S&W 686 .357 Revolver. The best magnum revolver on the market???

[Andy54Hawken]

The 586 and 686 are nice revolvers....as long as they ain't got the dumbazz "Hilary Hole "...yuck...and useless.
Is the 686 the "Best"....?
Well for the OP. it sure seems so..but best can and will be different for everyone.

Kinda like saying :
"Where Polymer Pistols Rule Supreme."
Nope...not with me they sure don't.

No doubt polymer pistols are popular and useful....many folks like 'em...
But rule supreme....nope.
Not everyone is in love with such things , have use for them...or shoot well with them.
Rule supreme , to me at least means without equal or best for everyone , everything..every time...and there ain't no such thing.

I'll stick with my 1911 as well as my older Revovlers....since I shoot well with them.
Andy

Edit to add...
I understand and appreciate enthusiasm for favorite firearms....
My liking for muzzle loaders and vintage .22 rifle is very well known.
However....
I dislike terms like "best" and the like , in regards for such things.
Muzzle loaders and vintage .22 rifles are indeed the best...for me...and what I like to do with firearms.
That does not mean that they are the best for anyone else.

 

[orygun]

The 586 and 686 are nice revolvers....as long as they ain't got the dumbazz "Hilary Hole "...yuck...and useless.
Is the 686 the "Best"....?
Well for the OP. it sure seems so..but best can and will be different for everyone.

Kinda like saying :
"Where Polymer Pistols Rule Supreme."
Nope...not with me they sure don't.

No doubt polymer pistols are popular and useful....many folks like 'em...
But rule supreme....nope.
Not everyone is in love with such things , have use for them...or shoot well with them.
Rule supreme , to me at least means without equal or best for everyone , everything..every time...and there ain't no such thing.

I'll stick with my 1911 as well as my older Revovlers....since I shoot well with them.
Andy

Edit to add...
I understand and appreciate enthusiasm for favorite firearms....
My liking for muzzle loaders and vintage .22 rifle is very well known.
However....
I dislike terms like "best" and the like , in regards for such things.
Muzzle loaders and vintage .22 rifles are indeed the best...for me...and what I like to do with firearms.
That does not mean that they are the best for anyone else.

When I see "best" used, I see it as what's best for me. Usually best for me and what someone else says is best don't match!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

When I see "best" used, I see it as what's best for me. Usually best for me and what someone else says is best don't match!

So very true.
In regards to Revovlers like the one in the OP...
I like and find best for me....
The Ruger Security Six I used to own....sadly traded it in a fit of gun lust....
And the 1955 dated Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman I used to own...sold it to cover a house payment.
Would love to have either of them back.

I find that for my .357 Magnum needs and uses...my Model 19 works well for me.
Andy

Model 19-3.jpg

• Andy54Hawken
• Dec 14, 2019

 

[orygun]

I had a 1955 Combat Masterpiece that was probably unfired when I got it. I traded it when trying to gather funds for a project.
Should have not let it go.

 

[ron]

I had one of the first 686 that was recalled for a firing pin fix. It was a 6 inch that I put
thousands of rounds through it. Loved it. I now have a Pre lock 686+ , 4 inch barrel. I recently
purchased a 686+ PC with a 5inch barrel. I wanted to not like the newer lawyer lock
MIM parts gun. But I have put over 1K rounds through it and it shoots excellent. I
love the moon clip fed, interchangeable front sight, and the trigger. I shoot it mostly all double action.

I just put a red dot sight on it.

 

[FluTac]

I was surely looking for a Plus, but I'm dead set on a 4" barrel and I could only find a couple of 3" and a bunch of 6".
I sold mine because I bought a 10mm, which I soon regretted...

Yeah, the 10mm just doesn't hit the same. I personally love my 6" barrel and think it's the perfect barrel length for the .357 Magnum. Happy hunting and best of luck getting a plus!

 

[RVTECH]

But there just something about a beautiful stainless steel magnum revolver.

Yes there is!

I've always admired the 686s and at one time was looking for a 6" version but apparently I didn't look hard enough!

Oh well, I am pretty satisfied with all the 'K' frames I have had - and my current Mod 66 no dash!

 

[titsonritz]

Out of curiosity, why do you dislike the L-Frame? I think they are phenomenal personally and love my 686. Thanks for elaborating in advance.

I wouldn't say "dislike" I just prefer older J, K & N frame models. For one thing I don't care for the muzzle heavy, full underlug barrels. I've had a few, my favorite being a 1 of 300 3" Lee Horton special, but I'd still rather have 3.5" M27.

 

[titsonritz]

Stainless is painless but I've always preferred blued S&W revolvers.

 

[oremike]

If I was to get a Smith I'd get the Model 57

Smith & Wesson Model 57 Classic 41 Remington Mag Revolver 6 Blued

The Smith and Wesson Model 57 Classic is part of Smith & Wesson's Classic Series, which makes it possible for you to own a piece of...

www.midwayusa.com

For a 6" stainless this is the Ruger I'd want:

Ruger GP100 357 Mag Revolver 6 Stainless Barrel 6 Round Walnut Grip

The Ruger GP100 revolver is a double action firearm which is specifically designed for heavy Magnum cartridges and embodies many features found in the...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[RVTECH]

but I've always preferred blued S&W revolvers.

SO have I - and actually disliked ANY SS revolvers (mostly due to appearance) until I got my first - a 4" GP 100. It was kind of a 'last minute' purchase I got a great deal on in a PS about 10 minutes before they closed.

Well, my attitudes changed after owning and shooting it. I understand the 'painless' part as cleaning is easy and for they most part ya don't have to 'worry' about the finish as there is none, so to speak.

Like a dummy I sold it after getting my Mod 66 & 60 as a pair. I probably wouldn't have if it had been a 6" but such is life...

 

[ron]

Funny thing, I love old school S&W revolvers but my least favorite are the L-frames. I wouldn't mind having a 681 just because but there are many others I'd rather have.

Stainless is painless but I've always preferred blued S&W revolvers.

Got to love old blued Smiths. 19-3 top and 27-2 bottom. Both have the three "Ts".

 

[RVTECH]

and 27-2

I hate seeing your 27-2 !

MOSTLY because not too many years ago I passed on a really nice one at one of our 'gun shows' here in LaPine!

For a while I had been looking for either a 27 or 28 in 6" - but it never happened (my fault!)

 

[ron]

I hate seeing your 27-2 !

MOSTLY because not too many years ago I passed on a really nice one at one of our 'gun shows' here in LaPine!

For a while I had been looking for either a 27 or 28 in 6" - but it never happened (my fault!)

Interesting story of how Uncle Jerry started his career shooting bowling pin matches with a 8 3/8 inch
model 27! Mid 80s he purchased a 27 8 3/8 inch for $275!!!!!!!!!!!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy_vA7j8cp4

 

[mojorod]

I have a S&W 686 and I love that revolver. I have thought f selling it, but the cost to buy another one after I regret the sale would be cost restrictive. I think I will hold on to it. It is one of my most treasured pistols along with my 1984 Browning HI Power

 

[Jay Walk]

The cool thing about guns is there is so many to like and dislike.
My 686 plus 6" looks nice and shoots nice but to me is #BoringAF

I much prefer to fire the Kimber 3" and other guns like sr22 or cheapo SD40.

Hand Cannon kind of lackluster.