New Addition: S&W 686+ .357 Magnum 3" Talo Exclusive

[shlike]

Just picked this up yesterday from my FFL. It is a S&W 686 Plus (7-round) L-Frame .357 Magnum 3" Barrel Talo Edition. I can offer no rational justification for this purchase other than I just wanted it. My collection has been getting boringly repetitious, all semi-autos of various brands and configurations, so I thought a nice .357 Magnum revolver would add a little variety to my collection.

First impressions: The gun is very well-made, high quality, butter-smooth action and tight lock-up, which is typical of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The DA trigger pull is long and fairly heavy, I would estimate around 12 lbs. It is, however, smooth as glass with a crisp break and no stacking. Now the SA trigger pull is a different story! Very light and crisp, no wall, no stacking, puts my 1911's to shame. The gun is heavy! That's OK, as it's intended use will be as a range toy. It will see limited CCW use, although I did order a Wright Leather Predator Pancake holster for it for when I do CCW it. I am also ordering a pair of Altamont rosewood checkered boot grips to lower the profile for CCW.

I don't care for the internal lock. I have no intention of using it, and I'm sure I will learn to ignore the little hole on the left side of the frame...

I am not embarrassed to say that one of the reasons I bought this gun is that it is beautiful to look at. Aesthetics are important to me, and this gun does not disappoint! Also, Hickock45 loves this gun and has a video on it. He can hit that gong way up on the hill every time shooting it DA!

I have been trying to figure out the proper grip for shooting this gun (the standard high thumbs-forward grip does not work on revolvers, as you know). This is the first DA revolver I have owned in a very long time, so I have to re-learn the fundamentals of proper revolver grip. I watched a couple of Jerry Miculek instructional videos, so I think I have it figured out. I am taking it to the range tomorrow, so I will find out! I will be shooting a combination of 158gr. .357 Magnum loads and 125gr. 38 Sp. +P's. Still trying to figure out the various .357/38SP loadings so I can standardize.

Will update this thread with a range report tomorrow.

 

[gotboostvr]

Those are real sharp looking pistols.

I'd really like to play with one of those three inchers. I really love the balance of the four.

 

[Dog Soldier]

That is not only a very fine handgun but a sound investment. You can shoot it as you should and it will still increase in value. Great decision.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have one of the Talo 7" guns. I have put about 3500 rounds thru it over the past 2 years without even cleaning it. It has been an outstanding gun. The grips are good looking, but I hated them for shooting. I swapped them for a set of Pachmayrs.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

Beautiful Talo edition , I have one also, but with the rounded grip, I think you will enjoy yours as much as I do, great gun, and 7 rounds , nice bonus...

 

[joneb]

If not for the hole in the frame I would want one.

 

[springer99]

Just wanted one because? Hey that's good enough for me. Personally, I have a real soft spot for 3" Smith's.

 

[bannockburn]

shlike

Very nice! Reminds me of the Model 686 CS-1 that S&W made for the U.S. Customs Service back in the late '80s. I already had a Model 686 with a 4" barrel and the 3" version (with a round butt frame), would have been a great backwoods companion piece.

 

[gotboostvr]

I haven't handled those grips, but something about the shape puts me off a little.

That 3" barrel is just begging for some RB Combats!

I'd suggest Arhends, but Altamont is perfectly serviceable and a little cheaper. Been very happy with grips from both.

 

[bannockburn]

I second the notion of checking out Ahrends grips. First rate quality at a decent price.

 

[bradepb]

A 3" 686 is on my wish list. That is a sweet gun.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Just picked this up yesterday from my FFL. It is a S&W 686 Plus (7-round) L-Frame .357 Magnum 3" Barrel Talo Edition. I can offer no rational justification for this purchase other than I just wanted it.

The action on mine is very smooth also, and I find hitting a paper plate sized target at 20 yards, and shooting at speed to be very easy. And, if I slow down, it makes some pretty nice groups.

Nice gun man! I was just shooting mine on New Years eve day. I really enjoy mine and it is the gun I carry on the trail more than any other. I too bought mine even though I didn't need it. I already had a 3" SP101 in 357, so why another? Because, that's why.

686+

• Zaydok Allen
• Oct 28, 2016

Nill Grips

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I haven't handled those grips, but something about the shape puts me off a little.

That 3" barrel is just begging for some RB Combats!

I'd suggest Arhends, but Altamont is perfectly serviceable and a little cheaper. Been very happy with grips from both.

When I got mine the first thing I did before shooting it was to order a set of Nill combat grips. The originals were so narrow I felt like I was just holding onto the frame of the gun.

