Who own a S&W 686? - Page 2

Nick_C_S · June 19, 2014, 07:23 PM

I have three 686's. They're exceptional guns. As good as any regular production revolver you're going to find.

My 3" barrel is a 7-shot. I put bantam style grips on it and I carry it. Of my three carry guns, it is my 686 that I feel most confident with.

Brian48 · June 19, 2014, 07:29 PM

I had a 686-4. Great gun, but I never shot it much. Had to sell it because I needed the money to pay off some vet bills.

Guv · June 19, 2014, 08:15 PM

I have a no dash 2 1/2" with the factory combat grips.

Sweet guns!

Safestuffer · June 19, 2014, 11:02 PM

I love the 586/686 series. I gravitate more towards blued guns though, so I have a couple of 586's. Here's a picture of them together.
The 6" is a tack driver, the 4" is in the process of being sorted out, but right now it sits in my hand perfectly with the round butt and grips.

Blacktimberwolf · June 20, 2014, 03:26 AM

S&W 686, it's one oft the best guns I ever had.

gyvel · June 20, 2014, 05:26 AM

Hindsight is a killer; I bought two beautiful 586s in the 80s (a 4" and a 6"), but incurred an on-the-job injury that gave me a severe case of tennis elbow in both arms. For years I couldn't hold either gun with one hand, so I sold them in the mid 90s. Eventually my elbows have gotten back to where I can reasonably hold heavy-framed handguns with one hand, and I sure am kicking myself now. All I can say, though, is that tendon injuries literally take years to heal.

(In a completely unrelated news story, it's also why I sold my Python.

)

rcp1936 · June 20, 2014, 06:37 AM

Love the way my K frame 65-5 3" sits in my hand
Just found out that the L Frames have the same grips as the K frames ( at least I believe that to be correct )
Just bought a GP 100
If I had known that the 686 would fit like my 65-5 I probably would have shelled the extra $$ for a 686 over the GP100
I love the GP100 but it would be more practical having both DA revolvers fit the same in my grip

jason_iowa · June 20, 2014, 08:24 AM

Everyone should have one.

RodTheWrench · June 20, 2014, 11:16 AM

My 6" 686 PowerPort is hands-down my most favorite revolver. For your purposes, I would not hesitate to carry a 4" version - go with either 6 or 7 shot, doesn't matter. Buy it, enjoy it, and shoot the heck out of it!

MR.G · June 20, 2014, 07:29 PM

S&W 686 are the best revolvers that I have owned. I prefer the 4" 7 shot.

scbair · June 21, 2014, 11:26 AM

I regularly shoot a 4" no-dash 686 in IDPA SSR division. I expect it to outlast me ....

SIMP · June 21, 2014, 03:45 PM

I have a 6" plus and I love having 7 rounds. Love to shoot 38 specials thru it. It's a good family gun for the kids to shoot and learn on.

Couzin · June 21, 2014, 04:41 PM

I have a 2-1/2" 686 plus - actually it is my carry weapon. Sometimes a little difficult to dress around, but I really don't notice it much. Good holster helps a lot.

jeager106 · June 21, 2014, 05:06 PM

Have a 6" 586 & 4" 686, both fine revolvers & keepers.

Pointshoot · June 21, 2014, 09:27 PM

I have a 686+ no lock. Its a fine revolver with an excellent trigger out of the box. IMO the 4" barrel is best in terms of balance & quick handling. Ive concealed carried mine at times. It all comes down to getting the right holster (and your body build).

Micahweeks · June 21, 2014, 10:38 PM

Good guns, no doubt. I've hunted with them and carried them on duty. I'm a big fan.

But, for a camping gun, I'd go lighter, like the 4.2 inch SP101. That's my hiking/camping gun now, and I think it hits all the right buttons. It is a very task-specific gun. I would still CC or duty carry my 686 if I hadn't sold it like a fool. But, alas...

