I'm a new shooter. I recently bought a 6 inch Model 617 and would now like to add a 686 to the mix. I'm having a little trouble definitively making up my mind about seeking a 4 inch model or a 6 inch model for the second gun. I've rented a 6 inch 686 before getting the 617 but never used a 4 inch. I guess that's the next rental before buying anything.

If you had a choice would you seek a second 6 inch revolver or would you get a 4 inch, mix it up a little bit and have one of each? Both guns will be strictly used as range toys for the next few years, so the options of use for home defense, hunting, or carry are not considerations (I live in NYC, my son lives in Florida, so they stay in his gun safe and we go shooting together when I visit).

I know there is no right or wrong answer, I'd just like to hear some different points of view. Thanks!

Everybody should have at least one 4" K/L frame revolver because they are so handy to holster for a walk around, let you shoot IDPA, steel challenge, and other games with a stock revolver, and are just so handy for general shooting.
I started with a 6" 686 after the .22, but soon bought a 4", and have shot it much more since.

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Science plus Art

I must admit I have some leanings towards a 4" at this time. I'm wondering if it will prove to be a little more manageable yet still maintain a comparable degree of accuracy as a 6" at the usual pistol ranges of 7, 10, 25 yards making the extra long barrel kind of a moot point.

If you haven't looked at it, you should check out the 686+ with the 3" barrel. One of my shooting buddies got one and I'm jealous even though I have a Model 27 with a 4 inche barrel and a 686+ Pro with the 5" slab barrel. The 686+ has seven shots and the 3" barrel isn't as small as it sounds. Recoil is no greater than my 5" 686+ and the gun is plenty accurate. If you want to see one in action, go to YouTube and search for Hickok45, 686+, he can easily hit his gong at a distance of 80 yards. This gun is very well balanced and I've even though about selling mine to get one. I know that doesn't help you with your decision making but you should check it out. Regards, Elliot45

What are you trying to hit at 25yds? The 4" 686 will take down 6" steel plates at 35yds all day if you can shoot. From a rest, I can shoot your 2 liter water jug at 100yds (proved it one day, hit first shot). The main advantage of a 6" is more bullet speed for hunting and a longer sight radius for the shooter. There is very little mechanical difference in the accuracy from a Ransom Rest.
I used to shoot with a fellow officer who had shot on the West Point pistol team, and he introduced me to playing "impossible shot" like shooting clay pigeons on the 50 and 100yd backstops. After a few cases of ammo, the shooter can begin to approach the gun's capability.

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Science plus Art

I don't think there is much difference in versatility between the 4 & 6" barrels. I prefer the longer sight radius and velocity bump. Don

Plus one on the 3" for a working wheelgun! Just right for protection.

I have 3", 5" & 6" 686
The only reason I do not have a 4" is I have enough 4" K frames.
Since you can't go wrong with any 686... get them "ALL" one at a time.
but for the record I have shot the 3" more than the rest.

So it seems that being limited to shooting paper and a few reactive steel targets indoors and out that it's very unlikely that the capabilities of the gun in short or long barrel length are ever going to be exceeded. The limitations are far more likely to be my own.

In the end, I guess it comes down to a matter of personal taste and aesthetics. When I would help friends choose between two similar motorcycles the ultimate defining question was often, "Which one makes you smile the most?"

That's how we ended up with 9 motorcycles. There is no more room in the garage, but I still like your thinking.

If you have the eyesight to see distant targets and the strength to hold aim on the 6" for extended range sessions, then that would be my choice. I'm a female senior citizen with poor eyesight, and the 4" is tiring for me to hold with my arms extended, but it's a great shooter so I just take more breaks and only shoot to 25yds.

Oh! Believe me! I've stayed up watching Hickok45 on YouTube to the point where my girlfriend thinks I'm having an affair or developing a porn addiction. I've seen his 686 and was very impressed, also someone else did a very interesting one on a reworked Model 60 also with a 3" barrel. If I ever live in a place where carry is an option either would be a very viable choice. Right now it's range toy only.

Get the 4"

There's just something about the aesthetics of a S&W revolver with a 4" barrel. That balance of height and length makes them possibly the best looking pistol ever produced.

