Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Performance Center 686

Specifications

• Manufacturer:          Smith & Wesson
• Model:                        686 Plus (Performance Center)
• Frame Size:              L-Frame
• Caliber:                     .357 Magnum / .38 Special +P
• Action:                       Double Action / Singe Action
• Capacity:                   7 Rounds
• Barrel Length:          2.5 inches
• Front Sight:              Red Ramp
• Rear Sight:                Adjustable
• Overall Length:        47.5 inches
• Grip:                           Wood
• Weight:                      35 ounces
• Barrel Material:       Stainless Steel
• Cylinder Material:   Stainless Steel
• Frame Material:       Stainless Steel
• Finish:                       Matte Glass Bead Blast
• M.S.R.P.:                   $1,089

There are many existing holster options for an L-frame revolver.

Snubby revolvers have been a mainstay of concealed carry since the introduction of the original Smith & Wesson “Chief’s Special” in 1950. Although immensely practical as a defensive handgun, the classic snubby revolver has always suffered from a few serious drawbacks–most notably, having a limited ammo capacity, and being difficult to shoot well. However, a little bit of modern technology and a lot of meticulous attention from the talented gunsmiths in the Smith and Wesson Performance Center have elevated the classic snubby revolver to a new level.

The Performance Center snub is distinguished by a beautiful unfluted cylinder.

This Performance Center 686 Plus firmly straddles the line between old school and modern design. At its core, this revolver is a stainless-steel double-action revolver with wood grips and iron sights. But this 686 Plus has a capacity of seven rounds in the same diameter cylinder that used to only fit six. Combine that increased capacity with the magic of some fine-tuning in the Performance Center, and you have a thoroughly modern defensive revolver.

Better Features

Of course, this PC 686 Plus is considerably larger than the classic 5-shot snubby revolver. At 7.5 inches long and nearly 35 ounces in weight, this gun is not suited for pocket carry. However, if you are willing to carry a larger revolver, the size increase pays huge dividends. The 686 Plus has good-sized wood stocks that will fit even large hands. And, the larger “L-frame” makes for a more comfortable grip and trigger reach than small-frame snubbies.

Seven rounds of .357 Magnum is quite a bit of firepower.

Since 1996, Smith & Wesson has offered L-frame .357 Magnum revolvers in six or seven shot capacities. Although the cylinder diameter is the same, modern advances in materials technology have allowed the cylinder walls to be thinned enough to fit an extra round. While some traditionalists still prefer the traditional 6- round L-frame, when it comes to a defensive revolver, the extra round is a huge benefit.   By comparison, the 686 Plus has 40% more capacity than a typical small-frame snub nose revolver.   With seven rounds on tap, the 686 Plus is approaching the capacity of most single-stack semi-auto pistols suitable for concealed carry. All of a sudden, carrying a revolver instead of a semi-auto doesn’t seem like so much of a compromise in ammunition capacity.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of this particular 686 Plus is the extra attention from Smith & Wesson’s talented Performance Center gunsmiths. Performance Center guns are Smith & Wesson’s best products, designed for their most demanding customers. This translates into a high level of fit and finish, but more importantly, a well-tuned action. This type of refinement is particularly valuable in a double-action revolver, which can have a long and heavy trigger. The Performance Center tuning produces a light and smooth trigger pull. Together with the smaller required rotation of the 7-shot cylinder, this 686 Plus trigger is a delight. I have experienced better revolver triggers on finicky target guns, but the Performance Center guns strike a proper balance between a light trigger and rock solid reliability.
The Performance Center snub is adorned with a few distinguishing cosmetic features, like the unfluted cylinder and the slab-side barrel. The gun also sports an engraved Performance Center logo on the left side-plate, and a laser etching on the barrel shroud. Both give the revolver a unique custom appearance.

The 2.5 inch barrel a still produces muzzle velocities over 1,100 feet per second.

