The 686

[Stainz]

I've had my '04 Stocking Dealer Exclusive 686+, a 5" half lug which came with Ahrends grips, a HiViz front, and V-notch rear sight, for well over five years. It was fun - a common range bag occupant. Then, 5/08, I bought a new 4" 627 Pro... wow! I added Ahrends retro targets and a spring-loaded HiViz front sight - to gain what's depicted below:



The 627 Pro is my favorite. Loading eight .38/.357Ms at a time is fun - and fast - if moonclips are used. They are far slower to load than moonclipped .45 ACPs in my 625JM - but as fast as HKS #587 7-holer with the 5" h-l 686+. The balance is great - great pointer - fantastic trigger. Probably the closest trigger to my 5" JM PC627 V-Comp, my all-time finest trigger. The 5" h-l 686+ is no slouch - and would have remained 'nice', had I not bought the 627 Pro. Oddly, there is ~$60-$80 cost difference between the 4" 686+ and 4" 627 Pro now at local stores - you bet the 627 Pro is worth the difference - to me!

Stainz

 

[shockwave]

Count me in. The 686+ "6 is far and away my favorite. It just feels right in the hand. Autos have their place in the scheme of things, as do smaller caliber wheelguns, but when you hold a 686, you feel invincible.

 

[Tequila Mockingbird]

Lew Horton "Model 686 Compact 1984 Limited Edition" with Ahrends boot grips.

 

[dedlitez]

Hey guys,
Been reading this thread for a while and learned allot about the 686. I felt I just had to report that I got my first revolver and it is a variant of the 686 that I can't find much information about... I was hoping that someone would be able to fill me in on it, or perhaps give me some good sites for researching hard to find guns.

It is a performance center 686-3 Hunter, made in 1994. The person I bought it from says that there were less then 300 made. I am wondering if he was just blowing smoke or if its actually true. It seems odd to me that S&W would create such a small production run. Here are a couple links to the pictures if anyone wants to check it out:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/userimages/5263/925712508/wm_1794834.jpg

http://www.gunsamerica.com/userimages/5263/925712508/wm_1794835.jpg

Also I picked it up for around $850.00, its in really good condition and came with a BSA 2x20mm scope. I have a feeling it was a good deal but if anyone wants to confirm that for me I would be much obliged.

Again I want to thank you guys so much for all the great pictures and info on this thread, ya'll are a great resource.

 

[DAdams]

didlitez welcome and Let' go Deerhunting!! What a beast I'm too old to lift it.

Stainz and Tequila you guys are killing me. What a Trifecta.

850 is probably good, heck there must be 850 dollars in stainless steel before the revolver is even made.

I'm too lazy tonight to get the SN book out so let's see what the experts say.

 

[AStone]

So many revolvers, so little time ...

 

[Surefire]

I'm a 686 plus fan (7 shot model).

My 6" made before the key lock and internal firing pin has the best trigger I've ever felt on a revolver.

My 4" made after the key lock (which has the internal firing pin) has a POS trigger ... but generally works well.

I really would like to get more pre-lock S&Ws with hammer mounted pin.

 

[shockwave]

My 6" made before the key lock and internal firing pin has the best trigger I've ever felt on a revolver.

Same here, and same for my 4 in. These are some of the best revolvers ever made. Be meticulous about care and maintenance and they should outlive us. To listen to the auto-boys talk, revolvers fail every 3rd shot, with a single spec of dust or a little bit of gunpowder causing the gun to lock up and become unusable.

ha ha ha.

These guns are virtually indestructible. They fire perfectly, box after box after box of ammo. The autos I've worked with invariably jam or have some kind of problem at some point because they are too complicated and it only takes a bad bullet to put one out of commission. The revolver never fails. Or to qualify that, sure - one out of a million has a problem every now and then. Very rare and very unusual. Many revolver owners don't even bother with cleaning. Experts are meticulous with after-shooting care and lubrication. If these are kept in good order, and if they are high-quality pieces, they are dependable.

 

[amd6547]

I like revolvers just fine...I am packing a 686-1 four inch right now....But, let's not overstate it. Anything made by the hand of man can fail. I have owned autos which have never jammed through many rounds, and I have seen a revolver jam on a squib factory round half in the barrel, half in the cylinder.

 

[atlanticfire]

Im a ruger guy and love my security six revolvers, but pictures like Tequila's make me want a 686. Or a 66 I'd take either.

 

[dedlitez]

Thanks for the welcome,
I sure do hope someone has some info on that gun. When I'm finally able to get it in my hands I'll be sure to make my photo contribution to the thread... Everyone seems to complain about their 5 day wait to get their gun, I live in New York City, before I can take it home after buying it I first have to request a voucher from the nypd (which can take up to 2 months) then when I finally get that voucher I have to shlep the gun to the main NYPD building for them to inspect it... bah! bureaucracy!
Does anyone know any S&W books that would give info on old performance center revolvers?

