First Handgun: PT 1911 vs S&W 686 SSR

About that $950 for the 686SSR...seems way to steep. I payed $750 for my 627 Pro Series about 6 weeks ago. I know they're two different guns but they are both Pro Series Smiths. They were both running around the same price when I got mine and that was about the best price I could find. Of course it may be worth a little more than that to ya and may have gone up or become a little harder to find lately. Just something to think about on your quest :)

PS. The 627 is an awesome gun by the way. I would imagine the 686 is just as good. I'd take a Smith (even with the lock) over a Taurus any day, but thats me. Not as likely to be disappointed with the Smith either.
 
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From your OP, it sounds like you're smitten with the cosmetics of the SSR, but do you actually like shooting a revolver?
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Well I can't deny that I am in love with it's looks I have actually shot a lot more revolvers than autos. Mostly because my grandfather is the shooter in my family and he's the one who got me started and he owns A LOT more revolvers than anything else (all DA). I'm not claiming to be experienced by any means but I have shot a few of his .357s (Taurus and Smith) in both .357 and .38, I've shot his 629 6", .22 Hornet Taurus, and his .454 Raging Bull, plus a slew of .22lr revolvers. Out of these the 629 6" was both my favorite and the one I shot best with. Yes I shot better in SA (who doesn't?) but I shot well enough with it in DA to enjoy it and protect myself with it. Ihave a pretty good idea of what to expect from a wheelgun vs an auto in terms of trigger pull.

So to answer your question: I like shooting what I shoot well with. Some autos I am good with, some I am terrible with. Some revolvers I am good with, some I am terrible with.

How comparable would the SSR be to the 629 6"? I haven't been able to hold one but I'm guessing it would be a little better balanced being a 4" and maybe a little lighter being a .357 as opposed to a .44, am I right?
 
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The only downside for me in that whole scenario is that the L frames are just a bit too big for my hand. And that's why I recently acquired a 20 year old K frame that is just the cat's meow (a nickel-plated 19-6). The price was quite reasonable too.
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I hate to burst your bubble, but the K and L frames are dimensionally identical through the grip frame and trigger area. Grips (aka stocks) are interchangeable. If you look through shooting supply catalogs, you'll notice that the same grips are listed to fit both; in fact, many places list them as "K/L frame". Take the grips off the K frame, put 'em on the L frame, and see if that fixes things. ;) OTOH if the problem is the L frame's weight, that's a different story.
How comparable would the SSR be to the 629 6"? I haven't been able to hold one but I'm guessing it would be a little better balanced being a 4" and maybe a little lighter being a .357 as opposed to a .44, am I right?
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Make that a lot better balanced and a lot lighter, and you're most of the way there. The L frame also has a smaller grip frame with a shorter length of pull; it's generally a more comfortable gun for people with smaller hands, which was the impetus for the development of the L frame in the first place.

I've followed along with the OP's thread in the "Revolver" subforum. My advice is to look for a 586 or 686 with the 6" barrel. It will give you the flexibility of .38Spl/.357Mag ammo in a platform that feels more like the 629 you liked. A lot of people swear by the 4" barrel, but I like the additional sight radius and muzzle-heavy feel of the 6", which is why I have one.

As MrBorland says, there's really not any functional difference between the 686SSR and a garden variety 586/686. The SSR is tuned, but any 586/686 can be tuned with the money you save, especially if you buy used. The SSR stocks are cool, but stocks are easily swapped with the removal of one screw, and oodles of choices exist (see above). The regular 586 and 686 are available in pre-lock form, particularly the 586 because regular production ended prior to the ILS era. The only thing you'll miss out on is the SSR's sexy barrel. ;)
 
Worlds apart in design and future value and enjoyment.

Admittedly, for CCW, a flatter profile 4.5 inch barrel or less, and faster to reload semi-auto is my preference, but for sheer enjoyment and overall reliability, a revolver is hard to beat. It is very subjective, but a high quality revolver is a lifelong keeper, to passed onto the next generation. I would argue that the 38/357 is such a versatile cartridge, and the 357 remains the historical top dog for one shot stops, is enough reason to go with the revolver over an average quality semi-auto.
 
