I've recently started to lust after a 3" 686+! My shopping has come up with several varieties.

Do you have a favorite?

Suggestions as to which one to go for?

I have a Ruger SP101 3" and a Ruger GP100 4". I am hoping that the 3" 686+ will be different enough to make the purchase worthwhile! I can not swing it without selling something off. I'm thinking of offloading my S&W 617 to fund it.

Thanks!

Keep the 617. Sell the SP101. That's what I would do, for no real reason, except that I like Smiths better.

Personally, I would get rid of the SP101. I THINK that you would enjoy the 686 more. You are getting 1 or 2 extra rounds also. A shooting buddy of mine was firing his 101 at the range with me. For whatever reason the firing pin just broke. At that time, he could not find 1. He got it fixed a year or so later. He traded it off .
I have a 586, 4" no dash, and a 686-6, 5" Pro Series. (really like that 1) I have thought about a 3" 686 myself.
Good luck making your decision! Bob

I would go 686 3in in the -.3.5.7 series shes a tank I beat the heck out of her and shes as accurate as ever plus the unfluted cyl is nice ...

I had an sp101.... dident care for it much

IMO
ERIK

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This is the way....

I'm having a really hard time getting past getting rid of a 617 and keeping a SP101.

Please, for the luv of god, do not do that!

SP101's are a "dime a dozen".

Keep them all, the 686 3" as well. What's different about it? Smoother trigger, feels more solid than the GP100. I recommend the rubber grip version over the wood grips, wood doesn't feel good to me when shooting. The Smith is also prettier, with a finish that makes the Ruger look like a dog. Not that there's anything wrong with the Rugers, just not as pretty.

I suggest you don't get in a hurry and part with something you'll regret later. Wait until you can afford to keep them and then get your new "want". BTW, I found a used 686+ 3" a month ago and I like it as much, or more than I thought I would.

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M&PC FS BG Shield+ 642 686+

Can't fault your taste. It's a great platform, and the 3" is the one I'll carry occasionally.

If your talking about new production, I'd just get a standard model, SKU: 164300.

I'd keep the 617.

Edit: I always felt that the OEM wood grips were too narrow, and uncomfortable to shoot full-house magnums on the lighter 2 1/2 inch PC 686. Since I had the wood grip out for this picture, I decided to measure the palm swells of all the grips with calipers. Surprise. The OEM wood grip is the same 1 3/16 inch width as the rubber OEM grip on the 3 inch 686, but the rubber is more forgiving. The Hogue Bantam swell is a 1/16 wider at 1 1/4". Not much wider but way more comfortable.

Edit: For reference, here are two new production 686s for your comparison. The lower one is a Performance Center 2 1/2 inch barrel, but it allows you to compare fluted versus non-fluted cylinders. The PC version has the bead blasted surface finish also. The separate PC wood grip is the same size and shape as the other OEM versions like the .3.5.7, with different stippling. The PC version now wears a Hogue Bantam grip.

I'd get the 3" 3-5-7 version. I love the looks of unfluted cylinders and the wood grips are very good looking. You can always get a set of rubber grips later if you want, they are pretty cheap.

The good news is, all versions of the 3" barrel are great, so you can't go wrong and you will not be disappointing with whichever one you decide on.

I would keep the 617.

I went with the 686+ 3-5-7 series last year. Built like a tank, great action and more accurate than I am. Grip change is easy. Stock are pretty but not the hot ticket for me when shooting .357 magnums.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

Did you find the grips uncomfortable with 38 special as well?

Not from a pain standpoint with .38 or .38+P. But they are narrow. The top corners points on the rear of the stock grips stick out away from the backstrap. They become very noticeable when shooting .357. I went with Altamont Falconia's. Very comfortable for me and provides better control.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

Love the Penguins look on he grips.

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Life is short,live it fully.

My 617 will be the last one that I'll get rid of.

Attached Images

686 plus 3 a.jpg (103.6 KB, 22 views)

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Foster Positivity.

and sometimes you just have to make what you want. 686-3 square butt with 3" barrel and 7 shot non-fluted cylinder. I really like it.

Stu