 686 will perform well for you! Oro , Wow - that is one polished 686! :eek:

[Ohio guy]

Thanks all, after reading everyones great talk of the gun i guess i didnt by a lemon. I really apreciate all the feed back from peaple who know first hand about these guns, Thanks again.

[FunYet]

I have a 2.5" 686+. I rarely take it with me to the range, but when I do I'm always amazed at how well I shoot it. Very accurate. I think the feel and balance has something to do with it.

[aHFo3]

Welcome, I don't have a 686, but I have a 2.5" 19. I love it, but it does take lots of practice. Enjoy your revolver!

[Storm]

I have a 2.5" 686 Plus seven shot. The first time that I shot it, with both .38 Spl. and magnum loads, I was expecting some kind of accuracy less than a four or six inch barreled gun. I was shooting it right along with my 4" Model 10 and the two were performing right at the same level, or very nearly so. I was actually getting some better groups with the shorter 686. This was only at 15 yards, and maybe the longer barrel would have stood out at 25 yards and beyond, but I really wasn't getting that impression.

I'm also in the same situation with the Hogues. My 686 came with the ones that are concave on the bottom faring down in the front for more finger grip, and they fit my hand wonderfully. I've tried a number of grips but I can't seem to beat the Hogues that came with the gun.

[20nickels]

If I could find a wood version of the factory Hogues With the "pinky groove" hanging off the bottom front, I would buy them right up. BTW, I shoot my 2.5" 386 better than my 4" K frames. It's the taller frame. Weird, I know.

[ArchAngelCD]

I like the Uncle Mike's (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=13003&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=46303&training=) grips much better than the Hogue grips. I especially like the Uncle Mike's Round/Square Conversion (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=13002&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=46303&training=) grips. I first used them on a S&W M619 which are stock grips. The M620 comes with Hogue grips.