The 686
- Thread starter g5reality
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Ok, 686 fans here is my story reference this outstanding hand gun. Around eight years ago a young man at my work asked if I was interested in purchaseing a .357 revolver as he put it. He knew not what make or model just .357. Well long story short I met him in our employee parking lot and started the transaction by telling him I have a number of .357's and I was not sure I needed another. He breaks out this S&W 686-3 "S nubby"still in the box stateing it was his Grandfather's but he needed the money at this time so he would let it go at a good price. Well I offered him $250 cash money and he jumped at it. Later on he saw fit to compaline to our co-workers that I had stolen he gun at that price. Truth is that if he would have refused the 250 I would have left without it as I had several Smith .357's that I was contented with.
When I got the revolver home I checked it out and found what I thought to be proof the weapon had only been fired once. Like one round perhaps at the factory. The face of the cylinder displayed discoloration at one cylinder bore only. Well I kept it in the safe for these past eight years and last weekend took it out to see if it shoots stright. I experenced no problems except I'm not crazy about the stock wooden formed grips. Even with factory ammo I found the grips to be rather uncomfortable and required me, at least, to be repositioning after every two shots. All and all a fine handgun as I knew it would being S&W. In ending, did I steal it? Well kind of sorta I guess however to my way of thinking it is buyer beware and seller beware when it comes to purchaseing firearms. From the Great American Southwest I bit you Good Evening....
When I got the revolver home I checked it out and found what I thought to be proof the weapon had only been fired once. Like one round perhaps at the factory. The face of the cylinder displayed discoloration at one cylinder bore only. Well I kept it in the safe for these past eight years and last weekend took it out to see if it shoots stright. I experenced no problems except I'm not crazy about the stock wooden formed grips. Even with factory ammo I found the grips to be rather uncomfortable and required me, at least, to be repositioning after every two shots. All and all a fine handgun as I knew it would being S&W. In ending, did I steal it? Well kind of sorta I guess however to my way of thinking it is buyer beware and seller beware when it comes to purchaseing firearms. From the Great American Southwest I bit you Good Evening....
AStone
Member
If the dude didn't research the value of the gun before putting it up for sale, then it ain't your fault. Not a "steal", just a deal. Sounds like he didn't have a price, that you offered what you wanted to pay, not what you thought it was worth. That's just business. He didn't ask you what you thought it was worth. He asked you if you wanted to buy a gun.
Fair enough.
That said, $250 is a steal.
Fair enough.
That said, $250 is a steal.
springfield30-06
Member
I've had my 686-1 for a few years but I've finally gotten around to getting a pic online!
I finally got a 686-1 last week. What a sweet gun! It is the nicest feeling .357 I have ever shot. Mine has the 6 inch barrel and target grips. It has the "M" stamp in it for the early modification they had to do.
Now I may have to find a snubbie to go with it.
Now I may have to find a snubbie to go with it.
Steve 48
Member
I have a Classic Hunter in 6 inch with adjustable front and rear sights. It's been with me for over 12 years.
orionhawk
Member
I have one, as well, a 686 4", hooked up with tritium sights and Pachmayr recoil-absorbing grips. My fiancée uses it as her bedside gun, loaded with Gold Dot 125's (which is basically the purpose I got it for).
The 7 shot 686 was the first gun I ever purchased. My brother bought one also, but traded it in to buy a "JUDGE". Gander only gave him $280 as trade in. I would have given him 300. To me, it is the sweetest shooting gun I own. At the range, I can easily put 7 rounds in the head at 45 yards. The 686 is my HD gun, I have Speer gold dots in the cylinder.
StephenT
Member
Trading a 686 toward a Taurus Judge was a mistake.
amd6547
Member
Man, that is the definition of a bad trade...
Ok I dont own any revolvers and have only semi autos in my collection. It looks like everyone here thinks that 686 is the crem de la crem of revolvers..can you guys enlighten me about what makes this particular revolver so fantastic? It may help me make my first revolver purchase..tx.
also, what's a good price range for the 686?
also, what's a good price range for the 686?
AStone
Member
Well, I wouldn't go that far.
But for .357 mag DA revolvers that will eat substantial powerhouse rnds, the 686 ranks at the top for me.
But there are other crem de la crems in 38 spl, .44 spl/mag, .45 Colt, etc that are just as good.
StephenT
Member
Averius,
I guess it depends what you intend to do with your first revolver: range, home defense, concealed carry? The 686 is great for the range, but a bit heavy and bulky for concealed carry. I've always liked the 686's trigger (as compared to Ruger's GP100), the way that the gun handles during firing sessions, its accuracy; and the gun's overall quality. Quality that you can feel when you click the cylinder shut. Also, I prefer stainless steel over a blued revolver.
I'd recommend that you get an older, pre-lock 686. I don't know how the newer ones compare to the older 686s, but I'm not too fond of the lock and newer trigger system. About a year ago, I picked up a nice 686 with 8 3/8" barrel for $450 + tax, but the 8 3/8" are hard to come by and I think I did well price-wise.
