S&W 686 Plus or Colt 1911 Series 70 Reproduction

[mr. chuckles]

Here's the deal. I have a limited amount of money for guns, but have been saving a little bit here and there for some time. I like both of these and have owned a similar expamle of each in the past, though the Colt was an early Series 80 stainless and the 686+ had the 2.5-inch barrel. I would like to hear some opinions regarding current quality comparisons between the two models or just the two companies' current QC. Does anybody have any thoughts on the longterm durability of either platform? Any specific experiences with the current 686+ (I am looking at a three-inch barrel model) or recent produciton Colt Series 70 Reproductions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a 686P 4" Bbl. as well as a full size S&W 1911
I lined them up the other day and except for the difference
in grip shape they're pretty close to the same
Overall length, and weight. I haven't had any issues
with the 686P, I did have to send in my 625 on a warranty
issue - extraction problem, S&W gave it a new cylinder
and I had the PC give it an action job. I was happy with
the time it took, Haven't had a problem with my other
SMiths ( 617 & a 60 )

I don't think you could go wrong with either of your
options.

Good Luck

 

[bofe954]

I have a 70 series repro, I don't have a 686 plus, I do have an old 686 no dash so take this for what it's worth.

I'd get the series 70 repro. Not on platform superiority, but to me the series 70 repro just seems to be a higher quality firearm compared to a new 686plus.

I would also take a series 70 repro over my old 686, but my 686 is pretty beat up. It is a $350-$400 gun that has a nice trigger and shoots well, but isn't pretty and probably not a fair comparison to an $800 1911.

The series 70 repro is near art to my eyes, something I'd be proud to pass on. The new smith's just aren't like that for me when I look at them. Just opinion, no logic. More of a pride of ownership thing, than function.

 

[JustinL]

Hi

I bought a new 686+ with a 4" barrel last September and have been very happy with it. The trigger pull is smooth and crisp in both DA/SA and it feels good in my hands. My only complaint is that after repeated firing the cylinder expands making the ejection of spent cartridges rather difficult. This is the first revolver I have ever owned so I do not know if that is unique to that gun or commonplace. All in all, I have no regrets over my purchase.

 

[weisse52]

I owned an older 686 snub gun. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I currently own a 70 series repo and am thrilled with it. The 70's repo comes out of the Colt Custom Shop and it shows. The finish is excellent and the entire platform is very nicely fit and finished.
I would of course pick the Colt. If I had one already and did not have a 686 I would buy one, and then save to buy another Colt.

 

[jaydubya]

I love my 9 mm Browning Hi Power, so I do like John Moses' products. However I have never liked his 1911, so take what I say for what is is worth. I have a 686+. It roars seven times.
Cordially, Jack

 

[Snubster]

I have both a series 70 repro and a 686 Plus (2.5"). If I were in your shoes I would go with the Colt. It's a beautiful firearm of good quality. Who knows how long they will be available. The Smith is nice too, but they are a dime a dozen and personally I prefer the older Smiths in blue.

 

[cgv69]

Tough question. A Colt 1911 and an S&W .357 are two of the most classic American firearms ever. It would help to know what you already own because if you already have one or more 1911’s and no wheel guns then I’d say get the Smith. If you have other wheel guns but no 1911, then get... well you get the point

On the other hand, you also seem to be set on buying new as opposed to used? That being the case, I’d probably say get the Colt because the current issue S70 repos are very well made where as the current production 686’s are not as nice as the use to be. Not that the current 686’s are crap now but I'd personally greatly prefer a -4 or earlier 686 then anything they are making today. Just my $.02

 

[mr. chuckles]

I appreciate the feedback everybody. I am leaning more toward your way of thinking cgv69. I currently have three N-frames (including a sweet Highway Patrolman with recessed chambers) and no 1911, so I imagine I'll go for the Colt. I still miss my old Colt, and I have owned and/or fired several popular types of semi-autos. None were as easy for me to get good hits (read "cloverleafs") at speed that that Colt. Besides, the Colt will make a nice accompaniment to my S&W 325PD snubby. On a side note, I recently saw a very good condition Model 19 with a 2.5" barrel and a pretty good price tag...so many smiths so little money.

 

[Walkalong]

Series 70 Repro Colt

I just traded my 4" 686 for a Model 28. I kept my 2 1/2" 686 with S&W Combat grips. I am buying an older Series 70. The 4" 686 was a real nice, super accurate gun. It was a bit bulkier than I want to carry, recoil from it was sharp compared to a couple of other .357's I have, and my favorite platform is the 1911.

 

[researchdoc]

I have a 686 in 2.5 and an original series 70. I bought the 686 the year it came out in that bbl length.. so it is, I imagine, moving towards 20 years. I have absolutely shot an incredible amount of full mags through it. Never had a problem. It looks as it did the day I got it. Never had to change the springs never had to replace anything on it. Never had to tighten a screw... I have had to do all of that on my series 70 (but it is to be expected). My friend bought a new production 686+ in 4". It shoots basically the same and has the same feel with the steady diet of full house mags. I believe you cannot go wrong with it. Dont know about a 70 repo.

 

[wickedsprint]

I'd only consider the series 70 repro if you can inspect it first, I have owned two that both had serious qc issues, one had had issues with the blueing in that no matter how you wiped or cleaned it always looked smudgy and shiny..sort of hard to explain but totally different from any other I ever saw to include my second one. It also had the trigger canted downward, not a huge deal replaced with a drop in.

