The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: mward58 on April 28, 2008, 08:04:36 PM
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Looking to get a DA revolver. Have my eyes on a S &W 686 revolver. If anybody here has one or has shot one let me know what you think about them.
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I have money on one now. So I hope no one says don't buy one. lol
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You can't really go wrong with a 686, assuming it's new or as new and hasn't been messed with. If it's used, get someone to check it over, as timing, cylinder shake, chamber alignment, and other issues are not something you will be familiar with. Not sure which 686 you are looking for, but there are plenty of models. For a first time shooter, get a 4" or 6" barrel 6 or 7 shot (seven shooters are newer and may bring a higher price). My favorite 686 is the 7 shot mountain gun, but unfortunately they don't make them anymore. The six inch barrel is a little front heavy; I would definitely suggest the 4" for general use.
If you're looking for a carry gun they are one heavy sucker to wear all day; you can pack a lot more ammo in a lot lighter gun, but it sounds like you're new to shooting, and carry probably isn't an issue. If you are getting your first handgun, it should really be a .22 rimfire; ten thousand rounds later you will know a lot more about shooting and with the money you didn't spend on ammo you can buy several centerfire revolvers. If going to shoot mostly .38 specials, also look at the 66, with a slightly smaller frame. You might find it does all you will ever want.
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I have a 586 (6-shot blued version) with a 4 inch barrel and highly recommend it. Not necessarily a small or lightweight gun but perfect for field use, target shooting, and home defense. Went with a 4 inch barrel because it offers the heft and recoil control while still being long enough for better sight radius. With approximately 3,000 rounds of mixed .38Spl+P and .357 Magnum loads shot through it, it still functions fine and feels very controllable. Both single action and double action mode are very smooth out-of-the-box. Again, it is a large weapon and I agree with the previous poster - if you have small hands or don't have a lot of arm strength - a smaller/lighter model may be more appropriate.
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When God made revolvers, he chambered them in .357!
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If you are getting your first handgun, it should really be a .22 rimfire; ten thousand rounds later you will know a lot more about shooting and with the money you didn't spend on ammo you can buy several centerfire revolvers.
That is good advise.... Ive been shooting for years, but never have owned a 22 pistol - and I'd give my wife for a nice Ruger in .22 LR!
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I prefer the 586 (Blue vs. Stainless) and have had 2 - 1 4" and 1 6" and am looking for another 4". Love them. Handle well, shoot great with the right loads but handles everything.
Go for it
Richard
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The 7 shot 686 was my wife's first pistol and she loves it. I honestly think it's the smoothest, most well made handgun I've ever handled. This thing is really well balanced and accurate, with a nice trigger right out of the box.
You can't go wrong in my book.
Here it is right out of the range bag (before cleaning)
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll237/jaybethel/SW357.jpg)
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Nice piece! It's hard to beat a S&W K-frame. ;)
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You can't really go wrong with a 686, assuming it's new or as new and hasn't been messed with. If it's used, get someone to check it over, as timing, cylinder shake, chamber alignment, and other issues are not something you will be familiar with. Not sure which 686 you are looking for, but there are plenty of models. For a first time shooter, get a 4" or 6" barrel 6 or 7 shot (seven shooters are newer and may bring a higher price). My favorite 686 is the 7 shot mountain gun, but unfortunately they don't make them anymore. The six inch barrel is a little front heavy; I would definitely suggest the 4" for general use.
If you're looking for a carry gun they are one heavy sucker to wear all day; you can pack a lot more ammo in a lot lighter gun, but it sounds like you're new to shooting, and carry probably isn't an issue. If you are getting your first handgun, it should really be a .22 rimfire; ten thousand rounds later you will know a lot more about shooting and with the money you didn't spend on ammo you can buy several centerfire revolvers. If going to shoot mostly .38 specials, also look at the 66, with a slightly smaller frame. You might find it does all you will ever want.
Thanks for the advice. Not new to shooting and have a safe full of stuff but no DA Revolvers. I started the way you suggested and tell my friends who are getting started to go .22 first and get technique down, then progress up. Also then your trips to the range are longer and/or more economical since you can shoot the .22 for alot less money than the larger calibers.
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I prefer the 586 (Blue vs. Stainless) and have had 2 - 1 4" and 1 6" and am looking for another 4". Love them. Handle well, shoot great with the right loads but handles everything.
