38 y/o girl friend gets a face lift.

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ms6852

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Was at the range the other day and saw a member had nice grips on his 686. Figured it would be nice to give my 38 y/o 686 a new look too. Had a hard time finding grips in stock so found some online. Got them last night and put them on. These are a lot slimmer than the factory grips that are fuller in my hand. Needless to say my old girl looks different.
Before and after pics:
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Looks a lot more polished and no checkering. Does it feel better. I have an old colt that I plan on giving a new set of heels.
 
Looks a lot more polished and no checkering. Does it feel better. I have an old colt that I plan on giving a new set of heels.
It feels different, can not say if I will like it or not. Slimmer grips, I guess after 38 years I got used to the original grips. The original screw protruded by over an eighth of an inch on the new grips. I thought I could use it, luckily it came with the smaller screw. I'll be loading 100 rounds of .357 for my range trip on Monday.
 
I'm probably in the minority here, but I like the original grips. The new ones are very sharp though. I had some pachmayr on my cobra for about 10 years and just a few weeks ago decided to put the original checkered walnuts back on because it just looks correct. But if you're in favor of function over form, the new grips on the Smith definitely look more ergonomic.......
 
Ive always liked the factory targets on mine, but those are quite svelte.

Make sure to put the old ones away safely, L-frame target grips are $$$.
I put some Renaissance wax on the grips stored them covered on a rag and are safely secured in the safe.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I like the original grips. The new ones are very sharp though. I had some pachmayr on my cobra for about 10 years and just a few weeks ago decided to put the original checkered walnuts back on because it just looks correct. But if you're in favor of function over form, the new grips on the Smith definitely look more ergonomic.......
I agree, that is why it took 38 years to try something new. As far as ergonomics it does feel different. They are slimmer and don't get that full feeling I got with the factory. Have not made up my mind yet to see if I like the feel. Shooting it will help me decide whether I keep them or sell them. It is a good fit on the gun.
 
The stock grips are at their widest where your finger, pinky, is the smallest.

Hope the new grips work well for you, certainly very attractive. Generally, 38 y.o.'s don't need a face lift, but I understand in this case. lol
 
The stock grips are at their widest where your finger, pinky, is the smallest.

Hope the new grips work well for you, certainly very attractive. Generally, 38 y.o.'s don't need a face lift, but I understand in this case. lol
My concern when I initially saw the grips was my pinky slipping during recoil, but soon realized that it was unwarranted as the finger grooves fit my hand perfectly. Anyway I've only shot full load .357 with this gun and there really isn't any recoil, now my EDC with the 3" barrel. also a 686, well that is a different story, recoil is stout and painful, after a while I have to put a glove on after 50 rounds.
 
ms6852

Great to hear that they not only feel good in your hand but that they also look so sweet!

Money well spent on your Model 686 "face-lift"!
 
Both sets look nice. I've found that I have to shoot the specific gun with the specific grips to know for sure whether or not I like them. Some that look good don't feel good, or perhaps they feel okay, but don't work well with recoil, or don't work well for actual shooting. The best grips I've ever used, the ones that have improved accuracy for me and for others who have shot my guns with and without them, are Browning International Medalist grips. They look funky, feel like they are over-sized, but everyone who has shot my guns with them and also with other grip types, shoot tighter groups with the Medalist grips.

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Both sets look nice. I've found that I have to shoot the specific gun with the specific grips to know for sure whether or not I like them. Some that look good don't feel good, or perhaps they feel okay, but don't work well with recoil, or don't work well for actual shooting. The best grips I've ever used, the ones that have improved accuracy for me and for others who have shot my guns with and without them, are Browning International Medalist grips. They look funky, feel like they are over-sized, but everyone who has shot my guns with them and also with other grip types, shoot tighter groups with the Medalist grips.

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I have tried finding grips like yours without any luck. I am left handed which adds to the problem.
 
I have tried finding grips like yours without any luck. I am left handed which adds to the problem.
I am left handed as well and bought a brand new Browning Medalist just like this one and it has factory left-handed grips. It is the finest piece I own.
 
She's purdy. But I'm kinda old school with the girls ... I like'em without the face-lifts and botox. Might be my big hands, I dunno. I have daughters in their 40s so I guess I look at old differently when I am admiring the ladies.

I do own a 20+ yr old 686 with Pachmyers though and they are the ultimate grips for a 686 imho. She lives in sin with an 1894 CB LTD. They're sort of a pair.


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I am sometimes amazed to hear someone call a 686 "old". I can still remember when they were introduced due to perceived problems with the K-frames. But that was 1981, which is now 40 years ago. I really am becoming an old fart.
Just checked my records, I bought a new 4" 586 in March of 1982 for the sum of $247.95, unfortunately, now long gone. My agency had allowed us to carry the prescribed .38Spl. ammo in a .357, then later flip-flopped and said we could only carry a .38Spl. revolver.

The first time I ever shot it was at a poorly lighted indoor range, I fired it offhand at 50' and couldn't see but one hole, I thought I'd missed all the others and pulled the target in. Turned out I had a 5 shot cloverleaf, best shooting I'd ever done at that point. I was so amazed I choked and pulled the last shot. lol
 
I am sometimes amazed to hear someone call a 686 "old". I can still remember when they were introduced due to perceived problems with the K-frames. But that was 1981, which is now 40 years ago. I really am becoming an old fart.
In retrospect she is truly 39 years old, I bought it in 1982, but I wanted to give her a little bit of dignity.
 
I have tried finding grips like yours without any luck. I am left handed which adds to the problem.
The left-handed grip is even harder to find but keep your eyes open and you'll eventually come across one. But they usually aren't cheap. I paid $140 for the set on the gun below (an International Medalist with a 4.5" Challenger barrel), and that was a pretty decent deal. They were in good shape but didn't have the nice factory finish that most have. I refinished them with Tru-Oil and they look great in person.

If you want the Left Hand grip badly enough, you can get a new set from Commemorative Arms Company for $160 or $200 plus shipping (price depends upon whether you want the Medalist or the International Medalist version). That's kind of rough for a grip, but they aren't getting any cheaper and are likely to hold their value. The Medalist is one of the most under-appreciated guns in the world, IMO, and well worth getting the right grip for. Commemorative Arms is an old-school operation so CALL THEM if you want to communicate. I've found them to be very reliable and honest, but they aren't e-mailers. :)

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If you want the Left Hand grip badly enough, you can get a new set from Commemorative Arms Company for $160 or $200
Wow that looks great, but I don't want to pay that much for grips. Funny though, I already had offers for the original factory grips of my 686 which I have turned down. Mainly because when the time comes to sell the gun I want everything to factory specs and original, secondly would not know what to sell them for.
 
With names like Colt Python and Henry Big Boy, are you sure your 686 is a girl?

Cue Austin Powers - “It’s a man, baby!”

Either way, it looks awesome and I want one. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
 
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