The 686

[ga41]

I'll join in, I bought my 686 in the mid eighties right after Shooting Times tested one. Mine is the 6" adjustable Front sight model. Perfection indeed

[Nematocyst]

Still enjoying my 4" - even though I didn't have time to shoot it at the range today due to problems encountered with other guns .

But, I also got to handle and fire a friend's 686 2.5". Wow. What a nice revolver. Felt very solid, manageable (even though the .357 rnds were a handful in it, more so than in my 4"). Way bigger difference for some reason between the .38 spl +P rnds and the .357 Mag rnds, unlike in mine. Not sure I understand why.

Also, he had his "blacked" (some kind of duracoat like finish, but not duracoat), so it's all black. Beautiful revolver.

Now of course, I want one ...

[benedict1]

The 686+ story gets better and better for me--7 shots with .38 Special, 158 gr plated bullets at 7 yds. The 5 shots in the orange can be covered with a 25¢ piece. I am definitely hooked. Oh, yeah, I shot them double action.

[Nematocyst]

Benedict, nice shooting.

Remind us, please, what barrel length?

[benedict1]

Sorry--4".

It has the standard Hogue grips on it and the standard sights.

I have cheated just a little--we have a first-class pistolsmith at the range where we shoot and he did some lightening on the double-action trigger pull for me. It started at 12.5# and he got it down to 7#. Reason? I want my wife to shoot it too and she couldn't quite get that 12# trigger back to the "boom" spot.

The single action pull is fantastic! It is smoother than any semi-auto in our collection and that includes a Wilson and two Kimbers.

This revolver is becoming a bit of an obsession.

[Nematocyst]

The single action pull is fantastic!

I have repeatedly described the SA pull like this:
you don't actually have to pull the trigger, just think about it.

[LanEvo`]

Originally Posted by Confederate

The first model was the best looking...No lock, no MIM parts, stamped sideplate.

I have to agree. Here's mine:

Originally Posted by Checkman

I also own a 6" 586 (no dash). Sorry had to get that in there.

Me too

[benedict1]

I have repeatedly described the SA pull like this:
you don't actually have to pull the trigger, just think about it.

Exactly!

[Stainz]

I put a HiViz front sight, Ahrends square conversion f.g. cocobolo stocks, and reduced effort Wolff springs in my new 6" 66-6 the day it arrived from CDNN ($350 - what a deal!), along with a new 2" 10-11 ($280 - another deal!). Before that day, in 9/03, I hadn't touched, much less shot, either a .38 or a .357M. My life was happy - between .44 and .454. That revolver just felt great. The full lugs of the 6" 686+ just made it muzzle-heavy to me - and I don't like Hogue rubber grips (That changed when the .500 Magnum grips became available!). Within a few months, the 5" half lug Stocking Dealer Exclusive 686+ was available - and I knew I'd have to have one.

I delayed acquiring one until the next fall. I just couldn't see such a close duplicate of what I had. The 5" 686-6+ had the nice partial lug, taking some of that weight off the muzzle, and already had the HiViz and the same Ahrends stocks I initially put on my 6" 66. I wasn't too sure about the near-duplication, they both even have the Lock, but S&W gluttony prevailed. Ultimately, I waved good-bye to my old friend - my first DA revolver - a 7.5" .454 Ruger SRH... my shooting hand regained some feeling as the local pusher took the SRH on trade. Not much moola changed hands - for some reason, the 5"-er was $489 vs the 4" standard 686+ a few inches away in the case being ticketed at $519. Oddly, it handles very similarly to the 6" 66 - weight and 'pointability'-wise. I had another set of reduced effort Wolff's, so, after 'break-in', it got a spring change. Their triggers are similar, yet different. I feel quite fortunate to have such fine revolvers.

