KINGMAX
Member
Everyone should know a 686 is a classic
A 686-1 is truly a classic. The first run was the best I feel. Can't improve on perfection.
A 686-1 is truly a classic. The first run was the best I feel. Can't improve on perfection.
The 686
- Thread starter g5reality
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Stainz
Member
My 6" 66-6 and 5" h-l 686-6 7-shooter:
mormonsniper
Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2003
- Messages
- 68
Application Submitted
I've owned a 686 no dash 6 in, sn: AAF 68XX, for a long time. Bought new at a Rod & Gun Club in Giessen Germany many years ago when they first came out (at least to us in Germany).I left Germany in late 1982 so I think I bought it a year or so before I PCS'd.
Blessings to all,
ms
(yes I am)
eta: no S&W stamp on the side plate. Is one suppose to be there?
I've owned a 686 no dash 6 in, sn: AAF 68XX, for a long time. Bought new at a Rod & Gun Club in Giessen Germany many years ago when they first came out (at least to us in Germany).I left Germany in late 1982 so I think I bought it a year or so before I PCS'd.
Blessings to all,
ms
(yes I am)
eta: no S&W stamp on the side plate. Is one suppose to be there?
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
Welcome,
mormonsniper
mormonsniper
AStone
Member
I haven't visited this thread in a while. No lack of interest, just extremely busy at work (read, eating my lunch) and my limited gun time has been pulled elsewhere for a while.
However, I have a 686 specific question, and where better to ask it than here?
My question is about a comparison between 3" and 4" 686s.
For those of you who own one, or preferably both, what's the max range that you can consistently keep all rnds on, say, a 12" pie plate (or some other reasonable minute of quadruped or biped metric)?
If you site range data, please specify which barrel: 3" or 4".
I'm asking because I'm considering replacing my 4" 686 with a 3". I originally bought a 4" so that I could, in a pinch, hunt deer with it, even though it's mainly an SD gun for wilderness camps. When I was researching this revolver, I told people that I may occasionally hunt with it, so they said, understandably, "If you're going to hunt with it, don't go with less than a 4" barrel."
But now, I'm re-evaluating the main purpose of my 686. I'm understanding that far and away, it's main purpose is going to be SD, with use as a hunting weapon ONLY in an emergency (which is to say, rarely or hopefully never).
I LOVE the 686. It has found a permanent place in my tool kit. But I'm finding the 4" to be just a little too unwieldy for me, a bit barrel heavy, and just too long to comfortably handle for me. (I'm a relatively smaller person; tall and thin.) So, I'm starting to consider a 3" to replace it, but am unsure how much accuracy I'm going to give up when I lose that extra inch.
Sadly, I've been so busy at work that I've shot my beautiful 686 far too infrequently to even have a good sense of what its realistic range is for keeping all rnds on said 12" pie plate. Hence my question about the comparison.
Yes, I fully understand that such results are STRONGLY influenced by the shooter, and only partly a function of barrel length. But I'm only looking for approximations here, and those who have shot both (with the same skill level) will be able to offer the best estimates.
I haven't made any decisions yet, and am open to arguments pro or con about the transition. I won't make a decision for at least a month (finances is driving that more than anything).
Thanks for data and opinions. Reading with interest.
Nem
However, I have a 686 specific question, and where better to ask it than here?
My question is about a comparison between 3" and 4" 686s.
For those of you who own one, or preferably both, what's the max range that you can consistently keep all rnds on, say, a 12" pie plate (or some other reasonable minute of quadruped or biped metric)?
If you site range data, please specify which barrel: 3" or 4".
I'm asking because I'm considering replacing my 4" 686 with a 3". I originally bought a 4" so that I could, in a pinch, hunt deer with it, even though it's mainly an SD gun for wilderness camps. When I was researching this revolver, I told people that I may occasionally hunt with it, so they said, understandably, "If you're going to hunt with it, don't go with less than a 4" barrel."
But now, I'm re-evaluating the main purpose of my 686. I'm understanding that far and away, it's main purpose is going to be SD, with use as a hunting weapon ONLY in an emergency (which is to say, rarely or hopefully never).
I LOVE the 686. It has found a permanent place in my tool kit. But I'm finding the 4" to be just a little too unwieldy for me, a bit barrel heavy, and just too long to comfortably handle for me. (I'm a relatively smaller person; tall and thin.) So, I'm starting to consider a 3" to replace it, but am unsure how much accuracy I'm going to give up when I lose that extra inch.
Sadly, I've been so busy at work that I've shot my beautiful 686 far too infrequently to even have a good sense of what its realistic range is for keeping all rnds on said 12" pie plate. Hence my question about the comparison.
Yes, I fully understand that such results are STRONGLY influenced by the shooter, and only partly a function of barrel length. But I'm only looking for approximations here, and those who have shot both (with the same skill level) will be able to offer the best estimates.
I haven't made any decisions yet, and am open to arguments pro or con about the transition. I won't make a decision for at least a month (finances is driving that more than anything).
Thanks for data and opinions. Reading with interest.
Nem
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Stainz
Member
Oddly, my 'short barrel' .38/.357M revolvers are both .38's, a 2" 10 and that fairly recent 642. I did have a 3" 65, but it's fixed sight made my .38's and wimpy .357M's a challenge due to the 'wrong' blade height. I sold the 3"-er, determined to replace it one day with an adjustable sighted 686+ - enter a new one from S&W... now, all I need is the moola! No, I won't sell one of my 5'-ers; a h-l 686+ and a PC JM 627 V-Comp... too much S&W gluttony here!
I will relate my experiences with 3", 4", 6", & 6.5" .44's... somewhat predictive of your anticipated results. The 3" is a 696, the 6.5" were 24's - .44 Specials. The 4" & 6" are 629's - .44 Magnums. The ammo used is my favorite .44 Special - a 240gr LSWC or LRNFP over 4.6 gr Titegroup in a Federal LP primed Starline brass case. The measured muzzle velocity, as expected, increased from 740 fps from the 3" 696 to 815 fps from the 6.5" 24's. I ultimately said goodbye to the 24's in favor of a new 6" SS 629, and the velocity drop was not statistically significant from the 6.5".
When the rear sights were adjusted for the range, 15 or 25 yd, the groups grew smaller as the barrel length increased - from a hand held shooting stance. At 100yd - shooting freehand at a 16" steel plate - hits were reported more frequently from the longer barrels - and with less 'Kentucky elevation'. Still, from a sandbag, the 3" 696 could hit 2-3 times out of five easily... but the 4" 629, Mountain Gun or standard 4", was 3-4 out of six. The short sight radius of the 3" is a problem. That 6" 629? It thinks it is a rifle!
So - if you are trying to dispose of a 16" diameter target at 100yd shooting free-hand, a long barrel helps - as does less caffein. Now, go to something stabilizing - like sandbags - and that 3"/4" is fine - but you knew that. If you get rid of your 4" for that new 3" 686+ - be prepared to find a longer barreled .38/.357M, too - it's a matter of time - and, revolver, particularly S&W, gluttony!
Stainz
PS My 6" 66 is a great shooter - the partial lug keeps it from feeling so muzzle heavy, like a 6" 686 - and 66's are around - as are the blued versions - 19's. Good luck!
I will relate my experiences with 3", 4", 6", & 6.5" .44's... somewhat predictive of your anticipated results. The 3" is a 696, the 6.5" were 24's - .44 Specials. The 4" & 6" are 629's - .44 Magnums. The ammo used is my favorite .44 Special - a 240gr LSWC or LRNFP over 4.6 gr Titegroup in a Federal LP primed Starline brass case. The measured muzzle velocity, as expected, increased from 740 fps from the 3" 696 to 815 fps from the 6.5" 24's. I ultimately said goodbye to the 24's in favor of a new 6" SS 629, and the velocity drop was not statistically significant from the 6.5".
When the rear sights were adjusted for the range, 15 or 25 yd, the groups grew smaller as the barrel length increased - from a hand held shooting stance. At 100yd - shooting freehand at a 16" steel plate - hits were reported more frequently from the longer barrels - and with less 'Kentucky elevation'. Still, from a sandbag, the 3" 696 could hit 2-3 times out of five easily... but the 4" 629, Mountain Gun or standard 4", was 3-4 out of six. The short sight radius of the 3" is a problem. That 6" 629? It thinks it is a rifle!
So - if you are trying to dispose of a 16" diameter target at 100yd shooting free-hand, a long barrel helps - as does less caffein. Now, go to something stabilizing - like sandbags - and that 3"/4" is fine - but you knew that. If you get rid of your 4" for that new 3" 686+ - be prepared to find a longer barreled .38/.357M, too - it's a matter of time - and, revolver, particularly S&W, gluttony!
Stainz
PS My 6" 66 is a great shooter - the partial lug keeps it from feeling so muzzle heavy, like a 6" 686 - and 66's are around - as are the blued versions - 19's. Good luck!
BoneDigger
Member
May I join?
My new 686-2...
Todd
My new 686-2...
Todd
AStone
Member
BD, welcome.
Stainz, good advice. Thanks.
Now, here's a question.
A trusted THR colleague tells me that the 686 3" has been "reintroduced",
and provides this thread on the SW forum as evidence (read the 6th post from the top to find, "The newly reintroduced 686 in 3" is next on my list")
Yet, today, I called two gun shops from which I've bought guns, and both say, "686 3" are not available".
AND, I've tried for 10 hours today to get to the SW site to find their contact info for Customer Service, to call to find if they, indeed, are producing 686 3", but their site has been down continuously.
What's the deal?
Yes or no?
Has SW "reintroduced the 686 3"?
Honestly, I wasn't even aware that it wasn't in production.
Please make my day: tell me new ones are available.
Nem
Stainz, good advice. Thanks.
Now, here's a question.
