I always wanted one growing up. I remember the older guy with old school corvette down the street showing his off with the pachmyer grips. I now have one in 4inch and 6 inch, and am working on another 4 inch. I like them, however, they are all not for me. I am sharing among the family. Eventually, I hope to find a fourth and get a complete heirloom set for everyone. So, for those of you that share my love of the wheel gun, I thought I would share a slice of happiness.
Not to derail this thread, but how about seeing some holsters with these Smiths? Mind's been stuck in a cheap Uncle Mikes since day one. I'd like to see what ya'll use to carry them. I'd love to start carrying mine again.
Yes, I have been looking for some good holsters. Bianchi is no longer made in the United States. I got ahold of Safari, and they stated that they get all their parts in the United States and then have them assembled in Mexico. It is too bad about Bianchi, I really liked them when they were U.S. made. So, I am left in a quandary on holsters. I prefer leather for these, because I don't want a Black Hawk serpa to scratch it up every time it is pulled. That happened to my Glock LEO carry guns. It wears the finish eventually when you practice drawing, shooting, range every quarter. I notice one side takes its toll on the finish.
The 686 is a workhorse wherever its used. Its not bad lookin', either.
Back when I aspired to own every revolver in the S&W line, and when I went to sleep lots of nights looking at the S&W catalog, the 686 was one of my favorites. When I read that the US Customs Service issued 3" 686s, I wanted one. So, I acquired a 3". Then I bought a 2.5". Those guns remain among my favorites.
The 686 is a workhorse wherever its used. Its not bad lookin', either.
Back when I aspired to own every revolver in the S&W line, and when I went to sleep lots of nights looking at the S&W catalog, the 686 was one of my favorites.
You're my new ****ing hero. I've owned or shot a lot of classic S&Ws and they all have a special
place in my heart. Some days I would like to unload my safe and fill it with S&Ws made in the 60's and early 70's. I don't have the disposable income as a lot that post here but it won't be long before I can start shopping for most of them. :cheers:
I got my 686 stainless steel 6" Magnum 18 years ago. I would hate to be on the wrong end of the barrel when it goes off. Just wiped it down in January, got to give it some oil from time to time.
I may end up with one someday. I have an affinity for 357 revolvers. I have two 357's with 6" barrels. A GP-100 and model 19-3. The Smith has an extra sweet trigger, but I don't shoot many magnum loads through it, being a K frame. I have a lever gun in 357 too.
The day I turned turned 21 I went to the LGS and bought a model 66. The model 686 was next about a week later. My first 686 had a 6" barrel. That was 30 years ago. I recently posted a photo in general firearms of another pre lock 686 I came across several weeks ago. Those old Smith's are tough to beat. That last 686 made number 9 of that model I have in my safe. All pre lock. I've never owned a Smith with the lock.
The 686 is one of my all time favorites. In some part for sentimental reasons. My first gun purchase in '85 was an L-frame. I loved the gun but being young, foolish and poor, I traded it away. I can't even remember for what... Fast forward a little more than a decade. One of my best friends had a nearly new, dash-4 in the seven shot variety he was looking to sell. My favorite 4" barrel made it perfect. I bought it for a reasonable price. Fantastic revolver.
This friend was a mentor to me. He was a WWII vet and retired from a local PD after his military career. He spend many hours showing me how to reload ammunition. Like all his Smiths, he had lightly buffed the internals to give it a glass like trigger. It is a pleasure to shoot, all tho I take it out more sparingly now. I want to keep it nice and pass it down to my son. I let my GP100 handle the bulk of my range fun.
My friend passed away not too many years after I bought his Smith. My particular 686 holds more value than just a fine piece of workmanship. It reminds me of an old friend.
What about a pinned and recessed model 27? I liked the one that George Patton used to carry with the short barrel and the ivory grips even though it wasn't called a model 27 at the time he had his. The 27's were beautifully polished especially compared to the more utilitarian model 28's. I have one of those with a six inch barrel and now I really want a 4 inch one. But a model 27 is out of my price range.
The 686 is an impressive gun with the full underlug and it's one of my favorite .357 to shoot. Unfortunately I've been spoiled shooting the monstrosity at the bottom, it's an PPC gun with the best DAO trigger I've experienced.
The 686 is an impressive gun with the full underlug and it's one of my favorite .357 to shoot. Unfortunately I've been spoiled shooting the monstrosity at the bottom, it's an PPC gun with the best DAO trigger I've experienced.
Back in the early 80's I'd already had some years of shooting under my belt and had finally collected enough money to pay for the first handgun of my very own. So mom drove me the 30 miles to the closest gun shop and waited in the car as I went on in and handled a bunch of pistols in my price range.
When all was said and done I chose a 4" S&W model 66.
Not being old enough to actually buy it, but old enough to legally own it, I went and got mom from the car and she was trusting enough to make the purchase.
I shot that gun as often as I could afford Ammo, and carried it on all my treks in the woods, wether hunting or just exploring. I was mighty proud of that gun and remember the local constable who carried a blued 38 would often comment on it being a mighty fine piece. I'm sorry I had to sell it some years later, although at a profit, but that's how it goes when you move to a less gun friendly state.
Back in the early 80's I'd already had some years of shooting under my belt and had finally collected enough money to pay for the first handgun of my very own. So mom drove me the 30 miles to the closest gun shop and waited in the car as I went on in and handled a bunch of pistols in my price range.
When all was said and done I chose a 4" S&W model 66.
Not being old enough to actually buy it, but old enough to legally own it, I went and got mom from the car and she was trusting enough to make the purchase.
