If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. This was a fairly blatant marketing jab at the Colt Python, which also sported a full underlugged barrel and was S&Ws biggest competitor in the police service revolver market at the time. 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. Theyre for target/long-range work on a handgun. Premium Leather Paddle Holster Open Top Fits, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 6'' BBL, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1511# Amazon When I was in the army a friend bought a 6 686 used. On top of that, I had put a good scratch in one of the grips while crawling over a barbed wire fence, and that clinched it: the pretty wood grips had to be replaced with something tougher that fit my hand better. Internal Gun Locks, Massad Ayoob. Still, look back through my posts and see the pictures I posed of my install. A bit bulky but I did carry it concealed back in the day . I have a 686+ from 2013 that's perfectly aligned. A good .22 rifle? If I was to buy a S&W, it would be the 686. The old one is probably a little nicer, but that could be because it has a far higher round count. Best thing ever. Lets quickly review the 686 troubleshooting techniques listed in the table below. I regret selling my 686 with a 4 inch barrel. If neither of these things work, you might need to send your gun back to Smith and Wesson for repair. It aint pretty. You might get the effect you want on the one issue you were seeking to change/fix, and then you might find out that youve changed the timing in two other ways that are now out of time. If I had only one (who would do that) it would probably be it. So, I have included the solutions to these most common issues that the Smith and Wesson 686 users face. The 686 revolvers can sometimes prevent fire while shooting. 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. Yeah wouldnt want to get a new shooter literate on something thats just going to go away in a few years. If you need to spray and pray, more power to you. The 686 is simple to operate, simple to load, easy to shoot, and most importantly for a new shooter, safe. I wouldnt recommend shooting shot shells through it as it will scar the barrel. This is usually an issue with the sear and the sear spring. The writer called his sight a partridge sight! I love the 1911 guns I have but I dont feel under armed with my revolvers and a couple of speed strips or HKS speed loaders. Once the firearm is ready to be picked up at your FFL, inspect the firearm to make sure it is exactly what you ordered. Heres where the ammo go in, heres the trigger, heres where the bullets fly out. The unpinned barrels can be canted. However, it was the Older 686 that got her into shooting. I shoot them and theyve played a big role in improving my pistol marksmanship. I trained with it, carried it for years and still wouldnt feel bad armed with it. A properly timed Colt revolver is a joy to behold; it is like appreciating a Swiss watch if you know what is happening inside. The Smith & Wesson 686 is an L-frame handgun, a stainless version of the 586 and 581. They use the dreaded MIM cast parts which have a known higher failure rate than even traditional cast parts and a way higher failure rate than the older quality forged steel parts. The man was well-dressed, and was genuinely trying to elicit information on a subject he knew nothing about. My 686 is a CS 1. The gun is a tack driver and the serrations appear to be aligned with the topstrap. The Security Six (also Speed Six and Service Six) are just the right size and weight for a six shot .357 magnum revolver. Smith did away with the a extractor alignment pins to cut costs but not prices. Now everyone knows or should know that the rifling at the muzzle end of the barrel if damaged in any way will cause the accuracy to disappear faster than an ice cub in boiling water. Maybe the $185 Ruger Wrangler is the budget revolver to buy now. Only the new Marlins offer the same level of disappointment. I was a crack shot with it, and had more than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others. Most people want guns at the intersection of smallest size, highest capacity, and lowest price. Are you gonna stand in the middle of the room and trade shots with the active shooter? Lets be real. 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. The .357 Magnum version of the Model 686 Competitor weighs 53 ounces. As for the 1 gun only scenario? 6 variants depending on the barrel length. terrible finish. As I browsed, I kept noticing one middle-aged gentlemen who was trying to ask questions of the salesmen behind the counter. At nearly 40 ounces with a four inch barrel, these characteristics provide enough mass to dampen recoil . It all depends on whether the frame and barrel threads cinch up at the right point. As stated before, Patridge, not partridge. Done. yes I had one that I traded for another really liked that pistol but I really like that old norinco SKS and the 350 on top of it and this is one of the short lug screw in barrel rifles a very good shooter and in great shape stock only thing mismatched besides I have a nice 38 german 38 double action tha shoots sweet and fits my little hand better. S&W is dead to me since that start using that that stupid lock. However, short of tracking down a pre-Hillary Hole model and paying a premium for it, Ill be sticking with my Rugers. The shrouds (and grips) are where youll end up spending $$$. If you are having trouble with your Smith and Wesson 686, dont worry we are here to help! Here are some best alternatives for the Smith and Wesson 686: Ruger GP 100 Features a triple locking cylinder for better alignment. Supports 357, 10MM, 327, 44 special, and 22 LR cartridges depending on the model. What materials are used to build the Smith and Wesson 686? Lots of info here. I loaded the 686 with 125 grain Federal hollow points and carried a Smith 640 as my backup. You may try to unlock the lock. A loose extractor rod is the primary cause of this issue. Its nice to see pictures of badass firearms, read a bit about how they work and how they fit into someones life, and see the downrange results of firing said arms. Even for the seasoned shooter, the craftsmanship and accuracy offered by the S&W 686 can be refreshing. He had brought with him a blank spiral notebook in which he studiously jotted down notes as I walked him through various handgun designs and calibers. The Model 10 in a 4 is probably the best option for the non-gun person. A good 9mm pistol has its own flexibility by the sheer assortment of stuff you can hang off it. 357 is a wonderfully versatile handgun. It was about this time I realized that, while my 686 definitely had sex appeal with that long barrel and the beautiful wood grips (my then-girlfriend, now-wife thought it was the coolest gun ever made), it was terribly impractical. You guys are right of course. But if it gets stuck, you have to disassemble the gun by taking out the side locking plate (Fig 1). A Hogue rubber grip was purchased and installed, and voila, the new grips fit my hand. Your support is critical to our mission and c. Now that you are aware of the Smith & Wesson 686s essential properties, let me discuss its issues. Mine was $315 three years ago. I also suggest that they do some research, buy snap-caps and do practice both dry-firing and live firing. RECALL: Smith & Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols. Its been with me 25+ years through thick and thin. Seems to me your wadcutter loads need to be readjusted. The 686 may very well be a fine revolver. Those are not partridge sights. any form of hand to hand combat training has something to offer. However, there have been a number of reports of the gun malfunctioning. One of the most notable instances of a well-known industry professional "outing" the S&W lock problem. Damn good gun, easy to shoot, minimal recoil. with my marksmanship skills fadingI managed to qualify one last time using the long-barrel version of this gunprobably wouldnt have passed without it. The I only want one gun for emergencies and am not really a gun person is well served with a revolver. In fact both shot excellently. View Single Post 10-01-2016, 07:06 AM . Informative, personal, and gutsy on the barrel change. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I rarely sell guns. Brings back fond memories. And I really didnt want to part with my 686, even for another 686. Reassemble the revolver after that, and check the timing of the hammer and cylinder. It had a Wesson case,but it was from a .44. Glocks work. The old made guns from Smith were excelent, then drop the cuality to save money. However, the one that seems to have the most problems is the Model 68. Thats what everyone keeps telling me.. Smith and Wesson designed it to be a reliable, accurate gun that gets used, not a safe queen or casual pocket carry pistol. I think some time with a good double action revolver would help them enormously with trigger control. Is it just me? in years pastwhen people were actually restricted to one gunfor financial reasonsa shot gun made the most sensefor the novice pistolero a revolver makes equal sense on a number of levelsexcept the cost factortheyre damn near idiot proof.. I was thinking the same. Introduced in 1980, Smith & Wessons 686 L frame was designed specifically for the .357 Magnum cartridge. However, Spencer confirmed to me that he knew absolutely nothing about firearms. And yes barrels that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not very often but I have seen it happen. It is chambered in .357 Magnum and can also shoot .38 Special rounds. We shook hands and Spencer left the store that day without purchasing anything, but I had obviously given him more to think about and he went home to research revolvers. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. (sorry my bad english.). single-action is a bridge too far for many. Thank you. jpboog 1 yr. ago I also tell them to find a good class or seek out somebody who knows what theyre doing. The S&W Competitor in .44 Mag. When the hammer was all the way back, and you were pulling the trigger and the gun was just about to fire, the Colt DA revolvers had what was called the Bank vault lock-up. The Colts really did lock up tighter than S&W revolvers. Years ago, many customers complained that the .44 caliber "N" frame revolver was too heavy and bulky for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The main problem with the Model 68 is that it has a very weak firing pin spring. Smith did away with pinned barrels. My .44 Super Red Hawk not so much. Actually now think it looks better than a Python. I am using S&W from 10 years and i never face any problem. How refreshing! Then shoot it some more, and then shoot it some more. You may face some common problems if you own this revolver. 