Same deal inside a Ruger. Then, I uninstalled the 4 barrel from my old 686 and reinstalled the original 8 3/8 barrel. 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. I did this to my 686+ and am super happy with the fitment. Revolvers. The Model 10 in a 4 is probably the best option for the non-gun person. Appreciate the kind words. 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. Thats the downside. 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. A fine article. Even if you have brass in the charge slots, this problem might still arise. Thanks for writing this article, it was very interesting! 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. I trained with it, carried it for years and still wouldnt feel bad armed with it. Very happy with my choice. Now that you are aware of the Smith & Wesson 686s essential properties, let me discuss its issues. REVOLVER FAIL! One of S&Ws strongest offerings in their entire history, IMO. If there are still any problems, try filing the new hand in the form of the previous one. You must specifically peen the teeths flat surfaces. If for some reason the county said that I had to go back to a wheel gun I wouldnt feel that I was poorly armed. Personally, I am finding cover and looking for the option to shoot him while his attention is else where. Im kinda late to this conversation, but just found it. There are a lot of great Smith and Wesson revolvers out there. 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. Lets quickly review the 686 troubleshooting techniques listed in the table below. My 686 stayed in this form for a few more years, until one year while packing into mountain sheep and grizzly bear backcountry on horseback for a week of scouting, I had the bright idea to carry the 686 in an old Jackass shoulder holster rig I had found in a pawnshop. Worked for my 627 and 632 Smiths. While it is indeed counter-intuitive, the 686+ model has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a six-shot model. You can also try polishing the firing pin and breech face. Some parts in these older Colt revolvers come over-sized, and the gunsmith is supposed to know how to hand-fit them with a file and stones. I was a crack shot with it, and had more than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others. There are a few things that you can do to prevent problems with your Smith and Wesson686. In years past, hunting and varmit control rather than security were the primary reasons for having a firearm. 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. One guy has sent his in four times and the alignment problem was better but not fixed. Very, very true but not just in revolvers. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. The Performance Center is the in-house custom shop of Smith & Wesson, and it is staffed with pistolsmiths who have decades of experience. Easy, safe, reliable, and fun to shoot. FN 509 Vs SIG P320: Comparison Between Two Popular Semi-Automatic Handguns. Luckily Im past those days. The L-Frame Smith and Wesson is ideal for the Magnum cartridge. The spell-checking feature in OS X was telling me there was a misspelling. Who cares what the military and police are shooting? The old 686 4 really liked my .357 Magnum reload consisting of a Hornady 158 grain hollow point and 13 grains of Alliant 2400. 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. That gave me 30 rounds of very stout ammo and if that wasnt enough, there was always my Mossberg 500 to fall back on. So, I did something I rarely do: I walked up, introduced myself and asked him if I could answer any questions for him. The 686 is simple to operate, simple to load, easy to shoot, and most importantly for a new shooter, safe. However, it was the Older 686 that got her into shooting. Is it just me? There's some debate on whether or not dry-firing a revolver can damage stuffbut I always like to . I honestly cant say that either the new or old 4-inch 686s arent capable of the same accuracy. Shoot ita lot. It was a 6-inch model with a patridge front sight, and it was my first handgun purchase. 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. If you are having this problem, make sure to clean your gun regularly and use high-quality ammunition. The .357 Magnum version of the Model 686 Competitor weighs 53 ounces. The Smith and Wesson 686 is an L-Frame revolver that comes with a six or seven-capacity cylinder. And yes barrels that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not very often but I have seen it happen. Manage Settings Then I found a 3 heavy barrel M65 which is Just Right. Smith made excelent quality revolvers till model 686-3, the model 686-4-5-and 6 looks like made in china in the bad times. Still, look back through my posts and see the pictures I posed of my install. It may not seem loose to you. It was quite a wait to locate the one I wantedS&W 686-6 4in. She tried it and that was it. How refreshing! I at least can work on a S&W revolver. ( which can mean get your face out of your smartphone). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I loaded the 686 with 125 grain Federal hollow points and carried a Smith 640 as my backup. But if the gun does this every 5 or six rounds, or once with every cylinder, it is not good news. I concurred with him that GLOCKs are a fine product, but then asked him if he knew how a GLOCK or any semiautomatic handgun- functioned. Im sure good used Model 10s are still around, but many people who just want a night stand gun might find the price of a new one a bit steep. Thank you. JavaScript is disabled. Leave it loaded for years, with no worry. Otherwise, the cylinder might carry too much up and the bolt could pop out of the cylinder notch. There are not many gunsmiths left alive who really know these guns well. Real cowboys pack a Model 66 for its lighter front end. S&W 66-4 was my first big boy gun bought at a gun show from a lot of sheriff department trade ins. You may also notice that the cylinder is rotating but the hammer wont work. However, there have been a number of reports of the gun malfunctioning. When I finally asked him what he thought he wanted to purchase, he sheepishly shrugged, pointed to the GLOCKs, and said, I guess one of those. While the Smith & Wesson Model 320 did not suffer from chain fire problems, the Model 320, like the Colt, tended to spray burning powder from the cylinder into the shooter's forearm. Do a good job. Reassemble the revolver after that, and check the timing of the hammer and cylinder. Specifications. If you like the ergonomics. Here we are almost 40 years later and the . Smith & Wesson 686 One of the most popular revolvers in production, the Smith & Wesson 686 revolver is a medium ("L frame") revolver chambered in the powerful .357 Magnum caliber. Ive come back to my revolvers, both for daily carry and for backcountry protection. A Hogue rubber grip was purchased and installed, and voila, the new grips fit my hand. Another common problem with the Smith and Wesson Model686 is that the trigger will become stuck in the fired position. Using other types of ammunition can damage your gun. Also pulled the trigger on a 6 S&W 586 sometime in the 80s. Vinny, let me save you the trouble. It is simple,. yes . In short, the Smith & Wesson 686 is one of the most versatile, utilitarian firearms ever made. As you can see from my test results, both old and new 686s shot pretty damn well. Theres a point of diminishing returns on barrel length in any type of firearm, where barrel friction drag overcomes any acceleration performed by the diminishing pressure behind the bullet. I was recently in one of my favorite Montana gun shops, perusing the used rifle rack and minding my own. The triggers were very comparable. It was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and had a six-shot cylinder. Actually now think it looks better than a Python. I carry a Springfield XD-45 I bought before the Illinois kerfluffel. Her most excellent instructor lent her her fathers 4 S&W 686 to shoot with. I think the sweet spot is somewhere between 4 and 6 inches. If the barrel isn't an older production version with a pinned barrel, then you should inspect the barrel alignment. This video takes a look at 10 things you didn't know about the Smith and Wesson Model 686 357 Magnum Revolver . Tighten the extractor rod and break in the cylinder. If I was to buy a S&W, it would be the 686. 2020. In conclusion, the Model 68 may be one of Smith & Wessons most popular revolvers but its also one of their most problematic. Imagine what that does to the barrel. On a Colt, you do this, and then you start adjusting the tail of the bolt to get it to drop at the correct time as the hammer starts moving backwards. My most carried handgun is a Ruger SP101DAO with an XS Big Dot front sight and Hogue rubber grip. if you carry a gun, it should not be a weapon. 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. I even had (gasp!) Love my revolvers. Pull the trigger a few times after installing it to make sure the hand is functioning correctly. Some people just go around all the forums with their incessant whining about S&W products. 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. The L-Frame was designed to correct the weaknesses of the smaller, lighter K-Frame with a thicker top strap and heavier forcing cone, while keeping the grip the same size. Yes, I am aware that a P365 is about the size of a J-frame from the side. Beefier than the K frame but not as massive as the N frame, the L frame models 686 (stainless steel, adjustable sights), 681 (stainless steel, fixed sights), 586 (blued finish, adjustable sights) and 581 (blued finish, fixed sights) could take the steady pounding of heavy .357 magnums and keep on ticking. I wouldnt buy it until I knew how many times its been dropped. At the time, the market was flooded with police surplus units very cheap. Good pistol for both on and off-duty. But for the price of a new one why not get a Ruger magnum and have the option of different ammo. Replacing these parts will fix the issue most of the time. Did I notice before this thread? My 686 is a CS 1. Can you change the grip of the Smith and Wesson 686? Pinned barrels are all perfectly aligned. 6 variants depending on the barrel length. However, Spencer confirmed to me that he knew absolutely nothing about firearms. round. 5 inches is probably the ideal barrel length for a .357 revolver. I did my research on buying myself a brand new revolver for my birthday this year 2020. Brings back fond memories. To make the revolver completely safe, simply opened up the cylinder. 66. 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 bought a brand new, 686-No dash in 1984. That covers most of my defense and sporting needs, although the $399 S&W Model 64 trade-ins are Aim Surplus are very tempting. Im not knocking it. What materials are used to build the Smith and Wesson 686? Wrong. One tries not to eavesdrop, but two things quickly became clear: 1) the middle-aged gentlemen knew absolutely nothing about firearms, and 2) the sales staff was losing interest in helping him. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Use the search engine: A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Send it back and have them make it right. 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. Any problem your money Quarantee i give you % 100 customer support Very Respectfully Wholesale availability. 64 SW. That and a pair of speed loaders and I never felt bad. but these days I am looking to be where there is not a lot of trouble and if there seems to be something happening I want to get out. 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. Good article. It is an awesome revolver. This was a new-manufactured model, and was actually a 686-6 (indicating it was S&Ws sixth engineering change to the model). Peen the flat surfaces of the teeth of the extractor star. I then gave him a contemplative look and he asked me what I would recommend for him. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Premium Leather Paddle Holster Open Top Fits, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 6'' BBL, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1511#, Premium Leather Vertical Shoulder Holster System with Double Speed Loader, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 6'' BBL, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1511#, Premium Leather Vertical Shoulder Holster System with Double Speed Loader, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 4'' BBL, Right Hand Draw Brown Color #1509#, The Taurus TX22 Competition is a full-size, semi-auto rimfire pistol. Xtrooper cautions that "the internal lock is a handy scapegoat for every failure of a Smith revolver equipped with one, but the fact is that verified failures are rare. On a side note, the 586 did come in a nickel finish as well for a time. Once the firearm is ready to be picked up at your FFL, inspect the firearm to make sure it is exactly what you ordered. The sear and spring are rare to buy. If you want, you can also uninstall the whole mechanism so that the gun does not automatically lock up again. It was less expensive (and I think just as good) as the 686. But the serial number is messed up . And I really didnt want to part with my 686, even for another 686. If neither of these things work, you might need to send your gun back to Smith and Wesson for repair. Thats what they get paid for. As for the 1 gun only scenario? As stated before, Patridge, not partridge. One prime example in this thread. Regardless, there is no known problem of either gun, six shot or seven, being weak, failing, or wearing prematurely. Seems to me your wadcutter loads need to be readjusted. mostly carry a revolver, the autos seem alittle blocky to me, and the revolver seems to be easier to hide, ( even my 7 shot Taurus 817, once the cylinder gets under the waistline it disappears ). My reload time is a bit slower than with my current duty pistol a Springfield XD9 but that 686 is a class act. My first centerfire revolver was a sweet 4 686, followed by a 36, a 60 and a 640, also a pristine 50s vintage 6 M10. That was one fine handgun. Beretta Manurhin MR73 Sport Has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy. Includes adjustable sights and a trigger. In some rifles, this might start somewhere at 26 to 30. 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. 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