Shiny New 686!

C

CarbineCaleb

New member
Well, after a couple of months of vascillating between the 5" half lug, and the 4" full lug, today was the day, and I got the 4" full lug 686. :) Will try to take her to the range tomorrow - has a real nice feel. Seems like the perfect all-purpose revolver! :)

P.S. For those who like to hear price surveys, this was $529.95 at an area gunshop
 
Thanks Bullrock :D I don't have a digital camera yet - you're the pro! ;) ... after I get them set up with fiber sights this fall (need to wait for Hi-Viz to come out with them for the matching 617), I will try to take some nice pics with a film camera and scan them in though.

These things are virtually identical - except for a minor difference in the open sights, and a different cylinder fluting pattern, they could be twins :D The 617 will probably always get more exercise - she can be shot for about 2 cents a shot! The 686 is for bigger bang and homeland security :cool:
 
WTG! Awesome gun. I have "almost" bought a 686 many times. I know I will own one before too long.

Enjoy! (as if I had to tell you that.... :rolleyes: )

Jeff
 
My 686 is one sweet shooter.... I'll throw in a pic of mine :cool:
100_1050-copy.jpg

Congrats on the purchase!
Mine was $470 about 1 1/2 yrs ago.
 
686 - The Universal Soldier. Probably the best revolver S&W has ever made. I don't know what the sales figures are, but over here (Australia) they are everywhere. I have two and I can't fault them. I changed the sights to Millet and re-crowned and did the forcing cone. Also a trigger job. For the money they are a steal. Not only that, resale is never a problem. I think they are the safest bet for anyone to buy.
 
Got a 686Plus-5 (last type BEFORE the lock). 4 inch barrel, like yours.

It's a very good all-around handgun. It ALWAYS goes bang. +P .38s are excellent for indoor home defense. Plenty of other-type rounds for outdoors.

Enjoy yours. It even looks good, and fondles well.
 
Thanks guys! Make me even happier with my purchase. :) The 686 is the first revolver I ever shot, on a field trip to Smith & Wesson - the headquarters is about 2 hours from my house. To tell the truth, I didn't think I'd go for it, because I knew semiautos had largely superceded them. So I shot it just out of curiousity - I was at S&W after all... boy was I wrong! :D

I plan to have a Hi-Viz sight put in it and an action job this fall... although the more that I hear at TFL about issues with action jobs, the more I am thinking I may send it to the Performance Center for that. Will have the matching 617 done the same way. :)
 
Thanks guys :D I do think they are a handsome revolver, in a businesslike way, and a smooth operator as well. I think Smith moves a lot of these.

Speer has just come out with a 2nd Gold Dot Short Barrel round, this one is not a .38 Special +P, but a .357 Magnum, and it is a reduced power/recoil round, so it sounds very interesting as a practical defense round for a 686. :cool:
 
686 Night bead/Sights?

I have a night bead from Trijicon on my SP101 - just wondering if their are similiar alternatives for a 686? All my serious carry guns (G19/1911/SP101) have some sort of night sight arrangement on them. I'd like to carry the 686 in the winter more and figure it would make sense to be similiarly equipped.

Crummy pic below taken by my camera phone.
 

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Picked this one up last month...no dash, unfired with original box, etc. I know it's a snubbie but who needs a long barrel anyhow.

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Greg
 
9mm1033 - I got that sticker many years ago when I bought my old Model 10. You can see it is pretty worn! I do like the 686/586's ( I love blued S&W's)
Here is another pic of the 686:
100_1051-copy.jpg
 
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686 - The Universal Soldier. Probably the best revolver S&W has ever made.

I never thought of the 686 in that way Blue Heeler, but I like it. Very accurate description. One could probably make a strong argument that the 686 is now in the same place that the Model 10 was thirty five years ago. Nothing fancy, but popular with those who want something that is reliable, but aren't neccessarily into guns. I own one of the 686-5 + myelf. I've never regretted buying it. :)
 
Jeff-I have a Model 10, great gun too. I have four other S&W's, some full custom. But, there's something about the 686; I cant clearly define it, I think it is a special. If push came to shove,I'd take the 686 every time.
 
Means Business

I bought a used 686Plus-5 a few months ago, and I love it.

I do think they are a handsome revolver, in a businesslike way, and a smooth operator as well
Click to expand...

I agree. When I first showed my wife the gun, we agreed that while attractive, it definitely businesslike look about. Without going too over the top, it is a gun that looks like it was made to do it's job, and do it well without being flashy.

greg
 
686 4 inch, balances quite nicely for me!
I use it in Basic Pistol classes & have no issues recommending it to students. :cool:
 
686 Night bead/Sights?

I believe that XS Sights makes a tritium big dot to fit, and S&W seems to like the Hi-Viz fiber sights - those don't glow in the dark, but work real well in all but darkness. I can't see shooting in darkness, so am going to get those on my revolvers.
 
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