I am having buyer's remorse, as stated above. I have been wanting a 2.5" 686+ since I started to CC. I carried an XD in the mean time until I could pinch my pennies and buy one. As luck would have it I ran across a brand new Ruger Sp101 3" that was the amount of pennies that I had saved. I had shot the Sp before, and it was my settle gun, so I settled. Still feeling a void, I got a Badger grip, a nice OWB holster, a nice IWB holster, and some other accessories. But now that it is all put together, and boy does she sing, I am filled with remorse. I'm now in over what the Smith would have been, and then some. And as much as I love this thing I want that 686 still!
What should I do? And on a side note, if you know anyone who would want this whole set up for a great price, PM me. Haha.

Ps. Bought the gun new in July. OWB holster I made myself, would basically be a freebie. And I'm now leaning more towards the 6 shot 686.

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Still just a kid at heart

The 686 is a cool revolver but it is less useful as a CCW piece. The extra bulk of the larger frame becomes really noticeable when you are trying to tuck it under a shirt. Plus the extra weight will be noticed by your back.

Keep the SP, it is a fine gun and emminently suitable for CCW. Buy a 686 when one becomes available and use it for a house gun. Or on a Sam Browne belt if you need it in uniform wear. The 686 will be more suited to carry in that environment.

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

The 2.5" 686 is, in my opinion, the best short barrel wheel gun made. There is one on my nightstand, with C./T. grips. This is my range 686, obviously shot a LOT. My range is 75 feet and it's so accurate it's BORING. I run the target back 75 feet and put 50 rounds in the head ALL DAY LONG.

Weight, I'm not worried about since the Sp is a ton heavier than any J frame. And bulk? The SP is built like a tank! I managed to track one down to go and have a feel. I have handled the 4 inch barrel and hot it before, but never the 2.5.

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Still just a kid at heart

Just start saving and get the Smith you want.

Why dont you Take some nice pics and post it on the for sale section here with a trade Clause...Put a Reasonable Sale Price on it and add that you would be willing to trade plus some cash for the 686 Plus you are looking for....The Title might look something like this..

WTS WTT Ruger SP101 3" barrel...IWB Leather Holster....Custom Grips

Want to Sell/Want to Trade equals WTS/WTT

Agreed. That is a worthwhile goal to shoot (attempt) for. I almost settled but now I'm glad I realized that I really wanted the 686 and other guns were secondary.

Update: at least now you have something to trade up with so you won't have to raise the full price all over again.

You might consider offering your outfit for sale on the Ruger Forum.........folks there are likely to be willing to pay a bit more for a Ruger than folks here on the S&W Forum!

The suggestion for a WTS/WTT classified is a good one as well. You never know what might happen. I took a long shot a while ago and offered a Colt King Cobra in trade for a S&W 610. It took a few months but I found someone to make the trade, and we were both very happy in the end. You never know until you try.

Good luck,
Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Never settle! Any time I have settled, I have always ended up unhappy. Save and wait for what you want.

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Proud anachronism

About the only thing nicer than a 2.5" 686 is a 3" 686:

(this is not technically a 686, it is a CS-1)



The Model 66 2.5" is no slouch either:

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I get buyer's remorse before I even spend the money for anything.

And, the only thing nicer than a 3" 686 would be a 3" 586.
I can dream, can't I?

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Don't listen to the people who say it's not easy to cc or it is to heavy on your back to edc a 686, I have no issue cc a 8 3/8 .500 and carry it all day in woods. You can completely conceal a shot gun with proper clothing. Get what YOU want not what others say you need.

If a woman can carry a big heavy bag all day then what are you people talking about to heavy? What are you sally sue's?

You have a good gun in the Ruger. Keep it and start saving nickels and dimes again with the 686+ in mind.

I would also say keep the ruger. I just recently bought a SP101 3" it's my first ruger and I like it a lot.

Yeah that! After 30 years in the gun game, the one you want will always come back around.

My favorite carry gun is a Scandium frame 340 Airlite. Super light, enclosed hammer and sufficiently powerful; it's perfect for pocket carry in a proper pocket holster. Although it's chambered in 357; it's controllable only with 38's. But if it's a 686+ you really want, save up or trade for one. I still really miss the sweet shooting 4 inch Model 66 I had.

A little off topic and I imagine you've heard it before, but that holster's an outstanding piece of work, really nice!!

PWR

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

I don't have a 3" 686 but I do have the 2 1/2" and love it. As for the 3" 586...well...yeah.

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Rgrizzle leather, google him. He does amazing work!!

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Still just a kid at heart

I never settle anymore because then I always end up with the settle gun and the lust gun. If I just buy the one I want I may not need the one in between.

I say keep the Ruger and save up for the Smith too.
You wont be sorry to have both, they are both fine firearms.

Note to self:
1.) Cross Rossi R98 Plinker off list.
2.) Place S&W Model 63-5 back on list.
3.) Never settle.

Update: Family member wanted Ruger and gave me fair deal. Also! Got REALLY lucky and found a brand new snub 6 shot 686 for $690!!! Put 20% down so I could make it mine, and will pick it up end of next week! Problem now is a new holster?

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Still just a kid at heart

Congrats on the M686, they are great guns.

I sprang for a new set of grips for "Stinkbutt."

So, I'm into it for a smidgen over $300 now.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

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The three inch 686P seven rounder is great. It packs well in a Simply Rugged pancake.

I had a snub SP 101 and it is gone. I really don't miss it. But I can shoot my wife's if I must.

Here, let me help by being an enabler --> S+W 686+ 2.5" BBL 7 Shot NEW No Reserve 164192 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

$100 off MSRP. Please buy it before I do....

Personally I wouldn't have buyers remorse for getting the excellent SP, but my all time fav CCW revolver would be a 2.5in Model 19. Although, I would NOT pass up the 2.5in 586, 686 for sure! Stupid n00b question, isn't the 586, 686 just a shrouded 19?

No. The cylinder and the frame are larger on the 686. Bill

Sell the Ruger and go buy the 686 you want.

I prefer the 7 shot 386 NG for carry due to the weight.

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Watch & Pray

My 3 inch 686. Although I have found my 44 magnum Night Guard a better and easier carry here in Alaska. The 44 NG has a slight more bulk but much lighter carry. Common load 255 grain Buffalo Bore for outdoor and snubbie HP load for other.

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Picked up the 686 early, that $690 was just too good of a price tag to wait! Took it to the range today and had myself a shootout between the 2 guns. I'm pretty happy with the results and here is a picture of the 686 target. Top left double action single hand, top right single action both hands, middle double action both hands, bottom right single action single hand all at 35 feet with .38+p. Bottom left was at 60 feet .38+p double action both hands. I am pleased with this beauty!!! And I'm sure my groups will grow ever tighter.
Cheers all!

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Still just a kid at heart