Looking for powder is hazardous to your wallet! But I didn't mind!

I went to the LGS today looking for a pound of Universal or Auto-Comp for reduced loads for in my .327 federal and they didn't have any. Then I spotted this 686-4 Stainless beauty.


After checking it over the cylinder has no end play that I can measure and it looks like it was hardly fired.

There is a little carbon staining on the end of the cylinder and some handling marks but overall it is fantastic. I did get a little green out of the barrel like someone cleaned it and put it away and the bore cleaner worked on a little copper fouling that was in there.

The bore in it looks polished and perfect but I can't seem to capture that with my phone. With my maglight shinning at the cylinder end I can see a perfect image reflection of the flash light looking down the muzzle end of the barrel.


It has the smoothest single/double action trigger of all my Smith and Wessons, in fact, I'm not sure the stock springs are in this. It's feels like a good gunsmith worked it over.


No key lock and locks up like a vault.
I always wanted one of these but the ones I would look at were either shot loose or felt like a junk pile when I pulled the trigger. I didn't think anyone would part with a good one until I saw this one.
I got it for $699.00 and I think I did pretty good today!
I can't wait to shoot it!

bannockburn said:

Fantastic find! I felt the same way about the trigger on my Model 686 when I tried it for the first time! Smoothest and lightest of any DA revolver I have owned. Would like to find one like yours with a 6" barrel to go with my 4" barrel version.

Click to expand...

I'm 61 years old and I still can't believe how excited I get when I find something like this in this condition for a decent price. It's sitting beside me right now and I can't take my eyes off of it. Isn't if funny, I feel like a kid again! I hope it shoots as good as it looks, because I will be shooting it a lot!
When I through this thing up the sights are just, right there! No searching. It fits my hands perfect, I can see why they were so popular.
The decision is always a hard one for me because every time I find a revolver I like, there has to be two of them.

They also had a Lipsey GP100, half lug 6" barrel that was to die for, that I looked at first, but when I pulled the trigger on both of them, the decision was a no-brainer.

I think I paid fair market value for it, but I needed a new range gun and this is as close to new for one of the older pre-lock models, that I've seen in a long time.

That 6" half lug GP100 Lipsey's was no slouch either, Man did it balance nice but the trigger pull was heavier than I would accept in any revolver. I definitely got the better of the two revolvers.

bannockburn said:

tightgroup tiger

Fantastic find! I felt the same way about the trigger on my Model 686 when I tried it for the first time! Smoothest and lightest of any DA revolver I have owned. Would like to find one like yours with a 6" barrel to go with my 4" barrel version.
View attachment 917061

Click to expand...

@bannockburn
How do you like those Pachmayr grips on your 686 Smith? I took mine to the range today and shot it at 10yds offhand, standing and even though I had three bullseyes through the same big hole and three very close, I felt like I was wrestling with the Hough grips that are on it. They are so squishy and soft.

I have those same Pachmayr grips on my GP100 that you have on your 686, and those grips feel very natural to me. They are much firmer.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for a good set of solid target grips for on a 686 Smith?

CajunBass,
It shoots as good as it feels but I have been shooting a GP100, 4", for quite a while now. I sent GP to my gun smith for "the treatment" about a week after I bought it, and he did a job on it that would make most people green with envy. And it has just gotten better.
This 686, 6" is even better than my GP is in that department, but it is different. It shoot's like a perfect classic Smith but it will take me a little time to get used to shooting a Smith again to make it natural.
I look forward to getting back to my Smith and Wesson roots.

I'm more than happy with the Smith 686-4. When I get a better set of grips on it I think I will have my dream, every day shooter, if that make any sense. It's looking good so far.
I'm more than happy with it.

Pat Riot said:

I put Pachmayr “Gripper” grips on my model 17 and model 19. I like them very much.

Pachmayr Gripper Grips for S and W, K and L Frame Square Butt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002INPFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2FWWEbKTBH00T

That is a very nice 686, titegroup tiger. I wouldn’t care about paying “market price”. The main thing is you found something you really like.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I am really liking it so far but those Houge grips have to go. If I were shooting a 480 Ruger, I would welcome them but they are not needed for any .357 Magnum load that I have ever shot, .357magnums just don't have that much recoil in a gun this size.

Engineer1911 said:

You really do need a set of pre-locks.

Click to expand...

I agree, but my wife would end up shooting me with one of them.