A trusted THR colleague tells me that the 686 3" has been "reintroduced",
and provides this thread on the SW forum as evidence (read the 6th post from the top to find, "The newly reintroduced 686 in 3" is next on my list")
Yet, today, I called two gun shops from which I've bought guns, and both say, "686 3" are not available".
AND, I've tried for 10 hours today to get to the SW site to find their contact info for Customer Service, to call to find if they, indeed, are producing 686 3", but their site has been down continuously.
What's the deal?
Yes or no?
Has SW "reintroduced the 686 3"?
Honestly, I wasn't even aware that it wasn't in production.
Please make my day: tell me new ones are available.
Nem
Stainz
Member
S&W: 1-800-331-0852
From pg 34 of their '07 catalog:
3" 686+ 36.8 oz SKU #164300 MSRP $790 (Same as all other 686+ models.)
From pg 33:
2.5" 386+ Sc/S 21.2 oz SKU #163169 MSRP $869
Some interesting new 7-bangers!
I am packing my range bag for a quickie range trip later this AM... I'll take a couple of 7-bangers... my 686+ AND an 1895 Nagant...
Stainz
From pg 34 of their '07 catalog:
3" 686+ 36.8 oz SKU #164300 MSRP $790 (Same as all other 686+ models.)
From pg 33:
2.5" 386+ Sc/S 21.2 oz SKU #163169 MSRP $869
Some interesting new 7-bangers!
I am packing my range bag for a quickie range trip later this AM... I'll take a couple of 7-bangers... my 686+ AND an 1895 Nagant...
Stainz
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
Yes they make a 3" 686
AStone
Member
Stainz and G'man, thanks.
Yep, I called SW to confirm: they are in production.
I then called Sportsman's Warehouse (lowest prices in my area) to inquire if they could get it.
Their response: It's not currently in their stock system. We can get it on special order, but it won't be at our normal low price.
I was told to send a mail to their corporate headquarters requesting that the 3" be added to their company's normally carried items, because "if they receive enough customer requests, they will pick it up".
I've already mailed the company headquarters.
Yep, I called SW to confirm: they are in production.
I then called Sportsman's Warehouse (lowest prices in my area) to inquire if they could get it.
Their response: It's not currently in their stock system. We can get it on special order, but it won't be at our normal low price.
I was told to send a mail to their corporate headquarters requesting that the 3" be added to their company's normally carried items, because "if they receive enough customer requests, they will pick it up".
I've already mailed the company headquarters.
Just wanted to add the latest photo of my S&W 686-0 wearing its new shoes. I really love this gun except for that ramped front sight. But cant seem to bring myself to spend $100 to get it changed to a pinned sight. Anyone have any suggestions for how to do do this on the cheap?
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
I'm deciding on what one to get a 3" or 5" decisions, decisions, decisions
SwampWolf
Member
If I couldn't decide between a 3" or a 5", I'd think hard about a 4"...
Are there any other 686+ Mountain Guns out there?
I have one bought new back in about 1998. I love it. I would love to pick up a second one. However, I never see them in shows, or stores, or even on line.
Does anyone know how many of these S&W made? I believe they only made them the one year (1998).
Does anyone have a price check on what one in decent condition might cost today?
Thanks,
Dennis
BTW, I have lurked here for a VERY long time, just never bothered to register because I never had anything to say.
I have one bought new back in about 1998. I love it. I would love to pick up a second one. However, I never see them in shows, or stores, or even on line.
Does anyone know how many of these S&W made? I believe they only made them the one year (1998).
Does anyone have a price check on what one in decent condition might cost today?
Thanks,
Dennis
BTW, I have lurked here for a VERY long time, just never bothered to register because I never had anything to say.
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
I've already got one.
texas bulldog
Member
finally took a stab at some pictures...
not a 686, but here is my 6" 586 no dash...
thinking about getting some nice wood grips, but haven't decided on any yet. the pachmayr are quite comfortable to shoot.
not a 686, but here is my 6" 586 no dash...
thinking about getting some nice wood grips, but haven't decided on any yet. the pachmayr are quite comfortable to shoot.
Baron357
Member
Is there any certain years for the 686 to stay away from or they all good?
All 686's are good guns Baron but probably the best of the bunch is the -4 models. These are pre MIM parts and pre lock and as an added bonus they have the pinned front sight to allow the shooter to change front sight blades to thier own preference without involving some expensive mill work.
AStone
Member
OK, there's a new concept for me.
What's a "Jarvis weight"? I see it on the underlug, and assume it improves stability for target shooting.
Right?
That Jarvis weight is about 15years old and it came from Brownells.It controls muzzle rise big time. I can put 6 in a target under 2.5 sec @15yds thats including the draw. Thats full load .357. Standard 170 PF loads almost like shooting target loads out of a stadard 586.
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Baron357
Member
Is there a time line that anyone has showing the model designations by year, there is a a nice 686 2' barrel at the local gun shop that I know was made between 88' and 94' and want to know what designation it would be.
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