smith & wesson

[rolly]

Iam considering a S&W 686, 6 inches

They have three models (i only need one !!!...so far... hehe)

• Model 686 Plus Revolver - 6", 7-Shot
  
• Model 686PP Revolver (power port) - 6", 6 shot
  
• Model 686 Revolver - 6", 6-Shot

Which one would you get and why?
what do you know about them ? what are the differences between the models ? reliability?


I need help on that !!!!!

Thanks!

[kurac]

I would go for an older one without the lock. They used to turn up all the time but I haven't spotted one in a while until last week, Kerleys (in cupertino) had/has an older one with a 2.5" barrel, round butt and the collectible finger grooved combat stocks for $699, a good price in my opinion.

A lot of times you can find 15-30 year old guns in like new condition especially magnums simply because the previous owner was not really into guns or shooting like most of us

[movie zombie]

i wll defer to kurac and only say that i don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

movie zombie

[BaronW]

What do you want to do with it?

[cactuspete]

I have a newer 6" 686 Plus (yeh, it's got the zit on the side) but is an awsume gun. Have had action job, patridge front site installed and use the Hogue X-frame grip. Highly recommended.

My two cents - I've heard the PP is really not needed on the 6" 686 since it has enough heft to it to tame recoil. As far as strength, the seven shot 686 Plus supposedly has a slight edge over the six shot 686 since the cylinder notch is between the chambers - not right over them.

Which ever you get, one of the best .357 mags on the planet.

[bwiese]

Hiya Rolly,

Don't worry too much about what the "no lock/no-MIM" folks say.

It's pretty irrelevant except to collector types - and the new production guns often have better triggers & barrels than the "old classics". And given the CA Roster situation, you'll end up paying fairly close to new prices for a good quality used gun.

I am presuming you want a quality, reliable, accurate gun to shoot - as opposed to somthing pretty you look at once a year.

I speak from some experience - I own (my late dad's) later-1980s 6" 686-2. Nice gun. But I frequently shot the late Parag's 2005 4" 686 Plus: the latter was a better, tighter more accurate gun. Similarly, my 2005 4" 625 is a tighter more accurate gun than the 625s I've shot from late 80s.

The 686 Plus holds 7 rounds. In theory the hottest handloads may be more appropriate for the tad-slightly-beefier cylinder in the 6 round version. I doubt that that is an issue for you and would encourage you to get the 686 Plus in 7 rounds - it's basically a "why not?" kinda question.

You may want to think over 4" vs 6" bbl. (There are some 5" ones out there too.) 6" gives you more muzzle velocity; it also offers a longer sight radius and thus more accurate for this reason (intrinsically, other than this, 4" bbl & 6" bbl of same quality should offer identical accuracy). The 4" is obviously a bit more "portable" form factor.

I do not see the need for 'porting'. Ported guns can 'spit' flame/debris out the port, and the recoil even on strong 357Mag rounds is certainly controllable esp on an all-steel full-sized gun that a reasonably-sized person such as yourself can readily control.

I really think you'll enjoy a nice S&W 686Plus wheelgun. You probably won't end up selling it. Frankly, I think everyone should own at least one

[686Plus]

I would go with the Plus. I've had mine fort about 10 or 11 years and it has never failed me. I shoot hot .357 rounds all the time and have never had any problems. It is very accurate and is maybe the coolest looking gun I own. I love it and will never part with it.

[686Plus]

By coincidence my buddy just came over after picking up his new 686+ and I was surprised to see the differences in trigger and hammer/firing pin. My 686+ (10-11 years old) has the integrated firing pin hammer. His hammer strikes an internal firing pin and is noticeably harder to cock. When and why were these changes made?

[rolly]

yes I want a quality, reliable, accurate gun to shoot ...and the S&W 686 is also very sexy.
I think I will go for a brand new one versus a used one because of the lifetime warranty. BTW what does the lifetime warranty covers?
I will be shootng the 686 an average of 50 rounds a week and also want to try it up to 200 yards.

[smittty]

S&W warranty and customer service are excellent regardless if you buy new or used. I recently found out that my used revolver had too large of a barrel cylinder gap and S&W paid for shipping both ways and installed a new barrel. Their literature says they don't warranty used guns but they do if the gun hasn't been tampered with. This was my 2nd experience with their costomer service and they are great in that respect.

I feel the older revolvers were fit better with tighter tolerances but their current guns are still pretty good. Some people don't like the internal lock but don't let that be an issue for you and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one just because of that. The newer guns have a transfer bar which is safer than system used in the old guns.

You mentioned ported, I wouldn't pay extra for that on a revolver of this size and caliber. I feel it's a heavy gun to carry on my hip but shooting it is very nice, even with full power loads. It's a good gun.

[oghl888]

Some say that the 7 shot version has a different trigger feel. I have 2 older 686 and a newer 627 (8 shot). The 8 shot trigger is significantly different in DA.

You can't go wrong with any of the 3 listed.

[Old Fud]

First, I'm not a fan of porting or compensating.
And as already stated, the 6" barrel is heavy enough to tame the beast, so why mess around -- stay standard!

When I made my choice, I went with the 6-shot version because speed-loaders were so plentiful for that. Never regretted it.

Fud

[Snapping Twig]

I a six-shooter guy. Extra rounds just don't seem right. Nothing wrong with it, just not for me.

Porting? Not needed on a 6" fully lugged L frame, but.... effective if you do.
You have to make the call there. I did it on a 627-0 and it makes the heaviest loaded 170g magnums feel like 38 spl.

IL is a non starter for me. If you gave me one, I'd sell it and buy one without it - matter of principle to me.

So, given the choices listed, I'd get the 6" non ported 6 shooter, but that's me.

[tiko]

I chose 686 plus 7 shot-4 ". 6 " is a bit muzzle heavy and too long for defense, easier to be grabbed by invader . i also got 5" but 4" is my best. 10 yards off hand could make 2" groups.

[rolly]

Thank you everybody
For sure I will get the 686 in 6 inches. I will not get the ported.
Iam still wondering about the plus and "non-plus".

is it easy to find speed-loader for the plus?
what would be the maximum "hot-load" (Iam reloading myself :RCBS)that the Plus could get [I want to be able to shot (precision) up to 200 yards] ?

Thank you again !!!!