Smith & Wesson Model 686

History of Smith & Wesson Model 686

In 1981, the legendary American firearms company Smith & Wesson released their SW Model 868 six- or seven-shot revolver. Revolver with stainless steel casing, designed for .357 magnum and .38 special cartridges, double action firing. The double-action system allows the hammer to be cocked by pulling the trigger (unlike the single-action system, which requires an extra manual step).

The Model 686 was an immediate success in the market, with variants offering a more specialized shape for demanding professionals such as security guards and competition shooters.

Like other revolvers before it, the Model 686 is powered by a rotating multi-shot cartridge, each of which is individually inserted into its firing chamber. Each time the trigger is pulled, the cylinder cycles through a new, ready-to-fire cartridge.

The handle comes in a variety of designs and can be seen in rubber or wood form. Wooden grips became popular in the series until 1994, when the 686 model started using rubber Hogue grips. Overall, however, the pistol displayed a nice clean steel look. The cylinder is in a bridge frame, the hammer is at the back, and the trigger is below.

An integrated extractor manages cylinder reloading. Barrels of different lengths are usually installed forward. Standard weight is approximately 2 lbs 12 oz. Barrel lengths include 2, 5, 3, 4 and 6 inch sizes.

The rear sight is operator adjustable, and some versions also have an adjustable rear sight.

Type 686 ended up in a number of variants. There was the base 686 from 1988, followed by the 1988 686 Classic Hunter with its grooveless cylinder. The 686 Midnight Black appeared in all black livery in 1989. In 1992, the 686 National Security model was also released in a black finish, the 686 Target Champion with full lugs. In 1994, the 686 Power Port appeared with a ported 6" barrel assembly.

The 686P series produced in 1996 is lockable. In 2004, the 686P was released, followed by the 686PP and its compensator. Introduced in 2007, the 686 Performance Center included improvements such as a weighted barrel, Picatinny rail mount, forged hammer and trigger assembly.

In the military, the Type 686 was used by members of the US Customs Service (686 CS-1) and members of the US Navy SEALs. On the safety front, the Model 686 has also proven popular in some law enforcement firearms.

Outside the US, the Type 686 is very popular in France and Norway - the former is used by the special forces of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, the latter by the immigration police.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes