If you had a 686+ 3" 357 in magnum 3" barrel length in primo condition but want lighter S&W 6 shot,but as a accurate to handle, what would be your choice. This applies only to Smiths & Rugers.
I truly love my 3" 686+ 357 in magnum, but she's very difficult to conceal here in Florida.This one eats ANY& EVERY 357 LOAD.

Anyone out there have a sane response?

Doc

Model 386, 386PD or 386 Night Guard

In all fairness, a Smith&Wesson Model 10/64 or 13/65 3" Barrel and Buffalo Bore 38 Spl 158 LSWCHPGC+p load that will be whistling along at 1100fps their load designator is the 20A/20. Velocities are honest and it turns the 38 SPL into a caliber that is quite formidable. I carry this load in a 2.5" K Frame and it gives quick recovery. managable recoil, good accuracy and hits real hard. 32-33ozs carry weight. Smaller frame size and six shots. This load makes a 4" Model 10 Bull Barrel a force to be reckoned with in interpersonal conflict. Spent 30 years as a Police Firearms Instructor and Trainer.

Years ago I carried a 3" model 10 with Bianchi Lightning grip loaded with hot 158gr LSWCHP @ 1,000fps. Used IWB Summer Special holster on strong side. Relatively easy package to carry.

The 340PD Airlite is so easy to pocket carry that I cannot imagine carrying anything else. Sure, I would like the Battleship Missouri if I were (God forbid) in a gun fight, but this is so easy to carry I will have this if I need it and 5 rounds of 357 should get me out of anything.

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Well, how are you built? height/weight? that way it may give others a better idea of your choices. I try not to dress around the gun, but I'm guilty of it. I wear outside the waist holsters and just throw a short sleeved unbuttoned shirt over it. Which in my state of Texas is perfectly legal and fine since we can open carry and if you do carry concealed, it's not a violation if "it" shows.

I feel that if you wish to stick to revolvers then a 5 shot J frame S&W such as a 642/442/638/637 is easily concealable on most body types & frames. Even pocket carry for the most part is very comfortable and they can be drawn out of pocket holster such as a Desantis nemesis surprisingly quick.

Small J frames can be comfortably carried in a pocket holster, IWB or OWB very nicely.

Now if you wish to stick with 357 mag, then consider a model 640/649 or a model 60...But I'd suggest sticking to a all steel frame as I personally am not a fan of the 340PD or any small aluminum alloy framed handgun shooting 357 magnum as it's not a fun gun at the range. 38spl's are fine. but if you're going to load up a 357 mag with 38 specials for carry then you might as well get one of the J frames I mentioned above.

I have a 686 2 1/2” and a 65 3”, after carrying the 686 through the cooler months; the 65 is a pleasure to carry during these Alabama summers


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The new M-66 2 3/4 in model after de-locking and plug, Master revolver action tune at PC shop, Full sized stainless thumb latch and Ahrens Boot grips.

Carried with the Winchester 145 grain Silver-Tip or Buffalo Bore .38 Special 158 gr LSWC-HP +P (20A/20 I think)

I'd go with either a 2.75" 66-8 or 3 inch SP101.

As much as I love my Smith's, the SP101 gets the majority of my revolver carry duties.

One of the Night Guard variants would work for 6 rounds.

I looked high and low for this 315NG but still find myself using an airweight 5 shot.

(I wish I could take decent pictures!)

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I have that very gun, a 3" M686+. Even in the heat of Texas I go to my office in jeans or slacks, normal shoes, normal shirt, and a vest. Every day. I go on dates dressed that way and I go to my house of worship dressed that way. At no time would I consider carrying that 3" M686+. Concealment notwithstanding, it's just too big and heavy. I have a 2.5" 686+ that I don't try to conceal for the same reason.

So, to answer this question, namely, I would carry a 2" K frame .38 Special. I have a 2.5 " Model 19 that I could carry with .357 Magnum loads in it but I wouldn't load it that way even if I elected to carry it.

Either of these will do nicely and they are very accurate:

...24/7?...

...don't you roll over on it at night?...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

The 24/7 ccw gun I carry is the ruger police service six 357 mag. But my Redhawk in 44 mag has more frequent carry miles on it.

I have carried my 3" 686+, with the unfluted cylinder. I went back to carrying my 632 Pro. 6 shots of .327 in a J frame. Weight is about 23-25 oz. If the .327 is too stout, .32 H&R Magnum is much milder. I found the 686+ just felt too heavy to carry all day long. I'm waiting for a holster for a new Colt Cobra, who knows, that might be my new EDC.