Better Performance

Shooting a snubby revolver is usually a challenge. Shooting a .357 Magnum snubby revolver is always a challenge. I have mostly given up on shooting small-frame Magnums, unless I am required to do so. It can be done, but I am not a fan.
Shooting .357 Magnum rounds from an L-frame snubby revolver, however, is a far better experience. The additional weight, along with the larger frame and grips, make a big difference. Although shooting Magnums will still definitely get your attention, the gun is manageable with a proper crush grip. Regardless, a snubby Magnum revolver is not well suited to anyone who is recoil sensitive. At least you always have the option of shooting .38 Special +P, if desired.
Even with the short barrel, this 686 Plus offers strong ballistic performance with Magnum loads. I tested four different brands of premium defensive ammo, and all produced average muzzle velocity in excess of 1,100 feet per second. At these velocities, you should be able to expect excellent performance from modern expanding jacketed hollow point bullets.
The 686 Plus is also exceptionally accurate for snubby. I had no problem with drilling out the x-ring of a standard NRA target at 7 yards. Similarly, a steel plate rack at 10 yards can be cleared with no problem. Even at 25 yards, head shots on a silhouette are easy to come by. This is due in part to the revolver’s excellent adjustable rear sight, and high visibility red ramp front sight.
This revolver is also set up for using moonclips, which hold all seven rounds as a single unit for ease of loading and unloading. A discussion of the pros and cons of moonclips is unfortunately beyond the scope of this article. The utility of moonclips in a defensive revolver is open to debate–but there is no drawback to having the cylinder cut to accept them. With this 686 Plus, you have the option of using moonclips or not.

The Performance Center logo is tastefully applied to the left side.

Better Snubby

While not really fair to compare this gun to a traditional small-frame snubby revolver, that is a natural comparison. The PC 686 Plus snub is much easier to shoot, more accurate, and more powerful. With seven rounds of .357 Magnum on tap, this gun compares favorably with the firepower of many semi-automatic handguns. If you are a “revolver guy,” and want to carry a wheel gun, you don’t have to feel under gunned with this 686 Plus.
Prices of quality revolvers have been creeping up in recent years. A standard 686 Plus snubby retails for $849. Performance Center guns, however, always command a premium price. The PC version of the 686 Plus snub retails for $1,089. For the extra $240, you get wood grips, different sights, a cylinder cut for moonclips, and a hand tuned action. In my opinion, the extra cash is very well spent. As with any Smith & Wesson firearm, the 686 Plus is covered with a lifetime service policy, and their customer service is some of the best in the business.
Carrying a snub nose revolver is always a compromise of some kind. The Performance Center 686 Plus addresses some of these shortcomings with additional capacity and ease of use. Unfortunately, that additional capability comes in a package much larger than the traditional snubby revolver. If you can cope with the additional size and weight, this is a remarkable carry gun. A blend of old and new technology, with some custom craftsmanship thrown in, makes this 686 Plus a better snubby, and a great choice for carry.
The author would like to thank Winchester (www.winchester.com), Federal (www.federal premium.com), and Hornady (www.hornady.com), for providing ammunition for testing. All shooting was done at the Southern Exposure training facility in Lakeland, Florida (www.southernexposuretraining.com).

This snub feels great in the author’s large hands.

The business end of a .357 Magnum will get your attention!

The Performance Center snub is distinguished by a beautiful unfluted cylinder.

The author carried the 686 Plus in a simple belt slide holster from Don Hume.

The wooden grips on the 686 look good and offer excellent grip.

Performance Center guns come in a gray hard case.

50 State Legal AR-15

Somehow the ARES Defense SCR had passed under my radar until it showed up for review. When my editor handed it to me, I opened up the box and thought–yep its an AR…. Oh wait. Is this an AR? Yeah, but no?! I was taken aback for a moment while I stood there looking at the rifle, trying to wrap my head around it. It looks a bit like an AR crossed with a semiautomatic shotgun. And it’s damn cool.

To AR or Not To AR?

ARES SCR on the left. It looks like an AR, but that stock?

Who wants an AR inspired rifle that’s not truly an AR-15? The answers to this vary. The SCR is 50 state legal. So there’s that. If you want a rifle with similar capabilities, but can’t own terror-inducing AR-15s, this will have some appeal. And then there are those who just don’t like pistol grips. They’ll find this gun compelling, too. So how close is it to an AR, really? I’ll come back to that in the end.
So what is the SCR? Lets get the specs out of the way first.

