686 owners and 627 owners its time to do battle, convince me which is better

[Dodobird1589]

as im sure you all have seen i am torn between a 4 inch 686 plus and a 627 pro. im brett favreing it right now i cant make up my mind. I know you are all fiercely opinionated about your firearms ( i am too i love it) and want you to convince me which is better (with pictures and personal opinions and experiences) for occasional ccw but mainly range and HD and potentially hunting use. There can be no loser here, i look forward to seeing and hearing about all of your guns. Holster and belt suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. For reference i am 6 foot 1 215lbs.

 

[9399NOLES]

Your going to find 6 686 guys in here to every 627 guy. I went through the same thing as you. Im getting the 686 SSR in a couple weeks.

 

[gr7070]

I don't care for the 7-shot gun. It's in no man's land for me - too many rounds for gun games and not as common for speedloaders, and one fewer round than the 627 if "high" capacity is important. Of course games wasn't one of your considerations.

Of the two I take the 627. I'd opt for a 6-shot 686 personally. Actually, I opted for both, but bought the 686 first.

 

[hudsonvalley]

You can really 'stage' the 7 shot 686....nice gun...am really sorry I sold my 4"...but I did keep the 2 1/2" 7 shot....8" plates at 25 yds...

 

[MoPoPo]

I love my 686+ 3". I've never had the pleasure of even handling a 627. Its probably a good thing cause I'd probably want that too!

 

[Cirrus]

I own a 627 Performance Center and it is my favorite "go-to" gun. Super sweet shooter and it really turns the heads. Everyone wants to know what the cool revolver with the slab sides and long, angled underlug is at the range. 686s are a dime a dozen, but you don't see a 627 PC every day. But for CCW, neither the 627 or the 686 would be my first choice. I'd rather have the 2.5" K-Frame Model 19 or Model 66.

 

[Nightowl]

I prefer N frames, so I'd take the 627 every time. That out of the way, the L frames are excellent guns, too. I have had one since they were introduced and it still shoots great after a good many rounds down range. It comes down to personal preference. You kinda have to get one of each and work out what you like best.

 

[Biginge]

Carry my 686-5 almost everyday in a DeSantis rig with no problem. Got away from the .45 auto several years ago and just like the 1 extra. Haven't needed any of them yet (thank God). Only time I know it is there is when I am buckling my seat belt. And all the other blue ones stay in thes safe staying pristine. Ain't nothin wrong with "7 puffers" or your other choice either. I just don't have one of them. I am 6'6' and 255 lbs.

Bill

 

[gr7070]

Check out thebeltman for a belt. I've heard nothing but good things about them. They'd probably be my first choice. Expensive though.

 

[Broker50]

N Frame caliber should start with 4...............

 

[fyimo]

N Frame caliber should start with 4...............

Really ???? It was the 357 that started it all.

Anyway, this discussion is really probably closely drawn around the age of the responders as most of the old farts like me see no need for 7 or 8 rounds in a revolver as 6 has worked for us for more decades then we care to admit to. When we wanted 8 shots we bought a 1911 or we really went over the top and bought a Browning HP with a 13 round magazine.

The L frame is a great revolver but it will never take the place of the N frame in my heart.

 

[Broker50]

Really ???? It was the 357 that started it all.

Anyway, this discussion is really probably closely drawn around the age of the responders as most of the old farts like me see no need for 7 or 8 rounds in a revolver as 6 has worked for us for more decades then we care to admit to. When we wanted 8 shots we bought a 1911 or we really went over the top and bought a Browning HP with a 13 round magazine.

The L frame is a great revolver but it will never take the place of the N frame in my heart.

That's JMO, of course. But, yes, I believe the L frame is ideal for the 357 Magnum, & the N frame is overkill. I much prefer the DA of an L frame, compared to the DA of a 357 N frame (I rarely thumb-cock a DA revolver). I could be wrong, have been before, but didn't the N frame begin life as a 44 Spl, or 44 Russian? I agree, six shots is plenty in a revolver, but I do have a seven shot 686, that extra hole in the cylinder does make the cylinder a little lighter, thus a little more "lively", less mass to rotate with your trigger finger (makes the DA SLIGHTLY lighter). Heck, if you like N frame 357's, more power to you, sir, I just prefer L frames. Truth be told, K frames actually have the best DA triggers, but the L's aren't far behind. Oh, BTW, I'm an old phart, too.

 

[snake charmer]

Combine the best of both the 686 and 627 and get a 4" Colt Python. Let the flaming begin.

 

[Broker50]

Combine the best of both the 686 and 627 and get a 4" Colt Python. Let the flaming begin.

Not gonna' flame you, Pythons's are beautiful revolvers, but, around here, Python's sell for 3X the price of a good used 686. The Python lockwork is more fragile than S&W's, it's getting hard to find anyone who can fix a Colt revolver, & I never could warm up to the stacking of the Colt DA system. You do realize that L frames are almost exactly the same size & configuration as the Python, but with a better DA trigger & equal SA (can't get any better than a Python SA trigger)? Again, my opinion only.

 

[PA Reb]

Combine the best of both the 686 and 627 and get a 4" Colt Python. Let the flaming begin.

All the revolvers I now own are S&W and I love every one of them. I've also owned many a Colt Python over the years and can definitely say they are as smooth as silk in both SA and DA - nothing even comes close. My first choice however, in the above two listed guns would be the 627.

 

[C/O]

All I can say is that my S&W 686 (no dash) with 4 inch barrel is by far my favorite handgun that I own. It is highly accurate and has the best trigger I have ever felt.

 

[Joe in SC]

If you aren't hung up on the caliber I would suggest you get a 44 special or one of the 45's. A big ole' 40+ caliber bullet at 850 to 1000 fps makes a fine target gun and in my opinion is better for home defense. Give it some thought, you won't go wrong either way.

If I had to choose between the 2 you mentioned, I'd go with the n-frame.

 

[Dodobird1589]

you guys are really makin me wish i had more money to buy em all

 

[Dodobird1589]

also (this may be a dumb question) can i load the 627 pro without any moonclips in. Just put load each chamber individually with no moon clip attached or on the cylinder. i dont really know how the whole moon clips thing works

 

[Stainz]

My only 686/686P - a 2004 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' 5" half lug 7-shooter that came with the HiViz and Ahrends grips. Also shown is one of my 627's, a 4" 627 Pro, with HiViz and Ahrends Retro Targets added.

I love both. But... guess which one has cobwebs on it? Hint: It only chambers seven. I really like the 627's. Eight-bangers rule! Of course, I'm not as old as some folks around here... I'm only 63!

Stainz