I'm beginning to understand that.

I suspect you will not notice the difference between a 6 and 4" 686 for range work, or for that matter a 4" or 3". Also, you could obtain a FL non-resident carry permit, and if so a shorter barrel version would be easier to carry when you visit down south. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I would go with a Six Inch

Personal preference, I'm a 4" kind of guy. For all-around use (shooting, carrying, ballistic performance, etc.) I don't think you can beat it.

I've owned both and I find I can shoot the 4" faster, especially with full power loads. You would think it would be the opposite but I found when all that weight out front with the 6" get moving it actually takes longer for it to settle down. I don't like the balance on full underlug guns once they get past 4" anyways.

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K & N S&W revolvers

I own both a 6" 686-3 (blackened over SS) and a 4" 686-3 SS. Theyre both pretty awesome revolvers (old school square butts). Wouldn't get rid of either. Mostly shoot the 4" and if you carry it's a bit easier to conceal. I practice w/either at 7yds and 15yds, but will try the 4" at 100yds and see if I can hit like member TRE on here. I don't really see a difference in accuracy between the 4" and the 6" when I shoot. I'll throw a pic tomorrow of each for you-

I like 6 inch barrels, but in the interest of variety, and some of the other reasons already stated, I would get the 4 inch if I already had something in 6. Mix it up. They are fine looking too.

4" is probably the bests all around gun. But I'd go for the 6" personally. I don't carry my revolvers and enjoy the look and feel of a 6" gun better. If I did carry them it'd be for hunting and the extra 2" then isn't a big deal. In my state you need a 5" barrel to hunt with, so there's another possible advantage.

I have revolvers in lengths from 2 1/2" - 8 3/8". In the 686 my favorite would be the 4", nice look, great balance, a beautiful overall package. You can't go wrong either way 4" or 6". I carried a 4" 38 special for years in NYC, but that's a story for another time.

I recommend the 4 inch 686 I own a pair of these revolvers and it's a fantastic revolver.

You cannot go wrong with either the 4" or the 6". For a range shooter I prefer the 6" but I have a 4" and I love it. The differences are marginal. For me 3" is too short, but others obviously have a different opinion.

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

If it's just going to be a range gun go for the 6", useful out to 100 yards, if is a CC gun the 4".

A 4" 686/586 is IMHO the best all around, general purpose .357 magnum handgun going...... the best of both the K and N frame features...... grip/trigger reach of the K-frame with the strength to handle as many of any .38 or .357 load you want to shoot..........

If you are "only" shooting for tiny groups or maximum X count..... in all likelihood you will be shooting .38s and the slightly longer sight radius of the 6" barrel will be of advantage.

My advice is a 4" 686 to start and later a 6 inch 586 (Options include a Model 14 or K-38 Target Masterpiece) for the range ..........................

and then................. you've "got's to have" a 2 1/2 inch 19.......... LOL

While a lot of it is personal taste, for a range gun that will be shot often and with legitimate .357 loads, one will find recoil reduces with barrel length and additional sight plane makes it easier for most folks to shoot more accurately. I have a 4'', 5'' and a 6'' 686. My favorite is the 5'', the favorite of others I take to the range is the 6''. While most of those folks will say the 4'' feels more balanced at first, when it comes to shooting them the second time around, most of them reach for the 6'' over the 4''.

A lot depends upon your intended use. 4" is as short as I want in a full sized 357 magnum. While 6" is as long as I want normally. Anything longer and it's gets a bit unsteady for me offhanded. I have a 5" that seems to make a nice compromise.

Six inch 686 rules! But you can't go wrong with the 4 inch and as mentioned above you have to own at least one 4 inch 38spl/357mag.

Are you buying new or used? I've owned both in pre-lock configuration. Regretably, I sold the 4" that was my first personally owned duty carry revolver. It was well balanced and a perfect defensive handgun. I now own a dash 3, 6-inch 686+ that feels a little heavy on the front end for balance, but is a very accurate shooter. Either would be great at the range for practical target and defensive handgun practice. I'd say the OP should follow through with his thought of renting a 4" to see how well it handles before making up his mind. He might just end up owning both.