• Caliber .223/5.56 and 7.62X39
• Barrel 16.25” (carbine) 18” (rifle) 1/9 Twist
• Length 37” carbine 39” Rifle
• Stock Sporter, Short Sporter or Monte Carlo
• Handguard Magpul MOE
• Black Anodized Finish

The above specs read like an AR, except for the stocks. The review gun has a Monte Carlo style stock and was the first thing I noticed that made me scratch my head. There’s no room in there for a buffer tube.
There are a few other obvious things that are typical on an AR platform rifle that missing: a shell defector,  forward assist, and muzzle break. The next thing that sticks out is the size and shape of the lower. It is smaller and shorter than Mil spec. The lower with the Monte Carlo style stock gives this rifle lines that are reminiscent of a Remington 742 or 750. The SCR also has a cross bolt style safety behind the trigger and not the lever found on most ARs.  And where is that buffer tube?
Then there are the “hey, I’m an AR” things. The upper looks like an AR upper. It should because it is. It has the charging handle like an AR, for example. The ARES SCR lower will take any standard AR upper as long as it has the cut out where the full auto sear would be. The SCR utilizes some of that space for its trigger group to help make the lower smaller. It also takes AR magazines and ships with a 5 round one. The handguard on the stock model is a Magpul MOE and can be swapped for another AR handguard of your choice.

The rod on the back of the bolt carrier.

How it Works

So how does this rifle work without a normal buffer tube? Well, if you have ever been inside a Remington 1100, Mossberg 900, or other similar gas operated shotguns, you can probably figure it out. The bolt carrier on the SCR has a hinged rod that pushes on a recoil spring in the stock just like the above-mentioned shotguns. A simple and yet ingenious idea that works amazingly well on the review gun. Getting the rod lined up in the retainer cup in the stock does take a little trial and error. It has the two pins that hold the upper and lower together, like on an AR, but it is a bit harder to put together because you have to position things perfectly.

No Bolt Hold Open

The stock SCR does not hold the bolt back when the magazine is empty. Actually, It doesn’t hold it back at all. AERS does have a solution for this. They sell what looks to be a very simple add-on bolt catch. This sells for around $30. Here is some text from AERS about it from their Facebook page:

Installation is accomplished by removing the magazine and clearing the rifle of all ammunition. Next, separate the upper and lower receivers by pushing out the two captive takedown pins. Next, remove the plug that is factory installed in the lower by sliding it out the left side of the receiver. Install the bolt catch assembly by sliding in into the receiver and seat it firmly into its slot. Reassemble the receiver halves by following the instructions in the User’s Manual. That’s it!

Fit and Finish

This is a part of the rifle that screams AR. The stock is synthetic and the upper and lower is black anodized. The finish is well applied and free of blemishes. There is a little bit of wiggle between the upper and lower. It is not a whole lot of movement, and didn’t seem to affect anything, but it was there and felt I should mention it.

Optics

The SCR has a section of rail on the top of the upper but does not come with sights. According to their Facebook page, ARES Defense is planning on offering some iron sights for the SCR in the near future.  Of course, with the rail, you can put just about anything you want to up top.  However, whatever you pick it should be low mount.  With the Monte Carlo stock I went with a couple of low mount options for an optic. The higher mounts would not let me get my cheek down on the stock.
I used an Aimpoint H1 and a Weaver Tactical. Both worked really well on the gun, though the low mounted scope wasn’t nearly as compact and maneuverable as the low mounted H1.

Function

I ran a plethora of brands of .223 and 5.56 ammo through the SCR without a single malfunction. It ate cheap steel cased Russian ammo and Hornady V-Max without problems. 30 round mag dumps from a P-mag and slow fire from the supplied 5 round all went smoothly.
I couldn’t really tell much difference in felt recoil versus a regular AR.  I was curious if the different angle of the stock would make it feel differently.  But since .223 is not exactly a heavy recoil round, I couldn’t tell much difference.  Nor did muzzle rise seem  exaggerated. With the AR hand guard, you can use whatever style grip you like to use with an AR.

Accuracy

100 yards and just under an inch.

