Am I crazy? Trade 686 for a 9mm revolver?

[Hunter8282]

I have a 686-3 4" but I've been considering consolidating calibers and 9mm is on that's staying. I only have the 686 in the 38/357 caliber. Am I crazy for thinking about it? Which 9mm revolver would you be willing to trade your 686-3 4" for?

[9mmsubgun-m11]

929 or possibly 986.

[loeman]

I'd like to have a 9mm revolver too. Maybe even a Ruger Speed Six. However, I'd be inclined to overpay a little for one than give up a 4 inch, 686-3. Try to buy, not trade. Even though you are consolidating calibers, the day will come when you regret giving up that 686.

[yep380]

You will regret getting rid of that 686.

[jimbo728]

I agree that you will regret, at some point in time, giving up an old L frame .357.
You are not crazy, just making it easy to get something new. Been there , done that, (I hate that line). I have more than 1 regret in trade offs for something new.
Best of luck.
Jim

[jrd1976]

Not crazy for thinking about it but crazy if you do it.
Slap yourself a couple of times now so you won't regret it later.

Seriously, the 686 is as fine as it gets. It shoots anything you put in it, from shot capsules to target loads to full house magnums.

If you do decide to sell it, send me a PM.
I need another one.

[Ranger514]

To answer your question: YES. I traded a 4" 686 in for a 9mm semi-auto many years ago, and I've regretted it ever since. Keep the 686 and buy the 9mm.

[NZshooter]

I thought about doing the same and got a 940, then the ammo crunch came post Sandy Hook. I already had plenty of every caliber I use in my stash so no big deal, but what if I had consilodated to 9mm and didn't have a stash? I'd be up the creek. Even if one reloads, even components were hard to get at one time. For a while you couldn't get ANYTHING 9mm or 22, and I worked at an LGS.

I now stay diverse

[Goblin]

Beg or borrow the money to buy the 9mm. Your 686-3 will outperform most assets in your portfolio. With the price of 9mm, whether you buy or reload, it makes a lot of sense to have a revolver like the 929.

[Mark6005]

9mm are everywhere keep your 686 and pick and choose what 9mm you want. They'll come along

[bananaman]

Unfortunately the selection of 9mm revolvers is quite slim. I would need to have a Smith revolver to do that trade. (and to be happy) Do have a 586 no dash as back up to my 686-3. Bob

[Rick016]

My new 686 Competitor is the 4th (and I must say finest) member of
my handgun collection. I've been asked several times why I felt a need
to have so many (I know 4 is a mere drop in the bucket to many on
here) and my answer has always been the same. When the Zombie
Apocalypse comes, you never know what kind of ammo you'll find
laying around, you gotta be prepared, lol. And if all else fails, I have
a sizable collection of swords and large knives for backup. Just say
"NO" to caliber consolidation, say "YES" to caliber expansion!

[Collo Rosso]

Maybe you should consolidate around 38spl/357mag and dump 9mm. It's hard to improve on a 686.

[Wishoot]

Other than having little regret for trading an LCR, I've regretted each and every revolver trade.

The LCR, while good, really did nothing for me.

[ridgewalker]

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

Maybe you should consolidate around 38spl/357mag and dump 9mm. It's hard to improve on a 686.

Plus if you found the need you could get a legitimate rifle chambered for 357 magnum. 9 mm is alright but 38 special / 357 magnum is much more versatile. The main advantage to 9 mm is it is cheaper right now.

[Clark B]

One of the advantages of a revolver is the ease of going into a magnum chambering. While I understand the consolidating calibers thing, I did the same years ago. A good .357 Magnum is always worth holding onto. So, IMHO keep the 686 and keep the 9mm in your semi-autos.

All my handguns are .45 ACP, 9mm and .38 Spl. I do plan on adding a .357 Mag in a Model 586 by years end, but it's primary diet will be .38 Spl. My rifles are all .308 Win, and shotguns are 12 gauge, except the kids' shotgun.

[ozo]

Keep the 686-3 and buy a 9mm revolver.....

[sophie]

Originally Posted by ozo

Keep the 686-3 and buy a 9mm revolver.....

My thoughts also.

[hkcavalier]

I used to have a caliber consolidation rule --- try and have at least 2 guns in the same caliber. But if you buy guns to fill different roles like I do, that gets thrown out the window pretty quick. I have a Marlin .45-70 1895GBL to hunt elk...I have no real need for another .45-70.

The standard questions apply:

1. Does the current gun meet a need?
2. Does the desired gun meet a need?
3. Can I easily replace the gun I am selling?
4. Is the desired gun rare or hard to find?
5. Finally --- am I coming out ahead on the deal?

I can't answer most of these for you, but we all know you can't buy a new 686-3. If you can find someone to trade across for a 547, go for it

[dave7v7]

Yes you are crazy.the 9mm cartrige is a terrible target choice.it works fine for practical shooting at large targets but it is not even close to .38 spec or .357 mag in the range abd accuracy dept.when the ammo panic sets in again the 9mm will surpass .38 spec in cost.the .357 chambered handgun is the absolute best choice for all around hunting-target-defense period.

[KLYDE]

Straight across trade for a 547 is wishful thinking. You would have to pony up a pile of cash also. Even the Ruger Speed Six 9mm are normally selling for $1000+. No way I would trade the dash 3 for a new Smith 9mm. I'd keep the 686 and save up for an outright purchase. The 9mm in a revolver is a barrel of fun.

Two Gun Broker wins. Got the Speed early Winter for $900 and the SP a month or so ago for $775. I consider both buys reasonable in relation to the going market prices.

[Mister X]

This thought has crossed my mind on occasion. I used to own several several semi-auto's in different calibers, but consolidated on 9mm Glocks for commonality and interchangeability of magazines, ammo and parts a few years back for simplicity. I currently own two revolvers(S&W 642's.) The idea of 9mm revolvers sounds good, but you have to ask the question as to why they are not more popular and why anytime they are introduced, they almost always eventually get discontinued.

Moonclips are fragile, easily bent and a chore to load and unload. You can fire the Ruger LCR 9mm without them, but then have to poke each one out manually. Bullets moving forward during recoil and locking up the gun is also a concern.

Bottom line for me always comfortable back to there are just currently too many hassles, potential problems and limited choices with 9mm revolvers for me to switch.

[gwpercle]

Keep it, 38/357 revolver is the most versatile handgun on the planet.

What happens if you can't find 9mm, you need a plan B and 38/357 is a great plan B.

If it's paid for, don't let it get away. You will regret it.

The reason 9mm revolvers aren't popular is because the 38 special/ 357 magnum is so versatile , what can a 9mm do that's not covered by all the different loadings in these two calibers. Everything from 38 special 148 grain target load to 180 grain jacketed loads suitable for big game hunting...think about it, don't be acting the fool (as my Daddy would say).

[Cal44]

I have an LCR 9mm and it works fine. The crimp jump issue is over rated. Only a few types of ammo give this problem, and whether you have a semi-auto or a revolver you need to learn what type of ammo it likes.

[TiroFijo]

My opinion? Buy something else if it suits you, but keep the 686-3, it is a VERY fine revolver and you will regret selling it.

[reddog81]

I'd vote for keeping the 686. 38/357 is much more versatile when it comes to bullet choice and power of the round.

[IraIII]

Buy a 7 shot cylinder and have it fitted to your 686. Then send the cylinder to Pinnacle to have it reamed to 9x19, or 9x23, and cut for moonclips. You can then decide which caliber shoots best and which you like. If you hate the 9 then stay with the 357 cylinder.