S&w 686

[Coot]

Stopped in to my favorite store earlier today, and while pawing through the safe found a 6" 686 that appeared unfired: no marks of any kind on it, no soot or lead anywhere, and the lockup like a Swiss watch! (I've never seen any other revolver with as tight a lockup). Besides the sweetest trigger and absence of a lock, it also has the old-style squared off wood grips and a pinned firing pin on the hammer.

The dealer said it'd just been taken in as trade- the previous owner had to have something else, and was short the money. Price on it was $350.00, but he offered it to me for $300.00.

I'm thinking of mounting a scope on it, and definitely will replace the grips with something by Pachmayr. Any suggestions for scope mounts for this handgun that are secure and don't require drilling?

When did S&W stop using the old-style grips? And, what size frame is the 686? K?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[tomkatz]

I have one too, a 686-nothing with a 6in. barrel, mine has the M stamped above the model # which designates a factory upgrade according to several good folks here at THR. They are L frame guns. My dad left me this one so it will be with me forever........tom

 

[P95Carry]

Yep .. ''L'' frame .... used to have one of the earlier ones with fixed foresight ... how I miss it.

Can't quite remember where to best go for suitable sight mounts but I think a browse thru Natchez will probably yield results. probably a B-Square available .. which would replace rearsight and use same fixing and then a sorta clamp deal up front.

Wish I kept better notes of where I get stuff etc!

 

[bountyhunter]

I'm thinking of mounting a scope on it,

Check out the Jack Weigand "Integra Mount" for the 686. That's what I have on mine. The base and lower half of the rings are machined from a single block of aluminum. They are rock solid. If your top strap isn't drilled and tapped for it, you need to have that done. The new guns all come with the holes, not sure about older ones.

BTW, I'd trample Mother Teresa to get to a cherry 686 for $300. That's a great gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Coot, I haven't (and won't) scope my S&W 6" 686-5
cuz its far too much fun as a target weapon; as you
can achieve some amazing long range shots with
these handguns. With that said, mine wears the
original Hogue "Monogrips" that came with the gun.
I was thinking of replacing them with Pachmayr's;
but since I've gotten use to the finger groove grip,
everything is just fine. I did install a WOLFF spring
kit (main spring and trigger rebound spring) in it;
but NO other 'smithing was needed.

According to the Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson
2nd edition by Supica & Nahas, the use of the Hogue
"Monogrip's" began in 1994, with the 686-4.

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

 

[Majic]

Smith changed the grip frame configuration to round butt in 1996 during the -4 series.

 

[Coot]

The one I just picked up is a 686-3, and has the old style, big wooden grips. I expect to replace them with something from either Hogue or Pachmayr.

With my middle-aged eyes I just can't do this gun justice: will probably put some glass on it ASAP; just can't believe how tight this one locks up...!

 

[Majic]

Careful now, before long your name will change to Old Coot. Welcome to the Old Farts Society. Where the front sights seem to disappear these days.

 

[pwrtool45]

Majic

I think they made the RB coversion during the -5 series. My 686-4 is a square-butt (grooved) and my 686-5 is a round-butt (smooth).

 

[shepsan]

because I consider the S&W 686 to be one of the finest revolvers ever produced, one in the condition you describe is a steal at the price you stated.

The 686 is one factory handgun that is super just the way it comes. I have not done a thing to my 686-4 .357 Magnum except to clean, lubricate and polish it after shooting it.

Although I am enamored with the 1911, the reliability and accuracy of the S&W 686 takes a backseat to no other handgun.

 

[Majic]

Pwrtool, the -5 came out in 1998. The square butt grip frame was dropped in 1996. The change didn't take place at the beginning of the -4, but later during the run. The early -4's have square butts and the later -4's have round butts.

 

[pwrtool45]

Ah ha. Guess lopping off a goodly portion of steel in the grip didn't count as an "engineering revision." Oh well, it's not like their numbering system made any sort of logical sense anyway...

 

[Ala Dan]

Actually guy's, with the addition of the Hogue Monogrip,
I don't know that I don't like the round butt better?

Either way RB or SB, wooden grips or rubber grips, lets
face it; the Smith & Wesson model 686 is one fine gun!

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