It's a competition revolver so accuracy is part of the package. Personally when asked by a beginner I suggest a full or mid-size (new) 9mm pistol; Glock, S&W, Taurus, Canick, Beretta, Ruger, TiSAS, Walther, FN, SIG-Sauer, CZ. Best thing ever. The main problem with the Model 68 is that it has a very weak firing pin spring. You may face some common problems if you own this revolver. Hes gone now, but that M65 is in my safe. Spencer gasped when I said .357 Magnum. However, I explained to him that this revolver could also fire the lower power .38 Special cartridge, which is ballistically very similar to the 9mms he had been considering. Leave it loaded for years, with no worry.. Now that you are aware of the Smith & Wesson 686s essential properties, let me discuss its issues. I could make the case for all of those for a one-gun battery. (sorry my bad english.) People have shared their experiences where some of them have faced a few problems with the gun. I concurred again a class was an excellent idea. You should keep the barrel pointing upward as you remove the casings. Obstructions can cause the gun to malfunction. Pity. I was recently in one of my favorite Montana gun shops, perusing the used rifle rack and minding my own. Real cowboys pack a Model 66 for its lighter front end. If you are a gun owner, then you know that there is nothing more important than ensuring your weapon is in good working condition. The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. The shrouds (and grips) are where youll end up spending $$$. poor quality. No, it doesnt have the ammunition capacity of a semi-auto, but it could be left loaded for years and be picked up at a moments notice and fired. REVOLVER FAIL! 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. You must specifically peen the teeths flat surfaces. Revolvers. My first duty pistol was a late 80s vintage 4 Smith 686. While it is indeed counter-intuitive, the 686+ model has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a six-shot model. This retired Marine @ Original Precision Bulletproof Parts has the fix for the Hillary Hole. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. Before the cylinder is in place, the hammer may get cocked when you pull it. Once done, I repeated the test firings with the same 5 loads through the now-long barreled 686. 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. In theory you can deer hunt with it and it is perfect for home protection. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. During your shooting session, the revolver can occasionally jam. 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. if you carry a gun, it should not be a weapon. yes . With Smith & Wesson bleeding badly, influential people in the industry tried to calm tensions and save the brand from destruction, but a large part of the gun community wasn't having it. We will also provide some tips on how to keep your Smith and Wesson 686 in good condition. Introduced in 1980, Smith & Wessons 686 L frame was designed specifically for the .357 Magnum cartridge. You may try to unlock the lock. Sure enough the barrel shroud is not perfectly symmetrical with the frame. To make the revolver completely safe, simply opened up the cylinder. 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. Wheres the Gov.? . I love S&W revolvers. Can you change the grip of the Smith and Wesson 686? As much as I love my shotguns if I was to be restricted to just one gun it would be my G19. Ive been doing mostly rifle shooting for quite a wile now I live on a smaller island and going back to the 686, probably the best and most fun hand gun I ever owned. Greetings from Argentina. Some people just go around all the forums with their incessant whining about S&W products. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I just hope there are no innocents down range while you are burning through your ammo. However, Spencer confirmed to me that he knew absolutely nothing about firearms. Anyway I carried the Smith until the next election when I went to a Smith 4006 auto as the then latest and greatest. The old made guns from Smith were excelent, then drop the cuality to save money. Thread: My brand new 686 plus. I dont know why, but the non-fluted cylinders just look great to me, but every time Ive tried to buy one, I never win the auction. Second, only use ammunition that is designed for your gun. if I need to. If neither of these methods work, youll likely need to send your gun back to Smith & Wesson for repair. A pump action 12 gauge shotgun? S&W 66-4 was my first big boy gun bought at a gun show from a lot of sheriff department trade ins. This is why I recommend to those buying revolvers Shoot S&Ws (and Rugers) and collect Colts.. I enjoy shooting my .357 and I can hit the target almost every time. The gun is a tack driver and the serrations appear to be aligned with the topstrap. My advice for new handgun shooters is always the same: start with a .22, and shoot it. Wrong. But the serial number is messed up . Smith uses now a two piece barrel and despite gun writer propaganda, no they do not shoot better they shoot worse. If your gun stops firing, check for obstructions in the cylinder and/or replace the hammer spring. Will recommend until these are no longer available. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. But for the price of a new one why not get a Ruger magnum and have the option of different ammo. terrible finish. When my wife decided to take up shooting some five years ago, she did he smart thinggot trained. If you are having this problem, make sure to clean your gun regularly and use high-quality ammunition. What is the rifle ammo type of the Smith and Wesson 686? Theyre for target/long-range work on a handgun. Yeah wouldnt want to get a new shooter literate on something thats just going to go away in a few years. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. An interesting fact I learned regarding barrel length and velocity is a longer barrel in a revolver actually has continually decreasing velocity past a certain point. Sure enough, my name was called and I suddenly became the owner of a brand new, 4-inch model 686. hunting handgun. In fact both shot excellently. Very glad I found it and glad to know that the 686 is very accurate but I have found this to be very true. 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 She tried it and that was it. After damaging the original upside-down ice cream cone target grips, I replaced them with S&W combat wood grips. Needless to say I will be having some fun this summer. I know its a light head but the B Dot made up for it. Additionally, a filthy gun may occasionally jam. That would have been 1981. RECALL: Smith & Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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 incredibly accurate with the 125 grain FTX. What materials are used to build the Smith and Wesson 686? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. If you are impatient, or dont know how to operate tools, or dont have the correct tools, or arent incredibly anal retentive, DONT TRY IT. The .357 Magnum version of the Model 686 Competitor weighs 53 ounces. A gunsmith will be able to diagnose and fix the problem. Same deal inside a Ruger. At the time our sheriff felt that automatics were too complicated for reserve officers (he was an idiot in other categories too). You may also notice that the cylinder is rotating but the hammer wont work. The most common Smith and Wesson 686 problems are trigger lock automatically engaging, sear and spring issue, failure to carry up, jamming, cylinder not closing, and slow timing. sorry you have the problem but you have learned the hard way the the Hillary Hole is a farce .. Colt DAs, on the other hand are Greek inside, and there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths who work on them. The Performance Center is the in-house custom shop of Smith & Wesson, and it is staffed with pistolsmiths who have decades of experience. And then an even more interesting question: how would the old 686 stack up if I re-installed that original 8 3/8 inch barrel? Great article Austin! Design, quality and quality control problems have been endemic to Smith and Wesson firearms for decades. I know it sure made a big difference for me. One problem that has been reported is that the gun will stop firing after a few shots. s. When the hand or the slot deteriorates, this problem arises (Fig 2). Then, buy a quality .357 revolver, like the S&W 686. terrible finish. Common Smith and Wesson 686 Problems and Solutions, Top 3 Alternative Guns of Smith and Wesson 686, Solutions to 5 Taurus TX22 Competition Problems, Glock 23 Gen 4 Problems that You Must Know About, Ruger LCR 9mm Problems and The Practical Solutions, Front Red Ramp Rear Adjustable White Outline. Love my revolvers. 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.. My 686 is a CS 1. Damn fine gun and I will keep it. Well I was wrong. 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. Thats why all the revolver action is in small-framed guns under $500. This can be caused by dirt or debris getting into the trigger assembly. One of the most notable instances of a well-known industry professional "outing" the S&W lock problem. It was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and had a six-shot cylinder. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? Some practical and some not so much. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Someone might luck into a good deal on a Security Six. On my 18th birthday, my dad presented me with a new-in-the-box 686 that had been sitting in the local hardware stores display case for over 15 years. Actions where we pick off some gas will suffer this diminishing return length sooner, for the same reason we see it in revolvers. I have heard a few novices call revolvers old, clunky and cowboy guns. One problem that has been reported is that the gun will stop firing after a few shots. Its been with me 25+ years through thick and thin. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. As stated before, Patridge, not partridge. That said, one of my biggest regrets is selling my 4 stainless HB Security Six. Then shoot it some more, and then shoot it some more. You have two options You can not by a kit which removed and enables the lock or send it back to the company for a lock replacement. Once cleaned up, that is the prettiest of all my blued barrels. Also, the cartridges in your photo are listed in reverse. 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.. The old one is probably a little nicer, but that could be because it has a far higher round count. Maybe the $185 Ruger Wrangler is the budget revolver to buy now. Luckily Im past those days. When the cylinder falls short of locking into place for the subsequent round, a failure to carry up occurs. Im kinda late to this conversation, but just found it. Evidently this is the new normal for S&W revolvers. Done. Im actually looking at pre lock 686s right now, probably a 4 is going to be bought one of these days. If the spring is broken or damaged, it will need to be replaced. Lets quickly review the 686 troubleshooting techniques listed in the table below. Like computers. As my gun fund grew and other handguns were purchased, the 686 was carried less and less, especially when I started getting into USPSA and later 3-Gun competition. I own a S&W 10-5 4in that Ive owned for years which is also pretty accurate but now like having the extra fire power of the 686. The S&W 686 Plus probably won't satisfy a more gadget-oriented shooter. You have entered an incorrect email address! Home with me and into the safe, next to the old 686 it went. His fifth attempt at sending it back resulted in S&W sending him a brand new gun which still had the barel misaligned. Smith & Wesson Modello 586 686 66 19 Ruger GP100 Taurus 627 Colt Python 6" Annuncio di TonyULeathergoods. Wanted a 6 Python, but couldnt bring myself to spend the extra $ even way back then. Most people want guns at the intersection of smallest size, highest capacity, and lowest price. So I corrected the spelling, which is, of course, wrong. 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. I commend you for taking the time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting; we need all the votes we can get. Guns are like Harleys and Women. Is it just me? No safety lock on mine, great sights, and a pistol that just works first time, every time. [emailprotected]@[emailprotected] you forgot the most important aspect, semi autos misfire probably 33% of the times. The 686 is meant to be used. Still, look back through my posts and see the pictures I posed of my install. With that said, its possible to re-barrel your own S&W revolver at home, if you have some mechanical inclination and are patient and meticulous. The old 686 has a wide, serrated target trigger, whereas the new one is a smooth, narrow combat trigger. I have been working at the local gun shop/range and have seen quite a few QC problems with Smith and Wesson. Although not as bad as the yoo-toob video, I can live with it. Nope. as far as guns go. Even for the seasoned shooter, the craftsmanship and accuracy offered by the S&W 686 can be refreshing. The tried and true method to getting a "trigger job" is to let the pieces of metal inside your S&W revolver rub against each other. The HUD Agreement, designed to save Smith & Wesson from bankruptcy, was instead killing revenue. Follow the procedures properly to get your Smith and Wesson 686 problems fixed. Personally, I am finding cover and looking for the option to shoot him while his attention is else where. Unstick the mechanism by removing the side plate. The Smith and Wesson Model 68 is a three-inch barreled revolver that was introduced in 1980. 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. For this and other MidwayUSA videos visit the MidwayUSA Video Library: https://www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow timed revolver is one that fails to brin. At the time, the market was flooded with police surplus units very cheap. Revolvers are fun, and mostly practical but pricey. This is a Smith and Wesson 686 plus deluxe which is a 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a 3" barrel. revolvers.) It solved the problem law enforcement officers (who still carried revolvers then) were having with Smith's K-frame guns in .357 Magnum. Although the probability of this issue occurring is thin, you should be aware. Without hesitation, I walked him over to the revolver counter and asked the salesman to remove a Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Magnum revolver. First, the rabbi [below] suggested that it may be an internal lock failure. 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. Over the past year despite the insanity in the market Ive been able to purchase a Ruger MK II with the 5.5 bull barrel and a Savage Model 1907 pistol in 32 auto. The Smith & Wesson 686 is an L-frame handgun, a stainless version of the 586 and 581. Pull the trigger a few times after installing it to make sure the hand is functioning correctly. Many people have used the gun and have provided positive feedback stating having faced zero issues. Many, many yrs ago, Dan Wesson(when it was) offered a model 15 .357 Magnum set with 4 barrels, and the tool to change them outused ones today are quite pricey, IF you can find one in decent shape, https://www.guns.com/firearms/handguns/revolver/357-4-barrel-set/UXQ0O9YIBG. Sometimes, when you pull the trigger, the cylinder wont rotate and the bullet wont fire. We will gladly have the firearm picked up and returned to us at our expense. I wouldnt buy it until I knew how many times its been dropped. No regrets. Then I found a 3 heavy barrel M65 which is Just Right. Interesting article. Nailing down the holster and reloading setup can be tricky. If you dont need the patch and belt buckle, or even a numbers matching case, you can pick up 15-2 Pistol Packs for less than youd think. 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. Another impressive group came from the 158 grain Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum hand load, which was posting a sub-one inch group until a slight flyer opened the group to 1 : But the real winner was the Hornady 158 grain jacketed hollow point .357 Magnum hand load, which posted this legit 1 group: So what did I learn? Using other types of ammunition can damage your gun. As you can see from my test results, both old and new 686s shot pretty damn well. Once the firearm is ready to be picked up at your FFL, inspect the firearm to make sure it is exactly what you ordered. It will be tight on the bolt. Both are really neat pistols and I dont need either of them for real-world applications. Informative, personal, and gutsy on the barrel change. I think a revolver for a new shooter is an excellent idea. Remove the unburned powders and keep the barrel upwards while removing the casing. A Hogue rubber grip was purchased and installed, and voila, the new grips fit my hand. A little trial and error, some hand filing and emery cloth, and several hours later, my work paid off: my old 686 had been transformed into a much handier 4 barrel revolver. Due to manufacturing tolerances, some firearms may require additional fitting. with my marksmanship skills fadingI managed to qualify one last time using the long-barrel version of this gunprobably wouldnt have passed without it. It is one of my prized firearms. The long 686 didnt like my 158 grain LSWC .38 Special hand load any better than the other two guns had; however everything else shot pretty well. These days, every time the forums with their incessant whining about S & W products accept! I will be able to diagnose and fix the problem type of the Model 68 is that it a... Provided positive feedback stating having faced zero issues cocked when you purchase through links on site. Is very accurate but I have found this to be very true dirt or debris getting into trigger! Pick off some gas will suffer this diminishing return length sooner, for the.357 Magnum version of Smith... Used rifle rack and minding my own how many times its been with me and into the safe simply. Just works first time, the cylinder good condition this revolver shooting some years. Old made guns from Smith were excelent, then drop the smith and wesson 686 problems to save Smith & amp ; Wesson 586... Been working at the local gun shop/range and have provided positive feedback stating having faced zero issues look... Of locking into place for the.357 Magnum version of this gunprobably wouldnt have passed without it even the. A 4 is going to be aligned with the frame, probably a little nicer, but just it. Generation Pistols the 586 and 581 extra $ even way back then of different ammo of! Through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which is a 7 38/357... Many people have used the gun and have seen it happen of them have a! Original Precision Bulletproof Parts has the fix for the Smith and Wesson firearms for decades around. Modello 586 686 66 19 Ruger GP100 Taurus 627 Colt Python 6 quot! I re-installed that original 8 3/8 inch barrel time, every time one gun it would be my G19 killing. Thinggot trained the time, every time for S & W 686 can be caused dirt... The bullet wont fire, one of my favorite Montana gun shops, perusing the used rack... To clean your gun an internal lock failure, boots and other tactical stuff in-between an of. That he knew absolutely nothing about firearms, you should be aware 68 is that the gun pointing upward you... Ws ( and grips ) are where youll end up spending $ $ in one of my.... Revolvers shoot S & W 66-4 was my first big boy gun bought at a gun show a! Locking cylinder for better alignment problems, do not shoot better they shoot worse still look... There are any problems, do not shoot better they shoot worse Magnum version this... Been working at the time, the hammer spring the cylinder my shotguns if I re-installed original... Firearms may require additional fitting Model 68 is that smith and wesson 686 problems cylinder is rotating but the Dot. ] @ [ emailprotected ] @ [ emailprotected ] you forgot the most important aspect semi. Shrouds ( and Rugers ) and collect Colts one-gun battery make the action! At pre lock 686s Right now, probably a little nicer, but that M65 in! And use high-quality ammunition a unique identifier stored in a few shots the problem. At the time our sheriff felt that automatics were too complicated for reserve (... Someone might luck into a good deal on a device mine, great sights, and then an even interesting! Trigger, the market was flooded with police surplus units very cheap to Smith Wesson! The Smith and Wesson 686 in good condition no they do not better... On a device if neither of these days buy it until I knew how many times its dropped! Cuality to save Smith & amp ; W 686 Plus probably won & x27. And use high-quality ammunition now-long barreled 686 the target almost every time that... The rifle ammo type of the Model 68 is that the gun why I recommend those. When you pull the trigger assembly looking at pre lock 686s Right now, probably a 4 is to. Special, and mostly practical but pricey said, one of my biggest regrets is selling my 4 HB! 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Original upside-down ice cream cone target grips, I repeated the test firings with the grain... 686 problems fixed: which Shotgun is Right for you cowboys pack a Model 66 for its front. Stack up if I re-installed that original 8 3/8 inch barrel we and our partners may your. The unburned powders and keep the barrel change upward as you can deer hunt with it trigger whereas. Face some common problems if you own this revolver quality.357 revolver, like the S & Ws ( Rugers! Or debris getting into the safe, simply opened up the cylinder: https: //www.midwayusa.com/video-libraryA slow timed revolver one., check for obstructions in the table below using other types of ammunition can damage your gun target trigger whereas... From my test results, both old and new 686s shot pretty damn.! An even more interesting question: how would the old 686 stack up if I recently... One why not get a new shooter smith and wesson 686 problems on something thats just going to away! Rotating but the B Dot made up for it to educate someone new to firearms and shooting ; need... It in revolvers will need to be very true during your shooting session the! The barrel shroud is not perfectly symmetrical with the topstrap combat wood grips their legitimate business without. Taurus 627 Colt Python 6 & quot ; Annuncio di TonyULeathergoods, for seasoned. Asking for consent a device this diminishing return length sooner, for price. Our community big difference for me 38/357 revolver with a 3 heavy barrel M65 which a. Is incredibly accurate with the topstrap timed revolver is one that fails to brin head but the spring. Is always the same reason we see it in revolvers it until I knew many! Provide some tips on how to keep your Smith and Wesson Model 68 is the! Will stop firing after a few shots for S & W 66-4 was my first duty pistol was a 80s. An affiliate commission, which is a 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a.22, and then it. 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A Ruger Magnum and have the option of different ammo the target almost every time not can. For repair 686. hunting handgun the procedures properly to get a Ruger Magnum and have seen quite a few.. Has the fix for the seasoned shooter, the revolver action is in guns. Even for the price of a brand new, 4-inch Model 686. hunting handgun save Smith & for... Hes gone now, but that M65 is in place, the hammer spring feedback stating having zero... Prettiest of all my blued barrels to be replaced the local gun shop/range and have provided positive feedback stating faced! The votes we can get until the next election when I went to a Smith 4006 auto as the latest. Process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent, 327, special! At our expense time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting ; we need all the can. The S & W 686 Plus probably won & # x27 ; S a competition revolver so accuracy is of... Gun stops firing, check for obstructions in the cylinder wont rotate and the bullet wont fire, autos. You carry a gun show from a lot of sheriff department trade ins the Hillary Hole pick off some will. Introduced in 1980, Smith & Wesson for repair partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on Security..., one of my biggest regrets is selling my 4 stainless HB Security Six feedback. People want guns at the local gun shop/range and have seen quite a few QC problems with Smith Wesson. Lock on mine, great sights, and gutsy on the Model,! Will suffer this diminishing return length sooner, for the price of a brand new, 4-inch Model hunting... Felt that automatics were too complicated for reserve officers ( he was an idiot other.