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Posted: 10/2/2023 12:18:13 AM EST
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Posted: 10/2/2023 12:41:31 AM EST
[#1]
On my want list.
Get one for each hip. |
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Posted: 10/2/2023 6:11:00 AM EST
[#2]
Love those 686's!
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Posted: 10/2/2023 7:55:23 AM EST
[#3]
Definitely a gun to ride the river with
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Posted: 10/2/2023 7:59:55 AM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 03RN: Definitely a gun to ride the river with Your posts over the years have definitely influenced my shift over to 1911s and magnum revolvers. I'd like to find a 3" 44 mag. |
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Posted: 10/2/2023 8:19:45 AM EST
[#5]
Bought a new one a couple of months ago - 3” model. Like it a lot more than my GP100. Only thing I don’t like is the red ramp front sight with my aging eyes. Bought a fiber optic to replace it, but haven’t fit it yet. Contrary to all the S&W critics here that say QC at S&W is gone, the fit and finish on both the 686 and the 629 I bought in 2021 are very good. Triggers - SA and DA - on both are very nice.
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Posted: 10/2/2023 8:25:31 AM EST
[#6]
I've got a pre lock sitting around here somewhere.
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Posted: 10/2/2023 10:45:33 AM EST
[#7]
 686 regular 
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NC, USA
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Posted: 10/2/2023 12:01:20 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Wags: Bought a new one a couple of months ago - 3” model. Like it a lot more than my GP100. Only thing I don’t like is the red ramp front sight with my aging eyes. Bought a fiber optic to replace it, but haven’t fit it yet. Contrary to all the S&W critics here that say QC at S&W is gone, the fit and finish on both the 686 and the 629 I bought in 2021 are very good. Triggers - SA and DA - on both are very nice. Poor QC doesn’t mean none of them are good, it just means the occasional bad examples slip through. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 10/2/2023 1:06:34 PM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Serenity7: On my want list. Get one for each hip. Same here. I want a 3 or 4" and I want the long barrel deluxe with the un-fluted cylinder. More pics please |
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Posted: 10/2/2023 2:14:01 PM EST
[#10]
You can tell that I didnt own it because the screws arent buggered all to hell.
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Posted: 10/2/2023 5:51:06 PM EST
[#11]
I've owned my 686+ now for 7 years. Not a whole lot of rounds down range, but a great hiking or out in the field companion revolver. It rides in a 25yr old ugly Uncle Mike's OWB nylon holster which works well. No QC issues with mine.
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WV, USA
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Posted: 10/2/2023 5:54:59 PM EST
[#12]
my wife carries one, tricked out by TK Customs. Its awesome
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Posted: 10/2/2023 7:10:07 PM EST
[#13]
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Posted: 10/2/2023 7:21:55 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Wags: Bought a new one a couple of months ago - 3” model. Like it a lot more than my GP100. Only thing I don’t like is the red ramp front sight with my aging eyes. Bought a fiber optic to replace it, but haven’t fit it yet. Contrary to all the S&W critics here that say QC at S&W is gone, the fit and finish on both the 686 and the 629 I bought in 2021 are very good. Triggers - SA and DA - on both are very nice. I out a FO on mine, make a huge difference.  |
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Posted: 10/2/2023 9:49:51 PM EST
[#15]
I love shooting my 686. Definitely one of my favorite guns.
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TN, USA
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Posted: 10/3/2023 6:35:34 PM EST
[Last Edit: Neon_Horse]
[#16]
 I’m a huge fan of the 686+… here are two of them 
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Posted: 10/3/2023 6:43:40 PM EST
[#17]
I put Hogue grips and a red dot on mine.
The red dot is too high imo. I have the shortest mount/rds I could find. Prolly gonna remove the rds. The grips help the felt recoil. |
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Posted: 10/3/2023 8:42:16 PM EST
[Last Edit: Bogdan]
[#18]
This one is ok once I cleaned out all the metal filings out of it.
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Posted: 10/3/2023 8:53:02 PM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TrailerTrash556: Same here. I want a 3 or 4" and I want the long barrel deluxe with the un-fluted cylinder. More pics please @trailertrash556 Broke out the camera just for you buddy.    
