..: Introduction :..
Ares’ new 2025 revolver series brings a number of original innovations to the world of 6mm wheelguns which I’ll cover in more detail in their individual sections. Whilst it doesn’t appear in the official model name, this is the first airsoft incarnation of Smith & Wessons’ 686, so we’ll be referring to it as that throughout this review.
The S&W 686 is a .357 magnum, with the “6” at the start indicating that it is the steel version of the carbon steel 586. A 7 shot version is also manufactured with the suffix “P”. A wide variety of barrel lengths from 2.5″ to 8″ are available, with “Performance Center” customs adding porting & compensators.
The .357 magnum can trace its origins back to the early 1930s, being a direct successor to the black powder .38 special. Like its predecessor, the .357 possesses excellent terminal ballistics. In other words, as the bullet strikes a surface it very effectively transfers it energy to the target. This was an important development at the time as the cartridge needed to penetrate both the cars bootleggers used as cover, as well as the ballistic vests that they had started to employ.
..: External & Build Quality :..
The only word I can use to describe it is simply superb. Everything is constructed from zinc alloy over which is a robust covering of electroplated steel. This finish didn’t exhibit any wear or tear after a hard day’s skirmishing. Weighing in at just over a kilo with loaded shells & CO₂ cartridge it feels glorious in the hand. Indeed its very close in weight to the nearest real steel size of 4″.
A pair of walnut wood grips rounds the piece off perfectly giving it a class that is streets ahead of any of the “wood effect” ABS ones we have seen on other marque’s models. The zinc alloy frame extends into the grip, mirroring the design of the original firearm & providing a framework for the CO₂ cartridge to sit. As a result, whilst the 686 is a front heavy design, overall it is well balanced sitting nicely in the hand. I found it very comfortable to wield it two-handed keeping my finger on the trigger. One handed wielding is possible but with a reduction in accuracy as it is harder to achieve a movement free equilibrium.
Its worth mentioning here that my hands are on the small side (which probably explains my predilection for single stack 1911s) so if you have the paws of a rabid gorilla, you might not find them as comfortable. Good news though – Ares do plan on making alternative sizes, types & finish of grips available in the future.
The chamber release & ejector rod achieve the same build quality as the rest of the gun with the chamber release also acting as a safety preventing trigger pull. Real revolvers of course don’t have safety locks. This slides back with an audible click & will certainly prevent accidental discharge should you choose to use it.
The cylinder swings out with the ejector rod, both exhibiting a satisfying metallic “clunk”. Once open the cylinder spins. Yes, it properly spins freely, unlike the sluggish movement found in Tanaka & Wingun models. Spinning the chambers always brings a huge grin to my face. Those of us wishing to finally re-enact that scene from “The Deerhunter” in airsoft can finally do so! It is of course possible to “Bogart” to close the chamber, but as with the real firearm, doing so is not recommended if you want to prolong the life of your wheelgun.
On the top of the gun are a set of iron sights, made of metal. The rear is adjustable for elevation while the front is fixed with a florescent orange ABS insert. Its great to see even this part of the 686 being so well made.
In terms of finish & handling the only piece that comes close was an old (version 1) PEGASUS Tanaka M29 with which I had replaced all the externals with a full metal Zeke kit. This supercedes that in every way.
The trigger pull is incredibly smooth in double action with no clicking or grating until you reach the break point as the cylinder rotates the next round to line up with barrel & fires. There is no tactile indication of a trigger break point but given that double action tends to be the result of a more instinctive shot I didn’t have any problems with acquiring and hitting a target at up to 20 metres. For a more considered or accurate shot, single action is of course the choice of the professional. The pull here is light – there is a some resistance so that you can comfortably rest your finger on the trigger, for example during tactical entries, but once you decide to shoot it is light, crisp & incredibly responsive. As with other CO₂ revolvers there is a loud “bang” which makes its satisfying to discharge. Other players will definitely hear it when you pull a shot off.
Equally impressive are the shells. Finished in the stainless steel & matching the body, these are a work of art in themselves. Starting at the head we find etched “.357 R-P MAGNUM” & a deep groove under the lip. Each box of 6 shells is also supplied with a moonclip. I’ve never been a fan of these – finding them to be too flimsy if loads are kept/discarded in a dump pouch. Indeed using them with the WIngun/BO Firearms Chiappa Rhino was a fruitless pursuit resulting in scratched shells & bent clips.
