What was i thinking!!

We had the Alabama Gun Collectors Association spring gun show in Hoover, Alabama and I opened the safe to see if the herd needed thinning. There was my 686 no dash that I hadn't shot in forever and for a moment I thought that maybe I should send it on it's way. Well, I said maybe next time and closed the door.
The show was full of over priced guns and ammo and I went mainly to see some old buddies and tell yarns. This morning, I had 2 rifles that friends wanted me to zero for them and when I was taking them out of the safe, there was the 686 right up front so I carried it with me and a box of 180 gr LBT's loaded with H110 and 2400. Both go around 1225-1250 fps out of that gun. The target is at 30 yds and the old gun never disappoints. I will not disparage it again, it's just too darned accurate.Attachment 325055Attachment 325056Attachment 325057Attachment 325059Attachment 325060

I believe the H-110 load will do better than this but the wind was blowing pretty hard this morning.

The only pre-lock S&W's I've ever sold, were the lesser two of /four/ S&W M64-5's I was fortunate enough to have done a lot purchase of.
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I am blessed with a good collection of pre-lock S&W's, and will be maintaining that status 'for the duration'. :-/

Yep. Pre-lock guns do indeed bring a premium. I have a 629 with a Hillary hole and it is a good shooter, better in fact than my 29-2, but I wouldn't dare take the older gun where I have had the 629.

Guns that are consistently accurate are easy to love. Its the ones that shoot really well once in a while and poorly the rest of the time will make you pull your hair out.

Thumbcocker, you are exactly right and this 686 has been boringly accurate since I traded a Model 48 S&W for it. I am in the process of selling a 25-2 for the hair pulling reason. With the 180 gr LBT, this little gun would make a great <75 yd white tail gun.

My one gripe about the 686 is no half lug option. Full lugs are just needless extra bulk and look unfinished to me.

The full lug helps with a bit of muzzle weight to stabilize the wiggles when using a scope or dot and believe me, I need all the help I can get!

Yes, I would agree with you there. I only use sights on handguns.