Henry Rifle Forums

A couple of months ago I purchased a 686 S&W. It checked out ok when I bought it but when I shot it the first time and went to adjust the rear sight I noticed when adjusting the rear sight for windage the sight blade became canted as I was adjusting it to shoot further to the right. I called my local gunsmith and he said bring it buy he would take a look at it. So I dropped it by on my way home from the range. While I was there I asked him what he thought. He went over the gun and says its okay but the sight will probably need replaced. I asked him what he thought of the action. I could tell what he was thinking by the look on his face. I told him to make it feel like a one of those Smiths from yesteryear. Last night I got a text that it was done. Its a brand new gun. Action is buttery smooth and the trigger pull in both double and single action is amazing. I cant wait to take it to the range. I also took him my 617 to have a fiber optic front sight installed and yup make it like the 686.

Nice, will be anxiously awaiting your range report.

RP

Can't wait to hear how it shoots for you. I've had a couple of older 686s and both were very accurate.

Sounds like in the end you will have a fine pair of Smiths.

Al, a good gunsmith is hard to find lately. I'm very glad to hear you get great results from him.

Congrats on your 686 Al. I love mine. Definitely one of my favorites. Let us know what you think after your range trip.
BTW, what barrel length did you get? Also, is it a (+) model...( 7 round. ) ?

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 21, 2024 10:44 am

Congrats on your 686 Al. I love mine. Definitely one of my favorites. Let us know what you think after your range trip.
BTW, what barrel length did you get? Also, is it a (+) model...( 7 round. ) ?

Yes sir Mark mine is the plus model with a 6 inch barrel. Its also the deluxe model with wood grips. It now functions like a Smith use to when went to the gun store. My gunsmith is about my age and takes his time but he does and excellent job. Hes gonna get my Ruger also if I can ever get Ruger to make it right.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 21, 2024 12:43 pm

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 21, 2024 10:44 am

Congrats on your 686 Al. I love mine. Definitely one of my favorites. Let us know what you think after your range trip.
BTW, what barrel length did you get? Also, is it a (+) model...( 7 round. ) ?

Yes sir Mark mine is the plus model with a 6 inch barrel. Its also the deluxe model with wood grips. It now functions like a Smith use to when went to the gun store. My gunsmith is about my age and takes his time but he does and excellent job. Hes gonna get my Ruger also if I can ever get Ruger to make it right.

SWEET!!
I love those grips.

Pics please when you can.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 21, 2024 12:46 pm

Pics please when you can.

Here is a quick one. Im looking for some wood grips for the 617. I dont care for the stock rubber grips Smith puts on there newer guns

Very nice Al. I like those grips too!

Me, three. That's a classy 686, Al.

Thanks Mark and NCG. I think I have located another set for the 617. It has the rubber grip on it and I dont care for it.

Nice looking 686 Al! You are a rich man to have a good gunsmith available nearby and sounds like the 686 will be a great shooter.
My Model 69 I always wondered why I needed the rear sight cranked over to the left to hit center of target and then I noticed the barrel was canted.
This one had to go back to S&W 2 times to get the action right when I first got it.
However my newest Smith the 686+ 3 inch somehow came with everything right the first time with a great action for a factory Smith.

After seeing your picture with the wood grips makes me frustrated with myself. I forgot that the K and L frames have the same grip frame. Recently I gave my dad’s M/19 to my nephew. I had put a beautiful set of the S&W target grips on it and left them on for him. Should have put them on my 686 which wears the S&W rubber grips you mentioned. Oh well, stupid me.

First thing I did on my 617 (the problem child 617) was put on a set of old K frame grips I found at a gun show for $10. Don't know the brand and they're nothing classy, but I do like them better for shooting, thanks to the thumb rest. I do like a thumb rest for target work.

10.00 is a steel for those grips for sure. I found a set on Ebay. The seller says they are Altamont grips but they look exactly like the grips that are on my 686. Im wondering if Smith uses there grips on the deluxe model which is the model of 686 I own. I asked the seller but he didnt know.

Could very well be. Rumor has it that Altamont also makes grips for Rugers, but no one can verify it. The Rosewood Altamont single action grips look exactly like the the rosewood grips on current Ruger single actions, though.

Altamont has grips for J, K and N frames.

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips ... and-wesson

Ruger grips here (click more to see all that they make)

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/ruger/

Thanks for the links, Mags. Now you've got me wanting some cool new grips for my 686. Those are beautiful...oops, I need to focus on an EDC revolver first. Almost forgot because of this thread.