S&W 686 Plus .357 Magnum

kilotanker22 · August 30, 2022, 03:49 PM

Recently traded a Glock 43x for a S&W 686 plus. Now that I have had the opportunity to shoot it, I am impressed. I almost feel bad for the guy I traded the Glock to. The revolver is way nicer.

Anyway, who makes the best sights for these guns? Not a huge fan of the factory installed sights. I would love to have some sort of ghost ring sight for it if such a thing exists. What say the people of this forum?

MC 1911 · August 30, 2022, 05:02 PM

No idea on sights but you did get the better end of that deal!

rodfac · August 30, 2022, 06:21 PM

Ghost rings on handguns...are really a peep sights with a more open aperture. Peeps are effective when close to the eye as when mounted on a rifle's receiver.

In use, you look through them and focus on the front sight/target. A handgun, held at arms length or even close in will not allow that, & loses significant precision offered by a standard front post and rear leaf sight. They hinder accuracy at distance and offer no speed advantage for close in shooting.

That's the reason they've not become common in over a century of revolver use.

You've traded for a truly outstanding revolver...I have one, albeit a six-shot, that's superbly accurate...on the order of sub 2" groups at 25 yds with the factory supplied sights. It's a bit heavy in 4" bbl. lengths, but that is offset by its performance with full house magnum loads where the weight helps subdue what some have called "heroic" recoil. With target loads, wadcutters at the old FBI load velocity of ~900 fps, it's a pussycat and a good choice for carry. Good luck with yours.

Best of luck. Rod

kilotanker22 · August 30, 2022, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodfac

Ghost rings on handguns...are really a peep sights with a more open aperture. Peeps are effective when close to the eye as when mounted on a rifle's receiver.

In use, you look through them and focus on the front sight/target. A handgun, held at arms length or even close in will not allow that, & loses significant precision offered by a standard front post and rear leaf sight. They hinder accuracy at distance and offer no speed advantage for close in shooting.

That's the reason they've not become common in over a century of revolver use.

You've traded for a truly outstanding revolver...I have one, albeit a six-shot, that's superbly accurate...on the order of sub 2" groups at 25 yds with the factory supplied sights. It's a bit heavy in 4" bbl. lengths, but that is offset by its performance with full house magnum loads where the weight helps subdue what some have called "heroic" recoil. With target loads, wadcutters at the old FBI load velocity of ~900 fps, it's a pussycat and a good choice for carry. Good luck with yours.

Best of luck. Rod

Ya know, I had never considered that's why you don't see those sights on handguns. Your logic is sound.

Mine has a 6" barrel. The factory ammo I have launches a 158 grain projectile at 1350 fps (PMC Bronze Hunting ammo). It is a little heavy, but very nice gun. Handles recoil admirably. Came with a crimson trace grip so I will fiddle with getting it sighted in next range visit.

The guy I got it from lost the thumb piece and thumb piece nut to open the cylinder. Called S&W and they are sending me one for free. I was totally willing and expected to pay for that part.

603Country · August 30, 2022, 08:37 PM

I bought a 686+ a couple of years ago, to allow me to take my Python out of the shooting rotation. I had a gunsmith smooth out the trigger to the equal of the Python (single action). If I had to make one shot for money or my life, I think I might reach for the 686+. I load up 158 gr Keith type lead bullets (moderate loads) and 125 gr JHP (warmish loads).

wild cat mccane · August 31, 2022, 01:55 PM

LPA does target adjustable sights?

Smaug · August 31, 2022, 02:10 PM

Congrats. I too think you got the better end of that deal, but some folks feel like automatic is the only way to go; firepower over shot power or accuracy.

Did you get the 4" barrel or 6"? (or other)

Adventurer 2 · August 31, 2022, 02:24 PM

I own a 686 plus -- put a pic rail on it and a red dot -- 50 yard revolver.
https://www.egwguns.com/pistol-and-r...nts/?brand=766

kilotanker22 · August 31, 2022, 03:26 PM

6" barrel.

kilotanker22 · August 31, 2022, 03:41 PM

I have a pic rail for it. Also have an extra red dot or two.

rodfac · August 31, 2022, 08:01 PM

Kilo...those Crimson Trace laser grips might appeal to you over time. I was strongly against them initially, but got a chance to try them out on a friend's wife's Smith M-637 and soon changed my mind especially for training/analyzing trigger control problems.

