S/W 686 internal lock question!

M

mossie

Inactive
I have decided to buy a 6" Smith 686. The new ones 686-6 have the interal lock. Does this affect the balance,looks,or accuracy of the gun in any way. I shot an older model that didn't have the lock today (686-5) and what great shooters they are! I gotta have one! So what do you guys think go ahead with the internal lock gun (686-6) or look for an older model without it?

mossie
 
i think the only problem is that its ugly. other than that i do not think it effects the proformance of the revolver in any way.
 
Hello skt66,

I have not seen one with the lock yet. What does it look like. and what is ugly about it. I don't want any ugly guns. Can you elaborate a little bit?

mossie
 
The keyhole is about 3/16" diameter next to the thumbpiece. That is all that shows unless the lock is engaged, which brings up a little flag beside the hammer. I don't like it but would not let it keep me from buying a gun I wanted.
 
I have a few lock equipped Smiths.

Here's one with the lock in plain view just above the thumbpiece:

245167.jpg


Aside from the fact that they have it, I haven't noticed a functional difference between these and the no lock Smiths.
 
I've got both flavors. With & Without. Other than the little hole over the thumb piece, you'll never know.

BTW, the 686 is so popular that you should easily be able to find a used one ( with/without) at a good price. Used 686's are VERY common gun shop finds go $250-$350 for the most part around here.

Got two myself. Great revolvers!
 
I don't think the lock makes any difference I have a Model 66 which I shoot regularly and it is not affected by the lock (I never use the lock anyhow).

More importantly with the 686 is the front sight. It seems as if the new 686's no longer have the adjustable front sight. At least we don't get them here anymore (Queensland). In my opinion the AFS is well worth having and besides it's adjustability the FS itself is neatly undercut in the Patridge style. This gives a clean sight picture, much better than the orange insert variety whch tends to flare in bright sunlight. I would certainly buy the AFS model even if it has to be second-hand.
 
Blue Heeler,

What sort of AFS are you talking about? Type that allows interchanging or an actually adjustable mechanism? If you are talking about a mechanism I'd really like to know where to find one.

skt666,

I have the M66 with lock. The only time I notice it is when I clean around the cylinder release. It is otherwise an non-entity.
 
Unfortunately, some people are so opposed to locks that they started rumors that have no basis in fact. All the locks I know of, especially the S&W locks, are inconspicuous and have no effect on the functioning of the gun. They do not go on (or off) accidentally, do not affect trigger pull or handling, and can be removed if the gun owner wishes to do so.

Jim
 
The adjustable front sight on my 686 is about two inches long and has 4 height settings.Adjustment is made by rotating the adjuster wheel in the center of the sight. The sight came as standard on my 686-4. My son also bought one at the same time and it too had the AFS. Since then the gunshop I bought it from has had no more of the AFS variety. Unless S&W sent a batch of these to fill an order when none of the standard sight variety were available it is a discontinued feature (I suppose - open to correction of course). If I knew how to I'd post a pic of it. I have a digital camera and am quite happy to e-mail a pic to anyone who want's to see it.
 
Blue Heeler,

That is a PPC setup. Each step is set for one of the ranges used in PPC. Very nice. Don't know about holstering, though. Haven't been able to find one.
 
Guy,

i to have a lock equiped S&W revolver and it is, inmo, the best looking revolver i have ever seen. i just call i ugly because its the one part i dont like about the gun. like someone said, the 686 is easy to find with or without the lock, at least in my area.
 
The AFS needs a break-front holster. I use it in what we call 'The Service Match' -originally for Service guns, it is pretty much the same as the FBI Combat Match. I will find out more about the front sight by making enquiries at the shop where I bought it. Another thing, while I'm talking about sights, I fitted a Millet - I have several of these because I prefer them to the standard S&W back sight. I have felt for a long time that as far as revolvers are concerned that the 686 is the Universal Soldier, and if you can get one that's good and set it up properly, there is nothing better. Set-up includes a trigger job with stop, forcing cone out to 18 deg, crowned barrel and a Davis Grip. That's what I think anyhow. The rest is up to the shooter and 90% of the rest is trigger control.
 
Eureka - I think I have it. Now trying to post a pic showing AFS on S&W 686.
If it works I'll be pleased.
 

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Wow - Piece of cake, why didn't I ever bother before?
Soon you will behold such things, I know not what they are, but they shall be the terror of the earth. Isn't there something touching, moving even, when a sinner comes to his understanding?
 
Ye gods, Blue Heeler, do you folks still smoke down there? Last time I checked you had some of the foulest cigarettes I have ever encountered. My wife should tell you what they put in them in the factory she worked in near Sydney.
 
Its hardly noticable and doesnt affect the balance, function or reliablity in any way...ive got 4 different smiths that have the lock, i dont use them and dont even notice there there.

Heres my 629, you can see it right above cylinder release thumb slider.
44Mag2.jpg
 
I'm sorry to say that,yes,some of us still smoke down here. It's a nasty habit (so I'm told), that I picked up in the Army. I understand why some people don't like it too. I am not really convinced that it's as bad as the wowsers would have us believe. For instance, try smoking a fag in your car with the windows up - you'll cough almost certainly. On the other hand try pumping your car exhaust into the car for the same amount of time. You'll cark it for sure.
I sure as hell know what's worse - but wowsers drive cars so they turn a blind eye to the real carcinogens.
I can tell you this, it is the absolute truth too. For decades various scientists have tried to induce cancer by subjecting lab rats to cigarette smoke without success. All they have ended up with is a lot of wheezy old rats and no hard data. Think about it, think about your freedoms, why are the do-gooders against smoking?
 
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