I've followed along with the OP's thread in the "Revolver" subforum. My advice is to look for a 586 or 686 with the 6" barrel. It will give you the flexibility of .38Spl/.357Mag ammo in a platform that feels more like the 629 you liked.
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Well I liked it except for the way it balanced, still shot well with it but the extreme front heavyness was a little much for my liking. Actually got to hold the same 629 today (alongside a .500 S&W 6"... that thing needs a foregrip or something), it didnt feel overly uncomfortable but I still want something that feels a little more balanced.

As MrBorland says, there's really not any functional difference between the 686SSR and a garden variety 586/686. The SSR is tuned, but any 586/686 can be tuned with the money you save, especially if you buy used.
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Well, I was already considering spending $650 on a PT 1911, I found the SSR at two different places online, one for $870 (Able's) and the other for about $760 (Gunforall, never heard of them, reliable?). If I can get my local dealer to match that price I think I'd be happy to spend the extra. If I can get it for $800 or so I think it's a deadbang win for me in favor of the Smith. If not I'll have to think a little harder.

If I get the PT 1911 I know I'll eventually be getting a better 1911 like the Springer Operator or TRP. If I get the SSR and it works I may buy another revolver but it will be much different like a .460 XVR or CCW gun.
 
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So after discussing revolvers a lot recently I'm beginning to reconsider making the PT 1911 my first handgun. That SSR is just so darn pretty (drooling over a pic as I type) and it's hard to argue with a .357 Mag.
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This is actually something someone would have to think about? A legitimately questionable product like the Taurus PT1911 and the fan-tab-u-lous (for lack of a better non-made up word) S&W 686SSR? Do you have a fever? Get the 686SSR!!! :D

686SSR.jpg
 
(Snapping myself out of a daze^^^)

This is actually something someone would have to think about? A legitimately questionable product like the Taurus PT1911 and the fan-tab-u-lous (for lack of a better non-made up word) S&W 686SSR? Do you have a fever? Get the 686SSR!!!
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Well, in the PT 1911's defense, I haven't heard too many bad things about the PT 1911 itself, just the company Taurus, and I've heard a lot of good things about the PT 1911.

But it really doesn't compete with the SSR in terms of quality and looks, just price. It might take me an extra 6 months to a year to get the SSR whereas I could concievably have the Taurus this summer. $200+ when I've got a few other things to procure (like a car and ammo for a rifle and shotgun) and very limited income is a bit of a mountain for me.

Still I think the principle of delayed gratification would take effect very nicely should I decide to wait and get the SSR and I think that's what I'll do.
 
It might take me an extra 6 months to a year to get the SSR whereas I could concievably have the Taurus this summer. $200+ when I've got a few other things to procure (like a car and ammo for a rifle and shotgun) and very limited income is a bit of a mountain for me.
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Would you want to buy a Pinto today or save a few extra months for a Mustang? I guarantee in a few months you would be saying "Darn, I could be driving a Mustang but I am stuck in this Pinto." :)
Well, in the PT 1911's defense, I haven't heard too many bad things about the PT 1911 itself, just the company Taurus, and I've heard a lot of good things about the PT 1911.
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I have heard a ton of bad stuff about the PT1911. Parts breaking, parts falling off, poor machining, etc.
 
Why buy an old, used, worn out pre-lock S&W when you can by a brand new one with the IL, free of extra charge? If you don't like the lock, don't use it. They are spiking the prices on those used pre-locks as well as the new ones. I doubt there are many nice ones left anyway, and as I said, they are jacked up. There is simply nothing wrong with a new gun.
 
GS,

I had the same dilemma. I wanted my first S&W that I replaced after a long illness to be a S&W 686. I also wanted to replace a Colt 1911 Govt. Model 70 that was stolen. Being a confirmed wheelman, I did not want to spend big bucks, for another one. So I bought a used 686 (from the S&W site) and a new Rock Island from Armscor on the GB site (beavertail, better sights and bi-metal looks) since every American should own one .45 ACP 1911. I am extremely happy with both.
 