Now the bad news... I shoot .38's and wimpy-.357M's. I have never bought a .357M round for either revolver. In fact, today found me loading the hottest rounds thus far for them - a 125gr Zero JHP over 5.5gr Titegroup in mixed .357M brass - should be 1050-1100 fps - watch out! Up until the time I try these, the hottest rounds I have had through either .357 is the Rem R38S12 +P rated 158gr LHPSWC .38's - the so-called 'FBI loads' - which made 990-997 fps. As .38 launchers, these guys are super. In fact, as wimpy 125gr Berry's FP @ 665 fps .38 launchers, for 'pinging' steel plates, they just cannot be beat - no recoil - accurate - and 'ping'. I hate to think which one would go first... like that 5" 686+. I do keep an HKS 587A or two loaded with those FBI loads, and a trio of 10's for both the 66 and the 10. I keep SD loads ready in speedloaders/moonclips for all of my revolvers in a strategic - and unlocked - spot, while the revolvers are locked up.

I don't see another 686/+ in my future - that full lug dislike. I do see a 620, the 4" 66's replacement built on an L-frame and 686+ style 7-shot cylinder - but with a partial lug. It'd have to have some nice Ahrends, of course...

Stainz

[sfmittels]

Count me in. I've got a plain-vanilla 686-5 4-inch 7-shot (no lock). It's got the second-best trigger pull on any gun I've ever owned OR fired, but the other one doesn't count because it was heavily stoned (it, too, survived the early 70s). I tried it with a set of Crimson Trace lasergrips a few years ago, but they would lose their zero if it even bumped something, so I gave up. That's okay - I like the stock Hogues much better anyway.

[Nematocyst]

Originally Posted by sfmittels

Count me in.

You're in this club, too?

Sfmittels, you're going like it here.

Nem

PS: For those of us
who like fewer keystrokes,
what do we call you?
SF?
SFM?
MIT?

[Nematocyst]

The following statement from this article made me smile broadly.

The 45 ACP has compiled an impressive record as an effective stopper, virtually tied with the .357

Wow. You mean my little ol' 686 is ranked up there with the almighty .45 ACP?

Hey, I'm proud.

Maybe I'll buy another one with a 2.5" barrel for carry.

Or will it be a 60?

For the next revolver, it's a matter of weight as much as power, but dang, that 686+ 2.5" is a fine revolver...

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

Stainz try the 110gr xtp-hp over 19gr of 2400 with a fed200 smpp I can get one hole groups at fifty yards with this combo.

[warriorsociologist]

6" 686-4 plus currently...looking for / to "make" a 686 Mountain gun.

[WJR]

BTT. I wanted to revive this thread.

WJR

[sportsterguy]

Hello all. Have a 2.5" 686 and a 4" 586 in nickle. Don't see many of the nickles around. Gotta say these two pistols are the best shooting revolvers that I own. Had the trigger smoothed out on the 586 and will put it up against a Python any day of the week for accuracy and trigger pull. Keep the 2.5 in the truck for company and always enjoy it's comforting presence. Anyone have any idea what the 4" nickle is worth? It is in Xcellent condition and still have the original box and papers.

Sportsterguy

ASTCS/E-8 US Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer ret.

(Did Costners job but somehow my check was a little on the thin side compared to his 13 mil. Donations being accepted to supplement my retirement check at this time. Please PM me for mailing address)

AMT Back-up (Good for throwing at BG's or as a paperweight)
model 36 nickle (light carry)
model 66 3"
model 586 4" nickle
model 686 2.5"
model 57 4"
model 58 4" nickle
CZ-75B
CZ-83
SA 1911 semi-custom (heavy carry)
Ruger SB 4 5/8"
Sig 228

[SwampWolf]

Submitting membership application. A couple of years ago, I traded a 696 for a 4" 686+ (-5). I have many other revolvers and pistols that are well-suited for self-defense but I think the 686+ with a 4" barrel may be the ultimate "nightstand" self-defense handgun. Extreme reliability, no safetys to undo, no compressed springs to get fatigued and stuffed with seven 125 gr JHP .357 Mag. rounds (the very load much research has revealed to be the top-rated "man-stopper") makes this revolver a serious candidate for best handgun HD duty. As much as I like certain S&W "K" frame revolvers for self-defense (including the models 13, 65 and 19), I feel the extra weight of the 686's "L" frame helps dampen recoil and the full-length barrel underlug aids in reducing barrel jump; all contributing to more controllable repeat shots.