The superior finishing here means they slot easily into the moonclip while being firmly retained. If they’re your bag, you’ll find them adequate for your requirements.
Moving down to the front of the shell we find a crimped copper ring & a grey rubber tip. At first glance, this means it strongly resembles a live shell with a semi-jacketed hollow point. The BB clips into the rubber tip sitting inside it so that it is not visible from the side.
The round etching on the head of the shell indicates that it is a Remington-Peters .357 magnum load. The real steel equivalent would be a 125 grain hollow point achieving some 1450 FPS with a muzzle energy of 584 foot pounds. Given that for a round of this specification to penetrate body armour the minimum muzzle velocity is 1000 FPS I think its safe to say that a protective vest would offer no problems!
Whether loading individually or via a compatible speedloader the rounds offer a satisfying “chink” as they slide into the chamber. Dumping the used shells is equally satisfying.
Overall the shells match the superb quality found elsewhere on this piece. I found them to be the best looking & sounding to handle found in airsoft revolvers yet.
Before we move on I need to mention something regarding Ares’ recreation of the 686. There are no markings anywhere on the replica. Those of you looking for the distinctive S&W motifs will be disappointed. On the plus side that means we are free of the hated “S F” found in other marques on the chamber release.
There are two sizes available at the time of writing (April 2025), these being 3.5″ & 2″. Neither are offered by S&W. Instead they offer barrel lengths of 2.5″, 3″, 4″, 6″ & 8.325″. I may be wrong, but with the lack of trades I suspect what we’re seeing here is Ares hoping to avoid any issues as they have no license for either Smith & Wesson or the 686.
Some Hong Kong retailers offer trademark engravings, as do some UK aftermarket airsmiths. I have seen several individual examples where this has been performed & the finish of the replica takes it well.
Should you be put off by the slight size issue & lack of trades? I love trademarks etc. on my airsoft guns. It all adds to the immersion of the experience. However, in this case, I would not even hesitate for a second to procure one of these. The external finish is just so good that I haven’t once noticed their absence, although I will admit to entertaining the idea of having them added for completion’s sake.
The gun comes with a blue Ares trademarked “tribute” to the standard S&W 686 gun case. Its genuinely useful for storage unlike the flimsy card/polystyrene once we’re used to. There’s room for one shell pack & an additional 3 sets of moonclip loads. Measuring the inside of the case shows that it has been designed to accommodate a 6 inch variant. When I spoke to Ares at the end of March they confirmed that this is coming in May. They referred to it as “the Combat” model. Also due for release are the alternative grips I mentioned earlier.
..: Internals :..
With my usual caveat that I’m not an airsmith, we’ll start with the space inside the grip. The area which the 12g CO₂ sits continues from the frame. A small, separate hex key which is provided sits inside this. It is this that is used to screw the nut which pushes the cartridge into the piercing valve at the top. One wood panel is screwed firmly into the frame with the other being held in place by a very firm metal spring clip which locks into place with a solid click. Whilst I don’t forsee this coming off during normal play, I always tape my revolvers grips with tac-wrap, just to be safe, when skirmishing.
When the CO₂ cartridge is screwed into the valve piercer there is absolutely no detectable hiss or aural indication that the revolver is now live & loaded. This is a good sign that the seal is excellent – although bear in mind that this a subjective opinion. I always add a small drop of silicon oil to the silicon valve before & after use.
I have shot 10 complete shell loads (72 rounds) without noticing a drop in performance, which is superb gas efficiency.
The trigger/hammer mechanism is obscured within the body although without a manual I haven’t investigated further. Interestingly enough, the knocker valve which releases the gas into the chamber is a lot wider & more substantial than the Wingun alternative.
The inner barrel is a “one piece” affair, but aside from that, we have no information as to its dimensions or finishing.
What is worth concentrating on is the hop-up. In what is another first in the airsoft revolver world, the Ares employs a TDC style system. Why is this something to get excited about? A “Top-Dead-Centre” hop at its simplest is a CNC machined aluminum nub through which a screw applies pressure. This allows the backspin point to be applied exactly to the centre of the BB – preventing spinning off to either side & making finer adjustments possible.
