New (to me) 686. What to expect?

MemphisJim1 · 11-02-2009, 02:42 PM

I had a short "honey-do" list yesterday so filled some time at a local gun show. Impulsively I bought a Smith & Wesson 686-1, 4" with wood grips, .357 Mag. (estimated mid-'80s vintage) in immaculate condition for $475. In all of my years around firearms I've only seriously handled two revolvers (Ruger Bearcat and Single Six), always buying and shooting semis (German-made Sigs in 9mm, .40 and .45). I even bought some ammo (box of .38 Spl semiwadcutters and Hornady .357 Mag LeverEvolution, both 158 gr.). I bought it to give myself an introduction to serious (read: centerfire) wheel guns. What should I expect?

madcratebuilder · 11-02-2009, 02:59 PM

You bought one of S&W's finest revolvers, and at a very good price. The 686 well digest .357 mag ammo all day long. I would avoid shooting a lot of 125gr stuff, it can cause forcing cone erosion and flame cutting. It's a L frame, basically a N frame with K frame grips. Enjoy it.

LefthandShooter · 11-02-2009, 07:43 PM

I bought my 686 in the mid 80's. Over 3000 rounds through her and she still looks and performs great.
Only problem is the wife likes her so much she has become "her gun".

But she bought me a 629 to make up for it.

SwedeSteve · 11-03-2009, 11:59 AM

Great gun at a great price !! I know you eill enjoy her.

Ten Man · 11-03-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MemphisJim1

Impulsively I bought a Smith & Wesson 686-1, 4" with wood grips, .357 Mag. ...... What should I expect?

You should expect shooting pleasure that will bring a smile from ear to ear on your face!

Bookman · 11-03-2009, 08:05 PM

You got that 686 for a good price. Start out with some .38 Specials and enjoy your new gun.

Chapman87 · 11-04-2009, 05:15 PM

whats the difference between a 686 and a 586? I just acquired a 586.

Billyz · 11-04-2009, 05:23 PM

100. Couldnt resist.

Chapman87 · 11-04-2009, 05:48 PM

Nice, I should say what are the differences between the MODELS

LefthandShooter · 11-04-2009, 08:00 PM

600 series are stainless.

G. Green · 11-04-2009, 08:34 PM

586 and 686 are good pistols. Both of y'all made a good call. One suggestion....fight thr urge to turn'em into single actions.

SightNSqueeze · 11-04-2009, 09:07 PM

Smith & Wesson L-frames are great range and competition guns; very smooth and very accurate. They are a bit of a load to carry all day in the holster though.

sniper1958 · 11-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapman87

whats the difference between a 686 and a 586? I just acquired a 586.

586 (I have one & love it) is blued & 686 is stainless. The trigger tends to have the tension set forth by S&W's legal team. A good smith can smooth it out and you'll have a great revolver for life!

Checkman · 11-05-2009, 03:14 PM

The .357 magnum L frame models are good revolvers. Some claim that S&W copied the Colt Python when they designed it. It was designed as a response to cracked forcing cones that were discovered on the the Model 19 and Model 13 in the seventies when police officers began to train on a steady basis with full power .357 magnum loads.

There is still some disagreement on this condition, but whatever the case S&W designed the L frame for that problem. The 586/686 are designed for "unlimited" magnum shooting. However you'll probably want to stick with 38 special for most of your shooting. If for no other reason then the cost involved. Even if you reload 38 special is still more affordable and more pleasent to shoot on a regular basis.

LefthandShooter · 11-05-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MemphisJim1

I bought a Smith & Wesson 686-1, 4" with wood grips, .357 Mag. (estimated mid-'80s vintage) in immaculate condition for $475.

I paid $400 for mine brand new mid 80's. Saw one in good condition last weekend at the gun show for $600, but that was a little high.

You could sell yours and make some $$ if you wanted, or keep her for years of faithful service.

LefthandShooter · 11-05-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Green

One suggestion....fight the urge to turn'em into single actions.

Please elaborate.

Deep13 · 11-12-2009, 05:41 PM

"What to expect?"

A lot of noise and one ragged hole.

11-02-2009, 02:42 PM	#1
MemphisJim1 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Suburban Memphis (Mississippi side) Posts: 73	New (to me) 686. What to expect? I had a short "honey-do" list yesterday so filled some time at a local gun show. Impulsively I bought a Smith & Wesson 686-1, 4" with wood grips, .357 Mag. (estimated mid-'80s vintage) in immaculate condition for $475. In all of my years around firearms I've only seriously handled two revolvers (Ruger Bearcat and Single Six), always buying and shooting semis (German-made Sigs in 9mm, .40 and .45). I even bought some ammo (box of .38 Spl semiwadcutters and Hornady .357 Mag LeverEvolution, both 158 gr.). I bought it to give myself an introduction to serious (read: centerfire) wheel guns. What should I expect?

11-02-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 2,395 Images: 3	You bought one of S&W's finest revolvers, and at a very good price. The 686 well digest .357 mag ammo all day long. I would avoid shooting a lot of 125gr stuff, it can cause forcing cone erosion and flame cutting. It's a L frame, basically a N frame with K frame grips. Enjoy it. __________________ Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
	1 members found this post helpful.

11-02-2009, 07:43 PM	#3
LefthandShooter Got Jesus? Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio Posts: 4,333 Blog Entries: 2	I bought my 686 in the mid 80's. Over 3000 rounds through her and she still looks and performs great. Only problem is the wife likes her so much she has become "her gun". But she bought me a 629 to make up for it. __________________ May God give us the wisdom & strength to live our lives in a manner that will be pleasing unto Him.

11-03-2009, 11:59 AM	#4
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	Great gun at a great price !! I know you eill enjoy her. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

11-04-2009, 05:15 PM	#7
Chapman87 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 370	whats the difference between a 686 and a 586? I just acquired a 586. __________________ “THOSE WHO HAMMER THEIR GUNS INTO PLOWS WILL PLOW FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT” T.J.

11-03-2009, 08:05 PM	#6
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 836	You got that 686 for a good price. Start out with some .38 Specials and enjoy your new gun.

11-04-2009, 05:23 PM	#8
Billyz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 241	100. Couldnt resist. __________________ COG #47

11-04-2009, 05:48 PM	#9
Chapman87 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 370	Nice, I should say what are the differences between the MODELS __________________ “THOSE WHO HAMMER THEIR GUNS INTO PLOWS WILL PLOW FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT” T.J.

11-04-2009, 08:00 PM	#10
LefthandShooter Got Jesus? Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio Posts: 4,333 Blog Entries: 2	600 series are stainless. __________________ May God give us the wisdom & strength to live our lives in a manner that will be pleasing unto Him.

11-04-2009, 08:34 PM	#11
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 464	586 and 686 are good pistols. Both of y'all made a good call. One suggestion....fight thr urge to turn'em into single actions.

11-04-2009, 09:07 PM	#12
SightNSqueeze Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Intercoastal Sea Islands, SC, USA Posts: 2,725	Smith & Wesson L-frames are great range and competition guns; very smooth and very accurate. They are a bit of a load to carry all day in the holster though. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was "Your" Voice Heard Today? NRA-ILA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11-05-2009, 03:14 PM	#14
Checkman Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 39	The .357 magnum L frame models are good revolvers. Some claim that S&W copied the Colt Python when they designed it. It was designed as a response to cracked forcing cones that were discovered on the the Model 19 and Model 13 in the seventies when police officers began to train on a steady basis with full power .357 magnum loads. There is still some disagreement on this condition, but whatever the case S&W designed the L frame for that problem. The 586/686 are designed for "unlimited" magnum shooting. However you'll probably want to stick with 38 special for most of your shooting. If for no other reason then the cost involved. Even if you reload 38 special is still more affordable and more pleasent to shoot on a regular basis.

11-12-2009, 05:41 PM	#17
Deep13 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 594	"What to expect?" A lot of noise and one ragged hole. __________________ That which can be asserted without evidence may be dismissed without evidence.