Next Gun?

[russp1]

Ready to add #7 to the S&W collection. At first we were thinking another semi but then realized we really don't have a good range revolver. The J frames are great carry guns but not something we want to put 100 rounds each through every week. The 1930 Model 1905 is a good shooter but something we like to shoot only occasionally because of it's age and meaning to my wife (it was her great grand dad's when he was a Texas Ranger).
I'm leaning towards a 686 that could take either .357 or .38. Any opinions? Should I go 4" or 6"?

[Chop]

The 686 would be a great addition to your collection. A L-frame should last forever. I prefer the 4", to me it just balances right and is a bit easier to carry.

[M3Stuart]

If you like that 1905 - then you might just want to get another K frame. All those guns shown in your picture there, besides the 1911, are probably 30 oz or less. The K's weigh a little more - esp. with the heavy barrels. The 686 is a great gun, but the full lug makes it more 'barrel heavy' than anything you've got there.

I prefer the 'middle-weight' K's, J's and L's...Here are some examples... I'd say a Model 15 is about the perfect weight for me (ooops, the 15's not in this pic...let me go find it).

[russp1]

Looking at the online catalog, doesn't look like there is much available in K frame. I see the model 67 in .38 Special is a K and then there's a Model 10 (K?). Both weigh about 36ozs.

[kennyb]

the 686 or 586 makes a great range gun..i just picked up another yesterday at my LGS...its a nickel 6"586 from 1985..i have a 4 and 2" and they all are great shooters...the barrel will really tame the recoil

[russp1]

Since I don't intend this to be a carry gun, I wouldn't do the 2" but am undecided between 4" and 6". Everything I have now (except the J's) are between 4" and 5-1/2". Opinions? Added weight versus added accuracy?

[panamajack310]

I am personally looking at a model 60-9. That Or I am looking for a 686-4 or under. The 686 for me will have a 4" barrel. So I can carry it in the woods and off duty.

[BamaJacket]

I am currently on a J-frame kick. I am considering a Model 438 or 442 for my next purchase. I have Models 36 (nickel), 638, and 642 and thought that a complimentary black finish or two would be nice.

[hsc]

Do what I did.... I bought the 586 Classic in both 4" and 6". Both great shooters and beautiful.

[VaRecon]

Go big or go home. 27 would be my personal suggestion.
N-frames tame .357 like it's nothing and shoot wonderfully.

[sodacan]

You won't go wrong with an "L" or "N" frame. My suggestion would be an early "L" (from the early 80's) or even earlier "N" (from the 60's or early 70's) not past a dash two. If you like that 1905, you'll probably like a pinned and recessed "N." There a plenty of used ones around. You may pay a little more, but you'll get an heirloom quality gun, made to last several lifetimes, and keep its value. Good luck.

[grip frame]

I would go with a 4" 586 or 686 and the best ones made were the -3 and -4 versions.

Also the 4" model 27 or 28 N frames.

[autocar56]

My 586 with a 6" barrel has been a great gun, very accurate and dependable, I currently have a 686 on layaway can hardly wait to finish paying it off.

Steven M

[russp1]

Originally Posted by autocar56

My 586 with a 6" barrel has been a great gun, very accurate and dependable, I currently have a 686 on layaway can hardly wait to finish paying it off.

Steven M

So will the 686 be another 6"?

[Sealevel]

Of my L frames the 4" 686 feels best, the 2.5" 686 comes in second and the 6" 586 is a distant third. All three are very accurate, but I find the 6" gun to feel too muzzle heavy. My advice to anyone considering an L frame is to start with the 4" model. My next one will be either a 4" nickle 581 or 681.

Good luck with your decision.

[russp1]

The 4" definitely feels better in my hand but I'm hoping my range has both a 4 and 6" in their rental case so we can try shooting them both. I always like to fire something at least similar to what I intend to buy.

[M3Stuart]

Originally Posted by Sealevel

Of my L frames the 4" 686 feels best, the 2.5" 686 comes in second and the 6" 586 is a distant third. All three are very accurate, but I find the 6" gun to feel too muzzle heavy. My advice to anyone considering an L frame is to start with the 4" model. My next one will be either a 4" nickle 581 or 681.

Good luck with your decision.

My personal experience is; my very first S&W was a 6" 686-1. Got it for $450 from a friend. It is a great gun, but about a year+ later, I traded it - plus $100 OTD - for a 4" 686-4. If I hadn't run across that 4" 686-4 I'd still have the 6". I was kind of broke and the 6 incher was the only thing they would take in trade on the 4 incher. FWIW; I got about $550 worth of trade value for my 6 inch 686. So I was really happy with that deal.

You can't go wrong with a 4" 686. The accuracy of the 6" 686 was better, but both guns are WAY more accurate than ME. For extended range sessions the 6" was 'barrel heavy' TO ME. Other people just love them. So Your Mileage May Vary.

[russp1]

Wife and I went to the range this weekend and tried both a 4" and 6" 686. 6" felt a bit unbalanced to us both so we settled on the 4". 50 rounds each and we were sold. Put down $200 to have them order us a new 686, hopefully have it in a couple of weeks.

[russp1]

Well it came in and I picked it up at lunch yesterday. The wife and I are ready to put a few boxes of ammo through it this weekend. To think this S&W addiction started with the model 1905 we found cleaning out her parents house.