Thank you everyone for all of the experience and opinions you shared so far. I'll just keep listening...

To answer Ranger 514...most likely it will be new.

I just realized I mispelled advice! Boy! Am I embarrassed!

I find the 6" L frame with the full underlug a bit heavy for target shooting. A 6" K frame without the full underlug is about perfect.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Hi, I hate to muddy the waters, but I will toss in my 2 cents.

I have about 7 revolvers, with barrels running from 3" to 8 3/8", each has a mission specific purpose. To me, the term "range use" can have a number of meanings.

When I shoot one handed bullseye matches, I use 6" revolvers. I also use a 6" revolver for PPC matches. I use an 8 3/8" revolver for bowling pin and metallic silhouette matches. I use my 3" and 4" revolvers for self defense type range matches. For concealed carry, I will use my 3" revolvers when appropriate, or my automatics as needed. I would never consider handgun hunting with less than a 6" revolver.

Just as an aside, we are much like Baskin Robbins, handgunners are just like everyone else, we aren't content with just one flavor of ice cream!

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Judge control not gun control!

Ok here ya go. You might consider one thing if you're buying new -- the grips are different than the older models. If I were you, I would compare the older 80's square grip revolvers and the newer made revolvers. I bought a newer revolver 686 which I then sold because I couldn't grip the round grips as well as the square. Anyways, here are examples - 686-3 6" blackened over SS (limited run) and a 4" 686-3 both were made in the 80's bought them used 1 on gunbroker (4") and the other(6") on gunsinternational.com
All the best in your S&W search - misspeller. Definitely compare (grip) them is my 2 cents-

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Go with the 4"

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2B1ASK1

You can easily get the round-to-square grip conversion grips as I have done with all my S&Ws...

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

I started out with a 586 no dash, 4" that I got on a trade. Really liked it, and shortly after got a 686-3, 6". Great range gun. The only thing that I can say, is that the 4" BLUE gun looks much cooler! Bob

While both lengths are excellent, the four-inch gun is more versatile.
It can do more things. That would suggest the four.
My 4" 686, though, is actually a 586. One of the best full-size revolvers ever, takes a beating and keeps on shooting... easily.

I would go with the 4" myself.

To resolve the conundrum, consider a 5 inch barrelled revolver.
I recently acquired the S & W TRR8, .357 magnum/.38 Spl.

Scandium frame, steel cylinger, 8 shots.

Very accurate in 5 inch barrel.

Just my two cent.

I guess it just depends on the shooter. I have the 686+P 7 shot 6" barrel. I love shooting it. It is very accurate and shoots great. Almost no recoil shooting the 38 special ammo and very little shooting the 357 Mag ammo. I have a Ruger GP 100 4" barrel also. And it shoots great to, but I really prefer my 6" barrel S&W. The only draw back is that it isn't really something you want to try to carry as a concealed weapon.

OP said no carry so: Absolutely 6"

Better in every way, except carry. I've owned 686's from 2 1/2" - 8 3/8"

Over the years I have found that 4" guns (and some 5") balance better in MY hands than 6" or longer guns. That said my PPC revolvers were 6" guns and for a range toy the 6" Model 686 will probably prove more satisfactory - if for no other reason than the longer sight radius.

Definitely no loss in accuracy for a 4" barrel, and the balance is much better, much more fun to shoot. IMHO>

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Ed

excepting my .460 and Titanium snubby, all my wheel guns have 6" barrels and I'll not be changing anytime soon.

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NRA Life Endowment

If you decide on the 4", check out the S&W 627 PC. Better trigger, 8 rounds, hand fitted and assembled. It costs a little more but you'll not look back. Jerry Miculek shoots a modified 627.

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Paul
Sandusky Bay, OH

A 4 inch barrel is better for all around. A 6 inch barrel is better for competitions

Not an easy one!Range toy only,I'd go with the 6'';but the 4'' is so sexy!But the 6'' develops more FPS but range toy only means shooting at paper;don't need the extra 50FPS or so!The 6'' has more sight radius but the 4'' points so well!Heck,get both or keep bugging S&W to come out with a 5''.I know I'd buy one!