I have two S&W 357 revolvers that are different, but basically similar enough that I only need one. A M66-8 Combat Magnum with 4.25" barrel and a 686 Plus 3-5-7 Magnum Series with 3" barrel. Both have always run 100% and have no build quality issues.

I took them both to the range today to shoot side by side using .38 special and .357 magnum ammo. Bottom line, I shot the 686 noticeably better and more consistently freehand at 30' and 75' in both single action and double action. Not what I expected given the longer barrel of the M66.

The 686 wears Pachmayr Compac Pro grips with open backstrap, yet the recoil from the Federal .357 158 gr JSP ammo felt less sharp and more controllable that when shooting the 66-8 that wears the stock S&W rubber grip with mild finger grooves and fully covered backstrap. The 686 only weighs 1/2 oz. more than the 66, but the weight is distributed differently with the 686 being over an inch shorter and the unfluted 7 shot cylinder and full underlug on the 3" barrel giving it a better balance in my hands.

Triggers are slightly different also. The 66-8 breaks at 4.25-4.5 lbs in single action. The 686 breaks at 3.5-3.75. Both are crisp but the 686 requires much less pressure than the numbers would indicate. Double action on both are typical S&W heavy, (my trigger gauge doesn't go that high). The 66 feels smooth with no stacking. The 686 is also smooth but stacks and is easy to stage.

Lock up feels equally tight on both guns, but feels a little more solid on the 686 with traditional set up compared with the ball and detent system on the 66. Barrels on both have excellent rifling but again the 686's slightly recessed crown and the forcing cone look sharper and cleaner under a loupe. I'm being nit picky here.

Neither revolver is small or light enough for easy conceal carry, but the 686's 3" barrel and Compac Pro grips make it more versatile using a Remora holster for IWB or Wild Bill's paddle holster for OWB.

All in all the 686 is the better choice for me, with being able to shoot it better being the primary deciding factor. For now I'll hang on to the 66-8 until the right opportunity to sell or use it in trade comes along.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

My completely unscientific reply is that while nothing is wrong on the Model 66, S&W got pretty much everything right on the Model 686, and in your case, the unfluted cylinder looks cool. I would hang onto the Model 66 too though. Best of luck!

Both are nice. I have 3 357 revolvers one being a Ruger and would have a hard time convincing myself to sell any of them. If you do want to sell one now is the time as prices are through the roof on 357 revolvers and most everything else.

If I only had two .357 Magnums I’d be looking to buy another one - soon!

I would get rid of both with the Hillary hole and buy a high condition one without it maybe a 686-4 2.5 if you can find it. You will get the best of all worlds, a gun that cared for properly will probably appreciate and a great all round gun. Just my .02.

"Seller's Remorse" is real! Don't sell either one!

My Ruger Security Six is/was my 'to the grave gun', till I got a 3"686+. Guess they'll have to bury them both with me.

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SWCA #2817

It is an easy choice for me to keep a gun that I shoot well with. Much easier to sell or trade guns that do not shoot well for me. The 686 is one of my all time favorites of any gun , not just Smith revolvers. I have a 66-1 and 66-5 too. But my 686-4 6" is the 357 I have fired the most rounds through and probably the one I shoot best.

What is this word...”need”? I’ve wasted too many days rebuying guns I thought I did not need...

Dump the 66-8 and it’s two-piece barrel.

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213th FBINA

This is sound advice.

I am all for keeping the 686...!

After all, I bought my 1st 686ND 4in back in 1986 and love it. So much that more recently(2-3yr) I found and bought ANOTHER 686ND with the same alpha prefix "AUExxxx". This second one takes the heat off of my "first" and I ended up upgrading the 2nd one's BC-gap from +0.009" down to 0.003", and I also sent it off for the "M" update.

All that said KEEP your 686...!

I think you should get rid of both and get a Glock. Seriously.
It's easier to carry than a big ol' 686 or even a 4" 66.
It can have two or even three times the ammo, and in a superior caliber.
And you'll never have to worry about whether or not you should keep it, because either way, it won't matter.
So there ya go - problem solved, problem staying solved.

Keep 'em both!

Keep both. You need a backup in case one of them gets broken.

One extra round, 3" barrel...that's your keeper.

I have seven of them, 686 - six shooters, 686+ seven shooters, 586 6 and 7 shooters. 2.5", 4", 6"... I don't need that many, I want them all. None are for resale. It seems silly but I am happy with them.
See the one below... nothing to thin out.

I'd keep the 686.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Well the 66 factory grips are hard as a rock. Swap them out for some grippers add a wilson spring kit and repeat the test. L frames are kinda overkill for 357 imo now that they fixed the forcing cone issue on the new k's

I thinned my herd significantly over the last 18 months and sold 13 .357 Magnums.

I only regret selling two of them. My 686-6+ 5" 1/2 lug Stocking Dealer Exclusive and my 5" 627-2.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I’ve sold out my 357 horde too, in last year. Sold all my 19s, a 586 and a 27. Keeping one m27 and rest are going to market. Somehow seems I’ve slid into .45cal models. I’m kinda fat on them.
My plan is to keep one each and only shooters. Safe Queens go first. If I had any sense I would keep K22, m27, Ruger SBH, Colt 1911 and convert all the money from sales into Travelers Checks printed on Asbestos.

I would not sell either one. I am keeping all that I have at the present time because all are too hard to replace at a reasonable price, especially the vintage pre lock Smiths. And I believe the situation will only get worse in the coming months (maybe years). I have a 686-5 Mountain Gun, 7 shot .357 Magnum made in 1998, with less than 2000 being made in that caliber. It would be very difficult to find another one. Good luck with your decision.

I currently have five.

The part that annoys me the most is that I don’t have six.

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Just My 2 cents,. I would sell or trade both and get something that starts with a 4. The only 3 would be barrel length.

Thanks to a lot of the replies here, I changed out the stock grips to a set of Altamont Falconia that I had lying around (took them off the 686+ since they didn't conceal as well as the Compac Pros). Went back to the range and shooting the 66-8 with these improved significantly over the factory grips. Bottom line, I'm keeping both. Many thanks, again.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

You basic mistake is in thinking that you have too many 357s. I have over 10 and am not inclined to sell any of them. What you need is some N frame 357 and a J frame 357s to go with you K and L frame.

The best solution! Of course I have a hard time letting go of a Smith 357. Glad to hear the grip change improved your shooting so much over the factory grips.

I have 6 .357, 5 S&W and a Colt, ain't getting rid of any of them. I haven't even sold my G19 even tho I might never shoot it again. Don't sell nothing!

Why are those such beautiful pictures?