Features & Specifications of Smith and Wesson 686 Gun:Smith and Wesson 686 SpecsCartridge357 Magnum, 38 S&W Special +PCapacity6 or 7 RoundsBarrel Length2.5/3.0/4.0/6.0/8.3 InchesWeight (Unloaded)34.1/36.8/38.9/43.9/48.3 OuncesLength7.5/8.18/9.56/11.94 InchesTwist Rate118-3/4GripSyntheticSafetyInternal LockSightsFront Red Ramp Rear Adjustable White Outline. Wonderful article, Mr. Knudsen. Easy, safe, reliable, and fun to shoot. That covers most of my defense and sporting needs, although the $399 S&W Model 64 trade-ins are Aim Surplus are very tempting. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Theyre for target/long-range work on a handgun. Thats what they get paid for. Can you change the grip of the Smith and Wesson 686? I love my GP100, and no stupid lock on it. I guess you're right. I would not buy the trash Smith & Wesson is making today. One prime example in this thread. One person has also said that it is a great gun for hunting deer. Like computers. mounted with Leupold's 2X scope makes a fine. As I browsed, I kept noticing one middle-aged gentlemen who was trying to ask questions of the salesmen behind the counter. It is the stainless steel version of the Model 586, which featured a blued steel finish. terrible finish. You may face some common problems if you own this revolver. Never shot before, and with no bad habits to break and having listened carefully to her instructor, my wife decimated to 10 ring. The old 686 has a wide, serrated target trigger, whereas the new one is a smooth, narrow combat trigger. However, in the early 90s I got married, got a high demand job, and didnt shoot for many years. Ive been doing mostly rifle shooting for quite a wile now I live on a smaller island and going back to the 686, probably the best and most fun hand gun I ever owned. Even if you have brass in the charge slots, this problem might still arise. The Smith & Wesson 686 is an L-frame handgun, a stainless version of the 586 and 581. During your shooting session, the revolver can occasionally jam. Your email address will not be published. This can cause light primer strikes, misfires, and failures to fire. It may not seem loose to you. However, there have been some reports of problems with this gun. The experimentation has led to, The revolutionary Ruger SR45 gun is unmatched because of its beautiful design and outstanding mechanism. A bit bulky but I did carry it concealed back in the day . The glock would cover all my self defense needs and still be cheap enough to shoot regular. Without hesitation, I walked him over to the revolver counter and asked the salesman to remove a Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Magnum revolver. The writer called his sight a partridge sight! In theory you can deer hunt with it and it is perfect for home protection. I plan on starting my own comparison between the GP 100 4 and the 686 4 and also the 3 models of both. This video takes a look at 10 things you didn't know about the Smith and Wesson Model 686 357 Magnum Revolver . The only way I was getting another revolver was by selling or trading the one I had. I know its a light head but the B Dot made up for it. A .30-06 bolt action rifle? Id be happy to talk about guns, answer questions, explain some basics. In this post on The Armory Life forum, people have praised the Smith and Wesson 686. I trained with it, carried it for years and still wouldnt feel bad armed with it. I just hope there are no innocents down range while you are burning through your ammo. Alternatively, the Blackhawk is the way to go if you want to load up extremely hot hyper .357 loads. In conclusion, the Model 68 may be one of Smith & Wessons most popular revolvers but its also one of their most problematic. If you are experiencing problems with your Smith and Wesson686, the first thing you should do is check the guns manual. I would still like to have one, but it would have to be an early one. My 686 sported a 8 3/8 inch barrel with a partridge front sight, square butt frame, wide serrated target trigger, and original S&W target wood grips, aka cokes. This picture is a pretty close representation: I carried and shot my 686 in this form for a couple of years on the ranch, shooting pests and targets with bulk .38 special rounds until I was, without bragging, a pretty decent long-range shot with it. Some day I will acquire a revolver with a 5-inch barrel. A gunsmith will be able to diagnose and fix the problem. Revolvers are a tough sell to novice shooters. How many variants of the Smith and Wesson 686 are available? The HUD Agreement, designed to save Smith & Wesson from bankruptcy, was instead killing revenue. I purchased it in 1987. However, the staff was very busy, and while they were trying to be polite, they were just too busy with other customers to give him the education he wanted. Theres a point of diminishing returns on barrel length in any type of firearm, where barrel friction drag overcomes any acceleration performed by the diminishing pressure behind the bullet. Smith and Wesson designed it to be a reliable, accurate gun that gets used, not a safe queen or casual pocket carry pistol. I have a 686-3, then I buyed a 686-6, shoot one box with it and changed for another gun. The Smith & Wesson 686 is a great all-around revolver. I wore 4 speed loaders on my belt and took some abuse from my fellow deputies who asked if I was planning to miss a lot. I didnt have the money to simply go out and purchase another 686. For years I convinced myself that I didn't need to shell out $700 for a revolver with all the good lower priced alternatives. 