S&W 686 ... Any Reason Not To Buy One?

**hudsonvalley** · November 21st, 2022, 08:29 PM

Lock or no lock…that gun will be passed down to your kids..the ‘if I could only have one gun’ gun

**ray h** · November 23rd, 2022, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by hudsonvalley

Lock or no lock*that gun will be passed down to your kids..the *if I could only have one gun* gun

The kids may already have it.

**Brick** · November 23rd, 2022, 08:20 PM

The only reason to pass up and 686 is because you want a 627 N-frame .357 8 round moonclip capable.

**eagleclaw** · November 23rd, 2022, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by MARINE DIVISION TWO

My 686 was mfg in the 80s great shooter takes hot loads like candy ! There was a run of 686s in the 80s that required the gun to be sent back to S&W for a MODIFICATION ? and they stamped on the frame under the l686 a letter M,thus designating it was at the factory,cannot recall exactly why the modification but another member may be able to give insight !

I remember that. They made a batch were the feeding cone was too long and would swell after firing a couple of .357 rounds. This cylinder to seize up. It couldn't be fired nor could the cylinder be opened until it cooled down.

**Gunsnwater** · November 24th, 2022, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by eagleclaw

I remember that. They made a batch were the feeding cone was too long and would swell after firing a couple of .357 rounds. This cylinder to seize up. It couldn't be fired nor could the cylinder be opened until it cooled down.

https://revolverguy.com/the-m-stamped-l-frames/ Actually

**TwistedCopper** · November 24th, 2022, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by ray h

The kids may already have it.

Yeah the OP is not likely still trying to decide 7 years later

FWIW to anyone following, I have an old pinned/recessed Model 28 Highway Patrolman from 1969-ish that I picked up this year and it became my favorite handgun in short time.

**imashooter2** · November 24th, 2022, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

Yeah the OP is not likely still trying to decide 7 years later

FWIW to anyone following, I have an old pinned/recessed Model 28 Highway Patrolman from 1969-ish that I picked up this year and it became my favorite handgun in short time.

The legend goes that the factory techs knew those revolvers would likely end up in a police holster and so they put some extra love into them. Probably not true, but as an owner, I like to pretend it is.

**bugout** · November 25th, 2022, 08:58 AM

I'd go 686+... just saying, worth it for the extra round

**Brick** · November 27th, 2022, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by imashooter2

The legend goes that the factory techs knew those revolvers would likely end up in a police holster and so they put some extra love into them. Probably not true, but as an owner, I like to pretend it is.

The Highway Patrolman is an absolutely fine solid revolver! I'd buy one in an instant if I could find one!