By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
A good revolver is a joy to fire and handle, and standing out in that arena is the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus, which is a very nice revolver, handles well, and is modern and accurate.
The 686 Plus has a seven shot cylinder so it is a 7 x 357 I suppose. This is a double action swing out cylinder revolver that is among the most modern of Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector revolvers. Seven is a biblically lucky number and one more shot is good as the revolver isn’t unnecessarily enlarged; not at all actually. This neat trick is possible because the 686 is an L frame revolver. The L frame is a beefed up K frame revolver with more steel in the right places. It is about the same size as a Ruger GP 100 or Colt’s .41 frame Python. The geometry is just right for a seven shot cylinder.
The L frame has been around about 45 years. The L frame was designed to handle Magnum pressure better than K frame revolvers but remain compact enough for daily carry. It is significantly smaller than the larger N frame revolvers.
To the best of my knowledge the L frame is the last purpose designed service revolver. The 7 shot version is simply called the 686 Plus. The revolvers are available in several barrel lengths. I have fired a rather nice 686 with an eight-inch barrel, a fairly rare revolver. The four inch barrel is a versatile choice.
The specific revolver illustrated is a personal carry gun. A three-inch barrel L frame is remarkably well balanced, and it features Smith & Wesson’s trademark fully adjustable rear sight and ramp front sight. The underlug barrel makes for good balance and a weight of just short of 36 ounces. Let’s look at the technical specifications-
S&W 686 Plus
width 1.55 in
length 8.25 in
height 6 in
weight 36.6 oz
CALIBER .357 MAGNUM
CAPACITY 7
ACTION SINGLE/DOUBLE ACTION
BBL 3 in.
The grips are synthetic and do a good job separating the hand from metal during recoil. These grips feature a balance of adhesion and abrasion well suited to a Magnum revolver. They are compact enough not to stretch the average size hand.
The double action trigger is long but smooth at just over 13 pounds. The single action press breaks at a sweet, cripsp 3.9 pounds. The single action trigger is useful for precise shooting well past normal handgun range. The trigger face is .315 wide ideal for most double action shooting styles. Meanwhile, the checkered hammer spur is easily cocked. Barrel cylinder gap is a perfect .006 inch and cylinder fore and aft end play is absent. The sights are a ramp post front and fully adjustable rear sight. While there are desirable older revolvers, these new Smiths feature some of the tightest barrel and throat dimensions I have encountered making for excellent accuracy. This is a new handgun in my battery and I gave the piece a good firing test.
Most practice ammunition used in the work up was factory .38 Special, both 158 grain and 130 grain, the latter in FMJ. Results were good to very good at 5, 7, and 10 yards. This revolver stays on target in fast double action fire. Press the trigger, allow reset during recoil, and get back on target. Don’t try to control the moving front sight too much just be certain the sight on the target when the hammer falls and you have a hit. Results were good.
This is a smooth operating revolver. The seven-shot revolver seems just slightly faster to cycle than a 6 shooter due to the revolvers action geometry although this is difficult to qualify.
Moving to stronger ammunition I fired a few cylinders of Buffalo Bore’s .38 Special +P ammunition. These defense loads are strong choices for personal defense. I would not criticize anyone loading their Magnum with a 125 grain/1050 to 1125 fps JHP. Most factory .38 Special loads break 880 to 950 fps in the +P category, Buffalo Bore adds more power to the equation. They also offer a 158 grain LSWCHP. This soft cast hollow point offers good expansion. At over 1,000 fps even in a two inch barrel the +P version of the 158 grain load is a fine choice in .38 Special. At this level of power in a light revolver this is all that is needed for personal defense. A Magnum for hunting is heavier with a longer barrel and you may reasonably control full power .357 Magnum loads.
I fired a number of .357 Magnum loads in the 686 Plus. Among the best suited to personal defense is the Hornady 125 grain Critical Defense load, which breaks 1,280 fps the S&W’s three inch barrel. Control isn’t that difficult. You may get five hits in the time you get seven with the .38 Special, roughly, but then a threat isn’t going to stand still while you pepper their hide. If you can control these loads they offer excellent wound ballistics.
I also fired the standard 125 grain XTP Magnum with good results. This load will be deployed when hiking or exploring. If the need is there Hornady also offers a powerful 165 grain Backcountry Defense round. This load doesn’t expand but penetrates well, moving the .357 into bear defense category.
Absolute accuracy is always interesting. I loaded up the MTM Caseguard K Zone firing rest and a few likely loads for testing. I took every advantage for accuracy firing at a long 25 yards. Results were good, perhaps even surprising. This is a great shooter but then S&W has been turning out great shooters a long, long time.
25 yard accuracy
Load 5 shot group
Fiocchi .38 Special 130 grain FMJ 2.25 in.
Federal .38 Special 158 grain RNL 1.0 in.
(This 670 fps load is superbly accurate!)
Buffalo Bore 125 grain Low Flash 1.5 in.
Buffalo Bore 158 grain Outdoorsman 1.4 in.
.357 Magnum loads
Hornady 125 grain Critical Defense 1.6 in.
Hornady 135 grain FLEX LOCK 1.25 in.
1.
Carrying the S&W 686 Plus
The versatility of the .357 Magnum is virtually unequaled. Mild target loads are great for small game, .38 Special +P ammunition is good for defense use, and the Magnum loads emphatically effective in many roles. The 686 is a fine outdoors revolver.
I chose the Galco Great Alaskan chest holster for outdoors chores. Extremely well made with a good balance of speed and retention the Great Alaskan offers a wide range of adjustment.
If hunting with a rifle the chest holster keeps the handgun out of the way, and the same goes if you are riding on an ATV or in a jeep. For concealed carry the same revolver may be carried in a Galco Summer Comfort inside the waistband holster. This holster features dual belt loops and a reinforced holstering welt. Since the Summer Comfort rides inside the trousers concealment is good. The Smith & Wesson 686 is a fine all around handgun with many uses. It is a handgun that will not let you down.