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Would you want to buy a Pinto today or save a few extra months for a Mustang?
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In my eyes there's no difference between a Mustanng and a Pinto, one just explodes a little easier :D. The only Fords that get my nod are the F series of trucks and the $250K GT40. That's a discussion for a different forum though.

But I can see the difference in the Taurus and the SSR in terms of quality easily. I've heard of the problems with the safetys on the Taurus and some of the loose machining but if it's accurate and reliable (which is what I hear from about 70% of the people on here who have them) what's the drawback in loose machining? Still the SSR is undoubtedly head over heels the winner in quality of manufacture and pride of ownership (just like a Camaro is vs a Mustang :D).

Also if I went with the Taurus I'd also have that cloud hanging over my head that mine isn't nearly as good as other people's 1911s (kinda like I do with my AK) so I'd have to upgrade-
Me:
If I get the PT 1911 I know I'll eventually be getting a better 1911 like the Springer Operator or TRP.
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I will be saving for the SSR, hopefully I'll have it by Christmas.
 
it's accurate and reliable (which is what I hear from about 70% of the people on here who have them)
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Is a gun truly reliable if nearly a 3rd of all the people that own them claim they are unreliable? :)
I will be saving for the SSR, hopefully I'll have it by Christmas
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Good decision. If you are ever in the NW you can shoot mine until you get yours. :)
 
Well I meant that more like 70% of the individual guns are reliable and 30% are jam-o-matics. Maybe the PT 1911 is a little more ammo finicky than other 1911s, who knows :rolleyes:.

Good decision. If you are ever in the NW you can shoot mine until you get yours.
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Well I hope I have it before this but I may be up there for Spring Break '10 for snowboarding (got any recommendations?).
 
While the 686SSR certainly is a nice gun, have you considered some of S&W's other, less expensive .357's? The standard 686 and the 7-shot 686+ are about $150 and $120 less respectively if you go by MSRP. Likewise the 7-shot 620 is about $160 less and is, IMHO, better looking with its more classic style underlug.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14798&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=12762&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14804&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=53929&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y
 
Yeah, I actually was shopping Smith's website when I found it. It just catches my eye more than any of their other guns. With what every one else has said about the tuning and the non-MIM hammer and trigger I feel I can expect better performance and lifespan out of the SSR which is worth the extra wait to me.
 
But, 1911s are notoriously finicky about the type of ammunition they can shoot and they need to be maintained, or at least lubricated, if you want 'em to fire reliably.
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I know that the poster already decided, but I just can't let this statement stand unchallenged. I have had no such problems with my 1911's. I routinely shoot jacketed hollowpoints and semi-wadcutters (I reload all of my own ammunition). I can't remember the last time I had a problem - it has been a long time. I don't constantly tune the gun; all I do is shoot, clean reasonably well, repeat.

To the OP: You made a good choice on the Smith.
 
Just found one one state up for $750 BNIB... now I just need $750... dagummit:mad:

What's the law on buying a gun in one state and then bringing it back home to another?
 
I haven't read thru all the threads, so excuse the repeat(if it is).

I would look at it as S&W vs. Taurus, and in no way will Taurus compete, especially in re-sale. I had a Taurus PT-1911, and while I have no issues with it, I wouldn't recommend as a first gun(especially for carry) Simply because I have personally experienced failure with Taurus.

If you wonder why I picked one up, I have 30+ other guns, I just wanted to see how the PT-1911 was, and it was ok. The Taurus 1911, may be the only other Taurus, that can Hold it's re-sale, but it will not hold, when compared to a S&W. You may not be an accumulator/trader, like I am, but re-sale should play a part in your decision.

Since both S&W, and Taurus have lifetime warranties, that point is moot. What is not moot is, S&W warranty dept. Is outstanding! I have NEVER paid for a part from them. From lost springs, to broken guide rods, or different grips, they have always sent them straight away to me.

I am not down trodding Taurus, I just think you will be better served, by a more reputable maker, on your first handgun.
 
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