S W 686 International model, reviews, thoughts?

TragicallyHipGrandpa

TragicallyHipGrandpa

Regular
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
Chatham-Kent ON, AKA Florida North
Saw this beaut in a shop and didn’t know much about this model. .357 6” bbl, looked striking in matte stainless with an unfluted cylinder and blacked out trigger/hammer spur/sights. As my first revolver purchase, I was originally looking for a Ruger GP100 but seeing this 686 next to it for almost $200 less has me thinking hmmmm. Anyone own one? Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
You cannot go wrong. Buy it! Everyone should own revolvers. The unfluted cylinder has more mass stop for the cylinder stop, but cleaning powder residue is much easier.
The good people at WOLF Springs sell a great trigger improvement spring replacement kit that mightily improves the factory pull.
Buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it.......
 
I have one. I love it. Nice engraving. Blacked parts. Unflutted and beefier cylinder is a an enhencement to me. I replaced the ###y grips with sturdy Hogue grip on this shooter.
Original trigger is quite good but I will buy the spring kit when i will locate one. You won't be disapointed with that one. GP100 is not a bad choice either.
 
I'm sure the International is nice... But personally, I think this looks best

sw-m19classic-left__53162.1551204787.jpg

With a Canadian friendly 4.25" barrel
 
TragicallyHipGrandpa said:
I think I’m going to pull the trigger on this one.
yaSRHbSDJSNpSze7A
Click to expand...

For the price you cant beat a 686! 10’s of thousands of rounds won’t hurt it. You’ll have a life long friend with that one.

The international model has the excellent target style partridge front sight too which I prefer to the standard ramped site. We don’t typically holster our revolvers in Canada so a target specific sight is preferable in my opinion.
 
TragicallyHipGrandpa said:
Saw this beaut in a shop and didn’t know much about this model. .357 6” bbl, looked striking in matte stainless with an unfluted cylinder and blacked out trigger/hammer spur/sights. As my first revolver purchase, I was originally looking for a Ruger GP100 but seeing this 686 next to it for almost $200 less has me thinking hmmmm. Anyone own one? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

With all due respect to Ruger GP100 enthusiasts (I am one), there is nothing prettier than a Smith and Wesson Revolver. Even Korth's and Manurhins somehow look like Smiths.
Unfluted cylinders speak to me, besides I hate scrubbing the flutes after 500 rounds.

I'll only buy the GP100 if it was $200 less than the Smith. BTW, I traded my GP100, even, for a Smith Model 17-3.
 
MuthaFunk said:
For the price you cant beat a 686! 10’s of thousands of rounds won’t hurt it. You’ll have a life long friend with that one.

The international model has the excellent target style partridge front sight too which I prefer to the standard ramped site. We don’t typically holster our revolvers in Canada so a target specific sight is preferable in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I think this is a big plus. About 2 years ago Tenda had the International on for $750 or $760. I already have a 686 but truth be told it looked so nice i almost bought it anyway. If it's anything under $1000 all in get out your wallet. You won't be disappointed.
 
coldestcanuck said:
Sold my Ruger GP and bought a Model 586. I own 5 Smiths.
Click to expand...

10 years ago, I traded my SW 17-3, with normal wear and tear for its age, for an almost new Glock 17RTF2. Regretted giving up the 17-3 after a couple years and looked unsuccessfully for a decent replacement. The opportunity to pick up another 17-3 happened when a very good friend wanted to sell his pristine 17-3, to buy a GP100. He has always liked my GP100 so I proposed a trade. It was a deal made in heaven.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom