Smith & Wesson Model 686

Smith & Wesson Model 686
686P Revolver with .357 Magnum ammunition in moon clips
Type	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 Butt
Specifications
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 Special
Caliber	.357
Action	double action
Rate of fire	single
Feed system	6 or 7 round cylinder

Close-up of cylinder and extractor of the 686

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]

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

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. pp. 331-363. ISBN 9780896892934. 
2. ^ Boorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 119. ISBN 9781585747214. 

External links

• Smith & Wesson Inc.