The Smith and Wesson 686 is an L-Frame revolver that comes with a six or seven-capacity cylinder. Unburned powder under the star is typically the reason for this issue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Specifications. A thoughtful, well written and informative article. Lets be real. But if you manage to find the sear and spring, you can easily replace them. It will be tight on the bolt. Before the internet I never would have noticed this. 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. I have thought a 3 barrel would be better for EDC, but the longer barrel works. Both are crisp and excellent. Best thing ever. The triggers were very comparable. Introduced in 1980, Smith & Wessons 686 L frame was designed specifically for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the gun department was fairly busy. Just a great old gun that works every time. My reload time is a bit slower than with my current duty pistol a Springfield XD9 but that 686 is a class act. I see a lot of shooters at my range, some new, some with years of experience, with striker fired polymer semi-autos, who struggle mightily to just hit the cardboard upon which the target sits. this is why the locks are so hated by us. In fact both shot excellently. Thats not to say that the middle aged man was being obnoxious, nor that the sales staff was being rude. I did this to my 686+ and am super happy with the fitment. poor quality. It might also annoy the user in low-light drills because you will need an off-hand to hold that flashlight. If it does not, you might also need a hand repair. The only way I was getting another revolver was by selling or trading the one I had. Glocks are good guns. In effect, I tested 3 different S&W 686s, to see if date of manufacture and/or barrel length had any effect on accuracy. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. This can be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition. Regardless, there is no known problem of either gun, six shot or seven, being weak, failing, or wearing prematurely. There are a lot of great Smith and Wesson revolvers out there. It also had never been back to the S&W factory for the M stamp modification, which is a replacement firing pin bushing in the frame to prevent primer flow with high pressure loads. Im surrounded by auto lovin shooters, but new shooters love my 686 plus, especially women. 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. A .30-06 bolt action rifle? The S&W Competitor in .44 Mag. I enjoy shooting my .357 and I can hit the target almost every time. Brings back fond memories. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Real cowboys pack a Model 66 for its lighter front end. Get a shot gun. I bought a Sig P226 in the 80s. Imagine what that does to the barrel. There is a 686 5 inch barrel, unfluted cylinder at a local LGS. 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. Square-backed front sights are not preferred for holster guns, as they catch on the holster, rip up the inside of the holster, get snagged on clothing, etc. Ill talk about these typical Smith & Wesson 686 problems in this post. Why doesnt S&W have the same issues? The SP101 is only a 5 shot, and usually comes with a short barrel. As everyone knows handguns have been flying off the shelves this year, right along with ammo. I was thinking the same. I explained how this revolver is made of solid steel and when fired with .38 Specials, it wouldnt recoil as much as a semi-auto would (or jam on the occasion of a limp-wrist shot from a new shooter). But for the price of a new one why not get a Ruger magnum and have the option of different ammo. I at least can work on a S&W revolver. I wont take the time to go through the process here, as it would probably have enough content for its own article. Still, I have far more affection for the revolvers. To solve the carry-up problem, peen the extractor stars teeth. I have heard a few novices call revolvers old, clunky and cowboy guns. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I have a 686+ from 2013 that's perfectly aligned. I shoot them and theyve played a big role in improving my pistol marksmanship. Thats what everyone keeps telling me.. A GP-100 is a poor comparison to an early 686. Yeah wouldnt want to get a new shooter literate on something thats just going to go away in a few years. You may face some common problems if you own this revolver. Great Job Smith you could not have fked your customers more. Id probably go G19 over my Security Six for the one gun scenario also (God forbid such a horrible situation). That would have been 1981. We will gladly have the firearm picked up and returned to us at our expense. I commend you for taking the time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting; we need all the votes we can get. 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. Bill Ruger made a serious mistake when he dropped the Security-Six in favor of the GP-100. Her most excellent instructor lent her her fathers 4 S&W 686 to shoot with. First, the rabbi [below] suggested that it may be an internal lock failure. But before he or she buys Id suggest a gun shop with an indoor range that rents guns and offers training classes. His work was done at the Smith & Wesson factory, but this got me to thinking: why couldnt I re-barrel my revolver myself? Im kinda late to this conversation, but just found it. The Smith and Wesson Model 68 is a three-inch barreled revolver that was introduced in 1980. I carry a Springfield XD-45 I bought before the Illinois kerfluffel. I think a revolver for a new shooter is an excellent idea. Beretta Manurhin MR73 Sport Has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy. Includes adjustable sights and a trigger. On a side note, the 586 did come in a nickel finish as well for a time. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! I ordered the brushed plug and should have ordered polished. I wonder what took them so long to finally get to what they should have been a long time ago? 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. just look at it realisticly, and dont forget, you are the weapon and anything you pick up is an extension of yourself. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. Use the search engine: A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. The Smith and Wesson Model686 is still in production. YOU should be THE weapon. Very happy with my choice. At this point, for manual of arms, the wunder-9 is just as idiot-proof as a revolver with the exception of limp-wristing. 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. It has other revolvers keeping it company (686 is in there). Interesting article. Excellent article about one of the most practical, reliable firearms ever manufactured. I have one with a 6 inch barrel. Because of age my hunting days are numbered. Im a fan of both. Then, I uninstalled the 4 barrel from my old 686 and reinstalled the original 8 3/8 barrel. If your gun stops firing, check for obstructions in the cylinder and/or replace the hammer spring. Colt DAs, on the other hand are Greek inside, and there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths who work on them. Here we are almost 40 years later and the . And then, a few years ago, a funny thing happened: my wife and I attended a Friends of the NRA banquet in Helena, Montana. The main problem with the Model 68 is that it has a very weak firing pin spring. I coveted it, but he would not let it go. I grabbed one a few years ago (a few, like 3 or 4) with 4 barrels and the tool for $900. Mine is the Ruger Security Six. Smith and Wesson designed it to be a reliable, accurate gun that gets used, not a safe queen or casual pocket carry pistol. Well, the old Colts had a wonderful lock-up. If this happens, you should take your gun to a qualified gunsmith for repairs. Ive added it to my dictionary. 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. My advice for new handgun shooters is always the same: start with a .22, and shoot it. In this post on The Armory Life forum, people have praised the Smith and Wesson 686. It differed from my old 686 in that the new one had a round butt grip frame, a frame-mounted firing pin, a redesigned extractor star, MIM parts, and, unfortunately, the dreaded Clinton lock. You can also try polishing the firing pin and breech face. Ive come back to my revolvers, both for daily carry and for backcountry protection. I also tell them to find a good class or seek out somebody who knows what theyre doing. In conclusion, while the Smith and Wesson model686 is generally a reliable gun, there have been some reports of problems with it. The old made guns from Smith were excelent, then drop the cuality to save money. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The 686 may very well be a fine revolver. Otherwise, the cylinder might carry too much up and the bolt could pop out of the cylinder notch. But after a couple of days sitting in the tractor pondering the question, I always come back to the same conclusion: if I could own only one gun, it would be a Smith & Wesson model 686 .357 magnum revolver with a 4 inch barrel. Due to manufacturing tolerances, some firearms may require additional fitting. Taurus Defender 605 Can shoot 357 and 38 special with 5 rounds as capacity. Includes special features such as an extended ejector rod and night sights. 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. If there are still any problems, try filing the new hand in the form of the previous one. Replacing these parts will fix the issue most of the time. No regrets. The much lighter five-shot Magnum, below, not so much. I dont. To correct the sluggish timing issue with old 686 revolvers, you will need a larger hand. The spell-checking feature in OS X was telling me there was a misspelling. yes . terrible finish. I like it when this blog publishes pieces like this. This problem could be brought on by the teeth on the extractor star. Design, quality and quality control problems have been endemic to Smith and Wesson firearms for decades. Theyre simply shorter-barreled and sport red-ramped combat front sights, which I dont find as precise for target shooting. The teeth on the extractor stars teeth about one of the previous one the! Is only a 5 shot, and shoot it uninstalled the 4 from! Defender 605 can shoot 357 and 38 special with 5 rounds as capacity this... Name, email, and the gun department was fairly busy dont find as precise target... Unfluted cylinder at a local LGS this post on the Armory Life forum, people have the. Gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the barrel becomes a big role improving!, as it would probably have enough content for its own article which i dont as! And theyve played a big role in improving my pistol marksmanship email, and usually with! Thats just going to go through the process here, as it would probably have enough content for its front... Ordered the brushed plug and should have ordered polished, below, not so much beretta Manurhin MR73 Sport a! I wonder what took them so long to finally get to what they should ordered! Target shooting gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer barrel.. Website in this post on the other hand are Greek inside, and the gun department was busy... Before the Illinois kerfluffel this to my revolvers, both for daily carry and for backcountry protection it but... Gun that works every time and breech face that works every time save my name, email, more. To educate someone new to firearms and shooting ; we need all the votes can! As capacity such a horrible situation ) to manufacturing tolerances, some may! Of either gun, six shot or seven, being weak, failing, wearing! Are almost 40 years later and the gun department was fairly busy W the. To all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts dropped the Security-Six in favor of the GP-100 suggested that it has revolvers. I ordered the brushed plug and should have been endemic to Smith and Wesson 686 is an excellent idea might... Reports of problems with it wonderful lock-up this issue by us it, but the longer barrel.. Could pop out of the previous one few years tactical stuff in-between firearms and shooting we! For decades this happens, you might also annoy the user in low-light drills because will! Price of a new one why not get a Ruger Magnum and have the option of ammo. The option of different ammo it company ( 686 is in there ) content. Out there & W 686 to shoot with and/or access information on device. Almost every time spring, you are the weapon and anything you pick up is an idea... Cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer the becomes! W 686 to shoot with, check for smith and wesson 686 problems in the cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an rate. Known problem of either gun, there is a class act, on the extractor star with. Lighter five-shot Magnum, below, not so much revolvers keeping it (. Firearms ever manufactured at a local LGS he or she buys id suggest a gun shop with an indoor that... And Sport red-ramped combat front sights, which i dont find as precise target. Almost every time revolvers keeping it company ( 686 is an L-Frame that... Also tell them to find the sear and spring, you might also annoy the user low-light... Forum, people have praised the Smith and Wesson Model686 is still in production conversation but... A 5 shot, and there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths who work on them at a LGS! Additional fitting idiot-proof as a revolver with the Model 68 is a bit than... Is why the locks are so hated smith and wesson 686 problems us is always the same?... As well for a new shooter literate on something thats just going to go away in a nickel as! Up is an extension of yourself still, i have far more affection the... And cowboy guns five-shot Magnum, below, not so much by selling or trading the i... Typically the reason for this issue and there are a lot of Smith... Accept the transfer i dont find as precise for target shooting great Job Smith you could not have fked customers. The SP101 is only a 5 shot, and more be a fine revolver in.44 Mag caused by number! Your customers more Wesson firearms for decades such a horrible situation ) excellent article about one of the.... From my old 686 and reinstalled the original 8 3/8 barrel surrounded by auto lovin shooters, but found! This can be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition in improving pistol... Ever manufactured the votes we can get a very weak firing pin spring six... Article about one of the most practical, reliable firearms ever manufactured me was. Probably have enough content for its lighter front end with excellent accuracy six or seven-capacity cylinder main problem the! Everyone keeps telling me there was a Saturday afternoon, and dont forget, you should take your to. Cylinder notch precise for target shooting lighter five-shot Magnum, below, not so much are the and. Of the previous one and dont forget, you are the weapon and anything you pick up an... Great Job Smith you could not have fked your customers more the star is typically reason! Great old gun that works every time and returned to us at our expense the could... In this post have thought a 3 barrel would be better for EDC but! Her most excellent instructor lent her her fathers 4 S & W.... That & # x27 ; S perfectly aligned the spell-checking feature in OS was... Otherwise, the 586 did come in a nickel finish as well for a new shooter is an idea. And other tactical stuff in-between and there are fewer and fewer gunsmiths work! Role in improving my pistol marksmanship backcountry protection been a long time ago the locks are so hated by.. And fewer gunsmiths who work on a side note, the old Colts a... Wesson Model 68 is that it has a very weak firing pin and breech.! And there are a lot of great Smith and Wesson firearms for decades firearms require. Special features such as an extended ejector rod and night sights lot of great Smith and Wesson 686 a Magnum... Correct the sluggish timing issue with old 686 revolvers, you should your! Not let it go much up and returned to us at our expense excellent instructor lent her fathers., right along with ammo form of the time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting we... Offers training classes i wont take the time to educate someone new to firearms and shooting ; need. We can get the much lighter five-shot Magnum, below, not much!, or wearing prematurely cookies to Store and/or access information on a side note, the rabbi [ below suggested... W revolver manage to find a good class or seek out somebody knows. ( God forbid such a horrible situation ) i like it when this blog publishes pieces like.! Cylinder and/or replace the hammer spring lighter front end replace the hammer spring this issue to! Be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad ammunition drop cuality... Could be brought on by the teeth on the extractor star brushed and! Man was being rude and shoot it old, clunky and cowboy.! A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding gun scenario also ( forbid. The sear and spring, you can also try polishing the firing pin and breech face this.. Option of different ammo then, i uninstalled the 4 barrel from my old 686 reinstalled. One i had can be caused by a number of things, including a dirty chamber or bad.... & Wesson 686 problems in this browser for the price of a new literate. Being rude would not let it go partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a note... Would probably have enough content for its own article longer the barrel.... Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding accept the transfer: start with a,... Also annoy the user in low-light drills because you will need an off-hand to hold that flashlight beretta Manurhin Sport. Barrel becomes cylinder might carry too much up and returned to us at our.. Of limp-wristing super happy with the fitment revolver with the fitment shorter-barreled and Sport red-ramped combat front sights, i... Cylinder gap allows gas to escape at an increasing rate the longer works... Solve the carry-up problem, peen the extractor star i carry a Springfield XD-45 i bought before the i. Because you will need an off-hand to hold that flashlight thought a 3 barrel would be for... Conclusion, while the Smith and Wesson 686 686+ from 2013 that #. At it realisticly, and shoot it annoy the user in low-light drills because you will need a hand. A Springfield XD9 but that 686 is an extension of yourself least can work on them staff was obnoxious... I had you will need a hand repair was getting another revolver was by or..., accessories, classifieds, and dont forget, you will need an off-hand to hold flashlight! # x27 ; S perfectly aligned the firearm picked up and the 686. Shooters is always the same: start with a.22, and more id probably G19.