Go for it
Richard
Thanks Richard,
The one I am looking at is a 4 inch and if I have read right it is pre 2001 since it does not have the internal lock. It looks lightly used and the price is right. Shop is willing to give me good money on my Uberti 357 single action as a trade. Have wanted to buy a good DA Revolver for a few years now, but did not really see one that I liked at the right price. This one tripped my trigger and the shop owner was willing to trade fairly.
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One more thing. Have any of you 686 users bought new grips? Thinking of the exotic wood Hogues. Have you had any slippage with wood and if so does checkered grips solve the issue. Any help you knowledgeable wheelgunners can give me is appreciated!
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One more thing. Have any of you 686 users bought new grips? Thinking of the exotic wood Hogues. Have you had any slippage with wood and if so does checkered grips solve the issue. Any help you knowledgeable wheelgunners can give me is appreciated!
Never had any experience with Hogue's wood grips, but I have one of their soft rubber grips on my Colt .357 and I love it. I highly recommend it if you are looking to change out the grips.
(http://images.wholesalehunter.com/prodpics/hogupic60000.jpg)
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A 686 with .38 Specials is as good as a .22 revolver for training.
That's the joy of a revolver. You can load it as light or as heavy as you want it. A 686 with Cowboy-style .38's would be as gentle as possible for a new shooter.
And even for an experienced shooter, a fire-breating 125-grain SJHP is pure fun.
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The 686 is a true masterpiece, I've owned 3, and still have 1, a 6" bobbed hammer, trigger cocking only. It has over 60,000 rounds through it, I ringed the barrel just in front of the forcing cone >:(, and it still shoots 1" at 25 yards with my match loads. As to grips, I like the old Safariland plastic grips for competetion, it kind of squirts the gun into the right grip when drawing. I do use the Hogues, rubber and wood, the rubber ones I normally sand most of the finger grooves off and then round them for my hand, the factory spacing is too far apart for me. A lot of people favor the Miculek grip, but I've only found one pair that fit me, and they were on someone elses gun. If I could find another pair for sale, I would probably try them. I think you will truly enjoy your new L Frame. ;D
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Bought a set of Hogue wood grips long time ago and will put them on my 586/686 when I find one at the right price. Haven't shot full power .357 with them but hot .38's are OK.
Richard
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(http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/prodimg/10000L.jpg)
When I saw those Hogues on JayBethel's 686, I just had to pull my set out of storage and put them on my 64.
I like the pach grippers and my 64 came with the gripper pro's. I found the pro's irritate my thumb shooting hot loads,
so it's back to the Hogues ;D
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Has anyone replaced the front sight with Hi-Viz sights. I see some higher end production S & W's have them standard. Just wondering if you need a Smith to put them on or it is an easy job I can do. ???
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If you have a pin on front site it shouldn't be too much of a problem if not you will need a smith.
Richard
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I carried the 586 as a LEO and I am damm glad I did as it saved my bacon quite a few times. Buy it you can not go wrong especially with 125 gr bullets, man is that thing accurate. But if it is used do like mnshooter advised and do a good look over on it.
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I have a 686PP with a 6" barrel and my wife has a TRR8. Both are excelent, accurate revolvers and a lot of fun to shoot. We bred them and they had two lovely babies. :D
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/TxPhantom_2006/Revolvers8-16-2007006.jpg)
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NICE!
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On the pinned front sights, yes you can do it, but the sight blade comes without a hole in it, you will have to tap the sight in place and use a punch or drill bit to mark the location of the hole, remove the sight blade and drill it to accept the pin. Not rocket science, but it is not a drop in type of operation.
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Absolutely love it. Sweet trigger. Absolutely fine gun. Mine (early 80's) has a 8 3/8" barrel. I'd love to have a 6" one, but it hasn't reached the top of the priority list yet.
I bought mine to shoot revolver class IHMSA. While I never did too well, I did manage to clean 5 rams (200yds) in a row one day. (Lobbed the bullet in) Now that I'm a little more practiced, I want to go back and try that again.
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Finally got my permit to purchase after a ten day wait. Going to pick My 686 up tomorrow. Will give you a report on how she shoots!
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Got to the range with my newly purchased 686. You guys were right. It is an excellent shooter. Took a few rounds to get a handle on the proper trigger pull for a double action revolver. After about 30 rounds I was able to put 6 rounds all in the vital areas of a transitional target. I've only been shooting handguns occasionally for the last year and a half so that is pretty good for me. i really like this gun!
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just my 2 cents, i prefer the ruger Gp100 or Sp101 series. the rugers are a bit more comfortable for me and my hands. my brother just got a 686 6" in 7 shot, its nice and a nail driver. i guess i'm just partial to the rugers