- Smith & Wesson Model 686
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Smith & Wesson Model 686
686P Revolver with .357 Magnum ammunition in moon clipsType Revolver Place of origin United States
Service history Used by See Users Production history Designed 1980 Variants 686P
686PP
686-(1-8)
Round Butt
Square ButtSpecifications Weight 2 lb 12 oz (1.25 kg) Length 12" (305 mm) Barrel length 2-1/2 in. (64 mm)
3 in. (76mm)
4 in.(102 mm)
6 in. (153 mm)Cartridge .357 Magnum
.38 SpecialCaliber .357 Action double action Rate of fire single Feed system 6 or 7 round cylinder The Smith & Wesson (S & W) Model 686, is a six or seven shot double action revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. It will chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges, as the .357 Magnum was developed from the .38 Special. The magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .38 Special. The 686 has been available with 2-1/2 in. (64 mm); 3 in.(76mm); 4 in. (102 mm); 5 in. (127 mm); 6 in. (153 mm); and 8-3/8" in. (214 mm) barrel lengths as standard models and other barrel lengths either by special order from S & W's Performance Center custom shop, or acquired from or built by after-market gunsmiths. The Performance Center made a limited number of 686 in .38 Super for competitive shooters.[1]
Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1980. It is the stainless steel version of the 586, which was a blued steel finish. It was chambered for .357 Magnum and .38 S&W Special +P calibers. They are available ported and unported with a choice of 6 or 7 round cylinders.[1]
The Model 686 is based on S & W's L (medium-large) revolver frame. During the 1980s, Smith & Wesson developed its L-Frame line of .357 Magnums: the Model 581, Model 586, Model 681 and Model 686.[2]
Contents
Variants of the 686
- S&W Model 686 (US - Revolver - .357 Magnum & .38 Special: Distinguished Combat Magnum 6 shot cylinder, Stainless)
- S&W Model 686P (US - Revolver - .357 Magnum & .38 Special: Distinguished Combat Magnum 7 shot cylinder, Stainless)
- S&W Model 686PP (US - Revolver - .357 Magnum & .38 Special: Distinguished Combat Magnum Power Port 6 shot cylinder, Stainless)
The weapon has an adjustable rear sight, and until 1992, the 6- and 8.5-inch versions had an adjustable front sight. They had Goncalo alves hardwood grips until 1994, when the grip was replaced by a rubber Hogue grip.[1]
Through the years, there have been several variations on the Model 686. The Model 686 Classic Hunter was introduced in 1988 and has a 6-inch barrel and an unfluted cylinder; the Model 686 Black Stainless was introduced in 1989 and has either a 4 or 6 inch barrel with a black finish, with production limited to 5000; the Model 686 National Security Special was introduced in 1992 and has a 3- or 4-inch barrel; the Model 686 Target Champion was introduced in 1992 and has a 6-inch match barrel, adjustable trigger stop, and walnut grips; the Model 686 Power Port was introduced in 1994 and has a ported 6-inch barrel; the Model 686 Plus was introduced in 1996 and has a 2.5-inch, 3 inch, 4-inch, or 6-inch barrel, adjustable sights, 7-shot cylinder, and Hogue rubber grips. As with all current Smith and Wesson revolvers, the 686 Plus now has a key lock integral to the frame of the gun.[1]
Variant Caliber Weight Capacity Year Notes S&W 686 Classic Hunter 6" (15 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 45.8 oz (1.3 kg) 6 cyl 1988 unfluted cylinder S&W 686 Midnight Black 4" & 6" (10 cm and 15 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 42 oz (1.19 kg) 6 cyl 1989 black finish over stainless, 5000 produced S&W 686 2.5" (64 mm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 40.5 oz (1.15 kg) 6 cyl 1988 S&W 686 4" (10 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 42 oz (1.19 kg) 6 cyl 1988 S&W 686 6" (15 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 45.8 oz (1.3 kg) 6 cyl 1988 S&W 686 8-3/8" (21 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 48.3 oz (1.37 kg) 6 cyl 1988 S&W 686 CS-1 Made for United States Customs Service S&W 686 National Security 3" (7.6 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 41.2 oz (1.17 kg) 6 cyl 1992 black finish S&W 686 National Security 4" (10 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 42 oz (1.19 kg) 6 cyl 1992 black finish S&W 686 Target Champion 6" (15 cm) match-grade barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 46.2 oz (1.31 kg) 6 cyl 1992 Full lug S&W 686 Power Port 6" (15 cm) ported barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 46 oz (1.3 kg) 6 cyl 1994 Ported S&W 686P 2.5" (6.4 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 41 oz (1.16 kg) 7 cyl 1996 lockable with key S&W 686P 4" (10 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 42.3 oz (1.2 kg) 7 cyl 1996 lockable with key S&W 686P 6" (15 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 46.2 oz (1.31 kg) 7 cyl 1996 lockable with key S&W 686P 5" (12.7 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 40.5 oz (1.15 kg) 7 cyl 2004 Half-lug barrel, HiViz front sight S&W 686PP 6" (15 cm) barrel
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 46.2 oz (1.31 kg) 6 cyl Integral Compensator, lockable with key S&W 686 Performance Center 6" (15 cm) barrel (weighted)
.357 Magnum / .38 Special 52.9 oz (1.50 kg) 6 cyl 2007 Weighted Barrel, Weaver/Picatinny Rail on Barrel, Adjustable/Removable Weights, Ball-bearing Cylinder Lock, Forged Hammer and Trigger, Traditional Old School Pinned Sear, PC Aluminum Case or Gun Rug, lockable with key Users
France - Used by GIGN during amphibious operations.
Norway - The 3"-barreled version with Goncalo alves hardwood-grip was used as a sidearm in the alien immigrant-branches of the Norwegian Police Service by individual plainclothes officers during the early 90's.
United States - Used by U.S. Navy Special Operations during waterborne missions. Used by some small town police departments.
Luxembourg - Used by luxemburgish Grand Ducal Police as duty weapon.
References
External links
Categories:- .357 Magnum firearms
- .38 Special firearms
- Smith & Wesson revolvers
- Revolvers
- Underwater revolvers
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