The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981. It is the stainless steel version of the Model 586, which featured a blued steel finish. They are available ported and unported with a choice of 6- or 7-round cylinders.
A Smith & Wesson Model 686, with a 100 mm (4 in) barrel.
Photo of a Smith & Wesson 686 firing a .38 Special round, taken with an ultra high-speed flash (air-gap flash)
Image: 357er Magnum
Image: Smith & Wesson .357 Model 686 Plus barrel view
A revolver is a repeating handgun that has at least one barrel and uses a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers for firing. Because most revolver models hold up to six cartridges, before needing to be reloaded, revolvers are commonly called six shooters or sixguns. Due to their rotating cylinder mechanism, they may also be called wheel guns.
Colt Single Action Army
Firing a Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Magnum
Detail of an 8-chambered matchlock revolver (Germany, c. 1580)
Colt Paterson 2nd belt model