Kilo...those Crimson Trace laser grips might appeal to you over time. I was strongly against them initially, but got a chance to try them out on a friend's wife's Smith M-637 and soon changed my mind especially for training/analyzing trigger control problems.
She was a brand new shooter when he brought her around. (had almost been raped during an afternoon home invasion). My pal bought her the gun for carry in her purse but needed a place to do some training with her. Our farm range was perfect and we got started.
At first, she held the gun like a dead rat, but with a little coaching, was soon keeping a cylinderful of target velocity wadcutters on an 8x10 piece of copy paper at 7-10 yds. The gun was a used one and came with a set of Crimson Trace laser grips which she tried out and was soon shooting 2-3" groups at the same distances...and double action too. The red dot laser really showed up her problems with trigger manipulation.
I tried them out & found they really showed up any errors in trigger control. In actual use, especially for night work, say at across the room, garage etc. distances, I think the laser would really help.
However, in daylight it's tough to find the laser dot. In my opinion, but their still really useful teaching/correction grip/trigger problems & techniques. It's painfully obvious when the shooter is pulling the trigger off to one side etc. as the dot bounces around!
Lastly, those CT grips feel great... I have size "L" paws and they fit me just fine even on that little "J" frame Smith...and my buddy and his wife have the same opinion as to fit...they're really good.
Best of luck with your 686 and hope you get the cylinder latch fiasco sorted out. The 686's truly one of S&W's greatest handguns. Rod