 

[Walkalong]

I foolishly traded away a 4" 686 & a 6" 586. I will rectify that situation one day. I see a nice 4" 586 in my future some day.

Kept my 2 1/2" 686. Love it.

 

[bluetopper]

I too, making the poorest gun decision of my life traded off in 1995 a 6" 586 no dash I bought brand new in 1981 for $230.
I traded it for a Russian SKS and $75 to boot.
I've kicked myself ever since.

 

[Snagglepuss]

tagged

 

[homers]

Two questions:

1) What do you use to clean (wipe down) the outside of the barrel and frame?

2) How to get rid of the rings inside the cylinders after shooting 38's?

 

[Millions-Knives]

I use a Tipton Carbon/Lead magic cloth remover... Hoppes makes one too. Just do a search on Midway. Wipes the rings clean in seconds.
In fact, I use it to clean the entire gun....

Just make sure it's used on STAINLESS firearms only.

 

[Confederate]

Im a ruger guy and love my security six revolvers, but pictures like Tequila's make me want a 686.

With our neighborhood blanketed in snow, I got out my 686 6-inch and my Ruger Security-Six and just sort of compared the weight and balance of both. I have to say that as much as I like my 686, the Security-Six is much lighter in the hand and in carrying. In a home defense situation I could go with either, but for hiking, camping or hunting, the Security-Six significantly comes out on top. I can move the Security-Six with almost the same ease as the 4-inch model. If I had to pick up on a moving target, the Ruger would easily beat out the 686.

I've always felt that the underlug adds too much weight to the gun, and it was a mistake for Ruger to follow suit. But everyone has their own preferances. For camping or hiking, the Ruger is the clear winner. For hunting, I can see where some people might like the extra weight up front. The 686 is significantly harder to haul around.

I've yet to see any of the tapered barrel 686s in stores. Are they difficult to find and is there any difference in cost?

 

[Gunner Mike]

Count me in!

Just bought my first wheelgun, today. Got a 686-1 in the 4" variety. Housegun. Got tired of worrying about mag springs and hangups and clearance drills and misfires and FTE and everything else that comes with an auto.

I'm not going to face 10 attackers and if I do, I'll transition to the AR-15 while the girlfriend is on the shotgun. LOL!

I wanted a gun that can sit for years and be ready when needed, no matter what.

Great comfort when answering the door at 3 in the morning.

Love everybody's contributions. Very informative.

 

[dedlitez]

New Favorite Gun

I finally was able to get my hands on my 686-3 hunter. I can happily say that its far more accurate then I am. Over 16 years old and in practically perfect condition. I hope these pictures can confirm my membership to the thread! This is one amazing gun!

 

[Rathca12]

This might have already been adressed but I dont wann sort through all the posts. I have a 686+ 7 shot with the standard hogue grip. Its a fine grip but Im looking for something with a more classic style to it. Its got the round butt so I'm interested in the round to square conversion grips. Any ideas would be great

 

[Rathca12]

Wow! just looked at the post above mine and my 686 ran to the corner and its now hiding under a blanket. Hopefully I can get the money to make mine as tough as that one some day

 

[OldCavSoldier]

3-inch round butt 686+ with tuned action...closest to the "perfect revolver" that I have ever owned....

 

[dedlitez]

686 hunter

Hey Rathca12,
Yeah it's a beast! Heavy as all getout, but it really cuts down on the recoil considerably. The performance center outdid itself with that gun (of course I'm a bit biased).

In terms of grips... I wish I could help you. I have looked and looked and the only grip selection I have been impressed with is houges. I have bought from them before and been pretty impressed with the quality. I am actually buying some new grips from houge for my 686. This is what I'm going for:

Maybe check them out again, (their site isn't great and you sometimes have to hunt for what you want)

good luck!

 

[Rathca12]

Grip

Thanks for the advice, and I wanna say that the stock grip feels great when I'm firing the thing. I'll always put it on when I go to shoot. As dumb as it sounds, im mainly looking for a grip the gun can wear on its off time. Im pretty sure for control and feel the stock grips gonna be hard to match. I just feel it needs a real tough guy looking grip to kinda counter-act the wimpy internal lock eyesore. The photo was my first idea but I figured an old school grip would be more practical. And its impossible to find truck nuts that small.

 

[Stainz]

Check out the Kim Ahrends grips on my 5" h-l 686+ and 627 Pro above in post #601. They are avialable in both square and round butt design. The 686+ has their square conversion with finger grooves while the 627 Pro has their retro targets (no finger grooves). Both are cocobolo - $60 + $6 s/h in many choices of wood. Check his site. They feel great - even on my .44/.45 N-frames!

Stainz