She was a brand new shooter when he brought her around. (had almost been raped during an afternoon home invasion). My pal bought her the gun for carry in her purse but needed a place to do some training with her. Our farm range was perfect and we got started.

At first, she held the gun like a dead rat, but with a little coaching, was soon keeping a cylinderful of target velocity wadcutters on an 8x10 piece of copy paper at 7-10 yds. The gun was a used one and came with a set of Crimson Trace laser grips which she tried out and was soon shooting 2-3" groups at the same distances...and double action too. The red dot laser really showed up her problems with trigger manipulation.

I tried them out & found they really showed up any errors in trigger control. In actual use, especially for night work, say at across the room, garage etc. distances, I think the laser would really help.

However, in daylight it's tough to find the laser dot. In my opinion, but their still really useful teaching/correction grip/trigger problems & techniques. It's painfully obvious when the shooter is pulling the trigger off to one side etc. as the dot bounces around!

Lastly, those CT grips feel great... I have size "L" paws and they fit me just fine even on that little "J" frame Smith...and my buddy and his wife have the same opinion as to fit...they're really good.

Best of luck with your 686 and hope you get the cylinder latch fiasco sorted out. The 686's truly one of S&W's greatest handguns. Rod

KMO · September 1, 2022, 11:47 AM

I have a Model 686 Plus, and because my eyes aren't what they used to be, I put a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight on it. It's an inexpensive upgrade from the historic orange ramp, and it's easily reversible if you should ever want to restore the original setup. It works for me... https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

gwpercle · September 1, 2022, 01:14 PM

A company called ... One Hole Sights makes a rear sight blade for Ruger revolvers , it is a large hole / peep sight ... you look through it and focus on the front sight / target .
Now ...it's a neat set up but ... there's always a but ... I don't know if they make S&W sight blades ... You would think they would make them ... a lot of folks shoot S&W !
Do a search on the name One Hole Sight .
Williams Gunsight Co. may also make a peep sight or set , front & rear, check
www.williamsgunsight.com
Gary

Ruger45LC · September 1, 2022, 08:14 PM

I run Dawson Precision fiber optic fronts on both of my 686's, great sights.

kilotanker22 · September 9, 2022, 02:40 PM

After shooting this gun a few times I am impressed. I have never really been a fan of revolvers, but this one is proving to be a ton of fun to shoot.

ChimpMunk20 · September 9, 2022, 05:11 PM

I am an avid S&W collector and the S&W 686 Plus .357 is a pretty sweet revolver. You made a very good trade.

kilotanker22 · September 10, 2022, 07:15 PM

I got the cylinder thumbpiece and thumb piece nut from S&W in the mail today. Took two weeks to get here, but when its free I guess I cant complain.

August 30, 2022, 03:49 PM	#1
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	S&W 686 Plus .357 Magnum Recently traded a Glock 43x for a S&W 686 plus. Now that I have had the opportunity to shoot it, I am impressed. I almost feel bad for the guy I traded the Glock to. The revolver is way nicer. Anyway, who makes the best sights for these guns? Not a huge fan of the factory installed sights. I would love to have some sort of ghost ring sight for it if such a thing exists. What say the people of this forum? __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

August 30, 2022, 06:21 PM	#3
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Ghost rings on handguns...are really a peep sights with a more open aperture. Peeps are effective when close to the eye as when mounted on a rifle's receiver. In use, you look through them and focus on the front sight/target. A handgun, held at arms length or even close in will not allow that, & loses significant precision offered by a standard front post and rear leaf sight. They hinder accuracy at distance and offer no speed advantage for close in shooting. That's the reason they've not become common in over a century of revolver use. You've traded for a truly outstanding revolver...I have one, albeit a six-shot, that's superbly accurate...on the order of sub 2" groups at 25 yds with the factory supplied sights. It's a bit heavy in 4" bbl. lengths, but that is offset by its performance with full house magnum loads where the weight helps subdue what some have called "heroic" recoil. With target loads, wadcutters at the old FBI load velocity of ~900 fps, it's a pussycat and a good choice for carry. Good luck with yours. Best of luck. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; August 30, 2022 at 06:30 PM.

