SW 686

[J_Hensley]

Which one do you think is better finished or higher quality? I have a sneaking suspicion the hillary versions are better than the later versions, such fine differences in production and finish!

The older 686-1 is from about 1986. It has a much better trigger than the newer 7 shot.

 

[Rook 6]

Love the 586/686. I’m old school so prefer blueing. But it all good! Had to get a 617 to go along with big brother.
Absolutely enjoy them both.

 

[Ackman]

Love the 586/686. I’m old school so prefer blueing. But it all good! Had to get a 617 to go along with big brother.
Absolutely enjoy them both.

Mine's a 686 but I think blued just look better.

 

[nfa1eab]

I have an affliction for older blued pinned barrel S&W's. I bought a 4", 686-3 to keep from shooting my beautiful 27-2. I can easily clean up the stainless and dress any scratches that happen. I then picked up a 2.5", 686-3. I swear, I can shoot that stubby better than the 4" model. Never desired a 7 shooter. If 6 won't do it, I doubt the 7th will either. -5 is when the MIM parts and plus version was added. I would like to have a blued 586, but just don't see many of them around.

 

[jds holler]

I'm gonna say that the two 686's I've purchased were ordered brand new with no prior handling by me. BOTH arrived with issues, one needing to be sent back for warranty service. The other one, I was able to fix with no expense involved.

I guess my point is, that the best gun doesn't necesarily come from the factory. If I was able to find a used specimen that was what I wanted, I'd feel comfortable about carefully inspecting it and choosing it in stead of a "factory new" possible lemmon.

It's been awhile since I logged in over at the S&W Forum, but they had a sticky over there that was kind of a "Used Revolver Inspection" protocol. If a guy has a little experience and went down the checklist they recommended, you would probably get a sweet used gun with no warts.

This may be something to think about these days with a model that's been around for awhile. There are thousands of us Boomers checking out of this world every day, and our 686,s will often end up on the rack somewhere. jd

 

[Bob R]

I currently have a 686-5 with 4" barrel. I has been tuned a little by Ron Power.
My issue with the 7 shot version is they do not make a Jet Loader or Safariland Comp III Speed Loaders for the 7 shooter.

You could use HKS or 5 Star Speed Loaders, just not nearly as fast to reload with.

That leaves Moon Clips, which are another problem. I have a couple 5 gallon buckets of 38 Special Range Brass that I have rounded up over the last 50 years, with every head stamp imaginable. The 38 Moon Clips are very finicky on what brass they like. The Under Cut below the rim has never been uniform brand to brand on 38 Special Brass. I believe that the under cut was just a place for crud to go when loading. That would bring on buying new brass to use with the moon clips.

I have pondered this a lot over the years. I have considered the 3" 686 to be my Holy Grail Revolver. I have never found one that was not seriously over priced so far. That leaves the 3" Seven Shooter as the best option in a S&W. I did cure the itch with a 3" "Adjustable Sight" GP100. It too was worked on a little by Ron Power. It is slick, and works just fine with my Jet Loaders.
The 586/686 and 581/681 Revolvers are very nice.

Years ago I bought an Iowa Highway Patrol trade in 581 DAO revolver in Brand New Condition. No Badge Number and probably an un-issued spare. Like an idiot I traded it off over the years. I wish that I had a do over on that one. It was a tack driver, and smooth.

Bob R

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I currently have a 686-5 with 4" barrel. I has been tuned a little by Ron Power.
My issue with the 7 shot version is they do not make a Jet Loader or Safariland Comp III Speed Loaders for the 7 shooter.

You could use HKS or 5 Star Speed Loaders, just not nearly as fast to reload with.

That leaves Moon Clips, which are another problem. I have a couple 5 gallon buckets of 38 Special Range Brass that I have rounded up over the last 50 years, with every head stamp imaginable. The 38 Moon Clips are very finicky on what brass they like. The Under Cut below the rim has never been uniform brand to brand on 38 Special Brass. I believe that the under cut was just a place for crud to go when loading. That would bring on buying new brass to use with the moon clips.

I have pondered this a lot over the years. I have considered the 3" 686 to be my Holy Grail Revolver. I have never found one that was not seriously over priced so far. That leaves the 3" Seven Shooter as the best option in a S&W. I did cure the itch with a 3" "Adjustable Sight" GP100. It too was worked on a little by Ron Power. It is slick, and works just fine with my Jet Loaders.
The 586/686 and 581/681 Revolvers are very nice.

Years ago I bought an Iowa Highway Patrol trade in 581 DAO revolver in Brand New Condition. No Badge Number and probably an un-issued spare. Like an idiot I traded it off over the years. I wish that I had a do over on that one. It was a tack driver, and smooth.

Bob R

great info. thks. I guess I will be making some trips to gunshows to find one. buying one online is risky but I have 60/70% success ratio for online purchases.