The review gun was very impressive punching paper and ringing steel at the range. With the Weaver Tactical mounted, I took the SCR out to 100 yards. One group of 5 was just under an inch, though most were just over. It was also pretty windy (10-15 mph gusts) so I didn’t take it out any further on paper.
I did shoot some 10 inch steel plates at 200 and 300 yards with good consistency (especially considering the wind). Does the rifle have that kind of potential for long range work? I think so. It has at least as much potential for long range work as your typical AR in .223.
The above groups were all shot from a bench on a sled.  The groups opened up when fired from the shoulder of course, but the bench groups show what this rifle is capable of.

Room for Improvement

There are two things that I would really like to see changed on the SCR. There were three, but the bolt catch seems to have been addressed.

The trigger breaks a bit under 10 lbs. It is smooth, but a lot of take up and a mushy reset too.

The 1st one is pretty minor. I do not like the way the end of the muzzle is done. There is not really any crown to protect the muzzle. The barrel is not threaded, either. I understand the lack of the threaded barrel. They are trying to make this a 50 State legal rifle.
There is an angled cut at the muzzle like Ruger does on a lot of their revolvers, but it is not very deep.
The other is a bit bigger. The trigger on the SCR. It is rough. For one, the trigger is hard–around 10 pounds. There isn’t a ton of grit in it, but there is a lot of creep and a mushy feeling reset. This is another one of the places where this is not an AR. You couldn’t just drop in a new trigger in this rifle, like an AR Gold or the like. Because of the smaller lower, the best I can tell is that this is a proprietary trigger. It is easy to see how it works, and I am pretty sure I could get my files and stone out and make an improvement.  I would do this if it were my gun and not a review sample.
But look at the accuracy potential of this gun. Think what it would be if you had a much lighter, crisper trigger. I don’t think I’d have had so many group-killing random fliers.

Conclusion

Other than the trigger, the SCR is a good rifle and it would be great with a better trigger. I love the way it feels and shoulders. I cut my teeth shooting shotguns and hunting rifles and really prefer the way a Monte Carlo style stock feels. The rifle is very accurate and reliable as well.
The MSRP is around the $850 mark on the review rifle. Ares also offers a lower for around $500. That is for a complete lower and the bolt carrier group to use with the stock.
But let’s get back to the real question at hand. Is this an AR pattern rifle? Yes and no. If you want it to be a 50 state legal hunting rifle, it certainly can be. If you want it for home defense in places where idiot’s laws prevent one form owning an actual AR-15, the SCR will certainly provide you with that, too. I’m inclined to treat it like I would any AR. It runs almost as fast. The safety is fast enough. The magazine button requires a longer reach, though. And there may be just a bit more of a delay between shots (partly because of the clean muzzle and partly due to the trigger). The reality, though, is that these delays are hard to measure without a stopwatch. From my perspective, the SCR is a solid workingman’s rifle in its own right, and a fantastic option for those living under tyrannical rule.

The SCR lower next to an “normal” AR. Note how much smaller it is. Also, the location of the trigger and safety.

The rod on the back of the bolt on the plunger/recoil spring in the stock.

The bolt is a standard AR style, the carrier is the part that is different, and it gets dirty like an AR.

The bolt carrier group with its tail showing.

Punching paper.

Ready to have some close up fun with the Aimpoint. You can really tell that the mag well is shorter with the 30 rounder sticking out.

Looks like an AR from the business end. Mostly

I wish the muzzle was a bit more protected.

Cross bolt safety.

Charging handle like an AR. This would be a good set up to use a side charging upper with.

The SCR shoots a star. This was from 50 yards.

100 yards. Would have been under an inch if not for the floater up top. Probably user error. Remember that trigger issue I was talking about? 10 pounds is heavy.

4 fast shots with the Aimpoint from 25 yards.

The grip area on the stock. A walnut stock with blued steel would look pretty slick.

If, like me, you have more trigger time behind a classic sporting rifle than an AR shouldering the SCR feels like home. And notice the drop on the stock that puts your eye closer to the barrel. A high scope mount or a riser will make it impossible to get a cheek weld.

The trigger insides. I can’t think of an aftermarket that would fit in here and the SCR would benefit from a better trigger. The hammer, though, is thin and rides between the struts of the BCG.