Eric M. · June 22, 2014, 01:02 PM

I have a 686-4 with 6" barrel and 7 round cylinder.
Like everyone says. Great, reliable pistol.
You can't go wrong buying.
Off topic, I also have it's twin, the .22, 617-1.
What a beautiful pair of pistols to have in a collection.

Eric

Ryu825 · June 22, 2014, 01:13 PM

I have the ssr version. It has the smoothest trigger out of everything I currently own. I haven't shot a regular one before but if it's anything like the one I have, everyone should hop on

Eric M. · June 22, 2014, 03:58 PM

Just a flat out great gun for either target shooting or hunting.

Eric

S&W-Keeper · June 22, 2014, 08:32 PM

I have 6, 686's, and 4 586's no problems.

Tony615 · June 22, 2014, 09:24 PM

I have a 686-1 that I bought in the late 1980's:

Eric M. · June 22, 2014, 10:18 PM

Sweet looking gun.

Eric

RodTheWrench · June 22, 2014, 11:24 PM

@Eric M. - I did the same thing - saw a 6" 617 10-shot at an NRA Pistol class, shot it, and the little man inside my head started screaming "THAT'D GO GREAT WITH THE 686! I NEED A 6" 617- NOW!" and wasn't silenced 'til I got one. Not sure if anyone else experiences that, but it sure makes it hard to concentrate on pretty much anything else.

MarkDozier · June 23, 2014, 01:48 AM

I love mine. There is a serious issue with 686, once you get one you want more.

MrBorland · June 23, 2014, 06:58 PM

Here are 2 of mine. Not shown is my 4" 686SSR.

When pressed into target duty:

Mainly what they're used for:

My 686 in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNFerCV3W4Y

.

June 19, 2014, 07:23 PM	#26
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	Three for Me I have three 686's. They're exceptional guns. As good as any regular production revolver you're going to find. My 3" barrel is a 7-shot. I put bantam style grips on it and I carry it. Of my three carry guns, it is my 686 that I feel most confident with. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

June 19, 2014, 07:29 PM	#27
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	I had a 686-4. Great gun, but I never shot it much. Had to sell it because I needed the money to pay off some vet bills. __________________ Proud to have served.

June 19, 2014, 11:02 PM	#29
Safestuffer Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2013 Posts: 101	I love the 586/686 series. I gravitate more towards blued guns though, so I have a couple of 586's. Here's a picture of them together. The 6" is a tack driver, the 4" is in the process of being sorted out, but right now it sits in my hand perfectly with the round butt and grips. Last edited by Safestuffer; June 19, 2014 at 11:13 PM.

June 20, 2014, 05:26 AM	#31
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Hindsight is a killer; I bought two beautiful 586s in the 80s (a 4" and a 6"), but incurred an on-the-job injury that gave me a severe case of tennis elbow in both arms. For years I couldn't hold either gun with one hand, so I sold them in the mid 90s. Eventually my elbows have gotten back to where I can reasonably hold heavy-framed handguns with one hand, and I sure am kicking myself now. All I can say, though, is that tendon injuries literally take years to heal. (In a completely unrelated news story, it's also why I sold my Python.)

June 20, 2014, 11:16 AM	#34
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	My 6" 686 PowerPort is hands-down my most favorite revolver. For your purposes, I would not hesitate to carry a 4" version - go with either 6 or 7 shot, doesn't matter. Buy it, enjoy it, and shoot the heck out of it! __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

June 19, 2014, 08:15 PM	#28
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	I have a no dash 2 1/2" with the factory combat grips. Sweet guns!

June 20, 2014, 03:26 AM	#30
Blacktimberwolf Junior member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 74	S&W 686, it's one oft the best guns I ever had.

