My new (to me) Smith & Wesson 686-1 (M)

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nebraska_farmer

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No longer in Nebraska, No longer a farmer.
I've always loved the power of the .357 magnum. What I haven't always loved is the recoil (my only other option at the moment is a 3" SP101 which is quite the handful with full house loads). I'm also hesitant to run the hot stuff in my S&W Model 19. Today I picked up something I've been wanting for years, a large frame 6" revolver capable of taming the recoil of the monster loads, something I can simply enjoy shooting at the range all day long, and I did just that, put 150 full power rounds down range shortly after the purchase. Once I finally got the sights dialed in I was hitting my 4" steel plates at 25 yards consistently with the factory sights. The trigger is smooth, never before have I felt so confident with a double action trigger, and the looks of this gun is simply amazing.

Honorable mention goes to the Ruger GP100 Match Champion. I held one today and was very impressed - grips felt great in my hand, fiber optic sight was easy to pick up, the trigger was by far the best Ruger trigger I've ever felt on a revolver. Only thing, I was set on getting something with a 6 inch barrel, which the Match Champion does not offer.

I'm happy with my choice :)

PcJLsMU.jpg
 
Very nice gun.. l doubt you could want for a nicer 357 than a 6'' 686..Great for hunting, targets, or carrying. l doubt you could wear it out either.

Congratulations !!
 
Great gun you got there, mate! Mine has the stamped sideplate, which is very rare for a 686. It's got a great action and is as accurate as a Python, but more durable.

SW686_2c.jpg

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Very nice. I'd take an older S&W over a new, or old Ruger any day, although The GP100 MC is a sweet revolver, and would be my choice over a new S&W.

BTW, The 686 is a medium frame, not a large frame. The large frame S&W .357s are the 27, 28, 327, 520NYSP & the 627. I think I got them all.
 
I have a 686-1(M) with a 8 3/8" barrel. It is likely the most accurate .357 I have ever owned. I found it near mint in the box with all the paperwork and mint factory grips. I am glad I bought it.
 
Nice looking 686 . It is one of my favorite handguns and was my first ( 6" -3 ) .
 
I got one back in the 80s and still enjoy it. Here it is next to my GP-100 which dates back almost that far.

DA_6_1_zps5c244a16.jpg

I get them in 6 inch and they are range toys as when I boony bang I carry a Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8 inch barrel and my main carry is a Colt Commander in 45.
 
nebraska_farmer

Nice Model 686! Years ago I had three .357s: a Model 686 with a 4" barrel, a Colt Trooper Mk.V with a 6" barrel, and a Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel. Had to sell two of them to pay for school. Never really cared all that much for the ergonomics of the GP100 so that was the first to go. A much tougher choice was between the 686 and the Trooper. Both were equally great in their own way but the 686 had the best SA/DA trigger out of the box of any revolver I have ever owned so I went with it as my choice. Still love the way it handles and shoots; I believe the L frame is the perfect balance of size and weight between the smaller, lighter K frame and the larger, heavier N frame.
 
How about rubber grips

I bought a used S&W 586 with a 6 inch barrel. I was not really looking for a .357 magnum, but I noticed this one had been MAGNA-PORTED.
I tried the trigger and I had to have it. Along with the porting, the previous owner had a trigger slick and the gun has one of the smoothest actions I have ever fired.

The only change I made was to put a pair of HOGUE grips on it. Except for the weight, it is as nearly perfect as I ever fired.

Enjoy your toy!

Jim
 
I found that Pachmayr's Gripper design to be about the best fit for my hand with the Model 686.

034_zps86fb1994.jpg
 
I also prefer Pachmayr's on my 686's. They are basically the same grip as the factory King Cobra grips that I have been used to for 25 years
 
Depends on the size of your hand

BANNOCKBURN,

I have tried the Grippers, but the HOGUES fit my better. I think the circumference of the HOGUES is a little smaller which is a better fit for my hand. I really notice the difference toward the bottom of the grips.

Also, I like the softer rubber of the HOGUES.

But then, to each his own!

Jim
 
A 4" 686 has been one of my grail guns for 30 years, but somehow, one has never fallen my way. I do have a 10-year old 6" GP100 that is an awesome shooter: accurate, great trigger, and locks up like a bank vault.
But the Ruger is like a P-47 Thunderbolt (chunky,un-sexy, utilitarian,and bullet-proof), while the 686 is a P51 Mustang: sleek,sexy, and just plain cool :D.
 
I <3 my 686. Shooting it is a very enjoyable experience. Mine is an early one as well.

11295547_10200537682962125_4514574819646246941_n.jpg
 
Gorgeous wheelguns...

I have wanted a 686 since I was a kid. Still don't own one, been trying to talk my brother into selling or trading me for his for a while. Eventually I will wear him down.
 
Great gun! I also moved up in the stainless .357 world from an SP101 to a S&W 681 no dash, the fixed sight version of the 686. Yes...it was a definite move up. Congratulations.
 
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