Who own a S&W 686?

I have three pluses, a 2.5", a 3" and a 5" unfluted, and a 6 shot 4". All of them are very accurate, but the 5" is in a class by itself.
 
I have a 4" -3 and a 3" unfluted TALO.
Both are the perfect size and weight for carry or shooting.
I would sell the 3" if the right buyer came along.
 
Even the 4" is a tad healthy, yet the full underlug helps steady the orange insert for me. When hiking one might prefer the ability of the 357 for whatever could rear it's ugly head. When I took the road less traveled, state/federal parcels on improved/unimproved dirt/gravel, sitting on a Honda 1800C I carried a 1006 on my hip. It was heavy totin' ten rnds, yet my only concern was turning around on some of those narrow roads, driving through standing water or a wash-out from run-off.

Now, not to talk you out of the 686 as you wouldn't talk me out of mine though there is another alternative. If someone else hasn't already mentioned and that's the Model 60 w/magnum frame in a 3" brl. Only five rnds which is why they make speed loaders, but considerably lighter. You will realize that when you drop the hmr. Still have the wear/corrosion handling of SS and close to the same velocity. I'll not claim the trigger is as smooth nor a gun for range fun though if you ever needed the magnum punch it certainly would be on tap. It does pack well.

Everything's a compromise and the 686 will serve you well as others dependent on preference, price & availability. For an all around shooter the 686 is a dandy w/proven track record.
 
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What is a "hiking/camp gun" to you? What do you expect to shoot with it? What kind of wilderness are you talking about? How will you carry it? A Smith 686 is a rather nice gun to be a trail beater.
 
Trade came my way and I couldn't pass it up. I would never trade my 686-4, however, I made a trade for my 617. A K-22 Target Masterpiece 1979 17-4 is now mine. It is the perfect match for my 1956 K-38 Target Masterpiece. I also fit it with a new set of Herritt grips just like the grips that my K-38 sport.
Going to miss my 617 but the K-22 with the Herritt is a much better shooter at 50 yards.

Eric
 
To the OP

You stated that your current carry gun is a full sized 1911. If you are used to the weight of the 1911 carrying a short barreled 686 will not be an issue for you. The loaded weight will be very similar.
A good holster and belt can make a huge difference in carry comfort. Buy the 686. I know you will like it and probably end up with more than one in your arsenal. They are addictive. ;) JA
 
For a hiking/trail gun in .357, more or less a beater, I would suggest the 4" Ruger Security Six. It is noticeably lighter than a 686 in same barrel length. It might take awhile to find one, but there are many out there. Happily, I have both and am keeping them, but I am much more mindful of caring for the appearance and condition of the 686.
 
I've had a 4-inch 686+ for a number of years; it's probably the only gun in my collection I'd never sell. Works perfectly, accurate, heavy enough to absorb recoil from magnum rounds.

It's my favorite gun at the range. Too heavy for me to carry and without night sights, it's not a nightstand favorite. But it's a great gun, well worth the cost of admission.
 
RE: Grips

Its been a while since I got them, but:

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/Classic-Rosewood-SW-KL-Frame-Round-Butt-Grips.html

"Classic Grips
Here's a grip like those used by such legendary handgunners as Walter Roper, Skeeter Skelton, and Elmer Keith! Featuring a thinner neck and a raised palm swell on the right side, to insure the best possible hold, EAGLE GRIPS' "Classic" is a return to a design that was proven decades ago when wheelguns were carried and used daily! "
 
Recently won this 686-5 7 shot with a 5 inch barrel on Gunbroker. Sweet shooter but a tad heavy to carry.
 

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I bought this 686-3 (used) for Dad back in '91 or so...

It has now returned to me:

34opvd4.jpg
 
heavy

I "walked beside" (skeeter skelton phrase) a 4" 686 for about 5 years nearly every day. Prior that, we'd carried K frames. I could clearly feel that the 686 was noticeable heavier on a duty belt. In the literature, the 4" 686 was several ounces heavier than my 4" 629 N-frame Mountain Gun in .44.

Unless the aforementioned camp/hiking gun is gonna stay in the truck or hang on a limb, I'd want a K frame to hike with.. may be a M66 or M65. And, for me, a "camp gun" is something that gets shot a bit in camp, and for that, .38's do fine. The extra beef of the L frame, useful in taming the .357, would not always be needed.

I liked the 686 as a shooter. Shot my best qual scores, and when we went to 125/357 ammo, the big revolvers extra beef was appreciated. It was easier to shoot than a K with full house loads. But it was a pain to tote every day.

No "harden up" comments please.
 
Stumbled onto a nice 686 no dash about y2kish. Old six shooter.
Came with a speed loader and a vintage figure 8 leather holster.
About $425 IIRC.
It looks bone stock, and shoots anything, but has the sweetest SA and pretty nice DA.
It's only a 2 1/2" snubby, but man is that gun accurate.
It outshoots any .357 I have, including a Dan Wesson 715, a vintage 586 with a 'click' sight, a 627 'model of 1989' six shooter all with 4, 5, and 6 inch barrels.
With the right ammo, it shoots 2" groups at 25 yards with no drama.
And no, I don't want to sell it.
 
My 4" 686 is one of the most accurate revolvers that I own.

As it used to look with factory Hogues
PA152089-1.jpg


As it looks now with the Ahrends coco bolo targets
ad6bf72c-9fda-44f8-8b76-aac56a58c5c2_zps8806e495.jpg
 
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