August 31, 2022, 01:55 PM	#6
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,623	LPA does target adjustable sights? __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

August 31, 2022, 02:10 PM	#7
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Congrats. I too think you got the better end of that deal, but some folks feel like automatic is the only way to go; firepower over shot power or accuracy. Did you get the 4" barrel or 6"? (or other) __________________ -Jeremy "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer

August 31, 2022, 03:26 PM	#9
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	6" barrel. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

August 30, 2022, 05:02 PM	#2
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 372	No idea on sights but you did get the better end of that deal!

August 30, 2022, 08:37 PM	#5
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I bought a 686+ a couple of years ago, to allow me to take my Python out of the shooting rotation. I had a gunsmith smooth out the trigger to the equal of the Python (single action). If I had to make one shot for money or my life, I think I might reach for the 686+. I load up 158 gr Keith type lead bullets (moderate loads) and 125 gr JHP (warmish loads).

August 31, 2022, 02:24 PM	#8
Adventurer 2 Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Posts: 663	I own a 686 plus -- put a pic rail on it and a red dot -- 50 yard revolver. https://www.egwguns.com/pistol-and-r...nts/?brand=766

August 31, 2022, 03:41 PM	#10
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I have a pic rail for it. Also have an extra red dot or two. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

August 31, 2022, 08:01 PM	#11
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Kilo...those Crimson Trace laser grips might appeal to you over time. I was strongly against them initially, but got a chance to try them out on a friend's wife's Smith M-637 and soon changed my mind especially for training/analyzing trigger control problems. She was a brand new shooter when he brought her around. (had almost been raped during an afternoon home invasion). My pal bought her the gun for carry in her purse but needed a place to do some training with her. Our farm range was perfect and we got started. At first, she held the gun like a dead rat, but with a little coaching, was soon keeping a cylinderful of target velocity wadcutters on an 8x10 piece of copy paper at 7-10 yds. The gun was a used one and came with a set of Crimson Trace laser grips which she tried out and was soon shooting 2-3" groups at the same distances...and double action too. The red dot laser really showed up her problems with trigger manipulation. I tried them out & found they really showed up any errors in trigger control. In actual use, especially for night work, say at across the room, garage etc. distances, I think the laser would really help. However, in daylight it's tough to find the laser dot. In my opinion, but their still really useful teaching/correction grip/trigger problems & techniques. It's painfully obvious when the shooter is pulling the trigger off to one side etc. as the dot bounces around! Lastly, those CT grips feel great... I have size "L" paws and they fit me just fine even on that little "J" frame Smith...and my buddy and his wife have the same opinion as to fit...they're really good. Best of luck with your 686 and hope you get the cylinder latch fiasco sorted out. The 686's truly one of S&W's greatest handguns. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

September 1, 2022, 11:47 AM	#12
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 949	I have a Model 686 Plus, and because my eyes aren't what they used to be, I put a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight on it. It's an inexpensive upgrade from the historic orange ramp, and it's easily reversible if you should ever want to restore the original setup. It works for me... https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

September 1, 2022, 01:14 PM	#13
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	A company called ... One Hole Sights makes a rear sight blade for Ruger revolvers , it is a large hole / peep sight ... you look through it and focus on the front sight / target . Now ...it's a neat set up but ... there's always a but ... I don't know if they make S&W sight blades ... You would think they would make them ... a lot of folks shoot S&W ! Do a search on the name One Hole Sight . Williams Gunsight Co. may also make a peep sight or set , front & rear, check www.williamsgunsight.com Gary

September 1, 2022, 08:14 PM	#14
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 768	I run Dawson Precision fiber optic fronts on both of my 686's, great sights.

September 9, 2022, 02:40 PM	#15
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	After shooting this gun a few times I am impressed. I have never really been a fan of revolvers, but this one is proving to be a ton of fun to shoot. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

September 9, 2022, 05:11 PM	#16
ChimpMunk20 Member Join Date: April 16, 2020 Location: GA Posts: 70	I am an avid S&W collector and the S&W 686 Plus .357 is a pretty sweet revolver. You made a very good trade.

September 10, 2022, 07:15 PM	#17
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I got the cylinder thumbpiece and thumb piece nut from S&W in the mail today. Took two weeks to get here, but when its free I guess I cant complain. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine