My New & Unique 686

Frenchy

New member
OK....so it's not unique, but I thought I'd show it anyway. :D
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Love the gun/Hate the grip. If you like it...fine...but I think that grip is too big for that gun. Get yourself a Hogue Bantam Boot Grip for that gun. They make them for J, K, and L frames. The K/L version even has a little protrusion on the bottom that gives you a place to put your pinky. I have them on all my K and L snubs. I just wish they made one in N frame so I could put one on my Mountain Gun.
 
Frenchy...

I have to second sundance's comments. With the right grip that would be one great pistol.
 
I have a 686 like yours and replaced

the grip with some Hogue wooden grips. Much improved looks and much improved carry characteristics. Good shooting:)
 
I've got one just like it except for the grips, mine hs the walnut finger grooved grips and I love mine too.


7th
 
Friend of mine just picked up one of those and I got to shoot it a few nights ago.

That is one of the sweetest shooting snubbies I've had the pleasure of pulling trigger on. It is absolutely awesome and magnum loads are so easily controlled in it.

That same day I had picked up a used 4" barrelled 686 and although I like mine, I like the snub version better.

I'd carry that.

Fine gun!!!!

Bruce Foreman
 
First of all, don't take this in the wrong way. It's not meant as a slight in any way. This is just more a curiosity I've always had about this gun.

Isn't that a little big and heavy for a "snubbie"? A short barrelled 66 is more than strong enough to handle anything this gun can (unless you are going to be doing a lot of full house .357 shooting), and is much easier to carry. I'm just curious what use that gun has. It's obviously too big for ankle carry, and if you're going to carry it concealed at all, it seems a little heavy for that purpose. And if it's going to be carried open or used for hunting, I'd think a 4 incher would be more appropriate. Also, with a barrel that short, it's not an ideal target gun.

Now, granted I have guns with absolutely no legitimate use (ie, bright chrome Desert Eagle .50), but please explain to me why S&W would make a snubbie this big?
 
branrot;

Let's see if I can explain my reasoning for this gun.
I find the feel and balance of this pistol to be very comfortable, and the pointing characteristics quite natural. I wanted the gun for it's barrel length, and not it's compact (or lack there of) size. While sitting in a car for long prisoner transports, it is quite comfortable carried in a "cross draw" position. It also sits nicely on my strong side hip for every day (off duty) carry.
Yes, I could have gone with a 66 or even a 60, but I have no need for a concealed weapon.
All of this is subjective, and it's what works for me.
By the way, concerning accuracy, with a barrel length of only 1 1/2" shorter than my M-28, I find combat accuracy very acceptable. ;)
 
I find the L frames quite easy to conceal, weight not a problem and the 2½" barrels quite adequate out to 50 yds or so.

Sam
 
Frenchy: Open carry crossdraw. I hadn't considered that. That actually sounds like the perfect gun for your needs. Enjoy it.
 
Those 686 snubbies do have a certain allure. I generally prefer 3" and 4" barrels to 2.5" ones, but that 686 does have a certain charm to it. Mine holds the distinctions of being both my loudest handgun (with Magnum loads), and having the best DA trigger of any of my revolvers.

sw686snub.jpg
 
I LOVE 586/686's, and have been wanting a snubbie 686 for some time. However, I recently had the chance to handle one, and it did not feel comfortable at all. I can't quite put my finger on why exactly it felt so different from my 4" 686 or 6" 586, but it did. Maybe it was because I was expecting to feel like a "snubbie", and it felt more like a big gun. I have since decided against a 2" 686 anytime soon. I would, however, like to pick up a Model 60, as these more closely fit the bill of a true snubbie, IMO.
 
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