@ mjt29,

You are getting a lot of advice, but "snowman" is correct, in order to provide reasonable advice we need to know your ultimate intent.

What do you perceive as a range gun? What do you plan to shoot with it? Are you looking at punching paper, shooting steel (plates or a dueling tree) or bowling pins? And then at what distance?

My first range revolvers were bought about 40 years ago, with the goal of shooting bullseye at 25 and 50 yards. That evolved into steel and pins, and for a short period, metallic silhouette out to 220 yards. Those revolvers were mostly 6", and an 8 3/8" barreled 357. I acquired a 3" Chief's Target Special in the mid '80s, and can shoot it quite accurately out to 25 yards. THAT model 36 is what I am super comfortable with as a carry revolver. Because my 36 is roughly one of less than 700, I am purchasing a 686+ 3" for concealed carry when I carry a revolver (a virtual larger twin to the 36-6).

You really need to resolve where you want to go with this revolver. As I see it, a 4" barrel is a compromise barrel for carry. If you want to buy only one revolver (ever), get the 4". If you think that carry is in your future, get the 3". If you expect to limit yourself to targets, go with a 6" or longer.

As a side note, I have found that I do best with target handguns that average 38 ounces, and a 6" K22 and K38 fit that criteria, as does my Springfield Armory Trophy Match. More information can get you more specific advice!

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Judge control not gun control!

I like a solid 4 inch revolver. If you can swing the money, and if you're buying new, get a performance center gun. The fit and finish is generally much better on those.

KY gun has fair price on 686 ssr right now,2 sets of grips and easy change front sight.6" 686 gobble up 357 recoil better.You will probably end up with both.

My ultimate goal with the gun is to get proficient with revolvers for home defense. I can see this being a bed side piece ultimately as well. With that being said, I am buying it to practice on a full size revolver, rather than the j-frame I plan to get if I decide to carry later. I want something to take to my local indoor range and practice with that is fun to shoot and not punishing while I work on my skills. Standard .38 rounds initially....

So I basically want a j-frame but I don't want to learn to shoot on one.

What you like and enjoy is what will work for you, but the S&W 686 is probably the most popular revolver on this site. I prefer the 4" as I consider it the most versatile, but that may just be me. Be safe and have fun.

Another option is a M60-15 J frame. A good all around gun that is fun at the range, and can be carried. It would likely be my choice if I could only have one gun. Comes in standard and a PRO versions. Both nice. For several years, the -10 version was my only gun.

Best,
Rick

So much like me it's scary. I agree, the 3" just "looks right" and I was happy to find that (in hand at least) felt right too. I'm not going to even have mine in my hands for about 2 weeks so can't tell you how it shoots yet.

I agree that you should watch Hickok45's videos, I think he misses 5 shots across all 3 of them with the 3". He's obviously scary good but clearly the gun is not a limiting factor in its accuracy.

Sounds like your mind is pretty well made up, you just need validation. So I'll say that if you end up being disappointed in the 3" we'll be together in our pain 😂

Agreed. Do not get a J-frame for a range gun. I agree with Houston Rick. You are making the case for a 686. Get a 4"-6" and call it a day. You will NOT be disappointed. There is a very good reason that the 686 is so popular.

A 686 will eat standard pressure .38s all day long without breaking a sweat. Very mild and stable to learn on. The nice thing about the 686, is that it will also eat hot +P .38s AND .357s when you get comfortable and want to shoot those. If you stick with .38, it will be like driving a Mercedes 500.

When the time comes and you want a pocket rocket, THEN get a 2" j-frame. You can always find a good j-frame on the cheap later on. Good luck.

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Veteran, Former LEO, NRA Lifer

The 3" barrel is plenty accurate, Jerry Miculek has won competitions with a 3" 686.

If all I wanted was a revolver to practice shooting .38 specials and possibly use as a bedside piece, I'd just get one of the many used Model 64s on the market. Will cost less hundreds less than the 686, spend the rest on ammo and training. People seem to be leaning more toward the 4" 686, nothing wrong with that either.

Ok, hurry up and get that thing!!!! I'll hold off until you report.

Couldn't think of a better thread to post this, since we've been talking about it. Got my 3" out of jail and it's beautiful. You can see my small hands wouldn't take to any longer in the 686.

I'll report back after I take it to the range on Sunday.

Well, the op has stepped into this discussion enough times, with enough input that I for one am totally satisfied as to the best choice.....I believe it's a two gun solution. Or more likely ten. That's how I got my start. The perfect range gun typically makes a less than perfect carry gun. Anything can be pressed into service as a nightstand gun. But IMHO a carry gun, and a range gun are at separate ends of the spectrum.

I promised a range report and here it is!

I love my new 3". Very handleable for 38 spl +p, and magnums were fine but stout. With steel and soda cans, I was hitting 9/10 @ 10 yards (probably even better) and 7/10 @ 25 yards. For this, the 3" is amazingly fun to shoot.

Paper, on the other hand, was difficult for me to get good groupings @ 25 yards. I was getting better towards the end of the day but I don't think I'll ever get it as tight as I am with my .22 and my .45 SAA.

TL;DR: I'm very happy I got the 3" over the 4", but I mainly shoot steel. If you will mainly be shooting at paper, I agree with others that a 4" or longer would be preferable.

There are also 686 versions with smooth cylinders unfluted with 3-5-7 length barrels with nice wood stocks. I have read that 5" Smiths are the best balanced in the K frames but the trend for 4" bull barrels diminished the demand for 5 inch tapered barrels. 5" would give you a slightly longer sight radius giving you a finer sight picture for more precise shooting at the longer ranges. Good shooting to you.

Trust your instincts. If in the doubtful case you don't like a S&W I doubt you would lose much $ on resale (on a used gun) as S&W prices seem to only go up, just don't trash it.

It should be much easier for you to master a K/L frame over a J. My opinion! I got rid of my J's. Went to a 10-5 RB, 2". Like that much better. It is hard for us to decide for you, because "EVERYONE" has different wants/ needs. Bob

Scottastic, thank you for the fine report. That 3" incher is a beauty!! My range shooting is going to be paper, so thank you very much for your input, since you battled the same thing as well.

I did get to handle the 686 4" at my LGS and to my surprise it's not awkward to wield like I thought, at least unloaded. I do believe the 3" revolvers are nicer to look at for my eyes, but given all the input I may just grab that 4". At least to start!

Then I'm buying a 442!

Again, you gentlemen have been great and I've learned a bunch just from this thread and lurking for the past month. Thank you.

Oh man this is the truth.

I wanted a 4" 686 and bought a (now sold) 6" 686 as they had it in stock, and not the 4", and as a sports / target shooter I justified the longer barrel as being better for my needs.

It always nagged me not being a 4" and not being 100% in love with it was what made me able to sell it. I hadn't shot it much in the 6 months leading up to selling it, and may have shot it more had it been the 4" I wanted.

I would have kept it even if I didn't shoot it any more, if it was a 4".

Get what you want. Do research though, you may find what you want isn't quite what you thought it was, the more you know, and you might find something else more fitting.

640 Pro's are like finding a unicorn. I've looked everywhere and they are out of stock. A few are on Gun broker but at ridiculous prices. I look daily.