Fell in love with my 686 -- again!

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Mastrogiacomo

Mastrogiacomo

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Just came back from the gun range with my father. We shot the Berettas, the Ruger New Single Six, and the S&W 686 4." Needless to say we had a blast. This was also the first time I've used the 686 with .357 loads (personal protection). I was frightened to use it with this load for a while but wanted to today since it was such a great day to be out. It got my father's attention -- not sure if in a pleasant way. One time he forgot to put the ear protection on and he fired off a round. I don't know how he managed that either....:rolleyes: and his ears are still ringing. That did it for him so I used it the rest of the time. Absolutely loved it! Now I'm thinking of getting another in a snubbie. Two questions: which personal protect ammo do you use in your 686, and where can I find a good gunsmith for quality custom work? I may get another 4" and get someone to take an inch off the barrel but I want to find someone that knows what he's doing. Any recommendations?

Laura
 
They do make a 686 with a 2 1/2" barrel. so you might want to think about that instead of cutting a 4". I still have Black Talon's for my 686-4 I think they are 180gr ( home defense ). Mine is about 10 years old, but I still shot it 2 or 3 times a year. Hardly ever carry it anymore though, its to heavy
 
Thanks, but I already know about the snubbie. I'm interested in making a 3" -- appreciate any recommendations for gunsmiths.
 
S&W686: Stainless Steel Magnum Goodness

What a coincidence...I love my 686, too!

Mine is a 4" bbl square-butt & originally came with the impossible "target" stocks. Houge's solved the grip problem.

I had the trigger smoothed out soon after I bought it & its DA pull is pure S&W yummyness.

Its weight tames any sane load you might decide to shoot, up to & including the 180gr & 200gr hunting loads.

In the past, I have stoked it with one of several premium .357mag 125gr HP: Corbon, Fed Hydra-Shoks, others.

These days I stoke it with premium .357mag 158gr HP. I am less worried about overpenetration these days, due to a move to a brick house and the fact my target ammo is now a hot 158gr SWC. Also, the 158gr loads seem to have a bit less muzzle blast.

Frankly, any of the premium .357mag HP in 125gr or 158gr are appropriate for personal defense in the 686. It's not as if they are gonna have trouble feeding them as a semi-auto might.

WRT 3" S&W magnums:
I think I saw a S&W PC M66 with a 3" BBL a while back. Boy, oh boy! Now THAT was a smooth stainless magnum. You might want to consider one of these beauties, since they are ready to roll as-is.

I once used my 686 in an IDPA competition...with full-house 158gr loads. Man, you would have thought I had brought a 155mm Howitzer, by the commentary my magnum generated.
 
Scott Mulkerin shortens S&W barrels the neatest I have seen.
www.sdmfabricating.com
Unfortunately, it is an expensive job; $200 plus airmail.

What advantage do you see in an inch shorter barrel on such a big gun?

I have a small supply of old Federal Nyclad 158 grain .357 Magnum, bought because it was the LEAST powerful factory magnum at the time. When it is gone I will probably just load everything with 158 grain .38 +P lead hollowpoint. Full charge magnums are just too hot for me for any purpose. Recoil is manageable in a heavy gun, but as your Dad found, the report is crushing to exposed ears... as they would be in a defense shoot.
 
Thanks Jim. I didn't think it'd be cheap. I'll be looking into your link as well. Much appreciated.:)
 
Please check your e-mail. I finally opened mine and replied to you with regard to where I had my barrel shortened.
 
I also have a 4" 686, and it is a fine handgun. I shot it yesterday along with about a dozen cops at a fun shoot.

I have a model 66 in a 3" barrel that is better for concealed carry. The K-frame is significantly smaller than the L-frame guns. The 3" barrel configuration is fairly uncommon. I checked Gunbroker and Gunsamerica and did not come up with an exact match to my gun, but the following examples popped up. They have a 3.2 inch barrel and a hi-vis front sight if I correctly recall. My gun is a true 3" barrel.

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=23018405
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976476358.htm

If you can be patient, you can find the 3" guns in both 686 and 66 models. They generally command a premium over the 4" models, but not a $200 premium. Having a barrel cut is certainly a viable option, but patience may be rewarded with a gun that will actually be more valuable. A cut-down gun will never command the price that a gun with an original 3" barrel has.

Meanwhile, enjoy the 4" model!!

Clemson
 
I love mine. I always shoot .357s out of it, cause .38s are just to tame for me. I let my girlfriend shoot those. :D

It's an awesome gun though. At home I keep it loaded with .38 special Golden Sabers. I live in an apartment, and would hate to shoot through a few walls. One would be more than enough... :D
 
3"

Excellent advice from Clemson.

Two ways to reduce recoil: 1) Use Pachmayr Compac grips. I've tried virtually everything, and now Pachymayrs are on all my magnum snubbies. 2) Get a trigger job. Smoother, lighter triggers don't tighten muscles and tendons as much in double action shooting.
 
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