Questions coming along with my new handgun purchase

C

Ctrain

New member
Recently just purchased my first handgun (686 4'' no dash :D )

Anyway, I have a few questions. I am purchasing online right now some hoppes 9 cleaning kit, because I know that is pretty important. Now, here are where some questions come in. First, what type of ammo should I pick up? I know this is a pretty mulled over topic, but I've found so much info online about it, I don't know what to order. I found a site named cheaperthandirt.com, and I was wondering if anyone has experience buying from here. If not, where do you guys recommend purchasing ammo? (I would like maybe one box for home/personal defense, and then quite a few boxes for targets at the range. And maybe a box or so of some nice 357 mags that I can try out at the range, as well).

Second question, the last range I went to, the ear protection was so bad, that I found myself flinching because it was like I wasn't even wearing anything at all. And it didn't help that the guy a few stalls down was shooting off a .308 every once in a while...but anyway, do you have a recommended earmuffs (if that is the right term) that work well for blocking out sound for you? To go with it, how about nice eye protection? I want to make sure I am thoroughly outfitted for my next range visit.

I think that should do it for now. Thanks so much for any assistance, look forward to seeing what you all have to say.
 
First, for cleaning, I think you would be MUCH better off buying individual pieces. I would get a ~5" brass solid rod, a bronze brush and a jag which fits your bore with a patch on it. Some cloth and scissors can make great cheap patches. For solvent you need a CLP like Weapon Shield and a bore solvent like Butches Bore Shine. A dedicated carbon cleaner like Hopped #9 or other is nice too. This may sound low budget, but most experienced gun owners gravitate away from kits to this or similar methods.

For ammo, I would get a bunch of fmj practice rounds and some 125gr Gold Dot SD rounds. I prefer ~130gr practice rounds.

Most ear muffs which fit your ears well will block noise about the same. Adding 33 db reduction foam plugs under them is super for tough range days. If you want to be fancy, the outer muffs can be electronic so you can hear people talk, but that isn't super important IMHO.

I can be reached by PM if you think I can help.
 
Nice choice on the S&W 686.
I bought some mags from Cheaperthandirt. No issues with service. The one set of mags didn't work. There was a return sticker with my shipment, I called them up, I sent them back for free and they credited my credit card.

Nathan has it right on the other stuff. You can go to a Home Depot and buy decent safety glasses for 10-12 bucks.
If you have a WalMart near you, they carry ammo also.

Have fun with the 686!
 
CDNN is also a good place to find eye & ear protection and ammo. Whether you use plugs or muffs is up to you and plugs are cheap and easy to carry.
A properly sized BoreSnake and a small bottle of RemOil or CLP will be the minimum for cleaning. Add a shop rag or two for cleanup.
 
I have purchased 1911 mags from cheaperthandirt and they don't work well but I some what knew that going into the buy. I have not purchased ammo from them yet.

Even in the military my cleaning kit consisted of, clp, a brush, rag (t-shirt), few rods, bore brush, peace of old hand towl. Now I use the same but add some cheap micro-fiber cloth that can be found at home improvement stores and clp.

If you really want to kill sound you can find some $1 ear plugs.

I think the response is going to be the same. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to maintain your weapon and hearing. WalMart works man.

For defense ammo I carry 125 Speer Gold Dot. Check the local gun store.

Nice gun man, have fun, keep it safe.
 
Anyway, I have a few questions. I am purchasing online right now some hoppes 9 cleaning kit, because I know that is pretty important. Now, here are where some questions come in. First, what type of ammo should I pick up? I know this is a pretty mulled over topic, but I've found so much info online about it, I don't know what to order. I found a site named cheaperthandirt.com, and I was wondering if anyone has experience buying from here. If not, where do you guys recommend purchasing ammo? (I would like maybe one box for home/personal defense, and then quite a few boxes for targets at the range. And maybe a box or so of some nice 357 mags that I can try out at the range, as well).

Second question, the last range I went to, the ear protection was so bad, that I found myself flinching because it was like I wasn't even wearing anything at all. And it didn't help that the guy a few stalls down was shooting off a .308 every once in a while...but anyway, do you have a recommended earmuffs (if that is the right term) that work well for blocking out sound for you? To go with it, how about nice eye protection? I want to make sure I am thoroughly outfitted for my next range visit.
Click to expand...

Great choice for your first revolver! I have a 686+ (7 shot) and a 586 and am on constant look-out for a 686 Mountain Gun. One of the best revolvers you can own.

I buy a lot of ammo from CheaperThanDirt. Excellent prices on bulk purchases (and you'll want to buy in bulk as the 686 is a great gun to take to the range). For range time I mostly buy the cheapest stuff - no good reason to buy anything more pricey unless you are doing specific training, competition or hunting. You'll see a lot written on the debate between jacketed and unjacketed bullets. Unjacketed come in two types, swagged (soft lead) and allow (hard cast). Both leave more lead in the barrel than jacketed, swagged the most. This isn't really a problem but you might want to read about it. Mainly means a little more cleaning, but leaded bullets are actually faster out the muzzle (lead acts as a lube) and generate reduced chamber pressure (easier on the gun). I shoot all types and don't worry much about it. Bigger question: .38 v. .38+P v. .357Mag. Most of my range time is with .38 but I always put some .357Ms down range (50 out of 150 last trip) just to stay in practice. If you use the gun for defense (like on the nightstand) invest in good quality self defense rounds for that purpose, and shot a few boxes at the range so you know how they feel and perform (different loads will have different Points of Impact for the same Point of Aim). There are a number of excellent brands, all cost around $1 a round: Golden Sabre, Gold Dot, Hornady, Cor Bon, Double Tap, Hydro Shock, etc.

Ear protection: spend the money on good quality electronic ear muffs (circa $50, maybe a little less on sale). Well worth the money. The .357Mag has very sharp report so you might also want to put some of those foam plugs in your ears too. Though for most of your range time you'll likely be shooting .38 specials.
 
Thanks a lot for the help guys. I don't have a walmart near me (no walmarts in Seattle city limits), so I will have to wait to buy ammo from there until I go home for a weekend. I found some good prices online that I might buy, for home protection, as well as target practice. Found cleaning stuff, as well as ear muffs, so I am set! I cant wait for the stuff to come in. Thanks for all of your input, really appreciate it!
 
Ammo : ammo-to-go ; ammoman; Natchez ; Georgia Arms
cheaper-than-dirt is ok, but seem high on their shipping to me.

As to type of ammo; fmj or wadcutters for range shooting, for SD.. you'll get a lot of debate from one end to the other. For me, I use hydro-shok's in my .357's.

Decent headset .... it doesn't need all the thrills, just a good headset (ear muffs) for ear protection. Don't cost that much.
 
Ear protection almost always carries an NRR (Noise Reduction Rating), usually a number in the twenties or perhaps low thirties (of decibels). Higher numbers are better, and seemingly minor differences can be important - the decibel scale is logarithmic, so every 3 decibels difference represents a doubling (or halving) of protection. Doubling up with plugs and muffs is the best way to go if you want the best protection.
 
Oh okay, thanks for that! I was wondering what the NRR was on the headset I am looking at. It is only like 24 I believe, but I'll probably double up. Thanks for your help
 
What to buy

I would go to a regular gun shop & ask. Most personnel are already avid gun buffs and can steer you in the right direction. I would avoid large retail stores like walmart etc until you know exactly what you want they could have come from the shoe dept. After all these years I still research everything before I buy. This site and some others like it are an encyclopedia of knowledge from people who have been there, done that, and got the Tee shirt. Just remember no one product works for everyone nor are they always happy with it. Purchase items you can afford to use and maintain and have a good time with it.
 
Another trick if you go to a small range with big guns is to double down. Put some in the ear plugs in then put on good muffs. This works when the gun next to me pulls out the hand cannon that shakes the building.
 
Not sure why you are intent on shopping internet for stuff that is availalbe at any local gun store? Cleaning rods, fluids, brushes etc. are not expansive and come in kits for the caliber you are shooting. You will pay as much in shipping as the product costs.

Also, double down on ear protection is right on. I get those round nose shaped Orange ear plugs (they seem to work the best though a few people prefer the yell straight barrel shaped ones). I have done that for years and safety videos at work are now recommending it.

For muffs find an Aviation store or internet outlet. they are by far the best. Clark is the way to go (not cheap but they are really good, having lost a fiar amount of hearing I know what the price for that is)

The Orange foam plugs are Made by Zee, NRR III rated and number is 0575 (Tapered Foam Earplugs is the name on them). Local stores should have them, if not local supply or Grainger.

Ammo is usually cheaper locally as well unless you buy in big bulk.
 
Check w/S&W

I have a S&W 686-1 that is fantastic. But back in the day it had to go back for a recall. In the area on the crane (holds the cylinder out) they stamped an M under the serial number.

If you don't see this stamp I'd ask S&W if you need to send it in. I'm sure your gun is OK and if needed S&W will make it right. Issue was limited to a few guns but S&W made sure they were all good.
 
All good advise above.
As far as ear protection I bought a pair of Caldwell electronic muffs from Midway a few years beak. I've been really happy with them, and haven't had a problem with noise reduction even when shooting my T/C Contender with a 10" ported 45-70 barrel. If the 23db of reduction isn't enough for you, add the ear plugs under them. I think I got mine on sale for under twenty bucks.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/77...ow-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db-green
 
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