I’ve said it before but in any airsoft replica a good hop-up properly set is as important as power in terms of achieving the most accurate range. Being able to trust that your shot will go where you aim it is particularly important with a revolver where you have 6 shots. The reload time, even with speedloaders, is slower than a traditional GBB pistol.
First, the bad. The hop is incredibly fiddly to set. The very thin hex key required means that you will have to methodically match it to the hole preferably in good light. There’s not a lot of physical feedback either to let you know you have it in, so be prepared to put aside a good half hour to carry out your adjustments & with the supporting shell loading!
The good – the hop is easily on a par with any airsoft revolver I’ve used. I would say it has the edge on the old Marushin 8mm revolvers in that, if you’re prepared to put a little time in, you can set it exactly how you want it. In terms of results, I would normally only expect to see such a consistent response from aftermarket replacements.
I was surprised to see very consistent target shots at 15m (see below) which would have resulted in a head hit. Aiming for the torso I would be confident out to 30m which is a pleasant surprise for a 3.5″ barrel revolver!
.: Shooting :.
So first off, the chrono results. Using an ACETECH AC6000 MKIII.
New CO₂ cartridge, six shots previously fired. 18°C, 0.3g ASG Devil Blaster. Single action.
Load one:
1: 227
2: 235
3: 229
4: 230
5: 231
6: 233
Load two:
1: 231
2: 240
3: 235
4: 270 (!!)
5: 250 (!)
6: 228
12 shot average – 236 fps. (0.78j) Max – 270 fps. (1.02j) Min – 227 fps. (0.72j)
Next, target shot results.
Target – Outside, no wind, 15 metres (49 feet) . 8″x8″ splatterburst, 12 shots single action.
Total score : 95 out of possible 120. No shots off target.
.: Parts & Upgrades :.
In terms of current availability, there are none offered by Ares, aside from the shell/moonclip packs. If others are released, I will add them to this section.
Real steel 686 .357 speedloaders & related accessories both fit & operate perfectly. Based on my past experience, I prefer the HKS range. I use HKS-586a speedloaders with medium HKS Dupont Hyrtel pouches. These are available in both basket weave & plain. Aside from the finish there is no difference in size although the basket weave feel slightly more robust.
In terms of holsters, you will again want S&W 686 compatible releases. If the barrel length you want is not available I would recommend going with the next longest. My holster of choice for belt mounting would always be leather as it affords an excellent level of protection to the body of the gun.
I have had excellent experience with the Bianchi Cyclone leather range. With regular cleaning/oiling I have one that is still going strong despite repeated close encounters with the worst brambles & branches that British woodland can throw at it over the last couple of decades!
Bianchi Cyclone’s can be expensive – never mind hard to find. An excellent alternative I can recommend in terms of build, fit & craftsmanship is that from Turkish leatherworkers “Pusat Holsters”. I have a 4″ S&W 686/.357 model for my 3.5″.
Both of these vendors articles offer very good protection, including a fitting thumbsnap which allows you to holster the revolver cocked while preventing the hammer being triggered.
.: Conclusions & Recommendations :.
I think the chrono & target result speak for themselves. Power (despite the outlier I had while testing) is very consistent & in airsoft terms the accuracy is very much on point for the use case of an effective sidearm. Ares new design of shells clearly work, as does their gas delivery system. When you couple this with the best finish of any skirmish-able revolver available its a no brainer. Thanks to the hop, the short barrel isn’t any great impediment at the sub 20m range & even out to 30m, I’ve made some cracking shots on static targets. I’m very excited to see what the 6″ “Combat” model offers & indeed where Ares go with this.
In the case of this particular replica, the compact size helps keep it to a more manageable weight. If you appreciate the style & challenge afforded by a wheelgun, especially one which is within legal UK skirmish power limits then this leaves the opposition standing.
Realism & immersion : 9/10 – the only thing lacking is trades.
Build quality : 9/10 – pretty much faultless.
Performance : 7/10 – easily the best airsoft revolver yet & approaching the accurate range of a similar priced GBB.
Overall : 25/30 – Excellent. Highly recommended. If you only own one airsoft revolver, make this it.
Fraggle, April 2025. 🐾
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