Customer Reviews for Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum / 38 Special Revolver

My new favorite revolver.

Smoothest handgun I’ve ever fired! I own 4 handguns and this is the only revolver. After one day at the range it might be my favorite. Twitter is amazing

Recently purchased this gun and took it to range within a couple of days. My verdict is this is one great gun. It was accurate and very pleasant to shot. Even heavy .357 heavy loads were surprisingly fun to shoot with knoware near recoil I expected. Don't get me wrong because you will feel the thump but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting to be. Shooting .38 Special was a delight to shoot with very low recoil. Very happy with its performance, looks and accuracy. On top of that it's one handsome firearm. My verdict is if your looking at this gun to purchase, but are vacillating, my opinion is go for it. Dealing with Buds though I don't recall ever speaking to anyone (probably because I never had any real issues) has been a positive relationship. Buds, don't let that go to your head! I have purchased a fair number of guns through them with positive results. Nothing more to say so good shooting to all.

What can i say, i own two .357 mag revolvers, this one and a 6" Colt Python. the Smitty shoots a tad more accurate than the Colt, not much, just a little. Take that for what you will because guns vary from weapon to weapon. Just know that both are fantastic revolvers and if you purchase the 686 plus you will own one fine shooting revolver. Dave Downing

Just buy it you won’t be disappointed. You can swap the front site out no tools needed.

this is a great gun . I find that orange site does not suite me. I would like a green one. They tell me not one 2 offer. that is 2 bad for me. it is still great gun price ok

This 686 is very well done, fit and finish are excellent. The b/c gap is tight, right around. 002 with ZERO noticeable end-shake.
For folks who are perfectionists, I will say this one had a tight spot in the bore, but accuracy doesn't seem to be affected.
The extended cylinder release is something I wasn't sure about, but it works well.....I may leave it on.
Now, the bad. Whoever thought that front sight was a good idea needs a new job. It makes an otherwise sharp looking revolver look odd. Swapped it out for a gold bead front and some Hogue G10 conversion grips and she's pretty now.

Bought this for competition, mainly using .38 wadcutters. Not disappointed in performance. Very accurate with reasonable double action trigger pull. Grips are very good and afford firm gripping surface, minimizing any extraneous movement. Never cared for S&W factory rear sights for competition use and the sight on this pistol is no exception, your basic S&W rear sight. I prefer a large, black, ribbed, blade rear sight. It would have been nice if that type of sight was either standard or optional. Try to find that type of sight to replace the factory sight !! It holds 7 shots which wasn't a selling point for me. I'd rather it be a 6 shot that was compatible with a speed loader. Moon clips are a real pain. Need a tool to get rounds out of clip. Normally I would use my 686 for competition, but I was restricted to a 5" max bbl. length. Anyway, no regrets. Shoots very well.

Tack driver with a superior trigger

Set mine up with a Weigand scope rail and a Millet multi dot. Just shot 14 rounds at 25 yards had to leave started raining. Shot very tight group with factory 158 grain HP. I will reload for it later. Have not used the open sights. Will use this gun for deer hunting. Will sight in at 50 yards and may extend to 75 yards. The gun is super light and has around a 3 pound single action trigger on my Trigger pull gauge. I have not shoot it double action as I will be using this just to hunt with. I have had long barrel 7 and 8 inch hunting revolvers in the past and didn't like them because of the weight. I used a rest on my shooting today and will be using a tripod rest when hunting. Recoil on this with full load 357 is nothing to worry about less then any of my 45 ACPS. I have had 44 mag guns for hunting in the past and all have been hand killers on recoil. This gun will be excellent for deer hunting and I feel I got my moneys worth on it.

The fitment on this gun is excellent. No barrel canting, cylinder gap is damn near perfect which is conducive to higher velocity and action and trigger are near perfect for a factory gun. This gun seems to be built more like the smith's of old use to be tolerance wise. Buy ya one

Fit and finish is excellent. Very accurate. Happy with the purchase.

this is the first gun ive ordered from buds. they are great everything went smooth and easy. the prices are very fair. i have already ordered a couple more guns from them.and i know they wont be the last..the gun is beautiful.and it came in a nice case.if you have any fears of ordering a gun on line have no worries with buds.theyre the best

just a great revolver feels good in hand, very accurate makes you look good at the range with your targets really like the looks of the ribbed barrel and the extended cylinder release is a nice add, shot 300 rounds of 38 spc and 50 rounds of 357mag the first day I got it performance center revolvers are worth the extra cash the triggers are worth the extra cost alone came with a nice carrying case sling and bipod and the screw u need on the bottom of the grip to attach the sling very nice