If you can, handle it first. The one my local pusher had finally came in last November, supposedly ordered for me last March. It had been in their display case when I happened to drop in. I wasn't impressed with the trigger, smoothness or pull. It was about the same as a 620 they had in stock. The wood grip was sandpaper like in the grip area, very uncomfortable to me. I felt compelled to buy it, as I had ordered it. I was writing a check for it - at it's ticketed price plus s/t - when the owner said the price was wrong - and upped it $80. I voided my check and left.
In all honesty, it isn't worth nearly $200 more than a 620, the 4" partially lugged L-frame 7-shooter. The balance of a 620 feels the same or better than the 686SSR - certainly different from the standard full-lug 4" 686. You could spend some of the money saved on a set of Wolff springs and Ahrends stocks - and have a dandy of a 4" .357M. Of course, I was jaded by the dealer's less than professional approach. I seriously didn't like the grip, so it would have needed the springs AND Ahrends, too. I will eventually get a 620 - but not from there. Of course, in competition, the 686SSR's grip is useful, while the 6-shot is required. YMMV.
Stainz