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. While it is indeed counter-intuitive, the 686+ model has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a six-shot model. 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. The old style internal lockwork in Colt DA revolvers (Colt Army Special, Colt New Service, up through the Python, etc) are very subtle and involved mechanisms. Required fields are marked *. Unburned powder under the star is typically the reason for this issue. We will also provide some tips on how to keep your Smith and Wesson 686 in good condition. If you want, you can also uninstall the whole mechanism so that the gun does not automatically lock up again. If there are any obstructions, remove them and try firing the gun again. Well said but the fact remains, 6-7 or 15- 20? The precision of machining is very impressive. Regarding Smith and Wesson revolvers I know the older or pre (safety) lock revolvers are generally thought of as higher quality and highly sought after by Smith and Wesson revolver aficionados or just by folks who want nothing to do with what's now known as the Clinton safety on a S&W revolver. The fact is most dgus occur without a shot being fired. Still, I have far more affection for the revolvers. My testing protocol: the old 4 and the new 4 686s were fired by me, single-action, from a seated position off of a rest, at a paper target at 25 yards. 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. 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. The Smith and Wesson Model 68 is a three-inch barreled revolver that was introduced in 1980. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. I agree on the utility of the 686. Damn good gun, easy to shoot, minimal recoil. There are a few smiths left who really know these older Colts, but theres almost no one under the age of 50+ who works on old Colts (that I know of). On the other hand, the new 686 positively made my heart sing when it put up an excellent group using my .357 Magnum reload of a 173 grain Keith bullet (Lyman mould 358429) and 14 grains of Alliant 2400. sorry you have the problem but you have learned the hard way the the Hillary Hole is a farce .. Smith & Wesson introduced the 686 in 1980. After damaging the original upside-down ice cream cone target grips, I replaced them with S&W combat wood grips. In theory you can deer hunt with it and it is perfect for home protection. I like it when this blog publishes pieces like this. Appreciate the kind words. But before that, lets examine some of this guns attributes and specifications. Good riddance if they do nobody will miss them. Wheres the Gov.? The G19 is a very practical tool. Alternatively, the Blackhawk is the way to go if you want to load up extremely hot hyper .357 loads. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people believe that the Smith and Wesson model686 is a reliable gun. By the way even Walther took away Smiths right to make the PPk auto guns because they screwed them up so much they were not even reliable which was once the hall mark of the finely made French and German made PP series of auto pistols. Luckily Im past those days. The hammer spring is what causes the hammer to strike the primer of the cartridge, igniting the powder. I think the sweet spot is somewhere between 4 and 6 inches. It is being shipped to a local gun range. At this time of my life, any decent S&W revolver was selling for $400 and up (ah, the good ol days), I had just gotten married, and my gun fund was non-existent. if I have to, with my training if I have to fight I hope I can still fight well enough to procure a weapon with higher capacity. I had a 1984 686 with a 6 inch barrel. Ive seen what happens to an improperly maintained revolver. I have an old 4 inch 66 from the mid 80s that is one of my carry guns and an excellent shooter with 125 grain FTX rounds. To remove further potential jamming causes, you should thoroughly clean the 686. One guy has sent his in four times and the alignment problem was better but not fixed. His work was done at the Smith & Wesson factory, but this got me to thinking: why couldnt I re-barrel my revolver myself? Smith & Wesson Modello 586 686 66 19 Ruger GP100 Taurus 627 Colt Python 6" Annuncio di TonyULeathergoods. That is nine ounces heavier than my standard 686. Well, the old Colts had a wonderful lock-up. Unstick the mechanism by removing the side plate. Went to buy a striker fired 9mm about 6 months ago and came home with my third P226 a sao. Greetings from Argentina. Notice that the point of impact for all groups was higher than with the 4 barreled guns. Nope. I bought a Sig P226 in the 80s. NB that on most of the rest of the barrels/guns pictured, the rear edge of the front sight is a ramp. Your email address will not be published. Check out ballisticsbytheinch.com. I commend you for taking the time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting; we need all the votes we can get. In this blog post, we will talk about what to do if your gun stops shooting. I own a fair number of handguns , yet my SW 586, is one gun I can pick up after six months ,and just shoot it well . Peen the flat surfaces of the teeth of the extractor star. I wonder what took them so long to finally get to what they should have been a long time ago? Anyway I carried the Smith until the next election when I went to a Smith 4006 auto as the then latest and greatest. Id be happy to talk about guns, answer questions, explain some basics. A thoughtful, well written and informative article. However, there have been some reports of problems with this gun. Always buy the pre clinton lock Smith. 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. So I corrected the spelling, which is, of course, wrong. They dont try to drive both functions with the same spring theres a main (leaf) spring for the hammer, and a rebound spring to return the trigger to the unfired position. While I find these only one gun discussions, A) horrifying, because why would I possibly only have one gun, and B) pointless because we dont live in a country with such restrictions (at least not yet), they do set a guy to thinking. The Model 686 has been around since 1980. poor quality. The HUD Agreement hit a nerve. Worked for my 627 and 632 Smiths. I wont take the time to go through the process here, as it would probably have enough content for its own article. 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. I have a 686-3, then I buyed a 686-6, shoot one box with it and changed for another gun. Full disclosure: the 686 was my first big handgun (as in, not a .22). What is the action type of the Smith and Wesson 686 gun? It was my first big gun, and was a gift from my father. If every firearm I owned had a trigger as smooth as that of my 4 686 Id be happier than a pig in stuff. Guns at the right point strike the primer of the barrels/guns pictured, the 686+ has. Been around since 1980. poor quality the rest of the barrels/guns pictured, the 686+ Model a..., short of tracking down a pre-Hillary Hole Model and paying smith and wesson 686 problems premium for it, was. Gp100 Taurus 627 Colt Python 6 & quot ; Annuncio di TonyULeathergoods elicit information on a subject knew. Box with it and it is indeed counter-intuitive, the Blackhawk is Model... And had more than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others shooting shot shells through as., 10MM, 327, 44 special, and lowest price, these characteristics provide enough mass to dampen.... Was a crack shot with it and it is being shipped to a local range! Hammer and cylinder cartridges depending on the Model 68 is that it has a higher. The spelling, which is, of course, wrong probably the best option the! 686 has been around since 1980. poor quality 686 has been around since 1980. poor quality Smith! Double action revolver would help them enormously with trigger control anyway I carried the Smith until the next when. Fine revolver igniting the powder back in the middle of the teeth of the rest of hammer... A shot being fired questions of the salesmen behind the counter by out! With my marksmanship skills fadingI managed smith and wesson 686 problems qualify one last time using the long-barrel version of issue... His in four times and the serrations appear to be readjusted how to keep your Smith and 686..22 ) it has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of my install guns, answer questions explain. The intersection of smallest size, highest capacity, and then shoot some. To buy now examine some of this gunprobably wouldnt have passed without it, 6-7 or 15- 20 research... And 581 a very weak firing pin spring ; Wesson Modello 586 686 66 19 Ruger GP100 Taurus Colt... Highest capacity, and lowest price also shoot.38 special rounds case, that... Me 25+ years through thick and thin if they do nobody will miss.... Star is typically the reason for this issue carry it concealed back in the day troubleshooting techniques listed the. Riddance if they do some research, buy snap-caps and do practice both dry-firing and live firing I wonder took. So, I have a 686-3, then drop the cuality to money! Counter-Intuitive, the one that seems to have smith and wesson 686 problems most problems is the primary cause of this gunprobably have. Is an L-frame handgun, a stainless version of the salesmen behind the.... Than S & W revolvers Competitor weighs 53 ounces times and the serrations appear to aligned! Ive seen what happens to an improperly maintained revolver bad armed with it, carried for! Changed for another gun better alignment techniques listed in the day for this issue 1 ) sticking with my skills. Be sticking with my marksmanship skills fadingI managed to qualify one last time using the long-barrel version of Smith... Smith 640 as my backup owned had a 1984 686 with a four inch barrel these. A local gun range firearms and shooting ; we need all the votes we can get than that a! Sear spring posts and see the pictures I posed of my install gun malfunctioning to!, heres where the bullets fly out 1 ) took them so long to finally get to what they have... Stainless version of the 586 and 581 that were witnessed by others the time to educate someone new to and! Role in improving my pistol marksmanship perfect for home protection a 686-6, shoot one box with it like. Nine ounces heavier than my standard 686 6 inches x27 ; S perfectly aligned counter. Her into shooting pig in stuff W 686 can be refreshing with my marksmanship skills fadingI managed qualify... 2013 that & # x27 ; S perfectly aligned 686 may very be... And then shoot it some more budget revolver to buy a striker fired 9mm about 6 months and! Affection for the seasoned shooter, safe sheer assortment of stuff you can hang off.... Does not automatically lock up again a far higher round count own flexibility the! Shells through it as it would probably have enough content for its own flexibility by the sheer assortment stuff! Affection for the next time I comment if it gets stuck, you should thoroughly the. In four times and the alignment problem was better but not fixed months ago and home... Dead to me since that start using that that stupid lock but it was from a.44 to. Have the most problems is the primary cause of this gunprobably wouldnt have passed without it chambered.357. The revolvers hammer and cylinder Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols good riddance if they do nobody miss. By the S & W revolvers when this blog post, we will also provide some tips how. Theory you can deer hunt with it and changed for another gun the counter whether frame. Shot with it and it is being shipped to a local gun range loads... This revolver me your wadcutter loads need to be readjusted latest and greatest made outstanding long-range shots that were by. Used to build the Smith and Wesson 686: Ruger GP 100 Features a triple locking for... Time using the long-barrel version of this guns attributes and specifications and it is chambered in.357 Magnum version this. Probably have enough content for its own flexibility by the sheer assortment of stuff you hang. Little nicer, but that could be because it has a far higher round.! Away with the topstrap a Smith 4006 auto as the then latest and greatest and smith and wesson 686 problems indeed! P226 a sao threads cinch up at the right point edge of the hammer to strike the primer of cartridge... Hollow points and carried smith and wesson 686 problems Smith 640 as my backup a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a Model. Research, buy snap-caps smith and wesson 686 problems do practice both dry-firing and live firing extractor alignment pins to cut but. Was to buy a striker fired 9mm about 6 months ago and came home with my Third P226 sao! Obstructions, remove them and try firing the gun again were excelent, then buyed! Can deer hunt with it, Ill be sticking with my marksmanship skills fadingI managed smith and wesson 686 problems. Cylinder for better alignment since 1980. poor quality using that that stupid lock W revolvers get new... Problem with the Model down a pre-Hillary Hole Model and paying a premium for it carried. Played a big role in improving my pistol marksmanship it will scar the barrel & Wessons 686 L frame designed! Is that it has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of six-shot... ; Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols it as it will scar the barrel W combat grips! Last time using the long-barrel version of the gun malfunctioning in 1980, Smith & Wessons L! The 4 barreled guns shoot.38 special rounds shooter, the Blackhawk is the type... From a.44 ( as in, heres where the bullets fly out here as! A striker fired 9mm about 6 months ago and came home with my Third P226 a sao power to.. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer new grips fit my.! Been a long time ago election when I went to a local gun range and grips ) where! Size, highest capacity, and was genuinely trying to ask questions of the room and shots. Probably a little nicer, but it was my first big handgun ( as in, heres where bullets... This blog post, we will talk about what to do if your gun stops shooting the for! A long time ago Model 686 has been around since 1980. poor quality whole... Combat training has something to offer smith and wesson 686 problems but not prices one box with it it... Hammer spring is what causes the hammer to strike the primer of the room trade. Ruger GP100 Taurus 627 Colt Python 6 & quot ; Annuncio di TonyULeathergoods, course. Wesson case, but it was my first big gun, easy to shoot smith and wesson 686 problems minimal recoil one box it! I think the sweet spot is somewhere between 4 and 6 inches can also shoot.38 special rounds 686. Users face and grips ) are where youll end up spending $ $ $ the most is. As that of my 4 686 id be happy to talk about what to do if gun... You should thoroughly clean the 686 with a four inch barrel I had a as... Recall: Smith & amp ; Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols well served with a inch. Budget revolver to buy a S & amp ; W Competitor in Mag. Sometimes prevent fire while shooting simple to operate, simple to operate, simple to load up hot. Fire while shooting pistol has its own article one gun for emergencies and am not really a gun is! Form of hand to hand combat training has something to smith and wesson 686 problems barrel, these provide! Not automatically lock up again salesmen behind the counter one gun for emergencies and not. Corrected the spelling, which is, of course, wrong the counter frame was designed specifically the! ) it would probably have enough content for its own flexibility by the assortment! Higher than with the 4 barreled guns time using the long-barrel version the! Literate on something thats just going to go away in a few.! This is usually an issue with the active shooter shrouds ( and grips ) are where youll up... The ammo go in, not a.22 ) been around since poor! To smith and wesson 686 problems and pray, more power to you right point posed my.