Looking into my first revolver! Please advise me! (686)

[Black Majik]

Looking into my first revover! C'mon, you know you wanna look inside!

Alrite guys and gals, here's my situation

I've been researching around and decided upon the S&W 686's as my first revolver. I'm usually a bottom feeder pistol type, but for some reason lately the revolvers have been intriguing me

So, today I found a 686-4 Ported 6" new priced @ $473. One thing that I loved was that there was no hole on the side for the internal lock. That was a plus. Now, the questions:

- How are the ported barrels compared to the non-ported. Is there a significance in the recoil w. the ported barrel?

- Are there any faults to the 686-4 models? Something I should stay away from or something I should jump on since theres no internal lock on the gun.

- How is the pricing of this gun. Its an older model, yes, but it is brand new. Also keep in mind I live in California so prices are usually higher. It comes out to $523 with tax, but without the dros fees.

One thing that really bugged me about the gun was the huge front sight. It isn't nearly as clean looking as the 686-6 models. Plus no orange paint so its harder to see. I was thinking of adding a fiber optic sight to the gun. Anything advice you guys can give me about this?

Well, I think that's it for now. Should I go buy this gun or let it pass and find some other revolver.

I've already looked into the GP-100, and yes it is a great gun, but for some reason I jus' prefer the 686.

Thanks all.

 

[Steve F]

Weeeeell,I can't directly answer your question,as I don't have a ported 686, But,I did just buy a non-ported 585 4" and couldn't be happier with it Good luck with your shopping,as I can fully appreciate the California thing

 

[bountyhunter]

I also live in kali. The new standard 686's run about $575 around here at the discount shops. My personal opinion is that I would pay more than that for a like new older gun without MIM parts and no lock, simply because they were fitted better. If this gun is very tight, $473 is a good price for kali (at least in my opinion). If it's been shot loose by heavy magnums, I would say pass.

If I recall correctly, the current new version of the 686 is the "-5". I have one which is a "-3" and it is the best gun I own, and far better fitted than the three newer smiths I have. I am not sure exactly what changes were made at those design transitions ( -4, and -5)

I don't think porting is a big plus. It makes the gun noisier and sends the flash upwards. It does reduce muzzle flip a bit, but a 4" gun should be manageable either way.

Look the gun over carefully and check:

barrel cylinder gap
cylinder play in lockup
cylinder end shake (front to rear play)
trigger pull smoothness

If this is a very nice piece, it's easily worth the price. If not, you decide based on condition.

 

[Black Majik]

So the 686-4 is free of MIM parts? the trigger and hammer still looks kinda discolored like the newer S&W and I was under the impression those were also MIM parts.

Also, cylinder end shake, is that when the cylinder is released out of the frame? I did notice a little movement (back and forth) of the cylinder where the cylinder and crane meet. This is not when then cylinder is locked into the frame.

The trigger pull was smooth, although I do plan to get it smoothed out even more by a gunsmith. Only thing that bugs me about the gun basically is that front sight. That honkin' front blade has to go.


Thanks for the suggestions and advice so far.

 

[Ala Dan]

A couple of points of interest:

a) the Smith & Wesson 686-5 models are also with
out the intergal lock. I think that idea was incorporated
starting with the -6 models.

b) you mentioned "a huge front sight, with NO red ramp".
The RR is standard equipment on most 686 models. I
would have asked if the front sight had been replaced?

c) firing a ported weapon with magnum type loads after
dark, usually leaves the shooter temporarily blinded by
the hot gases escaping through the ports. I have a 6"
686-5 without the porting; and I chose it for that very
reason.

d) finally, a fiber optic sight is OK; but really not needed
unless you are experiencing some difficulty with your
sight picture?

Oh! I almost forgot, yes $473 for a S&W 6" ported 686-4
is a most excellent price! Enjoy~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Josey]

I would pass. It sounds like a kitchen table gunsmith has had that revolver through his hands. I suspect there is crane stretch due to HOT loads too. Keep looking.

 

[Black Majik]

Hey Ala Dan, I was hoping you'd take a peek at my thread.

Alrite, concerning the front sight, the front sight looks like the first picture of this thread by "Shooter .45"

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64051&highlight=686

Maybe not as huge as I made it seem , but it did look like that. Also the red ramp wasn't there on the next picture of the 686 posted by "yesterdaysyouth".

The gun seems to be unfired, and after finding the picture, I dont think it was a gunsmith butcher.

I guess back to researching. Thanks for the help.

More input welcome

 

[Black Majik]

Heh, silly me.... I shoulda just looked at the S&W 2004 catalog to see if the front sight was a gunshop butcher or not

As the catalog shows, the ported model does indeed have a huge lookin' front blade on it. Ack. If I do decide on the gun I gotta switch that thing out! It can poke out eyes with that thing!

Well at least that part is resolved.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

The 686 is an absoluteyl great gun. My first was a 6" 686+ (seven shot). I bought it with the thought that it would be the only gun (wife, budget). Silly me.