 

[gotboostvr]

When I got mine the first thing I did before shooting it was to order a set of Nill combat grips. The originals were so narrow I felt like I was just holding onto the frame of the gun.

I like the looks of those Nil's. My favorites are the original factory RB Combats, they're just a little pricey for me.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nill grips are pricey but they definitely help my shooting. They offer L frame models with closed backstraps. It allows me to get a proper trigger reach. The stippling is nice too. My hand doesn't slip.

They get me a proper hand filling grip without having to drop $400+ on true custom grips.

 

[mikey98e]

I carry my 3" 686+ concealed fairly often.
-mike

 

[shlike]

Just picked this up yesterday from my FFL. It is a S&W 686 Plus (7-round) L-Frame .357 Magnum 3" Barrel Talo Edition. I can offer no rational justification for this purchase other than I just wanted it. My collection has been getting boringly repetitious, all semi-autos of various brands and configurations, so I thought a nice .357 Magnum revolver would add a little variety to my collection.

First impressions: The gun is very well-made, high quality, butter-smooth action and tight lock-up, which is typical of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The DA trigger pull is long and fairly heavy, I would estimate around 12 lbs. It is, however, smooth as glass with a crisp break and no stacking. Now the SA trigger pull is a different story! Very light and crisp, no wall, no stacking, puts my 1911's to shame. The gun is heavy! That's OK, as it's intended use will be as a range toy. It will see limited CCW use, although I did order a Wright Leather Predator Pancake holster for it for when I do CCW it. I am also ordering a pair of Altamont rosewood checkered boot grips to lower the profile for CCW.

I don't care for the internal lock. I have no intention of using it, and I'm sure I will learn to ignore the little hole on the left side of the frame...

I am not embarrassed to say that one of the reasons I bought this gun is that it is beautiful to look at. Aesthetics are important to me, and this gun does not disappoint! Also, Hickock45 loves this gun and has a video on it. He can hit that gong way up on the hill every time shooting it DA!

I have been trying to figure out the proper grip for shooting this gun (the standard high thumbs-forward grip does not work on revolvers, as you know). This is the first DA revolver I have owned in a very long time, so I have to re-learn the fundamentals of proper revolver grip. I watched a couple of Jerry Miculek instructional videos, so I think I have it figured out. I am taking it to the range tomorrow, so I will find out! I will be shooting a combination of 158gr. .357 Magnum loads and 125gr. 38 Sp. +P's. Still trying to figure out the various .357/38SP loadings so I can standardize.

Will update this thread with a range report tomorrow.

UPDATE FOR GRIPS AND HOLSTER!!

I am the OP.My intent when I purchased this gun was mainly for range use and to fondle and look at, but also for limited CCW. To that end I purchased a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake Holster, and installed the Altamont Rosewood Boot Grips as pictured in the photos below. The grips transform the gun; they are beautiful to look at, and even though they are considerably more compact than the grips that came on the gun, I can still get a very secure grip on it. I plan to leave these grips on. The holster is well-made and allows the gun to ride tight to the body for good concealment (as good as a large-framed revolver can be concealed). The gun is big and heavy, so it will see very limited CCW use.

 

[bannockburn]

shlike

I like the gun, the grips, and the holster! Very nice set-up!

 

[Jonesy814]

Great looking gun and holster you've got there. I have a 4 inch 686 and keep telling myself that I should add a 2.5 or 3 inch to the collection.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

Great looking 686 3" Talo, I've been thinking of putting boot cuts on mine, I checked out the web sight, but didn't find any boot cuts, did you have to request them for yours? as for your holster it looks great, I'll have to make myself one for mine, let me know about the grips if you would...

 

[Edcnh]

The grips really make the gun look great. That is one really nice 686 and holster!

 

[shlike]

Great looking 686 3" Talo, I've been thinking of putting boot cuts on mine, I checked out the web sight, but didn't find any boot cuts, did you have to request them for yours? as for your holster it looks great, I'll have to make myself one for mine, let me know about the grips if you would...

The grips really make the gun look great. That is one really nice 686 and holster!

Great looking 686 3" Talo, I've been thinking of putting boot cuts on mine, I checked out the web sight, but didn't find any boot cuts, did you have to request them for yours? as for your holster it looks great, I'll have to make myself one for mine, let me know about the grips if you would...

The grips are made by Altamont. http://www.altamontco.com/ . I purchased them off the website. They also make OEM grips for S&W.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nice grips and holster

 

[springer99]

Great gun and rig!!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Great carry setup.