got my first revolver, a S&W 686-- now some newb questions

[fnforme]

Everyone needs a good revolver so recently I've been doing my homework and decided on a 686 or 66 F-comp.

Today I spotted a like new S&W 686-5 with 4 inch barrel and 7 shot cyclinder at the gun show. I got it for $365 OTD, the only problem is that the grips were changed with dark laminate wood target grips, although I prefer the Hogue finger groove rubber grips. This gun looks like it's never seen the inside of a holster or even an entire box of ammo. I'm pretty happy with the deal I got, this should make a fun range gun and hopefully become my HD gun when I get comfortable with it.

The DA trigger is ok, but not stellar. The SA pull is nirvana. A S&W rep at my local shop last week told me if I send a new gun in they will do a trigger job for free. But this gun isn't new and didn't include the warranty card, so am I screwed as far as getting a free trigger job? I'll call up S&W this week but I want to have some realistic expectations before calling them. If they won't do a trigger job I guess I'll install a lighter mainspring(?) as long as reliability isn't affected. I tried a tricked out Perf. Center 66 F-comp and I want this trigger to feel like the one on that 66 F that I tried.

Some more questions since I'm new to revolvers-

-Is it ok to dryfire?
-I have a model 686-5, does this have a round or square butt? because I was looking at some rubber grips at the gun show but they didn't appear to have a screw hole in them and there were varieties in both round and square butt so I wasn't sure if they'd fit. The grips currently installed look a little smallish and rounded, not sure who makes them.
-The sights on mine are a little crooked, the notch in the adjustable rear sight is canted to the right since it looks like it was hit or dropped. The cant is noticeable, I'm not sure how it's going to affect accuracy. Are there any replacement sights you'd recommend since I may have to replace them anyways?

I appreciate the input from all you revolver afficionados! Long live the wheelgun

I bought some S&B 158 gr. softpoints to blast at the range later this week and a box of those Federal 125 gr. hollowpoints that I always hear about. Maybe I'll shoot one cyclinder of those and keep the rest around for HD. I have maybe 100 rounds of experience through revolvers in total, so hopefully I can adjust since I'm so used to semi autos. I already find it awkward to grip a revolver since I'm so used to putting my thumbs up near the slide pointing horizontally downrange. My left thumb is on the cylinder when I do this with the Smith

 

[Majic]

1) S&W will do a trigger job for you, but since the gun is used you have to pay or many local smiths can do good work (check their references first). You can have the internals polished (or do it yourself if you understand how) and replace just the trigger return spring to get a nice smooth lighter DA pull.

2) The -5 has the Round Butt. The rubber grips without the hole probably had the hole in the bottom of the grip and were the Hogues. Therer are conversion grips that allow a RB gun to look and feel like the older SB guns.

3) Is the sight blade bent or the sight base? Either way you can purchase parts from S&W to replace them or go to the aftermarket for upgrades. If you decide to do this yourself we can give you instructions (not really complicated).

You will learn to curve that thumb out of the way.

 

[Preacherman]

Congratulations on your first revolver! You've made an excellent choice, BTW.

Instead of sending the gun to S&W, may I recommend Clark Custom Guns? I've had action jobs done by both places, and after two S&W action jobs both proved inferior to Clark's work, I now send all my stuff to the latter. I've had over a dozen guns worked over by them, and they produce absolutely the finest, smooth, light action I've ever experienced. Frequently, when others handle my guns, they can't believe that an action can be that light and still reliably ignite all primers - but I've never had a problem with them. Their Service Action Job is just under $100, and is worth every penny! They can also fix your front sight for you while they've got the gun.

The only problem is, they're so popular that at the moment there is a two-month backlog on action jobs. I'll be dropping off three revolvers there this week, and I'll just have to suck up the wait until then...

 

[Brian Williams]

Yes you can dry fire it but make sure you have put all ammo in another room and triple check that the cylinder is empty, some time I use a vocal statement to the effect that "this gun is safe to dry-fire because I have removed all ammo from this room." Then when I reload I say out loud "this gun is unsafe to dryfire because it is loaded."

I dryfire at the tv, a spot on the wall and other things. 0's and O's make for quick sight targets and 8's call for a double tap.

 

[Clemson]

What everyone else said, plus....

Before you send the gun out for an action job, dry firing it a few thousand times and then sending 4-500 rounds downrange will slick up that double action trigger.

Fix the sight.

Clemson

 

[dance varmint]

You got the exact same model as mine for about the exact same price with the exact same damage to the rear sight blade. I replaced the whole rear sight with the Millett white outline unit, which provides a longer radius. I have also disassembled the original rear sight, but if I were to get the replacement blade and nut, I'd need a special staking tool to replace it by the book. I also installed the Wolff reduced power mainspring and return spring, with excellent trigger improvement and no misfires.

 

[Black Majik]

all i can suggest is dont make my same mistake

congrats on the 686, its a great shooter.

 

[Knives]

I just bought a S&W 686 as well and have loved it so far. Happy shooting.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

My personal preference leans towards the Smith & Wesson
686-5. Having owned 2x of each (models 66 and 686), I care
more for the 6" 686-5; cuz of the longer sight radius, and a
stronger frame than that of the 66. I don't shoot hardly any
magnums any more, so a 66 would probably serve me well?
But the fully under lugged barrel makes reacquiring the said
target a breeze. With todays production model 686's, I may
be necessary to install a WOLFF spring kit, to smooth up the
DA trigger pull? I decided to do this on my 686-5, and it made
a world of difference. There were NO ill fitting parts, and NO
burrs to remove; so it made this installation a very easy thing
to accomplish.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member