My second one had the plunger tube hole drilled way off center in the slide as well as dust cover rubbing on the frame on one side. There was also missing blueing inside the frame towards the rear of the dust cover where bare metal showed, and not in a wear area, it was suggested that the frame might not have been cleaned enough prior to blueing or something. I'll never buy another Colt sight unseen, that's for sure. All of my series 80 guns have been flawless though both in terms of function and fit and finish and cosmetic issues aside both of my series 70 models also functioned well. Just irks me that for 50 $500 my springfield USGI was straighter and essentially half the price. I currently have no 1911, I think I wanna get one of the OD Green USGI models.

 

[mr. chuckles]

Wickedsprint, I have to ask-did Colt make it right? Also, how long ago was this? I have read that the QC has improved somewhat since the reintroduction of the Series 70s in 2000 (or is it 2001). Anyway, I guess since you don't have a 1911 anymore, Colt was not able to fix them to your satisfaction.

I should probably say that I lean toward Colt over other 1911 makers mainly due to a reputation for small parts quality out of the box and and that I would imagine they would stay closer to the original GI specs (I don't need a tight bulls-eye pistol-just a reliable one). I realize there may need to be some tweaking, but it is my understanding that Colt will honor the warranty if there is a problem. There is a local shop that carries two Series 70's (one blue and one stainless) so I have looked the blue specimen over a little, but haven't asked to "look under the hood" yet, as I would before laying down my cash. Anybody else have any input on the Colt Series 70 QC?

 

[wickedsprint]

This last one was a few months ago, so pretty recent, I did not bother sending it to Colt as I was sort of fedup beyond this point, again why can springfield get theirs right for half the price and still use a forged frame? I ended up trading it in.

If you find a nice one, ie the rollmarks are straight, the slide flats are equal in width, the slide and plunger tube are straight and the slide aligns properly with the frame at the rear etc..then you should get it..I'm just advising against one sight unseen is all. They still look the prettiest when everything is right.

 

[cgv69]

Let me throw one other wrinkle into your decision... Assuming you are going to get a Colt 1911, what do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it? I ask because depending on those answers, you may be better of with one of Colt's current WWI repo's instead of the S70 repo?

Colt produces both the S70 and WWI repo's as standard catalog items out of their custom shop. The WWI repo are obviously setup like the original 1911's and the S70 are setup more similar to the 1911A1's. Most people consider the WWI's a collector piece or a safe queen because of their limited production numbers (4000) and their special finish (Carbonia). The S70's are considered more appropriate for a good carry gun or as the perfect base for a custom build. I was looking for a base gun for a custom build so I went with a S70.

My S70 repo doesn't have any of the issues described above and it is a very nice gun but my dealer recently got a new WWI repo in and after handling it, I wish I had gotten it instead of the S70. Why? Well even though both guns come out of their custom shop, I would have to say the WWI repo is much better built then my S70. The Frame to slide fit, the trigger, finish and just about everything else is as good or better on the WWI repo. Another reason involves the configuration.

I didn't realize it at the time but some of the things I do not like about the 1911A1 style of the S70 are the changes made to it from the original 1911 design. The arched mainspring housing, the length of the trigger and the fit\shape of the rear tang\grip safety are all things about the S70 I do not like but the original designed components used in the WWI repos fit me perfectly. Honestly, the only shortcoming for me with the original 1911 design is the sights which are pretty weak. if Colt had upgraded the sights of the WWI repos to the ones used on the S70's, it would be a gun I would be perfectly happy using unaltered, straight out of the box. That is not the case with the S70 (for me anyway).

The reason why most consider the WWI repos "collector" pieces is because of the limited production number and the Carbonia finish which is very unusual for a modern production gun. The Carbonia finish is funny deal in that some of these WWI's have the most beautiful finishes that you have ever seen on a modern standard production gun but some them are, shall we say less then ideal?

The original run of 4000 is now over but Colt realized that they were very popular and wanted to continue making them but then again, they didn't want to piss off collectors by going past their promise of 4000 units so they came up with a happy middle ground. The original WWI repos had a model # of 01911 and came with the aforementioned Carbonia finish. They are now making a WWI repo with a model # of 01918 which come with a more common Black Oxide finish. Other then that, they are identical.

If I didn't have a Colt and was going out to buy one today, I would get one of these new 01918 WWI repos. As I stated above, they come out of the box almost perfect for me and my hands and because they are not a limited run, I wouldn't feel bad about using one daily. For that reason and the fact that there is nothing overly special about the Black Oxide finish, I wouldn't feel bad about sending it out to have the sights upgraded which wouldn't unfortunately require the slide to be refinished.

Just something to think about.

 

[mr. chuckles]

cgv69, what was the price tag on the new WWI reproduction? The prices I have seen online for what I guess is the old one are around $1,200. That is getting a little out of me preferred price range. If the newer one is more in line with the Series 70 (a local dealer has the blued Series 70 for $875) I might look at one. I could get a Series 70 cheaper online (Buds Gun Shop has them for about $824 shipped), but after the transfer fee at my dealer, I would only be saving about $20. With everything I have read, it's worth $20to me to look at what I am getting before I buy.

Funny thing, I received an email Wednesday from Guns America regarding a new listing for a S&W 686 pre-lock with hammer-mounted firing pin and a factory three-inch barrel in apparently excellent condition for $550. I was out of town on business didn't read it until last night, but it was already sold!:banghead: I would not be having a problem with this decision if I could have gotten my hands on that one. They are VERY hard to come by.