Smith & Wesson 686 Mountain Gun, buy it or build it?

May 04, 2025, 04:17 AM

2000Z-71

So I got excited when I saw the news from shot show about the Smith 686 Mountain Gun. I’ve got a 629 Mountain Gun and the 686 version has always been a grail gun of mine. My name is number one on the list with my local dealer to get one once they become available.

But here’s the thing, I’ve got the pieces and parts to build one. I have an unfired 4” 686-4 Plus, a 686 Mountain Gun barrel that I ordered from Smith & Wesson years ago, a gold bead front sight and a set of factory wood finger groove combat grips. The idea of mine was to build the, “Utilmate .357”. The -4 version of the 686 is the last to use forged parts and the first to be CNC machined. The -5 went to MIM parts and the Mountain Gun was a very limited run built on the -5.

The cheap bastard side of me says save my money and just build it from the parts I have. The Smith & Wesson purist (snob) side of me says leave my 686-4 unmolested and buy the new one. The 686-4 Plus was only made for a few months before they switched over to the -5 so it is kind of a rarity. But then again is anyone other than a Smith & Wesson geek even going to care about that?

So buy it or build it?

May 04, 2025, 06:57 AM

92fstech

Since the 686 Mountain Gun is now available again (and sans-lock!), I'd say buy that one and leave your -4 alone. Were that not the case, I'd say go for it.

I don't need one, and can't really afford it, but I really want one of those new 629 Mountain Guns...enough that I'll probably make an unwise decision if I find one in a shop.

May 04, 2025, 10:17 AM

Lt CHEG

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
Since the 686 Mountain Gun is now available again (and sans-lock!), I'd say buy that one and leave your -4 alone. Were that not the case, I'd say go for it.

Exactly my sentiments! Buy the new one and leave yours alone.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

May 08, 2025, 11:22 PM

ElToro

Sell me the barrel so I can make a square butt mountain gun out one of my 686.

May 25, 2025, 11:51 AM

VictorLouis

The MG pattern with no underlug is only about 2.5oz lighter than your regular 686. If you assemble one, you still won't have the trimmed cylinder of the MG. But, you will arguably have a really nicely balanced L-frame.