Smith & Wesson Model 686 Revolvers

It’s an iconic caliber, the .357 Magnum gained fame as the preferred early weapon of Harry Callahan, “Dirty Harry” in the Clint Eastwood film series. The Smith and Wesson 686 wasn’t the gun in the movie, it isn’t a .44 Magnum either. It was introduced in 1981, 10 years after the first Dirty Harry film hit the big screen. It’s made the same impact with professional and amateur shooters ever since.

The S&W 686 is a six or seven-shot, high-quality revolver built to exacting standards by one of the world leaders in revolver manufacturing. The 686 is a heavier handgun that can absorb the tremendous energy of the .357 Magnum caliber. It’s an accurate handgun, so accurate that it is often spotted in shooting contests, it’s durable, has all the reliability of a high-quality revolver and it’s not priced too high for most buyers.

The Smith and Wesson 686 was designed to be used, not set on a shelf or in a drawer waiting for the time it might be needed in a home invasion. If you buy a 686, use it, take it to the range, take it hunting, take it with you in a shoulder holster, don’t let it sit on the shelf.

No matter the need, Smith and Wesson has a version for the type of shooting you can do with the 686. It comes in a wide variety of barrel lengths, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, and 7-inch models all utilize the same cylinder design, the same stainless-steel construction, and share a variety of grips, one of which will be perfect for you.

This is a large handgun, around 40 ounces in its smallest model, but it fits smaller hands, and the heft of the revolver, combined with the handle design, greatly diminishes the recoil of the .357 Magnum cartridge. You’re still going to feel it, you can’t contain that much power, but larger experienced shooters are able to get good groups shooting with one hand.

A medium exposure hammer frame creates a lower profile than competing .357 Magnum revolvers in this size range. All stainless-steel frame and cylinder ensure durability in the harshest conditions. With proper cleaning, the 686 is right at home on a salt marsh or exposed to ocean air.

The better question is, what can’t you use a 686 for? This is a versatile handgun, at home on the range, as a self-defense weapon, and even for deer hunting in some states. A longer barrel provides greater accuracy over distance, so it's more suited to hunting and longer-range target shooting.

The short 2.5 and 3-inch barrels make for quick extraction at close range. You’re not going to win any target shooting contests with the shorter-barreled versions, but they are handy for self-defense. You won’t mistake the S&W 686 for a concealed carry firearm even on a large man. This is a handgun with heft, size, and it makes an impression.

Perhaps the ideal length is the S&W 686 with a four-inch barrel. It’s small enough for quick use, but it is accurate as well over distances of 50 to 100 yards. It’s a compromise many owners make, and why it’s the most popular barrel length in the 686.

• Standard – The greatest variety in barrel lengths, the six-inch model weighs in empty at 44.9 ounces. Stainless steel construction, Red Ramp Front, and adjustable White Outline rear sights and a six-round cylinder.
• Plus – Plus as in an extra round in the cylinder. This is a seven-shot version of the 686. The distances between the chambers in the cylinder are a little tighter, and the mechanism is adjusted for seven instead of six rounds.
• Deluxe – Just shy of 45 ounces, with a seven-round cylinder, this mid-priced model is extremely popular with target shooters in the six-inch barrel version. Performance Center – The long and the short of the 686 line, the Performance Center is available in either a 2.5 or 6-inch barrel. The same excellent quality remains with both models.
• Performance Center Pro – A unique model, featuring chamfered change holes, a custom barrel with a recessed precision crown, and a bossed mainspring. This one looks different than the other 686 models with the angled frame under the barrel.