Is there anything better than a Smith 686?

If you like your 686+


wait until you move up to a 629!

I have a Colt diamondback (4"). Its only a .38 spec but it shoots good. I have a S&W mod 19 snub. i like shooting it as well. I have a 686 (6") and I like shooting it as much as either of the other two. I cannot have favorites amongst the children. Just not right! A revolver just feels good in hand.

Mark

The only thing better than one 686 is two of them 4 and 6 inches.
Or a Dan Wesson

I have late model 686 and 629. Both are great!

How about a Taurus 617 that has had a trigger job all for under $500 ???!!! Not a Smith but still 7 shots of 357 magnum goodness for under $500 new and many times under $400 used. God Bless

Ruger Blackhawk

Smith and Wesson Model 19 4" (or a 66 4").

I like my S&W 586 as well as my S&W Model 27 and Pre 27. There are several other S&W guns in the mix I like including Colt Trooer MK III and Python. I also like the S&W Model 19.
Seriously? The best gun is the gun you like the best.

A while back I upgraded from a ruger to a 686 (prelock, trigger work) now I wonder if there is anything further to upgrade too? Is there anything better than a Smith 686 for less than $2k in a 357?

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Looking at budget? I would consider a S&W Model 27 which keeps you in the S&W Family and the .357 Magnum family.

Ron

Reloadron

I would second the notion of getting a S&W N frame to go with a Model 686. For me the next .357 that I would want would be a vintage Model 27 with a 5" barrel. Have long admired the quality and craftsmanship that went into these older S&W revolvers.

Driftwood Johnson said:

Howdy

I bought a new Model 686 last year. First new S&W revolver I have bought in 40 years. Frankly, quality wise it cannot hold a candle to my older Smiths. Ugly one piece rubber grip, lock, MIM parts, and the crane does not close up all the way like it should.





Here is the 686 with my Model 19-3 that I bought brand-spanky new in 1975. Sorry the trigger is not as crisp on the 686 as the Model 19 either.





Thought I would take a flyer on a new Smith to see what they are like. I doubt if I will be buying any more, I will stick with the classics.

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I agree Driftwood.
I have a 686-6 4 inch which I bought a little over a year ago. It is not a bad revolver but does not compare to my two model 19 revolvers. One is a 19-2 4 inch and a 19-4 6 inch.
Both have better triggers and finish is better too.
Howard

A Model 696.

I LOVE my '82 model 686. The action is a work of art. Trooper and 67 are very nice, good actions, great triggers, but the 686 is in another league.

I love revolvers, I love shooting revolvers. I bought a S&W 686 new for $360 in the mid 1990 and for all practical purposes there is no revolver that shoots better - and I have 15 Korths, a 1972 Python and several Rugers to compare it to.

My Model 19-3 is my favorite. It's a 4 inch blued beauty.

19-3

I couldn't figure out how to attach the picture to my earlier reply. Here's my 19-3

Model 19. End post. End discussion.

I have a S&W 686+ from the 90's. After literally years of shooting and trying everything that is out there, this is my favorite handgun bar none. It is clearly the most versatile handgun for where I live, cheap to shoot 38 specials in, and can go up in power to where I can hunt deer or hogs with it. Small game, no problem, targets, the same. Accuracy out of the box and after years of service is outstanding.

It is a big gun, but can be concealed if the need arises. Quality of these older Smiths is second to none.

You will never go wrong buying one of these.

Is that an Officers Special in the third photo, PzGren?

It is a rimfire Officer Model Match, made in 1961. It is a very nice gun and I learnt shooting on a club owned rimfire OMM, so tthere is some sentimental attachment. The OMM is really great in single action, as is my K-22.

When it comes to double action shooting the Korths built from 1969 on have a vast advantage with the roller bearing on top of the trigger.

I have an old law enforcement trade in S&W M65 with a four inch barrel that has been slicked up and is one of my favorite range companions, relegating many more refined revolvers to second favorite or beyond. It is the fourth from the left.

Just got a new 686-6 with a 6 inch barrel the other day. I only shot a few rounds of factory 357 in it and a cylinder of my 38 Spl hand loads when I got home to compare to my Dan Wesson. The Dan Wesson's trigger is quite a bit better than the Smith, but it's rather broke in as well. Planning on switching some springs to lighten the trigger soon. My 4th S&W product but my first of their wheel guns and I'm already quite fond of it. Planning on breaking it in next week with a healthy dose of range therapy.

PzGren said:

It is a rimfire Officer Model Match, made in 1961. It is a very nice gun and I learnt shooting on a club owned rimfire OMM, so tthere is some sentimental attachment. The OMM is really great in single action, as is my K-22.

When it comes to double action shooting the Korths built from 1969 on have a vast advantage with the roller bearing on top of the trigger.

I have an old law enforcement trade in S&W M65 with a four inch barrel that has been slicked up and is one of my favorite range companions, relegating many more refined revolvers to second favorite or beyond. It is the fourth from the left.

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I spy some Nill grips there. I like Nills on my Smiths, with a closed backstrap. Nice guns man.

Another chime for the 586/686 of past. Let one of the guys at the range shoot the 586-3 and after sending 12 down range, he had a huge smile. Said if I wanted to sell it, tell him. To me, the 686 is tough to beat. The 66 is also nice.

460Kodiak,

Yes there are a few Nills on the M&P's. The korth revolvers came with grips made by Nill from 1969 on and I have Nills for many of my other guns but like to switch grips around.

Nill grips definitely are fitting well and are excellent quality, unfortunately it is reflected in the price.

I have no quarrel with the L frames but, two of my .357s are the older model 27s where this all started. Still great guns!
Steve

I really consider the 4" 686 the King of versatility as far as revolvers go.
Especially so with a round butt, and a 7 shot cylinder.

Enough barrel length for hunting most game.
With the right grips it can even be hidden pretty well.
Heavy enough to handle a whole lot of hot ammo and handle it well.

I went a different direction though, I'm finding I like M19's for general use, i.e. blasting hedge apples and racoons with warmish 158gr LSWC 357 Magnum loads because they carry so well and just feel so lively in the hand, the life higher expectancy of a 686 comes at a cost and a M19 it'll never be.

I have a 627Pro for any hot jacketed max-book 357 Magnum loads, but honestly if I need more than what I currently shoot out of my M19's I step up to a 5" 629 and either a 240gr SWC@~1000FPS/1300FPS or a 240gr XTP@~1250FPS depending on the situation calls for. Leaving the 627 as kind of a redheaded step child amongst my revolvers which the 686 would fall into as well.

Being said, if I come across a 686 that was as nice as a 681 I once had...
That 681-3 had such a nice trigger. I just struggled too much with the fixed sights on it, having been spoiled by my adjustable sighted S&W's

I did have a 686P-6 that was very nice, but had a 6" barrel which I wasn't fond of. I much prefer 4" tubes. After trading off the 686P, I did try and find a 4" but the right deal never came along before I traded into a good deal on my 4" 627Pro and now my 686 lust has been sated.