One of the better .357s on the market. If you really want a great one look for a pre lock model with a hammer mounted firing pin.

I have a 6" 686 and it is my favorite gun. It's very accurate and great to shoot. You won't be disappointed!

Originally Posted by rx7dryver

One of the better .357s on the market. If you really want a great one look for a pre lock model with a hammer mounted firing pin.

i shot one not to long ago with the hammer mounted firing pin which is what turned me onto this gun i loved the way it shot and felt in my hand i just want to know every one elses opinion on it and if anyone had any complaints thanks for the feedback guys

I have looking at a 686 CS-1 3inch model a guy has with 2 holsters and anther set of grips. He wants $700.

I have a 686SSR. It is a great gun. Very accurate, terrific trigger, but I still find I prefer my 627PC. I prefer the 5” barrel, and I like the extra weight of the N frame guns, but that is merely personal preference.

I actually like the frame mounted firing pins. I can play around with them much easier than the hammer mounted pins. I find with new guns I have to replace the firing pins with longer ones. I use the Cylinder and Slide shop extended pin. They ensure positive ignition for me.

Look at my Avatar ... It is a sweet shooter. Go for it.

Just look at my avatar. Greatest gun I have ever owned. Will not ever get rid of it. Never had a problem with it at all. I've had it for about 20 years and it will be passed on to my eldest son. Gave $400 for it new and would not take $1000 for it now.

No complaints here.GREAT SHOOTER.

Very accurate revolver and a dream to shoot. I have a 2 1/2" barreled 686 and I used it for my TN qualification firing for my TN HCP. Firing was at several different ranges out to 25 yards. I scored a perfect score (100) with a group of about 8" for the whole string. Most of this was at "panic" rapid fire. Instructor was amazed. This is my most accurate SD handgun and I love it, but it is just too big for EDC!

Did you buy the CS-1?

What kind of shape is it in? Does it have the 2M stamp when you open the cylinder?

They are great guns and that price is decent. I have seen them LNIB go for up to 1K.

There are only about 1500 left in circulation. Janet Reno had about that many destroyed.
The 3 inch were for the suits.
There are lots (relatively) of 4 inch hanging around.

I have one and if I could do a FTF buy I would do another.

I think I have a cs1, in 3" Im going to go get it out and look at it. Its one of my favorites.I have 4 686xs. Its kinda brushed stainless, came with pacmeyers. The guy I bought it from said they were a custom run for the custom service.
I wonder why you never see them around . Ive seen 7 round in 3" but not 6 rounds like mine.
I guess Im going to have to try to research it. I always have a had time swallowing why people destroy works of art.

Anyway my opine, the 686 is a very good. Im alway been bias to s&w

thanks
R

I have a 686-6" 6 shot, for about a year now. I love it, it is a classic to me. It shoots great too. One of my fav's. It's not for sale though.
MW

The 686 and its twin, the blued model 586 are as good as 357's get.

I think I might like L-Frames.

Here are mine.

Is that why they call them "six guns" ?
Nice collection, MW

Originally Posted by RePete

I think I might like L-Frames.

Here are mine.

wow nice collection

I have the 686P, 7 shot, 4 inch barrel and it is very accurate and fun to shoot.

CB

Since I bought my 686-6-6", it's gone up in price about $100.

I have a 686+ 4". It is the finest revolver I have ever had. ( I used to have 13 new in box) I think you can't get a better stock revolver than it. JBR

Originally Posted by austin88

looking into getting a .357 and i really like the smith model 686 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. anyone have any first hand experience with this gun?

I have a 686-4, 6" barrel and updated with wolfsprings and had ha trigger smoothing out job on mine. And dude I tell ya. I don't want no other revolver than this one in that caliber.. I had the opertunety to try out this one without the mods along with a Taurus "clone", aswell as a Ruger and a KingCobra all 6" versons. And even without the mods the 686 beat all of them hands down.

Originally Posted by rx7dryver

One of the better .357s on the market. If you really want a great one look for a pre lock model with a hammer mounted firing pin.

This is the 686 that I own and I wouldn't trade or sell it for anything! I have the 6 inch version and it takes full advantage of everything the 357 has to offer!

Originally Posted by parisite

The 686 and its twin, the blued model 586 are as good as 357's get.

I gotta agree. Smith's model 686 is the standard to which all modern true .357s are judged. My 6'' 686 is one of my favorite guns to shoot. I can load it down for the range where it shoots like a .22mag, or I can load it up and hunt whitetails.

Only complaint I have abut mine, is that my 17 yr old, can shoot it better than I can.

The best 357 mag made. Of course, I have many Smiths, so I may be biased. The Ruger GP 100 is a close second.

I think the686 is one of the best 357s made, mine is a 6 shot with a 5inch barrel, s&w wood grips, unflutted cylinder, target trigger and hammer, trigger job, came with a 81/2 inch barrel, but I found it just as accurate with the 5 inch, its heavy for a carry gun but a great hunting revolver.