what are your thoughts on how the two compare? i know the 686 4 inch is a highly respected gun from what ive read on here, how does it compare to the ssr? are the upgrades on the ssr worth it? i was considering the 627 pro but the ssr seems like it could be a good bridge between size and performance. i wish it was in 7 shot though. also ive heard some people say with the even numbered cylinders (6 or 8 shots) the chamber may be more likely to bulge with hot loads because the locking notch is right over the chamber, is there really any merit to this claim? your thoughts and personal experiences with these guns are greatly appreciated, pictures as well. also i will want some sexy round butt wood grips with finger grooves too so pics/recommendations are appreciated. as always thanks for the great advice and sorry for the essay

The SSR is set up for IPDA/SSR, which is limited to 6 shots and speedloaders only. This is the ticket for IDPA, with the ability to interchange sights, and the weight well within IDPA limits.

However, if you don't want to shoot IDPA, there is no special advantage to the SSR other than the lighter weight that you can't duplicate in any 686.
I have a 4" 686, and if you want the 7-shot model get it. They are very strong and shoot great.

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Science plus Art

I/(we) the "we" being my boy love "our" 686 and it is a 4 incher.
Last week, for the first time I let him trigger a couple cylinders of 357 and you shoulda seen his face. 1st round rocked him back just a smidge but he lit up like a Christmas tree. He's a natural. Very calm and relaxed, steady and good control. He takes quick to all but .....when after returning from the range, he wants to be the cleaner of the 686........me? I want both. Gonna get an SSR cause they are so darn goood looking.

I went in to buy a 686SSR 5/08 - came out with a 627 Pro - which today is still the same price as the SSR. It's an 8-shoot N-frame - and weighs most of 3 oz more than the 6-shot 686SSR. It is moonclip-ready, too. It shares many other attributes with the 686SSR, as well. Something else to consider.

Stainz

PS That 686SSR/627 Pro 'interchangeable front sight' attribute is handy as it allows 'trying' other front sights in seconds - for just the cost of the sights.

I'm trying to pick up the 686 ssr sometime in the next few weeks. I already have a gold bead sight ready to go for it. The reviews of the gun all seem to be 5 star reviews. There was not more than maybe 1 or 2 issues I have seen when researching this gun.

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GO NOLES!!!

A lot of it depends upon what you want to do with it.

In large part no. The trigger job and the cylinder chamfers aren't to the same level of what you'd get from a private smith.

However, the interchangeable front sight is pretty awesome. Allows for easy sight changes without paying for expesnive shipping, or FFL fee, or smithing costs or the effort to do the work yourself.

Again, it all depends upon what it means to "perform". If you're just talking range use, I wouldn't bother. Ditto, self-defense. Competition, even then, I don't see the minor advantages worth the added dollars, especially if one is going to have it worked over by a smith anyway.

I'll take Smith & Wesson's engineering over internet rumor and anecdotes. And even if the latter proves to be correct you have their warranty and extraordinary customer service.

Ahrends are a very popular brand grip. Very nice.

thanks for all the input. So next question. I really prefer the looks of the 686 plus 4 inch but was also considering the 627 pro heavily, this debate has been eating me up inside. If i did want to carry it would the 627 pro really be significantly harder to carry than the 686 plus? does anyone who carries 4 inch n frames have any input

An N frame is signifigantly larger than an L. Are you going to try and conceal this? It will be tough to CC an L frame, an N frame would be next to impossible.

I would suggest you go to your LGS and try and handle and shoot both prior to making your decision. They should have holsters there that should give you an idea of what you're up against.

I HAVE THE PLUS AND THE SSR, THEY BOTH HAVE THERE GOOD FEATURES. I PREFER THE PLUS THOUGH AND I LIKE THEM IN 3"

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May God Bless The USA

revolver king i have a question for you. I was dead set on the 3 inch 686 plus as i thought that would be the most reasonable to conceal of the larger frames. But i am wondering if i wanted to hunt with it would the 3 inch still be as effective as the 4 inch or at least very close? it seems like no one hunts with anything under 4 inches. thoughts? i like the 3 inch alot

also do you carry the 3 inch revolverking?

Some (many?) states have legal limits on bbl length for hunting. 3" would not be legal in those states, typically.

Consider the 686+ Mountain Gun. HARD to find but worth the search. It has great features and NO LOCK.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I carry many different firearms depending on weather and how I feel. I carry a 3" M-10, M-13,& 686. I also carry a glock 19 and a 23, but most of the time I carry a S&W 380 bodyguard. If I was going to hunt it would be with my 6"686+ or my 6.5" 610. I would not use a 3 or 4 inch revolver to hunt.

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May God Bless The USA

For size comparison, here is my 5" half lug 686+ and 4" 627 Pro.



Sure, the cylinder is thicker, ie, larger OD, on the N-frame - but just slightly. I maintain that if you can holster carry the 4" 686, carrying a 4" 627 isn't a huge leap - more like a small step. Neither will holster carry like a 3" J-frame! The eight shots - rapidity of moonclip reloads - are worth it.

Stainz