First Revolver - S&W 686 +

[Doublehelix]

OK, so I know this a boring purchase for most of you revolver guys, but I have been a semi-auto shooter for many years, and have always wanted a revolver of my own. Even if this is a yawner to you guys, I am pretty excited!

My buddy has a 686 with a 6" barrel that I love to shoot, so I decided to get one of my own finally. I got the 7-shot 686+ with the 6" barrel, and man is it ever a tack driver in SA. I am getting used to the DA pull, but it was not that bad honestly. Came from the factory at about 10.5 lbs.

I sent it off to a S&W revolver expert gunsmith to do a trigger job and clean it up a bit for me. He got the DA pull down to 7.5 lbs and the SA down to about 2.75 lbs. I asked him not to go "too crazy" and do a competition trigger pull, just something to smooth things out a bit.

He also added a new extended firing pin and replaced the sear as it was too short. He said one of the chambers' timing was off a bit, so he fixed that too. It is on its way home now, should be here by Thursday. Anxious to get it back. New toy and all...

I put on a pair of Hogue grips as well before sending it off for the work.

Here she is right after I brought her home:

 

[alfsauve]

Welcome to "the force". We have cookies.

I shoot semi's... some. But by far revolvers are the bomb.

I recently picked up a -5 (no lock) and put a fiber optic on the front, a 13# rebound spring and some Altamont grips on it. Will post pictures after Christmas when my wife "gives" me the grips as a present.

If you do ever want to shoot in competition where 6 rounds is the limit it's easy to swap out the cylinder, too.

 

[DPris]

Good job on the extended firing pin, especially needed if he took your trigger down that far.
Denis

 

[thomas15]

Welcome to "the force". We have cookies.

Yes "the force" is strong and shows no mercy!

 

[thomas15]

If you do ever want to shoot in competition where 6 rounds is the limit it's easy to swap out the cylinder, too.

"the force" once told me that it is a whole lot easier by far to just get another gun LOL!

 

[Doublehelix]

"the force" once told me that it is a whole lot easier by far to just get another gun LOL!

Haha!!! Best quote EVER!!!

 

[Pat Riot]

Soon you will awaken in the middle of the night with an extreme desire to get your revolver a stable mate. It will be subtle at first but the urge will grow with time, especially after firing your new found attraction...it’s a “force” all right.

Enjoy your new toy.

 

[Tallball]

Congratulations!

 

[RA40]

Congrats on the 686! In my case it followed with a 4" and was very tempted back in the day for the 8". You may also have urges to find the older pre-lock versions.

 

[Doublehelix]

Thanks guys! One more day, and I get it back from the smith. I only put 50 rounds through her before taking her in, so she really does need a good breaking in!

I picked up 1,000 rounds of factory ammo to get me started, and just received my .38 spl dies to start the reloading process. Now I have to find a good load for her, which of course gives me another "excuse" to get out and shoot her.

I thought about having the smith disable the lock, and getting a plug to fill the Hillary Hole, but for my range plinking needs, I think I will leave it as-is. I don't need a reason for some liberal lawyer to slam me in court someday if I ever have to use it self-defense, heaven forbid.

We will see how the bug bites me after spending some time behind the sights... a 4" barrel with 8-rounds sounds kinda nice!

 

[gotboostvr]

Really hard to go wrong with a 686 of any variation.

I had a 6" 686-6 much like yours once upon a time. Very good shooting gun. I've got a 4" 686-0 now, and it's one of my absolute favorites.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice choice!

My friends first revolver was the 4” 686+ after he shot mine. He just picked it up and hasn’t fired it much, either.

You’ll be happy with the L frame... and much like the others I forecast additional revolvers in your future as well. They just sorta do that...

Stay safe!

 

[Cokeman]

My first revolver

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nice Man! I've got two 686s. Love em.

 

[bob_atl]

Very nice DH, identical twin to your 686+ is on its way to my place .. any day now ...

 

[Hondo 60]

I shoot semi's... some. But by far revolvers are the bomb.

Same here - I'm definitely a blue steel & wood revolver kinda guy.
(Too old, fat & lazy to bend over to pick up the brass for reloading. So revolvers work best)

Welcome to the ancient, bright side.

 

[slickracer]

Go to see you have seen the light....wheel guns are real guns.

 

[bob_atl]

...Too old, fat & lazy to bend over to pick up the brass for reloading...
Welcome to the ancient, bright side.

Thanks & yah, I don't pick up 9mm or 40sw brass - but will reload the 357 brass, so that's a slam dunk

 

[Doublehelix]

I got my new gun back from the smith, but Christmas festivities and preparation got in the way of taking it out and shooting it.

Finally went out yesterday to test out the smith's work... Oh my! This gun TOTALLY exceeds my wildest expectations. It felt great in dry fire, but when I actually took it out to shoot it, it was a smooth a butter on a baby's behind!

The SA is so light and crisp, it was an easy single, ragged hole at 10 yards without really trying. The DA is so smooth and sweet, and even though I am not used to shooting a DA revolver, I got pretty great groups nonetheless (not a single, ragged hole, but...). I need to spend some time with the DA still, but most of the shots were in a 3-4" group at 10 yards. I had a few flyers here and there (some that were downright embarrassing), and I guess that is to be expected until I get the hang of it.

Overall, I could not be happier with the way this gun turned out.

(It sure does get dirty after a range trip through!!!)

 

[Blkhrt13]

Second revolver I bought was a stainless 686 I never should have sold it

 

[DaStray]

As others have stated, somehow, your S&W will multiply! I started w/ a 4" 686 which was followed by a Model 19, 60 and Model 17 no dash. I have plenty of semi`s and they surely have their uses but there`s just something about a steel and wood revolver that just does it for me. Kinda like the Toyota sitting in the garage...it does exactly what it`s designed to do, very well, but it just doesn`t excite me like a vintage Mustang, for example.

 

[Mn Fats]

Props for doing it right. Congratulations.

 

[bob_atl]

Here's my 686+, also new, with a Romeo5 and Pachmayr Renegade grips, after first trip to range @25/10 yd.
shot a mix of old 38 spcl and new 357 mag, was a ton of fun.

 

[Doublehelix]

Beautiful gun and some fancy shooting there!!! I have some of the Pachmayr grips coming for mine as well.

Congratulations for sure! Revolvers can be addicting to shoot I am finding...