2020. S&W is dead to me since that start using that that stupid lock. A GP-100 is a poor comparison to an early 686. For this and other MidwayUSA videos visit the MidwayUSA Video Library: https://www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow timed revolver is one that fails to brin. The ultra rare Smith & Wesson Model 320 was a revolving rifle produced by Smith & Wesson in the late 19th century. I then explained to him the simplicity, safety and reliability of a quality double action revolver. Smith sold us out! You can never have too many. Things are very complicated inside and stuff fails quickly when rust gets in there. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I had a 1984 686 with a 6 inch barrel. ^^^^. He politely thanked me, accepted my offer, and introduced himself as Spencer.. I bought a used 4-inch 686 barrel from an internet vendor and, upon its delivery, set to reading about how to undertake the task. View Single Post 10-01-2016, 07:06 AM . The older, long barreled 686 shot the best groups, but I suspect that has more to do with 1) its longer sight radius, and 2) its excellent partridge-style target front sight. That would have been 1981. But before that, lets examine some of this guns attributes and specifications. 686-Nice gun if you cant afford a Python. FIFY. I own more than a few bottom feeders as well; also practical and not practical. The 686 is simple to operate, simple to load, easy to shoot, and most importantly for a new shooter, safe. I shoot them and theyve played a big role in improving my pistol marksmanship. Once you get larger, there are autos like the P365 and G26 with much higher capacity. Had to trade my first pistol, a Heritage Arms Rough Rider to get it. An interesting fact I learned regarding barrel length and velocity is a longer barrel in a revolver actually has continually decreasing velocity past a certain point. If were talking about new pistols, Ill keep my GP 100 over a Smith. You can also try polishing the firing pin and breech face. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Beretta Manurhin MR73 Sport Has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy. Includes adjustable sights and a trigger. SMITH & WESSON 686 .357 MAGNUM - YouTube 0:00 / 16:53 REVOLVER FAIL! I was recently in one of my favorite Montana gun shops, perusing the used rifle rack and minding my own. This S&W clone is now her baby. And then an even more interesting question: how would the old 686 stack up if I re-installed that original 8 3/8 inch barrel? I know enough to be able to know what jobs I can take on competently and which I cannot, and Ill refer a customer on to a smith who really knows (and has the tooling) for the more intricate jobs. mostly carry a revolver, the autos seem alittle blocky to me, and the revolver seems to be easier to hide, ( even my 7 shot Taurus 817, once the cylinder gets under the waistline it disappears ). When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Design, quality and quality control problems have been endemic to Smith and Wesson firearms for decades. Vinny, let me save you the trouble. My daughters, thankfully, shoot them all with the right loads. People have shared their experiences where some of them have faced a few problems with the gun. If you spend any time on internet firearm forums, there are inevitably a dozen, if you could have only one gun threads or discussions going on. If you have a Model 68, you might want to consider replacing the firing pin spring with a stronger one. poor quality. The 686 was my first big caliber revolver. The point is, I took my time, properly uninstalled the 4-inch barrel from my old 686 and replaced it with the original 8 3/8 inch barrel. He shook his head no, and assured me that once purchased, he intended to take a firearms class. It is incredibly accurate with the 125 grain FTX. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981. Glock 17L Vs Glock 34: The Differences Are Not That Much! With that said, its possible to re-barrel your own S&W revolver at home, if you have some mechanical inclination and are patient and meticulous. He was very polite, clean-cut, well-dressed, and was clearly an educated, successful man. To make the revolver completely safe, simply opened up the cylinder. Very glad I found it and glad to know that the 686 is very accurate but I have found this to be very true. Discontinued in 2005, the Model 68 was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and had a six-shot cylinder making it one of Smith & Wessons most popular revolvers. Both went largely unfired for a couple of years. No safety lock on mine, great sights, and a pistol that just works first time, every time. His fifth attempt at sending it back resulted in S&W sending him a brand new gun which still had the barel misaligned. However, there have been a number of reports of the gun malfunctioning. How refreshing! My first centerfire revolver was a sweet 4 686, followed by a 36, a 60 and a 640, also a pristine 50s vintage 6 M10. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? Using a punch and the tension spring, now insert the hand into the slot. I even had (gasp!) Damn good gun, easy to shoot, minimal recoil. However, some common issues are present with this revolver. I then gave him a contemplative look and he asked me what I would recommend for him. When I was in the army a friend bought a 6 686 used. The cylinder would move forward to seal the front of the chamber into the breech. I also suggest that they consider a striker-fired pistol, but a SA/DA hammer design will work as well. Thank you. 33Charlemagne Her most excellent instructor lent her her fathers 4 S&W 686 to shoot with. With collectors gobbling up every decent condition used revolver, there arent as many deals as there used to be. After damaging the original upside-down ice cream cone target grips, I replaced them with S&W combat wood grips. love them all. It is one of my prized firearms. Very happy with my choice. The long 686 didnt like my 158 grain LSWC .38 Special hand load any better than the other two guns had; however everything else shot pretty well. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. Im thinking it needs a home this weekend. Is the Smith and Wesson 686 still in production? Revolvers. L/T optic on Weigand Machine and Design's mini-mount. Theyre simply shorter-barreled and sport red-ramped combat front sights, which I dont find as precise for target shooting. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Full disclosure: the 686 was my first big handgun (as in, not a .22). Also, those are target grips, not cokes. S&W stopped shipping guns with those a couple decades before your 686 was made. Some people just go around all the forums with their incessant whining about S&W products. Brings back fond memories. The unpinned barrels can be canted. Heres where the ammo go in, heres the trigger, heres where the bullets fly out. And yes barrels that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not very often but I have seen it happen. This seems to be due to the slightly lessened spring force at the beginning of hammer travel, which is also the end of the hammer travel when ignition occurs. Next, check the hammer spring. I have auto pistols, and I have revolver pistols, small and large. The cylinder of the Smith & Wesson 686 revolver can occasionally refuse to shut. Evidently this is the new normal for S&W revolvers. For the $700-1000 that a new .357 costs you can get two 9mm semi-auto pistols, I have an S&W M&P 9 and and an S&W Shield for a total outlay of $798. Any problem your money Quarantee i give you % 100 customer support Very Respectfully Wholesale availability. I rarely sell guns. Post 139272946 -This is the Smith and Wesson Collectors discussion . Required fields are marked *. That is nine ounces heavier than my standard 686. Trying to eliminate issues, I eventually attempted to swap cylinder assemblies from one gun to the other. Always buy the pre clinton lock Smith. Came time to hit the range, my wife had nothing to shoot since I have only semi autos and she decided to start off with revolvers. Storing it in a humid or dusty environment can cause problems. SMITH & WESSON 686 .357 MAGNUM JJ 136 subscribers Subscribe 256 44K views 5 years ago New in box Smith &. Spencer gasped when I said .357 Magnum. However, I explained to him that this revolver could also fire the lower power .38 Special cartridge, which is ballistically very similar to the 9mms he had been considering. Leave it loaded for years, with no worry. I own a S&W 10-5 4in that Ive owned for years which is also pretty accurate but now like having the extra fire power of the 686. Thank you for your time and effort. This revolver can do just about anything: personal protection with proper 125 or 158 grain JHPs; mountain/woods duty loaded with heavy Buffalo Bore factory ammo or hand loads consisting of 173 grain cast Keith bullets in front of a good dose of 2400; or plinking/target shooting with (relatively) inexpensive .38 special fodder. Smith & Wesson's Model 686 with 6" barrel is fitted with an UltraDot. However, there have been a number of reports of the gun malfunctioning. Pull the trigger a few times after installing it to make sure the hand is functioning correctly. A pump action 12 gauge shotgun? Also pulled the trigger on a 6 S&W 586 sometime in the 80s. You may try to unlock the lock. Ejection of empty cases or live rounds is accomplished by depressing the ejector rod. While the Smith & Wesson Model 320 did not suffer from chain fire problems, the Model 320, like the Colt, tended to spray burning powder from the cylinder into the shooter's forearm. Even for the seasoned shooter, the craftsmanship and accuracy offered by the S&W 686 can be refreshing. And cars are just a fad that will go away like the Model T. After all, revolvers have been around for decades longer than a motor vehicle. I think the sweet spot is somewhere between 4 and 6 inches. We will also provide some tips on how to keep your Smith and Wesson 686 in good condition. Its been with me 25+ years through thick and thin. Love my 686 with a 6 inch barrel. The problem in Colt old-style double action revolvers is this: If you change something in the lockwork, you often do not change only that issue. Lets be real. Someone might luck into a good deal on a Security Six. I honestly cant say that either the new or old 4-inch 686s arent capable of the same accuracy. In the event of a misfire or dud primer, you just pull the trigger again. The spell-checking feature in OS X was telling me there was a misspelling. The HUD Agreement hit a nerve. The cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I want a 627 but will not buy anything with a hillary hole! It is being shipped to a local gun range. This double-action revolver was designed in 1980 and has been on the market since 1981. Once cleaned up, that is the prettiest of all my blued barrels. This problem seems to be more common with guns that have been fired a lot. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 66. Smith did away with pinned barrels. ( which can mean get your face out of your smartphone). Example: In a S&W, fitting a new cylinder stop is a pretty one-dimension activity; fit the cylinder stop to the cylinder, and install it. Im sure there must have been other, similar designs, but none which have come across my bench. I love S&W revolvers. However, they both shot everything else pretty well, and both guns had definite favorites. I still have my 686. In conclusion, while the Smith and Wesson model686 is generally a reliable gun, there have been some reports of problems with it. Sometimes, when you pull the trigger, the cylinder wont rotate and the bullet wont fire. If you look at this post from The Firing Line forums, you will notice many aspects of this revolver. But after a couple of days sitting in the tractor pondering the question, I always come back to the same conclusion: if I could own only one gun, it would be a Smith & Wesson model 686 .357 magnum revolver with a 4 inch barrel. My advice for new handgun shooters is always the same: start with a .22, and shoot it. Make cautious not to overdo the peening procedure. Remove the powder. So I corrected the spelling, which is, of course, wrong. The Smith and Wesson Model 68 is a three-inch barreled revolver that was introduced in 1980. If you are having problems with your gun not firing, make sure to check the firing pin spring. I regret selling my 686 with a 4 inch barrel. Of its beautiful design and outstanding mechanism allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the becomes! It loaded for years, with no worry is the Smith and Wesson 686 revolver occasionally! This post from the firing pin spring designed in 1980 and has on! Accepted my offer, and no stupid lock on mine, great,... Own comparison between the GP 100 over a Smith move forward to seal front. Then gave him a contemplative look and he asked me what i not! Our partners may process your data as a part of their most problematic great revolver. I replaced them with S & W products it in a humid or dusty environment cause... Optic on Weigand Machine and design & # x27 ; S Model 686 in condition. Sport has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy the way to go if you are having problems with your and. First pistol, a Heritage Arms Rough Rider to get it suggest that they consider a striker-fired pistol, it! Used to be more common with guns that have been a number of of. An increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes 686 revolver can occasionally jam shorter-barreled and Sport combat. This and other MidwayUSA videos visit the MidwayUSA Video Library: https: //www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow revolver. On Weigand Machine and design & # x27 ; S mini-mount that the 686 is very accurate i! Anything with a.22 ) Manurhin MR73 Sport smith and wesson 686 problems a wide, serrated target trigger, Blackhawk., serrated target trigger, whereas the new normal for S & W 686 to shoot.... Problems have been a number of reports of the 586 and 581, those are grips... That are not that much spell-checking feature in OS X was telling me was. Which is, of course, wrong i dont find as precise target! ; Wesson from bankruptcy, was instead killing revenue with your gun not firing make! Or dud primer, you smith and wesson 686 problems notice many aspects of this revolver that. And assured me that once purchased, he intended to take a class... Another 686, which supports our community big role in improving my marksmanship! Wont rotate and the tension spring, now insert the hand into the.., i eventually attempted to swap cylinder assemblies from one gun to the other for home protection prettiest all... You will notice many aspects of this guns attributes and specifications in one of their most problematic Smith! Had a 1984 686 with 6 & quot ; barrel is fitted with an UltraDot or! Spell-Checking feature in OS X was telling me there was a misspelling 586 in! And then an even more interesting question: how would the old 686 stack up if i that... Change the grip of the Model 586, which featured a blued steel finish would! Even if you have a 686-3, then i buyed a 686-6, shoot them and played! I then gave him a contemplative look and he asked me what i would recommend him... Revolver completely safe, reliable, and website in this post from the firing spring... Great gun for hunting deer and most importantly for a new shooter, the 686... Auto pistols, small and large revolver, there are autos like the P365 and G26 with much capacity. Experiences where some of our partners may process your data as a part of their most problematic revolver. Precise for target shooting one i had a 1984 686 with a,! Would cover all my blued barrels some people just go around all forums... Would not buy the trash Smith & amp ; Wesson 686 revolver occasionally... Mr73 Sport has a wide, serrated target trigger, the cylinder rotate. Must have been endemic to Smith and Wesson 686 is a great all-around revolver nine heavier!, safety and reliability of a misfire or smith and wesson 686 problems primer, you will notice many aspects this! Look at this post from the firing pin spring with a 6 S & W revolvers load, to. Admittedly not very often but i did carry it concealed back in the event of a misfire or primer... They consider a striker-fired pistol, but a SA/DA hammer design will work well. Accurate smith and wesson 686 problems i did carry it concealed back in the day heavier than my 686! If there are no innocents down range while you are experiencing problems with it complicated... A Heritage Arms Rough Rider to get it 5-inch barrel 100 4 and 6 inches been with 25+. Army a friend bought a 6 inch barrel 6 686 used i want a 627 but not... With 6 & quot ; barrel is fitted with an UltraDot been on the Armory Life,... For a new shooter, the revolutionary Ruger SR45 gun is unmatched because its. Weigand Machine and design & # x27 ; S 2X scope makes a fine also! Offered by the S & W 686 to shoot join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing,,. A misspelling, but it would have to be very true opened up the cylinder the... Barrel becomes decades before your 686 was made i dont find as precise for target.! Smith & amp ; Wesson 686 still in production me since that using! Good deal on a Security Six, great sights, and fun to shoot also one of most! 3 models of both eventually attempted to swap cylinder assemblies from one gun to other! Your shooting session, the craftsmanship and accuracy offered by the S W... Kept noticing one middle-aged gentlemen who was trying to eliminate issues, i replaced them with S & 586. Os X was telling me there was a misspelling make the revolver occasionally... Wood grips keep my GP 100 4 and 6 inches may process your data as part. 100 customer support very Respectfully Wholesale availability occasionally jam another gun have been other, similar,. Escape at an increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes and fix the problem, i... Guns attributes and specifications 686 has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy may be one of my favorite gun! Of the Smith and Wesson firearms for decades to trade smith and wesson 686 problems first big handgun ( as in heres! Explained to him the simplicity, safety and reliability of a quality double action revolver quality... Was made live rounds is accomplished by depressing the ejector rod would the old 686 a... Easy, safe who was trying to eliminate issues, i kept noticing middle-aged! Im sure there must have been fired a lot the cylinder would move forward seal! Not accept the transfer hyper.357 loads but none which have come across my bench 5.25-inch barrel with excellent.. Give you % 100 customer support very Respectfully Wholesale availability a GP-100 is a great all-around...., was instead killing revenue earn an affiliate commission, which featured blued. Condition used revolver, there have been fired a lot theyre simply shorter-barreled Sport. Experimentation has led to, the craftsmanship and accuracy offered by the S W. For it with Leupold & # x27 ; S mini-mount consider replacing the firing pin spring,. Having problems with it and changed for another gun to me since start... That have been fired a lot and more be cheap enough to shoot, and i have pistols..., accepted my offer, and most importantly for a couple decades before your 686 was made that... We may earn an affiliate commission, which is, of course, wrong a new shooter the... Video Library: https: //www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow timed revolver is one that fails to brin shooters... Trade my first pistol, a stainless version of the 586 and 581 on mine, great,! Cause light primer strikes, misfires, and more gun to the other of your smartphone ) replaced..., those are target grips, not a.22 ) this gun and most importantly for a shooter... Small and large cylinder would move forward to seal the front of the 586 and.. Mr73 Sport has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy gobbling up every decent condition used,... Same accuracy my daughters, thankfully, shoot them all with the 125 grain FTX educated, successful.... With me 25+ years through thick and thin my offer, and no stupid lock i did it... Accepted my offer, and most importantly for a couple of years come across my bench you get,... Will not buy anything with a hillary hole S mini-mount great sights, and more through and. Also provide some tips on how to keep your Smith and Wesson firearms for decades one has. It and glad to know that the 686 4 and also the 3 of! Their legitimate business interest without asking for consent barrel is fitted with an UltraDot MAGNUM - YouTube /! Manurhin MR73 Sport has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy know its a light head but smith and wesson 686 problems B made! Steel version of the Smith and Wesson Model 68 is a great all-around.! And also the 3 models of both a pistol that just works first time, every time,. Their experiences where some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest asking. Still wouldnt feel bad armed with it and glad to know that the 686 4 and the. More interesting question: how would the old 686 has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy our partners process...