If I were carrying any of the 586/686 family, it would be in a proper belt holster. I do not object the weight of an all steel L-frame

If I were looking for something lighter, I would carry a Scandium framed snubby. I also like the Night Guards, but they are getting hard to find. Not to mention EXPENSIVE

My second choice is also a discontinued family of firearms. I know that you said S&W or Ruger, but Taurus made a series of L-frame sized 5 shot Big Bore snubbies that could be purchased in Total Titanium (19 ounces). The top revolvers are 41 Magnums in the standard color and the bottom one is a 45 Long Colt in the shadow gray finish.
If I did not already own suitable alternatives to the 686, I would be looking at something that is more readily available, I would probably buy one of the 5 shot Model 340 or 360 variations

My Model 60,357 mag, 5 shot, with a 2.1 inch barrel, stainless,, does a great job for me. Mt holster is a soft inside belt clip.
It holds this revolver tight and close inside my waistband shorts.
This with a plastic 6 round cartridge re-load in my pocket gives me a a great sidearm completely hidden in my summer shorts and T shirt.
I practice with 38 spcl loads and carry .357 mags in the bbl and cylinder.
Adrenal load in your body, takes the sting out of firing when used in an actual defense scenario, but very hard to practice with.

3” M-64, which I already carry.

May switch to my 325 PD once I get more time in with it.

24/7 is a LONG TIME to wear a belt. Honestly 24/7??? I don't see it, 12-16 hours would be a big maybe & then it goes in the bed stand. Having to wear a belt to work 5 -6 days a week for years, I now feel about belts like some feel about ties. A TRUE 24/7 carry FOR ME needs to be SMALL & preferably light. I wear a sleeveless T shirt (with a pocket) 24/7, even sleep with it & most times it is the only pocket I have & NO BELT. SO for me a neck knife & seecamp 32 with a wallet in said T shirt pocket are true 24/7 carries. Other times/other dress it might be a 640, speed 6, Sig 239.

I carry my Model 13-3 loaded with Speer 135 grain “Short Barrel” .357 Mag ammo in a Don Hume JIT Slide under a Hawaiian shirt.


Truth be told, my Model 65-1 conceals just as well in a Bianchi Model 7 pancake holster (not shown) under the same shirts.



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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

A couple of options, for me,’would be a model 19, 66,or 686 in 2 1/2 inch. I have a 3 inch model 10 that could also be considered.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

S&W Model 12-2 (1963)

Forgot to mention that the 12-2 is a flat latch.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Oh yeah. That's a super nice 12.

Charter Arms Police Undercover is light (20oz.) and carries 6. I really like mine. It is affordable as well.

I had a 3" 586 for several years........ never carried it............... neither 'fish nor fowl" in my opinion..... now a 4" 686 is the best all around utility/duty/general purpose .357 going IMHO.

I still have 3" 65s (since 1986) and 66s (1988) as well as a 3" 60-10 micro-5shot -686 ( 2004/06ish).

I know you specified 6 shot, but a 60-15 j frame 3" bbl in .357 is pretty convenient. Adjustable sights and just a scaled down version of your 686.

1-7/8" 637-2 with two titanium .38/.357 cylinders, one cylinder with TK Custom 9mm×19 moonclip conversion.
Got two of them, just alike, his & hers.

The best answer is keep your gun, change your holster.

Roomy cargo pants/shorts, a proper gun belt and IWB holster and you can hide the 686.

A few mm smaller revolver isn't going to do jack and will piss you off because you miss the 686.

A 325 pd 6 rounds of 45acp 2 3/4 barrel weighs in at 22oz, add 6 rounds of 200 gr gold dots and it goes to about 26 oz another 6 in a full moon and your good to go.

I’ve had mine for about a year now and cannot imagine carrying anything else.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Well if I had a 3" revo I loved that much, I might look for a different carry method.

I bought a summer special (El Paso Saddlery edition) and started carrying 2:00, which I believe is the way the late Bruce Nelson intended it.

This is IWB, and the gun feels way lighter and conceals under a T shirt. So now there's no need to run out and buy a pocket revolver. And it's comfortable, so long as you swallow your pride and got buy some bigger britches.

Only downside is it has to be kept CLEAN and OILED. I pretty much spend my weekends outside and it's well in to the triple-digits here in North Texas. Kinda like being on a boat out on the coast.

I might try a compression undershirt, although I've never been able to tolerate undershirts, feel like I'm suffocating.

Oh, yeah, and I carry a 3" Model 64.

My carry choices...

I must confess I bought a Ruger LCR a few years ago because I was a huge fan of Breaking Bad. ***** thing that it is, it really shoots great. The out of box trigger was just as good as a J frame with factory trigger job and reduced power springs. It's also a couple ounces lighter than a 642. I even put those ugly Ergo Delta grips on it. It is always in my pocket around the house. Front night sight is another nice touch.

There's only the tiniest bit of difference between a K and L frame in terms of both weight and size, so I don't see much of an advantage there.

So I guess I'd suggest a "J frame", but instead of a S&W probably a LCR357/LCR327. I've been pretty much blown away by the LCR327 I bought for my wife.

The S&W scandium 3 series guns are pretty interesting and cool, but are getting spendy and tough to find. They also seem to be brutal to shoot - those light frames just dump all the recoil into your hand.

Personally, I carry a 3" 629 Deluxe everyday in Florida heat I so don't see what's the problem with your 686. With the right holster and belt it's just not a big deal IMO.

What kind of holster and wardrobe to you use for that 629? I've struggled with warm weather carry.