My New Old 686

[BigAl52]

My 686 returned to the range today. What a joy it is shooting a gun that functions like a well oiled machine. Im trying to find a 38 special load that works for the 686 and the Ruger BH Convertible 5.5 inch barrel. I was a little shakey today as just having a Cardiac Ablation last Tuesday probably didnt help that much. The Ruger likes 4.7gr of 231 and the 686 likes 5.0 of 231 with the zero 158grhp bullet. I also have the RMR 147grtc bullet which I do like. The recoil with the 147 is less and Im just after a nice easy shooting load. Ive tried some lower charges with 231 and Unique. Im wanting something to work with 231 as I have about 4lbs of it and wanting to conserve what Unique I have left. Ive included a pic of one group I shot with the 686. 5gr of 231 with the zero bullet at about 15 yards. I think I will try 4.8gr with both bullets and see how I come out.

IMG_0273 Large.jpeg

[North Country Gal]

Congrats, Al. You deserve a break after that Ruger GP 22 LR hassle. Looks like some pretty good shooting to me. Well done.

[BigAl52]

Thanks for the links, Mags. Now you've got me wanting some cool new grips for my 686. Those are beautiful...oops, I need to focus on an EDC revolver first. Almost forgot because of this thread.

Here is some for you Mark

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364724140838?_ ... R9rHucSwZA

[markiver54]

Thanks for the links, Mags. Now you've got me wanting some cool new grips for my 686. Those are beautiful...oops, I need to focus on an EDC revolver first. Almost forgot because of this thread.

Here is some for you Mark

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364724140838?_ ... R9rHucSwZA

You enabler you!
Those are beautiful.

[BigAl52]

Thanks for the links, Mags. Now you've got me wanting some cool new grips for my 686. Those are beautiful...oops, I need to focus on an EDC revolver first. Almost forgot because of this thread.

Here is some for you Mark

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364724140838?_ ... R9rHucSwZA

You enabler you!
Those are beautiful.

Well maybe these will look a little better

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365032245396

[Bill.68]

My dad was a diehard ruger fan, nothing but ruger. Ruger, ruger, ruger. Ruger rifles, ruger revolvers. My 12th B-Day present was a brand spankin new Redhawk 357 when they first introduced the model. I think it was really his but it was my birthday and he took me to Anglers Roost with him so mom couldnt get mad I think.

Anyway, one day we went to Wolffs Gunshop to see what he had. I remember walking up the stairs that came into the room right at the display cases where there was what looked like a dozen of the relatively new models of the 586's and 686's, with all barrel lengths (back then I think all Smiths came in 4,5,6, and 8 3/8, some 2 1/2 and 3) , it was a sight to behold and I was instantly in love with the 586. HOWEVER, I didnt dare to say anything or try to get dad to talk about them let alone buy one. S&W was NOT in his vocabulary. I however have harboured a deep desire, love and admiration for a 586 or a 686 but mostly the 586. Almost 36 years later I finally got one of my own. I now have 2, one of each, an original 586 no- and no M stamp and a pre-lock 686+ and theyre two of my favorites. The only better looking gun, in fact the most beautiful revolver EVER made (and everybody knows it, even if python owners wont admit it) is the 3 1/2" M27. A true work of art, and I had one and very foolishly sold it. I was very young and dumb and still regret it badly to this very day. I cant even look at pics of them without feeling nauseous.

Why not a pic or two

[markiver54]

Congrats Bill! I love my 686-2. I've had it for almost 40 years and it would be one of the last guns I'd let go.

[Hatchdog]

Beautiful L frames there, eye candy for sure. We watched the first two episodes of Reacher on Amazon last night and it sure looks like a 6” 686 that Reacher used. Rare to see a revolver like that in a modern show.

[markiver54]

Beautiful L frames there, eye candy for sure. We watched the first two episodes of Reacher on Amazon last night and it sure looks like a 6” 686 that Reacher used. Rare to see a revolver like that in a modern show.

Thanks Hatch, I didn't realize Reacher had dropped again yet.

[Hatchdog]

Beautiful L frames there, eye candy for sure. We watched the first two episodes of Reacher on Amazon last night and it sure looks like a 6” 686 that Reacher used. Rare to see a revolver like that in a modern show.

Thanks Hatch, I didn't realize Reacher had dropped again yet.

You bet. They released the first four episodes.