However, as a retired le who carried a sidearm for over thirty years on a daily basis, I have to say that, imo, the "L" frame is a mite heavy and bulky for regular carrying concealed duties. It can, of course, be done but I think there are better choices out there. As a matter of fact, I'm an advocate of having multiple sidearms to employ in varied situations: in hot weather (or when social circumstances limit the size of a gun) my pocket-carried 642 is perfect; in most other arenas I tote a 6906 or a SIG 220 Carry in 45 ACP.

But at home, in my nightstand, a 686 lies at the ready. And not to fret, Nemo, in a closet not far from the bed, a 12 ga. Benelli Nova is on tap if time permits...

[glockman19]

SwampWolf, thanks.

I too have the 686/642 Combo. I agree tha tthey are two of the bets revolvers around. I pocket carry the 642 and also have it as my nightstand gun because of the CTC laser grips. The 686 has been spending time in the safe keeping my others company.

I have been considering getting another 686 6" or 3" to go along with my 4".

[Nematocyst]

And not to fret, Nemo, in a closet not far from the bed, a 12 ga. Benelli Nova is on tap if time permits...

S'Wolf: nice. We think a lot alike.

12 ga for serious social work near the sleeping area;
686+ in 4" for the night stand;
642 for those times that demand light weight and small.

However, as a retired le who carried a sidearm for over thirty years on a daily basis, I have to say that, imo, the "L" frame is a mite heavy and bulky for regular carrying concealed duties. It can, of course, be done but I think there are better choices out there.

I heard that.

I bought my 686 4" mainly for wilderness carry (in some suitable holster, perhaps slung from a shoulder holster), but am now seeking a more intermediate weight revolver between the 686 & the 642.

I've been giving thought lately to a 686 2.5"; balance is fantastic,
but it only saves a meager few ounces over the 4".

Any thoughts about a model 60 in 3"?

Nem

[acdodd]

I'm in.
I bought my 4" 686 around 1977 from a Navy buddy for $100 .
It is the one gun I will have until my son inherits it, then his son after him.
Came with pachmayr grips on and the original wood unused in the box.
A couple of months ago I put the wood grips on for the first time in 30 years .
It sure does look good in the original configuration.
AC

[SwampWolf]

Nem, we do seem to be on the same page a lot of the time. I have a Model 60 with the 3" barrel and it's stoked with .38 Special + Ps with 125 gr Semi-jacketed HollowPoints. I like the adjustable sights and the extra weight helps tame recoil (and I don't care what anybody says, I've shot a LOT of handguns in my time and I've yet to find a gun more unpleasant to shoot than my 642 using +P ammo-mind you, it is the perfect pocket pistol and I would never be without it!).

The 3" Model 60 is one of my favorite "trail" guns. I'm in my mid-sixties so (excess) weight becomes more and more of an issue when I'm doing my thing. I try to get to the Boundry Waters every other year or so and portaging alone from lake to lake ,toting my canoe makes shedding unneeded weight a priority. As an aside, though there are many bears in the areas I frequent, my main reason for having a firearm in camp is to deal with the possibility of a two-legged menace- no 911 in the wilderness! The little Model 60 seems to strike an ideal compromise between adequate "stopping power" and compact portability. I must confess, though, I've been eyeing one of them Smith light-weight .44 Magnums- if they weren't so dang expensive!

[perpster]

Anyone know if the 2 1/2" 686 Plus (7-shot) was made before the change to MIM? I'm talking regular production, not Performance Center. Thanks.

[hexidismal]

Wish I could get a picture, but my camera is on the fritz. For the last few days I've taken the 6" 686 that I have pictured in post #9 of this thread and I've polished it down to an absolute mirror finish, even on the parts of the gun that have the bead blasted finish, all except for the circle around the muzzle. Looks pretty neat. I'm not sure I even could get a proper picture with the light reflection without having some kind of diffusing light box.

perpster: I don't think so. I could be wrong about this, but I've been led to believe that all the +1 models are post MIM.

[mkonops]

First handgun I bought was this 686+ 4" in 357 Mag. Been with me ever since, and it found itself a set of leser grips somehow

[benedict1]

Mine just acquired a 2x 42mm Tru Glo Red Dot sight and Weigand Mount. Funny how that happens.