I guess it depends what you intend to do with your first revolver: range, home defense, concealed carry? The 686 is great for the range, but a bit heavy and bulky for concealed carry. I've always liked the 686's trigger (as compared to Ruger's GP100), the way that the gun handles during firing sessions, its accuracy; and the gun's overall quality. Quality that you can feel when you click the cylinder shut. Also, I prefer stainless steel over a blued revolver.
I'd recommend that you get an older, pre-lock 686. I don't know how the newer ones compare to the older 686s, but I'm not too fond of the lock and newer trigger system. About a year ago, I picked up a nice 686 with 8 3/8" barrel for $450 + tax, but the 8 3/8" are hard to come by and I think I did well price-wise.
Averius, the 686 is a nice balance of appropriate size and power for a lot of uses -- durable and solid, not too heavy for daily carry for many people, a good size and power for a field gun, and that Smith smoothness and finish.
That said, I don't own one -- I have a model 19 and a Colt Python. Came across them separately and at good prices. So I don't need a 686... but if I didn't have a revolver I would probably want one.
However, if you don't shoot heavy loads constantly -- if you are more of a hunter or bullseye shooter -- you might want to look at a model 66. I saw a couple not unreasonably priced at the Gulfport gunshow yesterday..... Some people like the slightly lighter K-frame better than the L frame. I think it is more personal preference than anything else.
That said, I don't own one -- I have a model 19 and a Colt Python. Came across them separately and at good prices. So I don't need a 686... but if I didn't have a revolver I would probably want one.
However, if you don't shoot heavy loads constantly -- if you are more of a hunter or bullseye shooter -- you might want to look at a model 66. I saw a couple not unreasonably priced at the Gulfport gunshow yesterday..... Some people like the slightly lighter K-frame better than the L frame. I think it is more personal preference than anything else.
content
Member
Hello friends and neighbors // The last to go would be the .12ga my parents gave me at age 16 and this: ( Hope you folks are not afraid of the dark)
1983, 6" ,S&W Model 586, Distingushed Combat Magnum, $400.00 OTD: Don't mind the target, I always start out low left with my SD ammo, or the little 442-2 BUG, or the .357 rifle and all.
I don't take the best pics but i do try.
Great info here, I'm thinking about a 686 2 1/2" now.
1983, 6" ,S&W Model 586, Distingushed Combat Magnum, $400.00 OTD: Don't mind the target, I always start out low left with my SD ammo, or the little 442-2 BUG, or the .357 rifle and all.
I don't take the best pics but i do try.
Great info here, I'm thinking about a 686 2 1/2" now.
Maj Dad
Member
Worn, or worn out? Hundreds of full-power 357s will cause more wear than thousands of target wadcutter loads. 686s are pretty sturdy; my no-dash, no-mod has thousands of rounds, mixed full & moderate loads and is tight as Dick's hat band... If the cylinder locks up before the hammer cocks, and doesn't slop with the trigger fully pulled it's likely good to go. If you don't have a good feel for it, get a smith or a knowledgeable pal to check it out for you; if you have a specific revolver in mind, with pics and/or details, post it here. You're always guaranteed opinions...
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Well I figured that my first post on THR might as well be in the 686 Club. Technically I do not have it.... yet.
It will be waiting for me, in the box, when I get back to the states in July.
686+ w/ 4".
Its possible someone has already asked this in thread already but I think I read through most of it. Has anyone sent their 686 to S&W smiths for the Master Revolver Package? Since I will not be united with it for a couple of months I was considering have the work done on it so I would appreciate and comments or thought.
It will be waiting for me, in the box, when I get back to the states in July.
686+ w/ 4".
Its possible someone has already asked this in thread already but I think I read through most of it. Has anyone sent their 686 to S&W smiths for the Master Revolver Package? Since I will not be united with it for a couple of months I was considering have the work done on it so I would appreciate and comments or thought.
Kingofthehill
Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2009
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Picked this up today. I have never shot .357 and im very excited about it. Its a no dash, no lock model. locks up like a vault!...
now im not sure if i should leave it alone and enjoy, or have it blasted with light media to give that soft look to it?...
now im not sure if i should leave it alone and enjoy, or have it blasted with light media to give that soft look to it?...
Maj Dad
Member
Don't Do It, King!
That is a beautiful revolver, and to bead blast it would cause the crypt of Daniel Wesson to crack open... At least, it would surely mess up a really nice factory finish. If you can't live without a beaded finish, PM me - I have it's clone (see second post above with thumbnails) that's already a little on the soft side would be honored to have a bead-job...
That is a beautiful revolver, and to bead blast it would cause the crypt of Daniel Wesson to crack open... At least, it would surely mess up a really nice factory finish. If you can't live without a beaded finish, PM me - I have it's clone (see second post above with thumbnails) that's already a little on the soft side would be honored to have a bead-job...
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