33 Reviews. Average Rating:  [ 4.8 of 5 Stars!]
| 5 stars: |
| 82% (27 of 33) |
| 4 stars: |
| 13% (4 of 33) |
| 3 stars: |
| 6% (2 of 33) |
| 2 stars: |
| 0% ( of 33) |
| 1 star: |
| 0% ( of 33) |
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Reviewed By: Clint B on 06/11/2017
Rating:  [ 4 of 5 Stars!]
This gun worked very well with the rounds I loaded it with; hollow point, flat nosed, wad cutters etc. Not a single misfire of the 200 rounds I shot in an afternoon at the range. The hammer\'s rear edge is sharp and will leave a blister on your thumb but probably can be filed down.
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Reviewed By: Bernard P on 05/08/2017
Rating:  [ 3 of 5 Stars!]
Let\'s just say it up front: While this is no Colt Snake Gun, this is an heirloom quality revolver.
The L-Frame pistol, and specifically this M686, from Smith & Wesson are pretty much modern classics in the wheel-gun realm. This is the pistol that just about anyone who has more than one revolver, has in their collection.
The good: great slick stainless finish, acceptable black rubber grips, and a red highlighted front sight.
The bad: the spurred hammer will wear on a sensitive thumb after a duration of single-action shooting, and the cylinder release mechanism was really stiff for the first several hundred rounds. While these are unfortunate, my biggest gripe is that my trigger started to rust shortly after exposing it to the humid Tennessee air. I\'m pretty OCD about my gun cleaning, but while the body of this gun is high-class stainless, the trigger is lower-grade, heat-treated steel that lacks any real finish in it. Unfortunately, it began showing signs of surface rust within 6 months. I\'ve made some meager attempts to locate an aftermarket replacement, with no luck so far.
For a nearly $700 gun, I must admit, I find this extremely unfortunate. Being a S&W Classic, I have high expectations for this gun and it\'s heritage. As many of these as they sell, they could have done a finishing treatment on the trigger, or ever better yet; made it from the same stainless as the body. Heck, I would drop another fifty-spot right now just for a clean trigger.
I\'ve put several hundred rounds through it so far, and being a revolver you already know that I\'m going to tell you that it functioned flawlessly. .38 specials? Yes, please! .357 Magnums? A noticeable increase in felt recoil, but still mitigated considerably by the heavy-but-acceptable weight of the gun.
Overall, a keeper. I really would prefer to rate it at 3.5 stars due to the aforementioned trigger issue, but buds rating system forces me to use whole numbers. I expect better from S&W, especially when so much care went into everything else on the gun, except this one massive oversight.
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Reviewed By: Ray r on 04/30/2017
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
Gun a is very solid and well built. The lock up is very nice. Functioned flawlessly after 100 rounds. .38 is much more forgiving than shooting .357 but not as much fun
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Reviewed By: Leroy S on 04/09/2017
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
Excellent revolver. The S&W 686 is probably the best revolver that Smith ever made. It came ,out of the box, with a great trigger and is more accurate then I will ever be.
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Reviewed By: Thomas S on 03/22/2017
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
Doesn't get any better than this, buy this gun. You wont regret it..
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Reviewed By: Matthew N on 02/08/2017
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
The one I got is put together well. Timing is right on and it locks up super tight. This is the second S&W revolver I've got in the last year or so that has been flawless.
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Reviewed By: Jim C on 11/09/2016
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
The revolver arrived in perfect condition. It was clean and looked as though only 1 round was test fired due to a slight powder burn on only 1 charge hole, bore was actually looked clean. I have received some S&W's in the past that looked like they had a full day at the range.
The fit and finish is very good. I like the duller finish on most new S&W models because they show less use and wear.
I took it out and ran 40 rounds through it with no problems. First I ran 6 38 specials which actually felt like 22's. The rest of the rounds were full load 357's. Because of the revolvers weight and rubber grips the 357's felt like light load 38's, I mean you could should them all day long without any discomfort. The only real difference was the 357's shot a 3"-4" flame out of the end of the barrel.
I was prepared to adjust the sights but there was no need, they were pretty much right on and with the red front sight quick to pick up. The gun is a keeper and anyone wanting a big and powerful revolver should be happy with this one.
I usually don't comment on Bud's but this time I will. This is the 99th gun I have bought here since 2009. I ordered it and a Performance Center J-frame at the same time last Friday. I received this one today, Wednesday, which is fast delivery. The J-Frame is not in the shipping dept. as of yet. I know they are busy and ship from different warehouses, but there seems no reason or explanation for this and it is not the first time it has happened. Also I won't be buying as many guns here since they have discontinued layaway on almost all guns. Other than that I have never had any complaints with the quality of service.
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Reviewed By: fred h on 05/10/2016
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
Once again I have made a transaction with Buds that exceeded all expectations. I will start with Buds. All of my purchases have been based on one principle, the best price for the most product, period. Buds consistently beats the competition, around me anyway, by a good margain. As for my most recent purchase, the S&W 686, is the best shooting 38/357 I now own. I have 4 others, 3 Rugers that have served me well, a Rossi, that I purchased only because it was super cheap, and I now see why. The 686 has a wonderful balance and ample weight to make even the heavier loads enjoyable to shoot. Typically I fire 38, from a cost stand point but the 357 loads that I have fired, are very comfortable and easy to get back on sight. The trigger pull is very even in double action and the single action is extremely light for a revolver. My 1st. outing was this past weekend, and was was very pleased with my groups. I would recommend this gun to anyone looking to just enjoy some targeting or home defense. At 62 years old, I like all my guns but this guy has crept up close to the top.
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Reviewed By: Ken R on 04/01/2016
Rating: [ 4 of 5 Stars!]
What a great piece of hardware! I love the trigger, ultra light in single action mode, a longer, but chrisp and smooth trigger in Double action mode.
Got a great price at Buds.
A
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Reviewed By: Michael K on 03/18/2016
Rating: [ 5 of 5 Stars!]
Wonderful revolver, very accurate, trigger is smooth, fit and finish is great. Smith & Wesson at its best.
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