I shot that gun as often as I could afford Ammo, and carried it on all my treks in the woods, wether hunting or just exploring. I was mighty proud of that gun and remember the local constable who carried a blued 38 would often comment on it being a mighty fine piece. I'm sorry I had to sell it some years later, although at a profit, but that's how it goes when you move to a less gun friendly state.
I have a Matt 4" 586 I've not fired in 15 years
686 SSP that's been Carmonized
6" 686 cut for moons that's needs some trigger work to suit me
386 cut for moons and trigger done by CCG that isn't all that impressive and could be made better easily
As far as my favorite wheelie I'd go with the 386 or one of my 10-10s
No doubt that the 27 is an excellent revolver. But on the N-frame, it is a massive hulk of a gun for this caliber. I much prefer shooting my 586/581/686/681 models as the L-frame feels just right for this caliber. This is my 27:
Okay. My second 686 four inch is on its way next week. So far I 686 four inch no dash, the next one is a 686-3 6 inch. The one on its way is a 686-1 four inch.
I can't find a better picture of mine right now but here is my matte black 586 no dash. I just took my 8 year old son shooting for the first time last weekend and he shot it.
It's one of my favorite guns. I honestly doubt it had over 50 rounds through it when I picked it up few years ago. It looked brand new.
A guy at work inherited from his father and his wife didn't want guns in the house. I teach high school and all 110 teachers know I like guns. I make it very well known. So if course he approached me when he wanted to get rid of it. At first I thought it was an aftermarket finish but after some research and a call to S&W I learned that it was original.
I truly can't say enough good things about this revolver and I hope you are able to find one someday.
I remember when I was a shorty in 5th Grade in Arizona, and I shot a 6 inch at the range with a friend of my dad who was shooting a contender that rattled my teeth. I shot at the point of aim and hit the target in the crotch, which amused me.
So far I have one for me, one for my wife, and one for my son for his birthday. You would think he won the lottery.
My wife did well for her birthday. A 686 .357 and a left handed Savage Axis 7mm mag with the Monarch BDC already installed. (She is the only lefty in the family). A right handed bolt is a pain for a south paw. She seemed appreciative when it came in. My daughter got the same thing in 7mm08 woodland camo (right handed of course) I am waiting for that to arrive so they can have a mother-daughter hunter safety course. I split a lease, so when my partner gets tired of dragging my broken ass to the stand, I will have some young hunters in my little pack. My son has already passed his, and has a 7mm08 of his own.
When I first shot the Bianchi Cup I used a used K frame .38 and 147 semi wad-cutters. I decided that was not the toy to play that game with, and bought a 686, had a 7" slab sided bull barrel with a milled in recoil compensator and a solid stainless under weight. I shot a very hard 110 gr cast semi-wad-cutter @ 1400 fps. No aiming high or low depending on range and little lead on the mover. The guy that won that year (can't recall name, retired FBI agent out of Florida) did me one better and went to a 1911 in .38 super.
At the LGS with my wife last fall, spotted a 686+ 5" Talo. She said yes, and I brought it home. My 1st 686, after wanting one for years. It's a badass beauty.
A friend of mine had her father's 686. Sold it for $350. Unfortunately told me about it after the fact. Anyway I located a model 29. Yes because of "Dirty Harry." It is a great revolver, but not easy to control. Would have been happy with the 686 in blue.
My first duty weapon as a rookie was Bull Barreled S&W 64 .38spl. I bought the new 686, 6" barrel , target sights. When that "Hogleg" had to be pulled out...immediate compliance happened. A gunsmith with our agency did some polishing on the Stainless Steel internals and it was a smooth trigger pull. That fine weapon is in one of my gun safes holding its position as #1. That was about 35 years ago...we went to Glock 20's 10mm and the ammo was so expensive we went to Glock 21SF's and Glock 23's. All fine weapons that saved my life a few times. The 686 will never be sold, traded and will remain until its passed to my heir of choice. Btw that 686 cost me $325.00 back in the early 80's
Carried a 686 for a number of years as issued duty weapon. Issued +P+ ammunition was our service round. Trained at S&W as a department armorer and kept over four hundred of those great revolvers in top operating condition. Loved 'em. Tested Glocks in 1986 and loved that better. Unfortunately there were two ADs in the area during one week, (one was by a department experienced firearms instructor, the other a deputy over at the S.O.) That killed management's willingness to go to Glocks and the fireman whom the politicians had made "Director of Public Safety" decided to go with S&W 659s.
The 686 was a great duty gun, lovely revolver, and a sturdy, accurate tool for the mean streets. I wish I had been smart enough to buy a couple when we traded them in for the 9mm semi-autos.
Just for interest: During our 1986 test of the Glock 17, all the officers shot it more accurately and faster than the 686, and a neighboring department's chief firearms instructor did better with the Glock than he did with his duty gun of choice - the Baretta 92. We abused the Glocks, didn't clean them and really put the two test guns through the mill. They were the best and never quit. They stayed reliable and accurate. If we had done the same thing to revolvers (even the great 686) they would have not survived the experience.
Finally, when we finished issuing the 659s and trained everyone, and qualified everyone, the overall qualification scores went down by 20%.
I guess it goes without saying my carry guns now are a Model 19, a 23, and a neat little 42 for my pocket. ...... but I still wish I had a 686 to fondle. g.b.
Have my 686 plus Pro Series for 5-6 years now, At the time I was looking for The SSR Model with the 4"barrel and wood grips. My Range came up with the Plus pro series 5" barrel ,7 round cylinder cut for moon clips. Put 7-8000 rounds mostly 38spl +p through it flawlessly, my second favorite gun. My first ?, Glock 17 gen 3 of course
I still have mine for over 25 years its great.6 inch 686
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