S&W says 686 6" for hunting but not 4" can someone explain?

Rivers2k · Feb 13, 2012

I am a few weeks from purchasing a new 686. On the S&W sight it lists uses for the 686 6" as Recreational, Home Protection, Hundgun Hunting

under the 4" it says Recreational, Home Protection, and Professional/Duty it doesn't list hunting

Are these just common uses listed or is the 4" not recommended for hunting? If not why? I looked at the ballistics and there doesn't seem to be much of a reported difference. Just this morning a friend of mine said I should forget the 4" and get a 6" so I can hunt with it. I know he has taken deer with his scoped 686 6"

I have a 3030 lever for deer hunting more than enough for my neck of the woods. I was thinking of carrying my 686 into the woods and if I got a good close shot try my luck with it. Is this not recommended?

2hawk · Feb 13, 2012

Some states have a minimum barrel length greater than 4" for handgun hunting, so they're just trying to keep you out of trouble. Check your local hunting regs. to see what they say. If you're up to it, the 4" will git 'er done. That said, having another 100 fps on hand never hurts!

EarlFH · Feb 13, 2012

686 for hunting

A lot of States require a certain barrel length for handgun hunting. Usually 6" minimum. I don't know if that's why S&W recommends it though.

EarlFH

elm_creek_smith · Feb 13, 2012

Oklahoma has a 4 inch minimum barrel length.

ECS

murphydog · Feb 13, 2012

If you are using the standard sights the extra 2" of sight radius may make it a better hunting gun, otherwise I think the website designer just did what they were told and listed the 4" as not under the hunting category

.

s&wchad · Feb 13, 2012

Those are just common uses, not hard fast rules. A 6” revolver is not very comfortable if you’re seated in a car and it’s more difficult to clear from a belt holster, so it’s not very popular for duty/professional use.

Don’t underestimate the increase in velocity and corresponding energy. Notice the differences between a 4” and a 6” barrel listed in this link (scroll down). The numbers are for the .44 magnum, but they’ll have to do. I’m not sawing off any of my .357 barrels!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/185299-500-magnum-nuts-faqs.html#post135892869

Rivers2k · Feb 13, 2012

I didn't think of the hand gun laws....Just checked NY Laws a hand gun barrel cant exceed 16" for hunting SIXTEEN! LOL thats one long hand gun! There is no minimum length.

So then a 4" .357 is just as capable of taking a deer down as a 6" .357 (as long as my aim is good enough).

Edmo · Feb 13, 2012

Rivers2k said:
I am a few weeks from purchasing a new 686. On the S&W sight it lists uses for the 686 6" as Recreational, Home Protection, Hundgun Hunting

under the 4" it says Recreational, Home Protection, and Professional/Duty it doesn't list hunting

The person writing the "what is it good for" advertising line had to have symetrical wording for both barrel lengths. Since the 4" is more suited for "professional/duty" carry, the 6" barrel gets the "hunting" label to make the sales pitch the same length.

OBTW, I like my 6" 686 and 4" 629.

Edmo

BigBill · Feb 13, 2012

As far as being good enough the 4'' barrel is what Elmer Keith used for a 250yd + or - shot. Hickock45 on you tube made the famous Elmer Keith shot on you tube at that distance with a 4'' barrel. So the revolver with a 4'' barrel can do it and i guess its the state laws that keeps us from using it in certain states.

My colt python with its 6'' barrel could ping smaller rocks on the 100yd bern using my speer 140gr JHP's. The python always shot high at 25yds so i took it out to 100yds and it was dead on. Now i just got into the revolvers in 41mag S&W N Frame and what a sweet caliber. I want to practice with the 4'' barrel and the 6 1/2'' barrels. I still can't believe how awesome the N frame S&W w/4'' barrel handles the 41mag round.

Rivers2k · Feb 13, 2012

BigBill said:
As far as being good enough the 4'' barrel is what Elmer Keith used for a 250yd + or - shot.

That's amazing! I have never heard of that kind of shot with a .357 revolver I don't think I will ever attempt that but its cool to know it could be done.

Bullzaye · Feb 13, 2012

Rivers2k said:
That's amazing! I have never heard of that kind of shot with a .357 revolver I don't think I will ever attempt that but its cool to know it could be done.

Then you should read some more about Elmer Keith. If I recall correctly, he once used a revolver to take a deer at 500 or 600 yards, I believe it was with a .44 Magnum. He didn't recommend it as a normal practice, but was trying to finish an animal that a client had wounded, to minimize its suffering.

While I certainly don't claim to be all that great of a shot, I can't say that I'm surprised by a 250 yard .357 Magnum shot. My friend and I have made plenty of hits on my 8" steel rifle target at a measured 225 yards with our Glock 33s in .357 Sig.

While it's certainly much easier to accomplish with a rifle, most quality handguns chambered in a potent cartridge are capable of good accuracy at 200+ yards.

Tim

LET-CA · Feb 13, 2012

The biggest difference that most shooters would notice is that the longer sight radius of the 6-inch barrel would make longer shots easier to make. There are always exceptional shooters who do miraculous shots with short barrels over long distances, but most of of can't . . . especially when you only get one shot at an animal that's going to take off when they hear the gunshot.

Bearcat · Feb 13, 2012

Common sense....and the possible state law limits noted above....

TDC · Feb 14, 2012

LET-CA said:
The biggest difference that most shooters would notice is that the longer sight radius of the 6-inch barrel would make longer shots easier to make. There are always exceptional shooters who do miraculous shots with short barrels over long distances, but most of of can't . . . especially when you only get one shot at an animal that's going to take off when they hear the gunshot.

LET-CA nailed it IMO....

A novice or a beginner has a much better chance of shooting a 6" or longer accurately and that is a primary consideration when hunting.

The longer sight radius is a big help for shot placement at ranges over 50 yards for a new or occasional shooter, and that can eliminate the possibility of leaving a badly wounded and suffering animal.

I've hunted big game for over 35 years with a handgun. During that time frame I've seen many people who shouldn't have been hunting with a handgun.

When the adrenaline is pumping, the heart is pounding and the animal targeted is a monster, you better have spent a bunch of time practicing with your handgun....

JMHO

Sportsterguy · Feb 14, 2012

BigBill said:
As far as being good enough the 4'' barrel is what Elmer Keith used for a 250yd + or - shot. Hickock45 on you tube made the famous Elmer Keith shot on you tube at that distance with a 4'' barrel. So the revolver with a 4'' barrel can do it and i guess its the state laws that keeps us from using it in certain states.
My colt python with its 6'' barrel could ping smaller rocks on the 100yd bern using my speer 140gr JHP's. The python always shot high at 25yds so i took it out to 100yds and it was dead on. Now i just got into the revolvers in 41mag S&W N Frame and what a sweet caliber. I want to practice with the 4'' barrel and the 6 1/2'' barrels. I still can't believe how awesome the N frame S&W w/4'' barrel handles the 41mag round.

Congrats on joining the .41mag fan club! My favorite round. Have 5 of em and they are flat shooting deer taking machines. I'm up to 45 and counting. If you have good eyes and a good rest you can hit a milk jugs with the round at 100 yds with regularity. I've taken 45 deer with my 6" and never lost one of them. Lots of handloads but a 210 gr. Speer Gold Dot does a number on them. So does a hardcast LSWC loaded on the warm side.

Here's 4 of the 5. Love shooting the Lew Horton snubbie at night

. The 4" nickel is just as accurate as the 6" and the 3" snub isn't a slouch either:

@ Rivers. Total BS on not using a 4" 686 for deer! My 4" 586 is by far my most accurate centerfire revolver. I took a doe with it from 30 paces using a 158 gr. Speer Gold Dot. 1 shot kill and the bullet left 2 holes as it should. Keep your range at a comfortable distance and the 686 will work very well. Prefer a .41 mag but had the 586 strapped on that day and had a perfect broadside shot. I've shot some 180 gr, Buffalo Bores through it and guarantee they'll do a number on a deer without bashing your hand.

Rivers2k · Feb 14, 2012

Bearcat said:
Common sense....and the possible state law limits noted above....

Thank you that was insightful and most helpful

Rivers2k · Feb 14, 2012

Thank you all for all the information you have given.

Rivers2k · Feb 23, 2012

I split the difference and got a 5"

. Very excited cant wait to take her out shooting.

TDC · Feb 23, 2012

IMO, 5" barrels are a "thinking man's" barrel length.... Congrats!!

Rivers2k · Feb 24, 2012

@TDC well I would have to agree with you

S&W says 686 6" for hunting but not 4" can someone explain?

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