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IA, USA
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Posted: 10/4/2023 2:12:27 PM EST
[#20]
 686-6 4 inch, six shooter 686-6 5 inch, 7 shooter (Performance Center, pre-cut for moon clips) I've had my 4inch for about 7 years now, the 5inch I've had just about 1. The 'quality' of the Performance Center isn't really top notch, but the trigger is noticeably lighter in DA. Having it factory cut/ready for moon clips is a plus. Also swapping out the front sight is simple compared to the 'standard' regular 686. I'm still kinda more a fan of the 'ol 6 shooter, mainly because Safariland speedloaders only exist for the 6-shot. If they made 7 shot speedloaders, I would be happier. Yes, I've used HKS, SL Variant 7 shot loaders. In theory the SL Variant is good, but in reality it is the least robust/EDC-proof option. Safariland is simply the king when it comes to a speedloader, 2nd place would be TK Custom moon-clips. They don't 'easily bend' as many people like to claim about all moon clips. Even though I tend to take extra care not to carry in a way they could be bent... I also test all of my speedloaders with a simple carpeted-floor toss test: Load the loader, toss it up and watch it fall on my basement carpeted-floor. Safariland doesn't care. HKS tends to pop the little spring/detent out, and the SL Variant will typically pop 1, 2, or 3 rounds out... Same with carrying in a belt pouch, particularly the kind that straddle the belt (Second Six/Split-six). The SL Variant will often pop a round out when carried in this way. Again, Safariland is by far the superior option for EDC/combat use. I have 6 SL Variants (knock offs) and they are for range-use. The main reason I don't like moon clips as much as Safarilands (Comp II mostly) is simple: smaller thing to grab outta pouch/pocket, no ability to 'top off' reload... I usually carry 2 speedloaders and sometimes 1 Bianchi speed-strip (to use as a top-off option or last ditch reload). |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 10/4/2023 4:46:19 PM EST
[#21]
4" L-frames are THE hard use/faster reload revolver for us.
I count to 6, so 6 shot revo's rule my world. But if an L-frame will kill the biggest threat you might encounter... They are a very, very solid choice. 180's have moved 357 outside it's normal parameters, monometal XPB's have also. You can beat that gun, it will endure 
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Posted: 10/4/2023 5:04:42 PM EST
[#22]
love my 3" smooth cylinder
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PA, USA
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Posted: 10/4/2023 5:27:53 PM EST
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AS556: @trailertrash556 Broke out the camera just for you buddy. https://i.ibb.co/Lrr8scr/IMG-1333-hdr.jpg https://i.ibb.co/tbGbWbv/IMG-1328-hdr.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vZymTWK/IMG-1327-hdr-hdr.jpg https://i.ibb.co/xJvzfhQ/IMG-1325-hdr.jpg @AS556 Good golly  
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Posted: 10/4/2023 5:38:24 PM EST
[#24]
One of my favorites. I have 2, a no dash/ no mod and a -2. Also a 681, which is the 80s carry gun. Groove rear site, low front site and bobbed hammer.
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Posted: 10/4/2023 8:26:23 PM EST
[#25]
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Posted: 10/4/2023 11:04:59 PM EST
[#26]
This is the best Smith & Wesson 686+. Unfortunately Smith & Wesson never made it so I had to get Pinnacle Firearms to make it for me:
 Attached File686+ that was a -4. I sourced a rare 3" customs barrel and had Pinnacle bring it together. It's the best there's ever been! |
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Posted: 10/5/2023 7:20:19 AM EST
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zephyr: This is the best Smith & Wesson 686+. Unfortunately Smith & Wesson never made it so I had to get Pinnacle Firearms to make it for me: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/63654/IMG_5292_jpeg-2978573.JPG 686+ that was a -4. I sourced a rare 3" customs barrel and had Pinnacle bring it together. It's the best there's ever been! That is sexy. There weren't many 686+ made before they installed the lock and to have a 3" barrel on it makes it even hotter. I'd love to have a 3" 686 without the lock. I'd prefer a 6-shot, though, since I'm used to my 686-2. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 10/30/2023 8:22:45 PM EST
[#28]
Maybe this observation would be hashed out on its own thread, but nobody mentioned that the 686+ is a 7-shot revolver. Could be that nobody pays much attention to that fact and figures the more the merrier. My experience: the correct number of rounds in a revolver cylinder is 6. I say that both in relationship to the placement of each round (60 degrees) and in consideration that the 7-round hand, ratchet, etc must be modified to do 7. 6 rounders have had many many years to prove their worth. 7 round cylinders not so much. It really isn't all the same. This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. Worth some thought, in my opinion.
WF |
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Posted: 10/30/2023 8:28:08 PM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiteFox: Maybe this observation would be hashed out on its own thread, but nobody mentioned that the 686+ is a 7-shot revolver. Could be that nobody pays much attention to that fact and figures the more the merrier. My experience: the correct number of rounds in a revolver cylinder is 6. I say that both in relationship to the placement of each round (60 degrees) and in consideration that the 7-round hand, ratchet, etc must be modified to do 7. 6 rounders have had many many years to prove their worth. 7 round cylinders not so much. It really isn't all the same. This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. Worth some thought, in my opinion. WF 617? |
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Posted: 10/31/2023 7:42:47 PM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiteFox: Maybe this observation would be hashed out on its own thread, but nobody mentioned that the 686+ is a 7-shot revolver. Could be that nobody pays much attention to that fact and figures the more the merrier. My experience: the correct number of rounds in a revolver cylinder is 6. I say that both in relationship to the placement of each round (60 degrees) and in consideration that the 7-round hand, ratchet, etc must be modified to do 7. 6 rounders have had many many years to prove their worth. 7 round cylinders not so much. It really isn't all the same. This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. Worth some thought, in my opinion. WF The 7 round guns have been around for 20 years. If they had any problems, they have fixed them by now. |
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Posted: 10/31/2023 11:09:32 PM EST
[#31]
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TN, USA
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Posted: 11/1/2023 10:36:42 AM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Bellows1: The 7 round guns have been around for 20 years. If they had any problems, they have fixed them by now. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Bellows1: Originally Posted By WhiteFox: Maybe this observation would be hashed out on its own thread, but nobody mentioned that the 686+ is a 7-shot revolver. Could be that nobody pays much attention to that fact and figures the more the merrier. My experience: the correct number of rounds in a revolver cylinder is 6. I say that both in relationship to the placement of each round (60 degrees) and in consideration that the 7-round hand, ratchet, etc must be modified to do 7. 6 rounders have had many many years to prove their worth. 7 round cylinders not so much. It really isn't all the same. This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. Worth some thought, in my opinion. WF The 7 round guns have been around for 20 years. If they had any problems, they have fixed them by now. I've owned a 686+ for over 15 of those years. Fired many hundred of magnums in bowling pin matches and many thousands of .38s in practice. Shot nearly 100 magnums in a Zombie Match over the weekend. No problems with the pistol so far. My only complaint is that gun shops seldom have 7-round speedloaders. |
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Posted: 11/3/2023 4:59:03 AM EST
[#33]
I’ve had mine for a few years. Just installed a fixed combat rear sight to it yesterday and like it even more now. Mine is a 686+ 3" and I treat it like an oversized J frame.
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TUN
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Posted: 11/3/2023 7:42:12 AM EST
[#34]
Probably one of the best American 357mag revolvers ever made, especially for someone who shoots a lot.
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PA, USA
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Posted: 11/3/2023 9:02:23 AM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zephyr: This is the best Smith & Wesson 686+. Unfortunately Smith & Wesson never made it so I had to get Pinnacle Firearms to make it for me: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/63654/IMG_5292_jpeg-2978573.JPG 686+ that was a -4. I sourced a rare 3" customs barrel and had Pinnacle bring it together. It's the best there's ever been! That is one hell of a wheel gun. Thanks for posting. |
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Posted: 11/3/2023 9:56:10 AM EST
[#36]
Really got nothing bad to say about my 4" 686+ other than I don't get to shoot it as much as I like. A FO front sight sounds like a good idea that I'll have to look into. Would like to get some different grips for mine but purely for aesthetics. The stock ones work just fine.
Shooting 38 spl out of it is hilariously low recoil. 357 really is quite tame. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/4/2023 5:49:08 PM EST
[Last Edit: Teller_Ulam]
[#37]
I really like these revolvers. I've always wanted a 2.5"
Maybe u guys cN help me out. A local shop has a pre lock 686 with a 2.5" bbl. They want 750. They also have a 2.5" 686+ for the same cost. Both seem to be in good shape. I like the idea of the 7 shot, but I HATE the lock. |
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Posted: 11/4/2023 6:24:51 PM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I really like these revolvers. I've always wanted a 2.5" Maybe u guys cN help me out. A local shop has a pre lock 686 with a 2.5" bbl. They want 750. They also have a 2.5" 686+ for the same cost. Both seem to be in good shape. I like the idea of the 7 shot, but I HATE the lock. Lock doesn’t make a difference. Get the + |
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USA
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Posted: 11/4/2023 7:29:37 PM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NachoDip: Lock doesn’t make a difference. Get the + Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NachoDip: Originally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I really like these revolvers. I've always wanted a 2.5" Maybe u guys cN help me out. A local shop has a pre lock 686 with a 2.5" bbl. They want 750. They also have a 2.5" 686+ for the same cost. Both seem to be in good shape. I like the idea of the 7 shot, but I HATE the lock. Lock doesn’t make a difference. Get the + I know it probably doesn't matter to function, and they can be plugged. I just really don't like to have them on my guns. They bug me. I wonder if SW will ever produce a no lock 686+. |
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Posted: 11/4/2023 7:30:37 PM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiteFox: Maybe this observation would be hashed out on its own thread, but nobody mentioned that the 686+ is a 7-shot revolver. Could be that nobody pays much attention to that fact and figures the more the merrier. My experience: the correct number of rounds in a revolver cylinder is 6. I say that both in relationship to the placement of each round (60 degrees) and in consideration that the 7-round hand, ratchet, etc must be modified to do 7. 6 rounders have had many many years to prove their worth. 7 round cylinders not so much. It really isn't all the same. This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. Worth some thought, in my opinion. WF I'm curious as to what issues you've seen in the 10 shot 22's. I love getting more rounds in the same size gun. I understand that some classic guns it might make sense to keep to the original setup but for everything else give me more rounds. |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 11/5/2023 2:13:37 PM EST
[#41]
Sell me your GP100?
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 11/7/2023 5:49:02 PM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I really like these revolvers. I've always wanted a 2.5" Maybe u guys cN help me out. A local shop has a pre lock 686 with a 2.5" bbl. They want 750. They also have a 2.5" 686+ for the same cost. Both seem to be in good shape. I like the idea of the 7 shot, but I HATE the lock. If I wanted a 2.5" and the gun checked out i'd jump om it. I agree with KillerBD on the 6 round vs. 7 round speedloaders, I need to have Safariland available for a gun I intend to use but I carry mine every day, competitors and range shooters can live with other speedloaders that I can't. I have no animosity toward 7 shot guns (except it would take me a year at least to stop reloading after 6 and dumping a live round on the ground but that's MY problem, I pull the trigger a 6th time on 5 shot revos, sometimes).I have no love nor hate for the lock, I just disable it. Older S&W's have much greater fit & finish, modern S&W's have better/tighter machining tolerances in most cases. I own both and rely on vetted examples of both. My newest is getting to be fairly old now but still with the lock, and I've not dealt with the QC issues buyers of new guns commonly report so there's that. If you can lay hands on the prelock 686 and verify it's sound and had good throat diameters I'd absolutely go that direction for several reasons with speedloaders being the most important but not the only one. |
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Posted: 11/7/2023 7:18:33 PM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Teller_Ulam: I know it probably doesn't matter to function, and they can be plugged. I just really don't like to have them on my guns. They bug me. I wonder if SW will ever produce a no lock 686+. I refuse to own any Smiths with a Hillary hole. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/8/2023 7:47:05 PM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By akethan: I refuse to own any Smiths with a Hillary hole. So far I don't have any. I'm hoping to keep it that way but unfortunately there's a few models that are only available with them. I guess I need to decide if I would rather have the extra round, or no hillary hole |
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Posted: 11/8/2023 8:04:00 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Teller_Ulam: So far I don't have any. I'm hoping to keep it that way but unfortunately there's a few models that are only available with them. I guess I need to decide if I would rather have the extra round, or no hillary hole They are hand to find but I have a prelock 686+ Pics above |
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Posted: 11/12/2023 5:50:58 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By WhiteFox: This consideration comes to light especially in the recent S&W 610, 10-round .22 cal revolvers. WF Last I looked, the 610 was/is a 10mm revolver. The 617 is a .22LR revolver. |
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Posted: 11/12/2023 5:55:20 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By akethan: I refuse to own any Smiths with a Hillary hole. I've bought two because I couldn't afford the older models, which are bringing a premium these days. However, the first thing I did was install a lock delete kit. For those whom posted pics, why have none of you used a lock delete kit? Such a beautiful gun, I don't get keeping that abortion. 
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USA
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Posted: 11/12/2023 6:30:07 PM EST
[#48]
Just picked up a NIB 686+ 6in today---nice and tight with a sweet action.
My GP100 might be saying bye bye-----nothing wrong with it, just not all that accurate---I really need to work with it more before any final decision. |
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Posted: 11/12/2023 7:26:42 PM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By USPguy: I've bought two because I couldn't afford the older models, which are bringing a premium these days. However, the first thing I did was install a lock delete kit. For those whom posted pics, why have none of you used a lock delete kit? Such a beautiful gun, I don't get keeping that abortion. What's the benefit of deleting it? |
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Posted: 11/12/2023 10:05:37 PM EST
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AS556: What's the benefit of deleting it? Well, my order is as follows. 1) Looks better. 2) Middle finger to Hillary & gun grabbers everywhere.  3) While it'd never happen in a 686 due to weight, in a J-frame there's been a couple of reports of the .357mag recoil moving the lock into engagement. Not a good thing in a firefight. Any & ALL mechanical devices fail eventually. It's just a matter of time. If my gun has a failure, I don't want it to be something that locks the gun up. Or at least something I can remove from the gun in order to remove the possibility of it going sideways. |
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