S & w 686

For 18 years, the 686/586 was my favorite revolver. To answer your question, the 686 is reliable, accurate, well fitted and finished, very pretty with its classic design. The trigger is the usual excellent S&W trigger. Love it.

However, after renting a GP100 at the West Edmonton Mall couple years ago, I bought one. Now it competes with my L-frames for range attention.

At this time, I only have a 686-3 bought used 8 years ago, and a 586-0. I shoot only 38 spl +P+ reloads through both. I felt the 686 loosen ever so slightly after shooting about 100 full load 357 magnums. It is still very tight, though. Yeah, I know S&W designed the L-frame to shoot 357 full time, but that is just my experience.

The GP100 begs for 357 mags.:D Both seem to be very close in accuracy, with the GP edging out the 686 by a very small margin.

Trigger is much better in the 686, than the GP. I am used to both, so no biggie.
 
GP100: Replace the trigger return spring with a Wolff 10# and the hammer spring with a 12#... much, much improved :)
 
I bought a hardly used one a few years back from a retiring shooter for a great price. I wouldn't sell it. The only thing I've replaced is the factory wood grip with a Hogue rubber finger groove grip. Much better handling. As previously stated, very good trigger and accuracy. The cylinder is smooth and locks up beautifully. On all the 686 / 586 (blued version) I've handled I can spin the cylinder and close it with a flick of the wrist. I like shooting it over a semi-auto as I don't have to go searching for my brass afterwards. :)
 
686 is the only revolver I own now. Only other revolver I would buy is a Colt Python. My 686 has had some trigger work done to it and it is a fantastic firearm, very accurate and I have fed it nothing but American Eagle .357
 
BCP said:
I spin the cylinder and close it with a flick of the wrist. I :)
Click to expand...

f:P: Can you say "bent crane"? I knew you could


If you managed to stretch the frame of a 686 in100 rounds of 357 i'm not sure about your loading practice. I've got thousands thru mine, and it still gaps tight.

the ruger is the stronger gun, but much clunkier due to the cast frame. Still nice, and you can beat a mule to death with one and not hurt it.
 
I used to compete in NRA action pistol with a heavily modified 686. I put at least
20,000(yes that right) rnds thru that gun a year(my dillon was glowing red hot)
I ran 38 spec and those guns are tough as nails. 357 mag is something that you would
not want to shoot all the time and remember if you do, its definitely going to loosen up
that gun(most likely the timing). My gun performed without a glich and never even had
a part break on me-can't beat them IMO.
 
Actually, I just had something come to mind. The 586 if I am correctly
remembering was initially designed to handle the 41magnum that never really
got off the ground. This is why they have a frame size between the K and
the N. They did not need another 357 frame. Corrrect me if I am wrong-I
won't be offended.
 
686 is a great revolver. I've had a couple and had little in the way of problems, and like the fact that S&W is well know by pistol smiths for both repairs and tuning. I pretty much only shot 38 spl loads through mine.
 
I have two of them one is a five inch model and the other is a 6 inch performance center ported barrel model. They are great. In fact I am looking for another one as we speak.

Graydog
 
Ive had my 686 for 20 yrs with thousands of reloads both 38 & 357.
My best load was a simple .38 cal 148gr HBWC with 3 grains of Bullseye. Very accurate. My price was a LOT less than the going price of about $900...lol
 
They show up used at around $550 to $650 on a regular enough basis that I'd suggest just be patient unless you really want to be the first owner of the gun.

$1200, unless that's the final OTD price with taxes in, seems a bit high to me. I'm sure I've seen them for more around the $1000 mark at the online stores.
 
This is used...perhaps I'm paying to much?

Its a 686 gen 1 double action sports barrel adj sights, barrel is counter weighted and smoothed trigger and 1200 rounds down the pipe.
 
sureshot66 said:
Actually, I just had something come to mind. The 586 if I am correctly
remembering was initially designed to handle the 41magnum that never really
got off the ground. This is why they have a frame size between the K and
the N. They did not need another 357 frame. Corrrect me if I am wrong-I
won't be offended.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about that. I have a Model 57 which is a N frame in 41 Magnum.
 
No, I was not saying they never made the 41 in a N frame but I do remember
reading in one of the shooting mags way back when and they had mentioned
that when S+W engineers were first developing the 586, they were looking at
the 41 mag to chamber it in but due to lack of police interest went with the
38/357 since they were the popular route to go. Would have been cool to
see them in 41 cal.
 
lil_juiced_coupe said:
This is used...perhaps I'm paying to much?
Its a 686 gen 1 double action sports barrel adj sights, barrel is counter weighted and smoothed trigger and 1200 rounds down the pipe.
Click to expand...

Unless you are serious about PPC, I would not recommend a "counterweighted" barrel. The original underlugged barrel is plenty hefty as it is for quick handling.

A bone-stock 686, built before the hated "lock", is the way to go for a used piece. As some mentioned, there have been sales of mighty good looking 686s in the EE in the 600-650 price range shipped.

Replacing the mainspring and trigger return spring with Wolff is the cheapest and simplest trigger job you can DIY. You will experience weak primer strikes, after that mod though, so you will probably need to switch to Federal ammo or Federal primers if you reload.

If you got 1200 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, buy a 686 and a GP100. Then you will be truly happy!
 
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