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NEWS NRA Hater Hates American Hero, Too

view the web version of this email NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS VOLUME 22, NUMBER 3   NEWS NRA Hater Hates American Hero, Too LaRue Tactical, manufacturer of precision rifles, optics mounts, and other rifle accessories, is well-known for their bumper stickers saying, “God Bless Our Troops, Especially Our Snipers.” That’s because LaRue understands that military snipers place themselves at immense risk to protect the rest of our troops. This has included--during the Global War on Terror--making it dangerous for adversaries to try to hide improvised explosive devices and mines along our troops’ lines of travel when a disciplined, highly-trained man behind a telescopically-equipped rifle is watching. Many other Americans apparently understand this as well. American Sniper, Clint Eastwood’s new movie about Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (who holds the record for the confirmed number of enemy personnel killed), is setting box office records and has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Unfortunately, some Americans don’t appreciate the sacrifice and service of brave warriors like Chris Kyle.  One such person is Michael Moore.    LEGAL & LEGISLATION  NEWS "Assault Gun" Kelly Strikes Again In a 2013 special election, anti-gun U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) swept into office after being bankrolled by former New York City Mayor--and current, self-appointed nanny-stater and financier of the gun control movement--Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg's misleadingly-named Independence USA political action committee contributed $2.1 million to Kelly’s congressional campaign and helped her win the Chicago-area seat previously held by fellow gun control supporter Jesse Jackson, Jr., who is currently serving time in federal prison.   NEWS Gumbel Grumble: Bryant Gumbel Spouts Off to Rolling Stone About Hating NRA This will likely come as a shock to anyone born during or after the Reagan administration, but Rolling Stone Magazine (RS) used to be considered a relevant chronicle of avant-garde culture. Currently, the publication’s chief concern is a ceaseless commemoration of the Baby Boom generation, along with the promotion of a well-sanitized left-wing establishment orthodoxy. This stale formula is on full display this week on RS’s website, which contains an interview with longtime mainstream media standard Bryant Gumbel, who uses the forum to launch into hysterics against the NRA.   LEGAL & LEGISLATION  NEWS Yet Again, Bloomberg Ignores Existing Laws to Argue for Additional Laws As part of its campaign for background checks on private firearm sales, Everytown for Gun Safety is using Vermont as a laboratory, claiming, “in the 21st century, gun-owning Vermonters also go online, to a growing number of websites where anonymous buyers and sellers exchange firearms.”   LEGAL & LEGISLATION Connecticut Advisory Panel Weighs Further Infringements of Second Amendment Rights We have said it many times before, and we’ll say it again--gun control is a self-perpetuating proposition. The ironclad rule is that one restriction or prohibition only leads to the next, more extreme measure. The goal is always to disarm as many people of as many different types of guns as possible.    LEGAL & LEGISLATION Interstate Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition Bill Introduced U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) recently introduced H.R. 131, a bill that would more comprehensively address the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition for law-abiding gun owners. Current federal law guarantees the right of law-abiding persons to transport firearms between two locations where they have a legal right to possessand carry them, regardless of state or local laws that would otherwise apply. The firearm must be cased or otherwise not readily accessible. Unfortunately, anti-gun local officials are using overly restrictive state licensing laws to harass and prosecute travelers who have made every effort to comply with the law, resulting in seized guns that are sometimes never returned, delayed travel, legal fees, and sometimes even unnecessary guilty pleas.  STATE GRASSROOTS ROUND-UP Alaska Alaska: 2015 Legislative Session is Now Underway Colorado Colorado: Pro-Gun Legislation Sees Action in Denver Florida Florida Alert: Campus Carry for Concealed Firearms License Holders Legislation Georgia Georgia: 2015 Session has Convened with Anti-Gun Lawmakers Trying to Get a Foothold Hawaii Hawaii: 2015 Legislative Session is Now Underway Kansas Kansas: Permitless Carry Legislation Introduced Mississippi Mississippi: Bills Filed in Jackson to Reduce Concealed Carry Permit Fees New Mexico New Mexico: 2015 Legislative Session is Now Underway Vermont Vermont: Bloomberg and Out-of-State Anti-Gun Forces Target Vermont Virginia Virginia: Committee Hearing to be Held on Ivory Ban Bill Today Washington Washington: Committee Hearings to be Held on Ivory Regulation Bills SHARE THIS EMAIL FOLLOW NRA-ILA © 2014 National Rifle Association of America, Institute For Legislative Action. 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