S&W 686+ Good 1st revolver?

T

tw1112

New member
Just wanted to hear some of your opinions on the smith and wesson 686+...Do you recommend this as a first revolver and first gun altogether?
 
Excellent first revolver.

The 686 Plus is my favorite S&W made revolver.

Make sure you get one that was made before the MIM parts were used though.

MIM parts, the way I understand it, is slightly less durable than the previous process
 
I'm not knowledgable on S&W's (Ruger is my #1 choice in revolvers). There are plenty of S&W folks here though that can answer this question.
 
S&W MIM parts

tw1112-

I must respectfully disagree with CZ_ concerning MIM parts. While I admit that I prefer non-MIM triggers/hammers for esthetic reasons, 586/686s built since about 1990 or so have MIM and they are functional. While some few triggers may have broken at the stress point over time it's not an epidemic.

I own six shot S&Ws in order to shoot in IDPA and other local club competitions which are typically designed as six shot revolver neutral. The seven shooter would cause complications. If I were to consider a 686 for CCW or merely informal range shooting, the seven shot (686+) would be the gun for me.

But a new gun. Many, without the internal lock if that's your preference, are still available but it may take some searching. S&Ws from the 1980s are selling for 2/3 of the price of a new one so why go backwards. Don't worry about MIM and shoot the thing until you smile!

:) :) :) :)
 
The 686+ was my first revolver purchase, earlier this year (now on my what...sixth?), and it is a great choice. I got the 4" and find it remarkably accurate and pleasurable to shoot. It's just a marvel, you'll see.
Only thing I've done is shoot it, clean it, and shopped around for grips (the hogue monogrip that came on it was a little narrow for me; I ended up with a Pachmyer rubber grip that covers the backstrap and makes full power .357s a little easier to hang on to).

cw
 
The 686 is a great revolver. I like the older design with the firing pin on the hammer, but you'll have to hold out for a used one if you go that route.

Regards,
Glen
 
I agree with your choice & Glen R. Look for a good used 686 - whether it is a "+" model or not - & look for the type with the firing pin on the hammer.

They are great guns.
 
Tw1112,

I bought my 4" 686+ about a year ago in the LA area, and I love it. It's a great gun.

If you plan on buying a new one, I would check the Turner's Outdoorsman website every couple of weeks, as they regularly put them on sale for considerably less the going rate around here.

Sprout
 
The 686 was my first handgun - the 6 shot version. I have owned 4 686's with various barrel lengths - 2.5" , 4" and 6" and have shot thousands of rounds through them. All have been extremely accurate. In the early 90's Smith started to drill and tap the frames of their revolvers with target sights for ease of mounting optics. With my current 686 I once mounted a 4X scope for accuracy testing and with very good benchrest results.

15140644.jpg
 
I'd say it's a good 1st....

what's funny is that the 686 was my second revolver, with my 8 5/8" model 57 as my first! Ammo was a little easier to come by with the 686. I love my 686 so much I had to get some rosewood grips for it.
 
My new 686+ 5" has the smoothest, nicest action of any revolver I've ever tried. And I've tried a bunch of them over the years, including custom jobs. But my old blued model 27 6" is still my favorite .357. You can't go wrong with either of these worthies.
 
Thanks everybody for the comments!! My 686+ will be cleared from the california 10 day waiting period on sunday! Can't wait!! Anything I should do to it before shooting it for the first time???

I got it at turners, but I dont think it was on sale. Last one they had in stock too.
 
Actually, you may want to give it a cleaning before use just to get rid of any heavy packing grease or extaneous material it may have picked up between the factory and you.

That and some dry firing in a room where no live ammo is present will give you a chance to become familiar with it and more comfortable at the range.
 
Get a good CLP. Get some patches, a brass brush and cleaning kit. You won't need much.

Two other big big things.

Get a good holster and a good gunbelt. Oh wait. You live in California don't you. Never mind.
 
Just pick up some Hoppe's #9, cleaning rod, assorted brushes and swabs for now. A bronze plastic handle cleaning brush, nylon brush after you've put some carbon on the gun.

Forgot to mention that a 6" 686+ was my first handgun. Just keep your eyes on the FRONT SIGHT and let the target loom like a fuzzy balloon. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FRONT SIGHT and keep it aligned through the trigger pull. You will wipe the 10 ring. Start at 7 yards and when you are doing 90% in the 5" black move to 15 yards. When you are doing 90% in the black there move on to 25 yards and so on. Never fails to create a winner.

And remember to KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FRONT SIGHT THROUGH THE ENTIRE SHOOTING CYCLE. Memorize every defect in its surface. Put some there to look at if there are none right now. Like golf keep your eyes on the ball until it settles.
 
Hey jar,

We in California may not carry in the liberal centers, but we do have IPSC, IDPA and best of all, ICORE (minimal or no brass to pick up). I have four holsters and use two of them regularly. Three of them could be used for open carry in hunting and my IDPA Kydex holster could be used for CCW.

By the way I find that my 4" M66 in the Kydex is more fun than the 686+ or PC 627 in the Safariland 002 Cup Challenge speed holster. Not to say I do as well with that combination but it is one load of fun.
 
Thanks for the replies! I will make sure to pick up those things on sunday.

Yeah I was considering the m66 also, but I read and heard from a few people that the 686 and the m66 are basically the same gun just that the 686 is a bit heavier and more solid.
 
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