Personal Defense Network Forum » Handguns

1. 

   Daniel
   

   Junior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 6

   Just returned from the local gun shop after inspecting my new arrival from S&W. It’s a 686 2.5” variant. I was told it was the only ‘new’ one available across the network and I was a bit surprised it arrived so quickly. I ordered it on Friday and it came in on Wednesday! In any event I was pleased.

   The darn thing is a handful, or at least its stubby L-frame design makes it look that way. Granted, I don’t have a large posture and my hands are medium at best. The stock Batman grips fit me better than I expected.

   Still, I’ll be sending it off to be tweaked, mooned and honed while I'll ask H. Bowen to add his sights and tune it. I haven’t decided if I’ll leave the hammer alone or bobb it. If I'm feeling large afterwards, I may well have it finished in either hard chrome or NP3. Frankly, I never have really liked the stock stainless look from smith but that's just me. In any event, I was looking for a good range gun and a custom candidate and this should do fine.

   Any thoughts are welcomed as this forum is still new, so I thought to throw this out.

   Regards,
   Dan Ortego

   # Posted 5 months ago
2. 

   cshoff
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 56

   Sounds like a good choice, Dan. We happen to have a resident revolver expert here who, by all reports that I've read, does some of the best custom revolver work in the country. You might check out his website when you get a minute: http://www.grantcunningham.com/index.html

   Chris S.
   
   NRA Certified Pistol, PPITH, & PPOTH Instructor
   NRA Certified RSO
   Missouri CCW Instructor

   # Posted 5 months ago
3. 

   Daniel
   

   Junior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 6

   I visit Grant's blog daily and I would be honored to have my 686 configured by him. Unfortunately, his website is quite specific as to his availability. The best I possibly do, is to get on his waiting list, for his waiting list. It hasn't been updated or open so far as I can tell, since late 2008.
   Thanks!
   Dan Ortego

   # Posted 5 months ago
4. 

   cshoff
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 56

   Well, I guess that says a couple of things; one is that Grant does such good work, his services are very much in demand, and two, if you need to have some work done sooner, you will have to find a different avenue. :)

   Dan - Does your 686 have the internal lock, or is that optional on a 686?

   Chris S.
   
   NRA Certified Pistol, PPITH, & PPOTH Instructor
   NRA Certified RSO
   Missouri CCW Instructor

   # Posted 5 months ago
5. 

   GrantCunningham
   

   Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 43

   No, it shows I spend too much time on the internet!

   Seriously, though, I'm just now working on reservations that were made in early 2008. Once my waiting list got over 300 entries, I had to close it - just managing the emails was becoming a full time job.

   Once a year I open the list, for a very short time, for a limited number of new reservations. (This year I plan to add a smaller number of reservations to the list, because I'd like to take a few days of vacation in 2012!)

   -=[ Grant ]=-

   -=[ Grant ]=-
   -
   Gunsmith, Trainer, Writer
   Combat Focus Shooting (tm) Instructor
   -
   http://www.grantcunningham.com

   # Posted 5 months ago
6. 

   Daniel
   

   Junior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 6

   Hi Grant,
   I’ll be watching for that Halley's Comet opening...

   Say cshoff: That's a no-go on the no-lock 686. Mine is new from Smith'. Of course with my luck, a no-lock version will be announced next week. There is a source for a plug, although I'm not sure if the plug looks any better than the hole. I suppose that someone really skilled, could weld around the plug, grind and finish it smooth.
   Dan

   # Posted 5 months ago
7. 

   cshoff
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 56

   Well, Grant, that's what you get for being good at what you do. lol. :)

   Dan - Thanks for the info. I thought that S&W recently started offering some of their revolvers without the internal lock. I wasn't sure if the 686 was one of them or not.

   Chris S.
   
   NRA Certified Pistol, PPITH, & PPOTH Instructor
   NRA Certified RSO
   Missouri CCW Instructor

   # Posted 5 months ago
8. 

   Daniel
   

   Junior Member
   Joined: Jan '10
   Posts: 6

   Yep, there are few more being released this summer along with moon clip versions too. I guess Smith' wants to capture some of TK's glory.
   Dan

   # Posted 5 months ago
9. 

   WindyCityKali
   

   New Member
   Joined: May '10
   Posts: 3

   Just a quick note: I bought a 686 4" about 5 years ago. It has been a pleasure to own and shoot - it's never failed to operate exactly as expected.

   Good choice. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

   # Posted 1 month ago

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