S & w 686

[Hotshot10]

I'm considering purchasing a Smith and Wesson 686, chambered .357 magnum. I don't have a ton of experience with handguns - I shoot my two shotguns much more often - and this would be my first handgun purchase.

I'm wondering if those of you who own them have had positive experiences and if it would be suitable as a first handgun. Thanks in advance.

 

[ghitch75]

i have owned 5 and still have 2 of them....tough like a tank and will take full power loads it's whole life........you can't go wrong....

2 686-4's 1 4" and 6"....

 

[mdauben]

I'm wondering if those of you who own them have had positive experiences and if it would be suitable as a first handgun. Thanks in advance.

I've got one, and while it wasn't my first handgun, its not all that bad a choice as one. Now, a newbie pistolero probably shouldn't start out practicing with full-bore .357 magnum ammo, but slip some target .38 wadcutters in there and its downright pleasant to shoot. Generidc .38 ammo is relativly inexpensive, too, which makes lots of shooting affordable. Then, when you have that mastered you can move up to full power .357 magnums for SD, hunting, or just plain fun.

 

[BYJO4]

The S&W 686 is one of the best 357s on the market. I have both a 4" and 6" version. Very accurate and nice trigger right out of the box. It will handle hot loads with no problems.

 

[Smith357]

The 686 is a fine firearm that will serve you well for many years, though I'm partial to its blue brother the 586.

 

[bobby68]

Is this still active

OP, did you make your buy or still looking?

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
They are great revolvers and will give you many hours of shooting pleasure. I have a 686-2 4 inch and enjoy shooting it.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[Killerdoggy]

I've got a bueatiful 686 and that thing has the smoothest trigger of any handgun I own. Tack driver with .38's or .357's. Built like a tank and has never given me anything but top notch service. You will not be dissapointed in it.

 

[oldfool]

the 686 has well earned it's place as one of the many all time best choices

I do not recall for a fact, but the recent vintage ones just might be amongst those S&W is now doing with "liner" barrels ??
pretty sure none of those pictured in this thread are that

that (a liner barreled 357) I cannot recommend to a friend
I would find out before I put my cash on the counter

 

[CTGunner]

Yes they are great. A 686 was my first handgun - when a gun was really for home defense and not just part of a collection. You can't go wrong with a 686. Reliability + Extreme Accuracy = S&W 686.

 

[Shienhausser]

I own a 6" 686 and love it. The first day I bought it I shot it until it was too hot to comfortably reload it haha.

I would love a 6" 586 to go with it (blued).

Admittedly, if I were to do it all over, I'd buy the 4", and an older one to boot.



Shot all of the .357 shown in a month lol,



A very accurate gun to boot once you get that DA trigger down, this is my target at 10 yards only 100 rounds after buying it.



Go and buy one!!

 

[antiquus]

686+ I love it. S&W trigger goodness, more beef than the K frame, points naturally for me, single action I can hit the black area (6") at 50 yards.

 

[Hotshot10]

Nice pics.

Is there much difference between the 4" and 6" barrel? I have held one with a 4" barrel, and that seemed to fit me.

OP, did you make your buy or still looking?

I'm looking. I work a couple hours each week and put that money away to afford my habit (plus, my wife doesn't complain that way). At my current rate, I should have enough to purchase one in October or November.

I do not recall for a fact, but the recent vintage ones just might be amongst those S&W is now doing with "liner" barrels ??

I apologize in advance for my ignorance with handguns, but what is a liner barrel?

 

[Fishslayer]

Is there much difference between the 4" and 6" barrel? I have held one with a 4" barrel, and that seemed to fit me.

The 6" barrel is preferred for target shooting. The longer sight radius makes it easier to shoot accurately. The extra weight up front helps tame recoil.

The 4" is lighter and a bit faster handling. Easier to conceal, too, if that is a concern.

As for barrel length itself vs inherent accuracy, 99.9% of shooters can't shoot well enough to notice the difference. The advantage is in the sight radius.

Personally, i prefer the pre lock 686. I have the 4" no dash and it's my favorite. Searched for over a year. They don't show up very often in The People's Republik.



Here's why it's my favorite. 18rds of Big Dog magnum handloads @ 10 yards about 10 minutes after I picked it up. The 6 outliers are shooting double action. Gotta work on that.

 

[Fishslayer]

ghitch75, the stocks on that 6 incher are just stunning! :drool:

 

[Black Knight]

I carried a 4" 686 for several years as an armed security officer and never had any problems with it. It is one of the best 357s I have (I have 6). As for being your first revolver, you could not find one much better. The 357 Magnum revolver is a great gun for many reasons. It has the power needed if hunting medium-large game (whitetail deer), can use 38 Special ammo for times when a magun load is too much. Ammo can be gotten almost anywhere.

 

[oldfool]

I apologize in advance for my ignorance with handguns, but what is a liner barrel?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=569166

we all have our quirky no-go things, a premium class 357 revolver NIB with a barrel sleeve/liner instead of one chunk of quality steel alloy just happens to be mine
(not real sure if the newer 686s do or don't)

 

[Hondo 60]

Great gun - if it's new - buy it & you'll love it.

If it's used, just make sure it hasn't been abused.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

 

[ACP]

I own about two dozen firearms. The 4" 686 is my favorite. It has always been 1,000% reliable and shoots like a laser beam.

 

[MrBorland]

IMO, a 4" .357mag revolver is an excellent choice as a first handgun. I have a pair of slicked-up 4" 686s I use for match shooting (I also have a 4" 10-shot 617 .22LR to serve as an understudy, btw ).



The 6" 686 feels muzzle heavy to me, so my 4" guns do fine when pressed into target duty. Both targets below were shot with the bottom 686. 5 rounds, 15 yards, unsupported, double action:

 

[C/O]

My S&W 686 is by far my favorite handgun. It has the best trigger I have ever felt, and is very accurate.

S&W 686 (no dash)

 

[luis7]

Hello and greetings from España.
Here a s&w 686 is the most sell revolver and almost all shooter have one, in 6" is normal lenght barrel for precision shooting.
It´s a better value to spend your money. I had a 586 in 6", a very good gun and very accurate, but i selled it to buy my 686 Practical Champion it´s a bit better in my opinión to precisión shooting to 586.
Buy it you will love it.
bye.
Five shoot at 25 meter to left hand, 50 points.

 

[greyling22]

686 is a terrific gun. Add a wolf spring kit and you have an almost perfect range gun. Still, for a first hand gun I'd recommend a .22 automatic. Mine gets shot more than all my other guns. Make the 686 pistol #2

 

[Plan2Live]

I wish I could shoot my auto pistols as accurately as I shoot my friend's 686. A 686 or even a 586 is on my short list. All that has to happen is to have money and opportunity at the same time and I'm all in!

 

[357 Guy]

The 686 is a great firearm. I have a 7 shot with a 5 inch barrel and there is no way I will part with it! It's very accurate, durable and lets you shoot 38 specials for practice. I prefer 357's when hunting or for the house.