Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus

About the Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus

The Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus is a seven-shot, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, built on Smith & Wesson's medium L-frame. Introduced in 1996 as the 'Plus' variant of the standard six-shot Model 686, the 686 Plus increases cylinder capacity from six to seven rounds by utilizing a slightly wider cylinder, giving the shooter one extra round without a significant increase in frame size or weight. This extra round has made the 686 Plus one of the most popular .357 Magnum revolvers for both competition and defensive use. The all-stainless-steel construction features a satin finish, a full-length barrel underlug for improved balance and recoil management, an adjustable white-outline rear sight paired with a red ramp front sight, and Hogue rubber grips as standard. The cylinder accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special cartridges interchangeably. The standard 4-inch barrel configuration weighs approximately 39 ounces (1105 grams) empty with an overall length of 9.56 inches (243mm) and a height of approximately 6 inches (152mm). The double-action trigger pull is approximately 12.5 pounds (56 N), while the single-action pull is approximately 5 pounds (22 N). The barrel features right-hand twist rifling at 1:18.75 inches (476mm) with 5 grooves. Available barrel lengths include 2.5, 3, 4, and 6 inches.

The Model 686 Plus embodied a simple but effective innovation: fitting one more round into the cylinder of an already legendary revolver. When Smith & Wesson introduced the seven-shot 686 Plus in 1996, competitive revolver shooters immediately recognized the advantage - one extra round before reloading could be the difference between winning and losing a stage. The 686 Plus quickly became the revolver of choice for IDPA and ICORE competitors, and its popularity in the defensive market followed. The combination of the proven L-frame platform, the versatile .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering, and the seven-round capacity has made the 686 Plus one of the best-selling revolvers in Smith & Wesson's modern lineup, earning it a reputation as perhaps the most versatile production revolver available.

Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus specifications

The 'Plus' designation on Smith & Wesson revolvers indicates an increase in cylinder capacity over the standard model. For the 686, this means seven rounds instead of six. The seven-shot cylinder is slightly wider than the six-shot version, but the difference is minimal and does not significantly affect holster compatibility or handling. The 686 Plus has become more popular than the standard six-shot 686 in many markets, particularly among competitive revolver shooters who benefit from the extra round in divisions with limited reload opportunities. The 3-5-7 Magnum Series variant offers three barrel lengths (3, 5, and 7 inches) with the seven-round cylinder and wood grips, providing a range of configurations for different shooting disciplines. The Mountain Gun variant features a tapered barrel and lighter weight for field carry. The Deluxe model features an unfluted cylinder and wood grips. Weight varies by barrel length: 2.5-inch approximately 34.9 oz, 3-inch approximately 36 oz, 4-inch approximately 39 oz, 6-inch approximately 44.4 oz. The loaded weight estimate includes seven .357 Magnum cartridges at approximately 12.6g each. MSRP for the 4-inch model is approximately $1,039. Like the standard 686, the L-frame was designed to withstand sustained .357 Magnum use after the K-frame Models 19 and 66 proved susceptible to forcing cone cracks under heavy magnum diet.