Have an opportunity to buy either a Model 19-4 4 inch about 90+ for $550 or a 6 inch 686 in about the same condition for the same price. What are the Pro's and Con's for each? TIA

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

But if you want a 'real' .357 that can take the full house loads continuously, get the L frame 686. The 19 is a heck of a fine gun, but it isn't built for continuous heavy loads.

I've got a 686 and I shoot everything from bunny poot loads to real barn burners. It's my Top Gun.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

What RW said above. If you want to shoot mostly full house 357 loads, get the L frame. I used to carry a 4" in a shoulder holster when I was a sales rep and wore sport/suit coats all day. When I shot PPC, I used a 4" for duty and a 6" for other matches. 38 Special target ammo was a breeze to shoot in the L frame! IMO, you can't go wrong either way :-)

I doubt you would be unhappy with either of those. Me personally, I would do the model 19 everyday and twice on Sunday but I am not terribly interested in shooting .357 loads.

Plus, the 4 inch for a S&W is just plain perfect in my humble opinion for balance and fun shooting. On the other hand, if YOU are looking to shoot bunches of .357's then the 686 is probably the better way to go.

And of course, since I am spending YOUR money...go both! Yea, I know.

Mainly I will probably shoot .38 Specials out of whatever I buy. I have two .357's already, both are 27-2's, a 3.5 inch and a 6 inch. I also have a 14-3 6 inch and a pre-14 made into a PPC gun.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

For what you describe, the 19 would be my choice. Do not have a 19, but have a 4"586 no dash, and a 6" 686-3. I prefer blue over stainless in most cases. Just me. Bob

I agree with all of the above. Shooting 38 or 38 plus p from the 66 are super loads and to carry with either 38s or 357 158 grain preferred. The 686 is just as great but heaver to carry. but for a target gun or hunting gun for frequent shooting of 357 it is a top choice. You would be happy with each, however, the ultimate issues might be the condition of each. There was some controversy about shooting 125 grain 357 in the 66 years ago causing forcing cone damage. the 66 is better with 357 158 grain in my opinion.

Easier to get an L frame than a prelock K frame.

Get the 19 now, find a 586 later.

I would take the 19-4 , I want one of those right now, and they seem harder to find, The 6" 686 pre lock is my number two right now, so I would go the 19 than the 686, Actually I would do both as those are the exact revolvers I am looking for right now.

A M19 would be my choice simply for the fact they don't make them anymore. You can always get an L frame later and since you are already using N frames for your 357 heavy duty guns the L frame is not something you must have in order to shoot lots of magnum rounds. .38s in a Model 19 are a dream and the 4" is fabulous to shoot that way. And easy to carry if you are woods walking.

A 4" M19 was a grail gun for me for many years. I blew one up in 1997 (long story for another time) and it took more than fifteen years before I acquired another one. Wonderful gun!!

I had the same choice. I chose the 19-3. Love that deep mirror blue finish, beautiful trigger, classic S&W that will not lose value. I too shoot mostly .38 Specials. I've not shot another handgun, either semi or revolver, better than I shoot my 19-3...even with .357 magnums.

You've got heavy .357 shooting covered with the N-frames........I'd grab a nice shooter grade 19-4.....don't see them for sale often these days.

Good for concealed carry or walking in the woods...............

4" model 19 and 6" model 686 here. Love them both. But I love the balance and feel of the 19.

Even if you had to settle for an IL Model 686 later, they seem to be readily available. Not so much the 19-4, which, by the way, is the variation I have and feel is the best of the best.

P&R and great bluing. Easy to pack and still shoots the .357 Magnum. I can't imagine not owning one.

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I have both a 4" 686 & a 4" 19-4. Both are great guns for what they were designed for.

The Model 19 was created to have a easier to carry .357, since the other 357's were N-frames. It was meant to carry a lot, practice with 38 Special loads, and carry the 357 round for serious work.

The Model 686 was designed to have a steady diet of full magnum loads.

If I was in your shoes, with the N-frames already, I'd get the 19 in a heart beat! They are a lot of fun!

Bob S.

If you're going to shoot mainly .38 special why not think about a model 10, 4" then? It's the quintessential revolver.

I want something that can shoot both .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I would get the Model 19 . I have had several K-frames and they have all served me well . I have shot many many full 357 magnum loads , they are still tight -- but I NEVER fired the lighter weight bullets -- 125 gr or less . I have shot a lot of 180 gr cast bullets on top of a max load of W296 ( current load data ) which is not as much powder as the manuals of " yesteryear " . The factory still does service work on them when / if required . Last yr they " tuned up " a model 13 for me , fixed sight version of the 19 that I had bought , real cheap . It had belonged to a LEO , saw a lot of use with lighter bullets . The K-frame 357 was intended to use 158 gr bullets , not the lighter weight ones . They are a good solid gun , when used correctly . Now a days I have backed off to just a good mid range 357 load in my K-frames . I feel they don't have to prove anything to me , it's already been done . I would pass on the 6" 686 .

