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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 08-29-2009, 01:26 AM
RightWinger RightWinger is offline
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Default 686 vs 686p

I have been wondering what people's thoughts are on these two and which more people might prefer. The obvious plus is that the 686P has 7 rounds of ammo, but I would think the down side is that speed loads are more difficult, the cylinder might not be as strong, it can't be used in a lot of shooting matches.....The reason I'm asking is because I have never owned a 686P but I recently just bid on one and might be owning one soon, but I also own a 686 as well.....just looking for some feedback and opinions.
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Old 08-29-2009, 02:20 AM
tool man tool man is offline
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Get the 686P and then you have both, just like me. I put a 2X Leupold on the 686p and both have 6" barrels. They are like twins but 1 of them has an extra finger! Own both. Lots of speed loaders for the 7 around. Don't let yourself talk you out of owning two. You won't be sorry.
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Old 08-29-2009, 02:32 AM
akr akr is offline
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Then get the 627P with 8 shots, or the 625 .45ACP with moonclips.
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Old 08-29-2009, 06:19 AM
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The biggest disadvantage to the 686P(for a traditionalist) is the seven shot cylinder; takes some getting used to. I don't think you'll ever see a strength difference and for me the speed reload is slightly different but I now own two of the sevens and like them just fine after 40 years of nothing but six shooters(ok...I once said the 686 would have been better left as a six shooter....I changed my mind!). Don't give up your six but I think you'll really bgegin to like the seven once you've used it awhile. Have fun!

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Old 08-29-2009, 02:23 PM
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I understand the competition issue, but that's one reason why S&W makes many models (different needs).

For a defensive revolver, I can't think of why more rounds isn't better.

I find no problem with reloading using speedloaders.

Unless your only activity is competition, I don't think you'd ever regret the purchase of a 686P.
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Old 08-29-2009, 03:29 PM
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I love those 7 shooters, I guess that is why I own 5 of them. and they load faster. OOPS, one of those 7 shooters is a 242.
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Old 08-29-2009, 03:34 PM
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Just in case you don't know what a 242 is.
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Old 08-29-2009, 05:30 PM
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Add me to the list of satisfied 686+ owners. As for relative strength, the cylinder on the 686+ is actually STRONGER that the one on its six-round sybling. The reason: the cylinder stop slots on the six-shooter are directly above the chambers; the slots on the seven-shooter are BETWEEN the chambers. This means a 686+ has more metal between the chambers and the cylinder circumference than a 686.

Cordially, Jack

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Old 08-29-2009, 07:25 PM
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I'd go with the 7 shot. I can't begin to tell how many times after I've fired 6 shots, the bad guy attacks cause he thinks I'm reloading-That 7th shot has saved my bacon more times than I care to relate.
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Old 08-29-2009, 08:54 PM
RightWinger RightWinger is offline
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Ok, I ordered a Galco holster for my snubby 686, but will this same holster work for the 686P? is the circumference of the cylinder big enough to make a difference in holsters?
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Old 08-29-2009, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RightWinger View Post
Ok, I ordered a Galco holster for my snubby 686, but will this same holster work for the 686P? is the circumference of the cylinder big enough to make a difference in holsters?
Same size cylinder only difference is number of holes-I've got a 686-4 7 shot 2.5" and it's the cats knutz!!!
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Old 08-29-2009, 10:18 PM
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Yes, the 686 I currently have is a -4, and the one I bid on is a -4 as well, same gun other than its a 7 shot.....I was thinking the cylinder is bigger for some reason though...thanks for the information.
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Old 08-29-2009, 10:31 PM
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Good luck. I'll make you wince-I got mine at auction about 3 years ago- cost me $435 to my ffl plus a $20 transfer fee-gun was like brand new couldn't tell if it was shot. I see the new ones going for north of $600 and they ain't as nice as mine-hell I don't think I would sell it for $600. It wears a set of magnas and a tyler and resides in my left hand desk drawer at the office. As far as the cool factor-I rate it above the 2.5" 66. But it is a HEAVY beast-I don't carry it- just use it at the range and for the desk.
I've also got a 4" 686-4 but we'll save that for a different day
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Old 08-31-2009, 12:58 AM
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Cajun lawyer,

Realisticly what kind of accuracy can I expect out of these snubbies? Yes, I do own the 686-4 but have yet to shoot it because the cylinder is at pinnacle getting dished out for moon clips. Typically I would frown upon any gun that I can't get at least 2 inch groups at 25 yards, most of my guns I own will shoot at least 1 inch groups.....well, let me re-phrase that, all of my guns are capable of shooting at least 1 inch groups....sometimes I'm the one that is limiting the potential of my guns...ha ha. I hear a lot of people say these guns are just a "get off me" gun and that you shouldn't have high expectations of accuracy from a snubby but I'm hoping they are wrong. I own 3 j frames and although they take some getting use to, I have been able to get manageable groups out of them.....but I am hoping a L frame all steel gun would yield better results.
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Old 08-31-2009, 08:41 AM
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I'm the owner of a 4" 686-4+. Great strong, accurate revolver. The only reason to carry the snubby version 686 over the snubby 66, for me, is the additional round.

I'm going to purchase a 6-shot 686-3 snubby for IDPA, but for carry, the extra round in the 686-4+ is the only reason to tolerate the extra weight and bulk, small additions that they are. Regards 18DAI.
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Old 08-31-2009, 09:57 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
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I have a 686PP with 6" barrell and my wife has a Performance Center 327 TRR8. Both are great shooting guns. We love to shoot them both, in fact, the TRR8 is my wifes favorite. My 686 sits in my night stand but with the top ported barrel would probably be blinding, not to mention deafening, to shoot in a semi dark room. But with that said, I would rather be temporarily deafened and blinded than permanently dead. I've been thinking of trading my MP 40 as a night stand gun just for the above reasons. Plus it holds more ammo.
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327, 45acp, 686, galco, idpa, l frame, model 625, performance center, snubby

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