If I had it to do over I would have a 4" 686+. I would not personally be interested in a ported barrel. It is my understanding they are only effective with light bullets and fast powder which, in turn, are usually SD rounds and then you have the problem with the glare in the dark in SD situations. I have a 627 V-comp with a removable port muzzle that I never use. The muzzle that is.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey-Hey-Hey Black Majik-

My bad buddy! You know I have indeed seen this
front sight on some of the ported 686's. For
some reason, I guess I lost my train of thought
when I posted? Hey, that is not all that bad, my
friend; let me tell you why!

After I acquire the target (even with my red ramp)
686, from that moment on all I see is black; and
thats the part my eyes are concentrated on. Your
gun should be NO different; and I think you will
soon find its going to be a great shooter?

One other thing that was bothering me, and I
failed to touch on it was the use of MIM parts and
the frame mounted firing pin. FWIW, the use of
MIM (or injection molded parts) is not really a big
deal. If done correctly, they are just as precise as
those case hardened triggers and hammers of the
old days. I have yet to see one break due to the
use of materials or workmanship! And as far as
S&W's use of the frame mounted firing pin; my
personal belief is that this is something that they
should have incorporated 30 years ago! I like this
feature; besides being practical, it enhances the
looks of a good, quality revolver. Chalk one up in
Colt's favor for this innovation!

All said and done, I think you are going to be more
than pleased with this weapon; as it should render
many year's of excellent service. Enjoy~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Black Majik]

ala dan,

thanks man... I think I may stop by tomorrow and see if I can work out a deal on the pistol. Also, regarding MIM parts, I was wondering if the "-4" models used MIM parts. I think i read somewhere that it didn't? And I believe the firing pin is on the hammer instead of the frame? I guess that's something I'm gonna have to go check out tomorrow. MIM parts certainly doesn't scare me... my 1911's have MIM parts and they're reliable as my Sig (shameless plug) . We'll see what happens and if I have enough time (gonna go to a car meet tomorrow). Thanks a lot for your help, it certainly helped me a lot.

 

[243_shooter]

I love my 4" non-ported 686. It's of the -5 variety. Picked it up brand new last fall for $475 + tax.

It doesn't have any type of internal lock. It does have the firing pin mounted in the frame and what I belive are MIM parts.

It was my first revolver, and is fast become my favorite gun to shoot.

The quality on mine seems to be very good. I'd venture I've run ~1000 give or take through it, and it only seems to be improving.

Leo

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey-Hey-Hey Black Majik My Friend-

FWIW, the use of MIM hammers and triggers on S&W
model 686's didn't start until the -5 models. Also, the
frame mounted (floating) firing pin was introduced on
the -5 models. On page 211, of The Standard Catalog
Of Smith & Wesson there is a pic of the gun of which
you are speaking. Very nice indeed pal; I hope you
are able to obtain it!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Black Majik]

Thanks guys for the help.

Ala dan,

I have no willpower It ended up being $510 out the door brand new. It needs to be cleaned up a bit, but I'm sure it'll be a gem to shoot once I get it polished up and oiled.

One thing I was curious about was how to clean the trigger and hammer. Like many S&W revolvers, they have this blackish dark "crud" on the hammer and trigger. Will solvent clean it up so that its silver again? I noticed some of you guys have cleaned it so it doesn't have the blackish color anymore.

Thanks and 10 days and counting!

 

[Ala Dan]

Hello Again Richard,

No problem, just use a little bit of Flitz metal polish
or a dab of Simichrome; and it will clean right up!
Enjoy~ this is a great firearm; one that you will
want to label as a "Keeper".

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[pwrtool45]

As someone else brought up, the 686PP (Powerported) models have large, black Patridge (IIRC) front sight. It's standard. I think some may have a bead insert, though that may have been for special runs only.

The 686-4 was the first (again, IIRC) of the series to be built using the new CNC machinery. No MIM parts present. Those came about, again as mentioned earlier, in the 686-5. The -4 models are generally considered desirable as shooters, since they were constructed in a period where above-average quality was the norm. The -4 guns were also the last to incorporate the "hammer-nose" firing pins, the right-handed Monogrips and the old-style cylinder release thumbpiece. All of these were changed in the -5 revision.

IIRC, my 6" non-Powerported 686-4 ran me right at $400 back in 1994. They still came in cardboard boxes wrapped in wax paper instead of the current blue plastic case thingies. I'm pretty sure they came with a cleaning rod and screwdriver, too. Don't quote me on that last one, though.

Post a picture of this "hammer crud" you're talking about. Color case hammers and triggers were standard on the -4 models. They're *supposed* to be brown!

 

[Eskimo Jim]

Black Magic,
I can't give you the information that you'd like but hopefully this helps.

Last Autumn, my wife bought a NIB 686 (no dash) with a 4" barrel. The gun is very accurate with my 38 special +P handloads. It will handle full power 357 magnum loads without a problem. We didn't pay that much less than the price for your ported model.

I like it and more importantly my wife likes it.

I'm not crazy about the porting that you describe on yours but I wouldn't see that as a problem.

I usually shoot a model 66-5 4" K frame.

Glad to hear that you bought it. I hope that you are thrilled with it.

-Jim