June 20, 2014, 06:37 AM	#32
rcp1936 Junior member Join Date: May 8, 2014 Posts: 30	Love the way my K frame 65-5 3" sits in my hand Just found out that the L Frames have the same grips as the K frames ( at least I believe that to be correct ) Just bought a GP 100 If I had known that the 686 would fit like my 65-5 I probably would have shelled the extra $$ for a 686 over the GP100 I love the GP100 but it would be more practical having both DA revolvers fit the same in my grip

June 20, 2014, 08:24 AM	#33
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	Everyone should have one.

June 20, 2014, 07:29 PM	#35
MR.G Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Posts: 641	S&W 686 are the best revolvers that I have owned. I prefer the 4" 7 shot.

June 21, 2014, 11:26 AM	#36
scbair Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 72	I regularly shoot a 4" no-dash 686 in IDPA SSR division. I expect it to outlast me ....

June 21, 2014, 03:45 PM	#37
SIMP Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 398	I have a 6" plus and I love having 7 rounds. Love to shoot 38 specials thru it. It's a good family gun for the kids to shoot and learn on.

June 21, 2014, 04:41 PM	#38
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	I have a 2-1/2" 686 plus - actually it is my carry weapon. Sometimes a little difficult to dress around, but I really don't notice it much. Good holster helps a lot.

June 21, 2014, 05:06 PM	#39
jeager106 Junior member Join Date: November 24, 2006 Location: N.E. Oh. Posts: 527	Have a 6" 586 & 4" 686, both fine revolvers & keepers.

June 21, 2014, 09:27 PM	#40
Pointshoot Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 236	I have a 686+ no lock. Its a fine revolver with an excellent trigger out of the box. IMO the 4" barrel is best in terms of balance & quick handling. Ive concealed carried mine at times. It all comes down to getting the right holster (and your body build).

June 21, 2014, 10:38 PM	#41
Micahweeks Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: North Mississippi Posts: 854	Good guns, no doubt. I've hunted with them and carried them on duty. I'm a big fan. But, for a camping gun, I'd go lighter, like the 4.2 inch SP101. That's my hiking/camping gun now, and I think it hits all the right buttons. It is a very task-specific gun. I would still CC or duty carry my 686 if I hadn't sold it like a fool. But, alas...

June 22, 2014, 01:02 PM	#42
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	I have a 686-4 with 6" barrel and 7 round cylinder. Like everyone says. Great, reliable pistol. You can't go wrong buying. Off topic, I also have it's twin, the .22, 617-1. What a beautiful pair of pistols to have in a collection. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

June 22, 2014, 01:13 PM	#43
Ryu825 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Posts: 215	I have the ssr version. It has the smoothest trigger out of everything I currently own. I haven't shot a regular one before but if it's anything like the one I have, everyone should hop on

June 22, 2014, 03:58 PM	#44
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	Just a flat out great gun for either target shooting or hunting. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

June 22, 2014, 08:32 PM	#45
S&W-Keeper Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2009 Location: SE-SC Posts: 443	I have 6, 686's, and 4 586's no problems.

June 22, 2014, 09:24 PM	#46
Tony615 Member Join Date: April 25, 2012 Posts: 54	I have a 686-1 that I bought in the late 1980's: Last edited by Tony615; June 22, 2014 at 09:50 PM.

June 22, 2014, 10:18 PM	#47
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	Sweet looking gun. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

June 22, 2014, 11:24 PM	#48
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	@Eric M. - I did the same thing - saw a 6" 617 10-shot at an NRA Pistol class, shot it, and the little man inside my head started screaming "THAT'D GO GREAT WITH THE 686! I NEED A 6" 617- NOW!" and wasn't silenced 'til I got one. Not sure if anyone else experiences that, but it sure makes it hard to concentrate on pretty much anything else. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

June 23, 2014, 01:48 AM	#49
MarkDozier Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 363	I love mine. There is a serious issue with 686, once you get one you want more.

June 23, 2014, 06:58 PM	#50
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	Here are 2 of mine. Not shown is my 4" 686SSR. When pressed into target duty: Mainly what they're used for: My 686 in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNFerCV3W4Y .