S&W 686 Target?

J

jcims

New member
Hi All...

With 3 semi-autos in the collection, i'm feeling it's time to pick up a revolver. I have an old blackhawk that was my fathers (although i consider it shared with my brother), and my step-dad has an older S&W that i've always liked to shoot.

Recently, a local gun shop put a used S&W 686 'target' stainless (not sure if it's 6 or 7 shot) up for sale. The original asking price seemed high (~$560), but it's currently on sale until Christmas for 30% off.

I can't find any reference to a 'target' version of the 686 (they say it's rare, i'm not even sure it's factory) This model has a full lug, 6" barrel, adjustable front and rear sights, and i'm assuming trigger work. I don't know if it's 6 or 7 shots, or even know if it's DA (assuming yes, but not sure with the 'target' designation)

Any thoughts on this one? If i can get it for just under $400 before taxes? It looks like a good deal, but i'm seeing used, uh, 'regular' 686's on gun broker for similar prices... Not sure i'm going to get any benefit from the target model.
 
The adjustable front is what is rare. Buy it. You might be glad you did down the road. I also believe the sights would be "finer". More than likey a 6 shot. My 6" 686-1 with a red ramp F/S is a tack driver out of the box. Mine also has the Target grips and hammer.
 
Thats interesting, a target version. I'm in the market for a 357 and have narrowed it down to a 686 or a 620. I want the adjustable rear sight, but the front might be something more to consider. As this is rare though and I've not seen one around here I'll most likely end up going with the 686 plain jain.
 
Not rare, but you don't see them everywhere. S&W put the adjustable front sight on a few models back when silhouette shooting was more popular. The sight could be pre-set for the 4 different ranges used.

Local shop had a very nice 6" 686 version on their shelf all last summer. It had an asking price of $340, and I'm guessing it finally sold for around $300. Somebody got a great buy.

Joe
 
They are scarce as most models with the adjustable front sight was the .44magnum. Unless you want a somewhat unique revolver or plan on doing a lot of long range shooting you would be just as well off with a standard front sight.
 
According to the Standard Catalog of S&W by Supica and Nahas (a good book to have) the 686 with the 4 position adjustable front sight is worth a premium. Doesn't say how many were made, just that they were offered. The guns came standard with a the adjustable rear and most were ordered and made with the red ramp front. 6 shots.

A lot of these have been made in a variety of configurations. Production began in 1980 and continues.

tipoc
 
wow! Thanks for the info everybody... I'm going to take another look at it this weekend and decide (assuming someone else doesn't pick it up first).

I'm a little hesitant because of the extra 'stuff' hanging off of it...honestly i couldn't figure out why you would want an adjustable front sight. I like revolvers for their simplicity...no sense in making things complicated.

Thanks for the input everyone. Amazing the amount of knowledge floating around on TFL.

Merry Christmas!!!
 
The adjustable front sight makes it what is known as the "silhouette" version. The front sight will have 4 positions that can be dialed in via the wheel under the ramp. This is supposed to allow for quick and easy to track elivation changes when (as in silhouette) your target moves from 25, 50, 75 through 100 yds. At 30% off , the gun is a very good buy as long as the condition is excellent. FWIW, 6" 686 of the "plain" variaty are often priced @ $325-$450 in the used marked around here.
 
As the other members have already described in detail what the target sights look like, nothing further for me to add. Just wanted to say that I bought a new 686-2 with an 8 3/8" barrel that had the above mentioned target sight and can only tell you it is the most accurate handgun I ever owned.

Since I'm not a silhouette shooter, really had no need for it, but it certainly doesn't hurt it.

Bought it about 17 years ago and when I want to impress myself with it, just load it up with 148 gr. wadcutters and pop away. Like shooting a .22.

Safe shooting.
 
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