Wrong forum I know, but...

In Aus we can't just go to the local shop and pick and choose exactly what we want ;-) I'm looking for a 4" barrel gun (the shortest we can have here on a normal license) for our 25 yard service comp.

Looked at a 686 (6" chopped down to 4" - professionally).
I'd like a 686, but I'd prefer one that hasn't been cut.

The Alfa (3841?) looked like a very nice gun, but I don't know anything about them. The little bit I've found via google suggests it's pretty much a blued K frame copy.

Can anyone tell me more?
Should I just keep an eye open for a real 4" 686?

Thanks.

Unless they are new manufactured, "ALFA" is the name of an importer/distributor in Germany, and the guns were actually made in Spain many years ago- I think the ones I've seen had to have been pre-1950 manufacture.

If possible, I'd hold out for a real 686 (on the "L" frame) for a couple of reasons, namely, parts are available for the S&W whereas they will not be for the ALFA, and resale value will be much better with the S&W.

Also, the two ALFA's I've seen weren't quite as heavily constructed as a Colt, Taurus or S&W of the same size. At least S&W and Taurus and most Colt models parts can be obtained.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

If the chopped 686 barrel has a crown on it I wouldn't be bothered in the least about buying. I guess it was cheaper to cut the barrel and recrown compared to buying a new, shorter barrel.

You'll never wear out the L frame 686. It's a joy to shoot. A little nose heavy due to the full lug, but some folks find the extra weight helps them stay on target.

Hardly any recoil w/hottest of loads and as previously mentioned, plenty of parts available.

The Alfa I looked at is near new - I think they are Czech.
I'd have to agree that it didn't look very heavily constructed, but it wouldn't be getting heavy loads.

The chopped 686 (dash 2 I think) was clearly a professional job.
But (and correct me if I'm wrong) a chopped barrel should be a bit cheaper than a similar condition gun with a real 4" barrel ?

I do like the idea of another 686 (I've got a 6") - easy to shoot and easy to clean, but I think I'll wait and see if a real 4" one shows up.

"But (and correct me if I'm wrong) a chopped barrel should be a bit cheaper than a similar condition gun with a real 4" barrel ?"

There's no real collector value here for a 686 so, if I couldn't tell by looking that the barrel was shortened then I'd say no.

If I can tell that the barrel has been cut then I'd expect a cut on the price.

Then there's the availability factor. Over here 686/586 grow on trees. Plenty to be had as they made quite a few.

Good luck...
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BTW, nothing wrong w/picking up a cheaper copy to shoot light loads.

I'm eyeballin' a little Rossi 38 right now for some cheap plinkin'...