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686 S&W review?
- Thread starter je25ff
- Start date
I have a 4 inch that I love. It would be on the big side for carry, but that's not what I got it for. IMO it's the perfect range gun. Everything about it was gold out of the box, and I didn't get any fancy version.
Mike
Mike
This, you can carry it its just not your best option. Awesome range toy though.
The only revolver I own is a .500 S&W. Yeah, I know, not the best first revolver to get (but it's awesome at the range) I am preferable to the shorter barrel for some reason, maybe I just need to shoot a longer barreled revolver to check it out.
Passthemacs
NES Member
I had a smith 686+ talo edition in a 3" barrel. All I have to say is I loved it. I needed money and sadly had to sell her. I did get a ruger sp101 2.25" and am happy now. I do miss the 686. A pleasure to shoot all 357 and 38 loads felt like a 22 in that large frame. Carrying it IMO was a pain, ymmv. Good holster and belt setup it carried fine but too bulky and heavy still for my liking, and under a tee it wasnt the easiest, for me anyways.
Super gun if I didn't need the money at the time it'd still be in my safe. If u are looking to shoot matches I'd go with a standard 6 shot model. Internal locks didn't matter to me either way. ( I'm not a huge wheel gun guy to begin with)
Good luck my friend. Great gun that you won't regret.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Super gun if I didn't need the money at the time it'd still be in my safe. If u are looking to shoot matches I'd go with a standard 6 shot model. Internal locks didn't matter to me either way. ( I'm not a huge wheel gun guy to begin with)
Good luck my friend. Great gun that you won't regret.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 686 is a nice revolver, I just prefer the GP100. I think it looks nicer, and I think they are made stronger. Of course I have no proof of that, just my opinion.![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
They are stronger, but you'll never really notice the difference unless you're handloading a good distance beyond typical .357 Magnum levels.
-Mike
I always check out this guy's videos
Not for advice necessarily, but just to see it shoot. His Krag video was pretty cool considering I'm cleaning one up right now to shoot.
He has the 3" Talo version here. I guess I'm preferable to the shorter barrel but there doesn't seem to be any logic behind getting a longer barrel. I won't be sniping with it after all
Not for advice necessarily, but just to see it shoot. His Krag video was pretty cool considering I'm cleaning one up right now to shoot.
He has the 3" Talo version here. I guess I'm preferable to the shorter barrel but there doesn't seem to be any logic behind getting a longer barrel. I won't be sniping with it after all
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I always check out this guy's videos
Not for advice necessarily, but just to see it shoot. His Krag video was pretty cool considering I'm cleaning one up right now to shoot.
He has the 3" Talo version here. I guess I'm preferable to the shorter barrel but there doesn't seem to be any logic behind getting a longer barrel. I won't be sniping with it after all
If I was carrying it I would want a 3" or a 4", to keep the velocity up. at 2" .357 Magnum loses a fair amount of juice.
-Mike
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ntomsw
Banned
True. I need to buy some of the Buffalo Bore loads to try it out.
- - - Updated - - -
I always check out this guy's videos
Not for advice necessarily, but just to see it shoot. His Krag video was pretty cool considering I'm cleaning one up right now to shoot.
He has the 3" Talo version here. I guess I'm preferable to the shorter barrel but there doesn't seem to be any logic behind getting a longer barrel. I won't be sniping with it after all
He hits his 80-yard gong with a 2" barrel. I can't even see the gong.
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
Nice gun though
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If and WHEN I get a revolver, it will definitely be a 686, and probably a 6 inch.
Why?
-They look very appealing to me.
-I want a .357 Magnum
-686 is my favorite snowboard apparel company, so it fits well
-I'm not looking to carry it, but I'm looking to shoot the shit outta it at the range!
Why?
-They look very appealing to me.
-I want a .357 Magnum
-686 is my favorite snowboard apparel company, so it fits well
-I'm not looking to carry it, but I'm looking to shoot the shit outta it at the range!
fencer
NES Member
I have a 4" - 686 and it might be my favorite range gun. It is also very well suited for home defense. 357 magnum will get the job done and 38 special at the range is cheaper and a good target round.
I prefer the S&W over the Ruger. But to each his own. I have carried it before but it is a chore.
I prefer the S&W over the Ruger. But to each his own. I have carried it before but it is a chore.
Enzo
NES Member
I have a 686 plus 3" talo version with trigger work from Mike LaRocca and a Lobo Leather enhanced pancake holster.
Beautiful to look at, beautiful to shoot in .357 and 38 special and beautiful to carry. You won't regret buying a 686 a S&W classic.
Beautiful to look at, beautiful to shoot in .357 and 38 special and beautiful to carry. You won't regret buying a 686 a S&W classic.
TBalls
NES Member
I don't have a 686 (although I have shot a few), but I do have a 6" GP100 (& a Model 19-3). I think most will generally concur that Smiths have much better triggers out of the box but Rugers are practically indestructible.
As drgrant said, you may need some crazy hot loads to bare this out but it has also been suggested that a steady diet of factory magnum loads will run a Smith right into the ground over the long run while the Ruger will just keep on taking the abuse. Haven't been able to test this one.............yet.
As drgrant said, you may need some crazy hot loads to bare this out but it has also been suggested that a steady diet of factory magnum loads will run a Smith right into the ground over the long run while the Ruger will just keep on taking the abuse. Haven't been able to test this one.............yet.
My buddy has a 4" 7-shot 686. He had to send it back after the first range trip to fix something and when it came back we noticed the rear sight was messed up. He has lived with it since because it is fun to shoot and but now it is beginning to annoy him. Even with the bad luck on his, I would recommend it.
I asked the same question a year ago. Buy the 4" 6 shot version. It is nice for the range, moderately concealable, and with the 6 shot version you can compete with it. It is a great gun, like a strong .22 with 38 special wadcutters and a handful with a 357 mag. A buddy of mine said after shooting it the first time with a 357 mag, "that is what a gun is supposed to feel like."
I recently sold my 686 since I also recently purchased a 681 (fixed sight version.) I also have a 4" Colt Python which I think has a much better trigger than the S&W.
The 6" barrel is nice for accuracy on the range, but I think the 4" balances better. I am much more accurate with a 6" barrel (sight radius is almost 50% longer.)
Chris
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Ive got a 6" 686+ Built like a tank, pretty heavy. Great single action trigger, double isnt bad either. Very comfortable, magnum rounds arent too punishing, sights are easy to see and the gun overall is very easy to control. Holes usually end up right where you want them.
Same here, mine also has the 4 position adjustable front sight.
I got it from a fellow NES'er through the classifieds.
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I have one and I really like it. I also had a 586 for a while which was just as good if not better. (Difference is the 686 is stainless and the 586 is either blued or nickel, with nickel being less common.) You can't go wrong with either.
