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.

[North Country Gal]

Appreciate your taste in fine revolvers. Oh, I'm a Ruger fan, too, but for some types of revolver shooting such as serious target work, S&W is the king in our house with a few vintage Colt DAs in the mix.

[BigAl52]

Both very nice Smiths. Congrats

[Mags]

...
Why not a pic or two

NICE!

[Bill.68]

I like Ruger too. In fact I have a 5.5" Redhawk in 44mag. I didnt see the need to beat my 29 to death because I shoot full house mag loads alot. It IS the only Ruger Ive bought though.



And

[daytime dave]

I saw that Reacher episode. I've never watched the show before. I was intrigued that he had that 6" 686 revolver.

[Hatchdog]

I saw that Reacher episode. I've never watched the show before. I was intrigued that he had that 6" 686 revolver.

If you watch the second episode you will understand why a revolver. For a couple different reasons. This is season three but all seasons are different stories based on different Reacher books so stand alone.

[markiver54]

I binge watched the first three episodes last night because Carol opted to watch those awards that I have absolutely no interest in. I saw and do understand the reason for the revolver. Yup, 686...cool.

[Mags]

I watched the first episode shortly after it was first released. Although the actor is much more appropriate stature-wise than Tom Cruise was, the writers have his lines a good bit too bubbly (outgoing personality). Reacher in the books is much more serious, contemplative and reserved. Guess maybe the screenwriters thought that wouldn't go over well on TV.

[Bill.68]

Maybe Ill break down and finally buy a tv and watch it too.

[BrokenolMarine]

I owned a 686 a long time ago, and it was a shooter. It's one of those guns I had when I was a young Marine and I couldn't afford to add too many guns to the stable without selling guns. I "Think" the 686 went away when I started shooting on the Unit Pistol Team and wanted a 1911 to use for personal practice time so I didn't have to go to the base to practice. I had a house off base and could cut thru the Warehouser Forests to the fire break roads and shoot. Short walk vs. Long Drive. The range master would give me a couple hundred rounds as long as I would bring him my practice targets. Bring targets, more ammo. No targets, NO more ammo. I brought targets. He allowed 10% of the rounds for plinking, but I had 22s and 38s for that, so I shot ALL of the 45 he gave me for practice, and eventually he quit asking for the targets. I still kept them just in case.

The 686 was my Carry Gun while I had it. I had a CWP issued by the Richmond 2nd District Court. (Home of Record.) I started carrying a Colt Commander after that. Even back then I was a revolver fan. I had a Colt Trooper and a Smith Model 27 during that time period, Early 80s, that were both good shooters as well.