Another vote for the 19. The k frame with a 4" barrel is handgun perfection. Most - 4's I've seen were 3t guns, so, yeah.

Model 19. What everyone else said. I have both, although my 686 is a 4" (West Virginia State Police issue). Since you already have heavy guns for the heavy loads, I'd get the 19. 4" bbl...perfect carrying and shooting gun.

Best Regards, Less

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I loved my M19-5
until the mag loads split the bottom part of the barrel.

Treat it as a "38 Special Magnum" , and it will last forever........
and use 140gr or larger in the 357 loads, to keep the fps down.

Love my 686, 6" replacement that S&W sent to replace the M19, though.......

You can't go wrong with either revolver.

If they were both 4 inch guns, I would say the 686. 6 inch 686 is a bit too large for my taste. So, I would vote for the 19

You buy the 686 and I will buy the 19. We both win.

...nose heavy while just holding it, but when you grip it to shoot that goes away. The gun being heavier sort of balances it out.

As far as carry goes I wouldn't want to carry mine.

Someone did have a point that the 19s were getting harder to find and are desirable, so if you are interested in a gun like the 19 as described, you may want to snatch it up. Me, I'd much rather have my 686 since I do a lot of range work. I don't hunt, but I like blasting off some of the old M-80 loads.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Get both if you can. If only one is doable, then get the Model 19. Shooting 158gr magnums through a 4in M19 is sooooo much fun. Going to try some 180gr Buffalo Bore hard cast next time.

I'll give my suggestion in the form of a picture.........

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I would also go with the 4" Model 19.

But I will admit that I am no fan of 6" handguns.

How about buy both at those prices. You could always pick one over the other and sell the other easily for what you are paying. At some point you'll want both anyway. Just a random thought

I'm the same way. I only have a couple of 38 Special "only" revolvers. I like having options.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Nice stocks on the 2.5".

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Are the stocks on the 4'' some of the ones off ebay?

The stocks are Altamonts on the 4 inch and Ahrends on the 2.5 inch.

19 all the way. I don't like 6" full underlug guns.

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K & N S&W revolvers

I think Les is offering good advice. There is no doubt that the 19 is perhaps the most ideal size and weight for caliber that S&W has ever produced. I would also add that it is no longer in production and there are no new P&R guns being produced. You can find a 686 most anytime but not a 19. As a result, 19 values have risen rapidly and will continue to trend upward. Problems with at cracked forcing cone resulted from constant firing of many rounds of 125 grains or lighter .357 rounds. Using 158 grain reduces the "jump" from cylinder to barrel and eliminates the problem. Regardless, using .38 Spl. or .38Spl. +P with occasional .357 magnum rounds will extend the life of the revolver.

...for Pete's sake, get the 19. Since you are more interested in .38s. I wish I still had my model 10. It was nice to look at and nice to hold. Everybody should have a K frame. Unfortunately, right now, I don't.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Yet another vote for the 19. As others have stated, it is basically perfection as far as size and handling for the caliber, and they're not making them anymore.

Of course I am biased as I am a K frame fan and I believe the M19 to be the perfect revolver, possibly designed with divine input. LOL

TRE

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Fine guns and fine smokes.

Model 19 is your best choice.
If you had both on the table in front of you right now,,,,,you would be "picking up" the Model 19 immediately.

You have the steady diet of hot 357 rounds covered with your 27s, so get yourself the 19. I had a friend that had one back in the late 70's and it was really nice in hand, but he got rid of it and bought a 686 when the L frames first came out because we pretty much shot only hot 357s back then and he was shooting that 19 loose. But that 19 sure felt sweet in the hand.

Can't add much to this. At those prices get both if you can swing it, but if not the 19 gets the nod in my book.

I have owned a half-dozen, maybe more 19/66's over the years. Still have three today.

I don't think I have so much as picked up a 5/686. They have just never interested me in the least, and I couldn't tell you why.

I freely admit that I almost never shoot full house 357 ammo in any of my guns. I use 357 brass from time to time, but it's loaded more like a 38 P+ than a true magnum.

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John 3:16 .

AJ, my vote is to go with the Model 19. It's a beautiful gun and hard to come by these days. Both are great guns though....

Go model 19 now, then 686 later.

I have an easy solution to your problem. If you can afford it, buy them both. Both are great revolvers!