S&w 686

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TedNugent

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Howdy all,
I have an opportunity to buy/trade some stuff for a S&W 686 Stainless model with an 8 & 3/8" Barrel.
It is unfired, built in ~1988. I have a Sig 1911, and will probably only ever have the 2 handguns,
I wanted a revolver, especially in .38/357 Mag to complement the Sig.
The owner tells me its nicer firing .357 mag, as the kickback is more manageable. Says they are
pretty accurate as well, looked it up on wikipedia, and it seems the front & rear sights are adjustable.
Anyone own one or have any note to pass on?
Much obliged,

Aaron
 
If the front sights are adjustable, then you have the silhouette model for long range handgunning. The 8 3/8" is a long gun and can be cumbersome in a safe. It will also be front heavy.
Otherwise, it's like any other 5/686. It will have a nice trigger and decent accuracy. It will also handle recoil well due to the weight. It's a L frame so it can take full .357 loads as well.
Nothing wrong with the choice. I would personally choose a 6" model as it looks more proportional to me.
The 686 will dwarf your SIG if you do take family portraits!
 
I have a 686 no dash with the 8 3/8" barrel, but does not have front adjustable sight. It is a fine revolver, with great trigger and quite accurate at distance (I have shot some good groups out to 50 yards off a sandbag). It is a long heavy gun though, and I don't shoot it that much as I prefer my 4.25-6" revolvers by far. It really depends what you want to do, and I don't regret buying mine as it fits in nicely with the collection....but I wouldn't get it as my first revolver. I think you'd be happier with a 6" 686....but do get a revolver, that is a must!
 
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I have a 6" 686 and I will likely never part with it since I got it for a great deal and in immaculate shape. It also hits damn near anything I want it to. Beautiful gun that will hollow out a paper target and hit any silouette I want.
 
TedNugent said:
Is it a big deal to rebarrel it to a 6" should I come across one?
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Not crazy hard for a gunsmith who knows what they're doing, assuming you can still get 6" barrels that fit, but unless you're getting a smoking deal on the 8 3/8 model I'd pass. 6" L-Frames are in the EE all the time, and are, in my opinion, a much better choice as a general use revolver. The unfired status is a bonus to a collector but doesn't add a whole lot to a revolver meant to be shot. I say wait for a 4.2, 5, or 6 inch model to pop up on the EE.
 
That will be a nice gun, but you have to like the longer barrels. I believe that would have been manufactured just after the 686 recall. I personally like the long barrels, particularly for target work, but I also pretty much like anything that shoots a bullet.

Most prefer the 4-6" range. The 5" gun is definitely a rarer find. I would definitely take that over the 4.25 or the 6".

Just throwing out that if you don't go for the 8 3/8", I would be interested if it has the 4 position front.
 
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I agree with the above posters--the 5" model would be preferable to 6". It's my favourite barrel length on full sized revolvers.
 
Yup, if he has a 5" 686, there are probably a couple hundred guys here who will do a bidding war to get it. I would be one of them! Grab it. They have the best balance and look of any barrel length to me.
 
just bought a nice 586 nickel in the box today,,so my 6" 686-2 will be going to the EE,,,those 6" 686 shoot great,and easy maintenance
 
The 5" is the winner if you will use it in any sort of "draw and shoot" matches. Or if your plinking tends to be closer. As in you seldom or never shoot farther than 25 yards. If your shooting style leans towards accuracy and longer distances for grins and giggles the longer barrel will give you the longer sight baseline length that makes the longer and more accurate shots a bit easier to see. It will also raise the muzzle velocity for a bit less drop on those 100 yard shots when you want to embarrass a few rifle owners.

The 8 3/8" barrel does feel a little muzzle heavy. But it's the sort of thing you only notice if you hold the long and short barrel guns back to back or have shot a lot with shorter barrel S&W's.
 
I had the 5 non fluted ,and though it was very nice,I sold it and got the 6 /talo edition.
I can hit a 10 inch frying pan ,at 100 yards ,all day long :)
 
I have the 8 3/8 and love it. I would never trade it for a 6, 5, or even a 2". The long barrel and full underlug give me a nice even swing into position. Shooting .357 the gun comes straight back, with little muzzle flip. My favourite revolver.
 
TedNugent said:
Thanks for the help everyone, sounds like the 5" is the winner. It'll be awhile, I put a downpayment on it, should have it paid off before Christmas.
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Excellent choice Mr. Nugent! A revolver is a must in everyone's collection. I've got a 686 TC 6" and it is the easiest pistol to shoot accurately that I own. You're going to wonder why you waited this long for a revolver!
 
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