This is one of my favorite revolvers. It's the last revolver issued by the U. S. Customs Service before the changeover to autoloaders. I was able to obtain two of them NIB a few years ago, one for myself and one for my son.
The 686, an L-frame, is not a small gun. While it certainly shares all the family genes, it is not a small and elegant pistol like a K-frame. It is a hefty, full-time magnum-capable platform and for an owner that shoots a lot of full-on .357 ammo it's a very reassuring piece of equipment.
I really like a three-inch revolver. They combine the handiness and concealability of a snubby with the shoot-ability of a four-inch. The sights are pleasant to use: a nice wide notch and a plain black pinned front sight. After many grip trials I have fitted mine with standard after-market Magnas and a Tyler T-grip. It feels perfect in my hands. Mine has had an action job and is very smooth. There is really no need for single-action with this revolver.
It weighs thirty-nine ounces loaded. Well, I said it wasn't a lightweight. It's meant to shoot .357s and shoot them well for a long, long time. For a short-barreled magnum it is extremely accurate.
I no longer know what they are worth, mostly because I have no intention of parting with mine.
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4 comments:
We have the same attitude towards our guns. Mine are for the satisfaction they give me, rather than as a store of value.
I'm not much on safe queens. I'll admit that I have a couple due to sentimental value, but for the most part my guns are users and some of them get used hard. That's what they were made for and part of their appeal to me is that they can take it and ask for more.
Those are much sought after and hard to find. Being a BIG fan of .357, I hope to run across one
That is interesting, a big frame for a 3" barrel. My mom's got a S&W (616?) 3 inch .357 that is a real nice shooter.
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