686 SSR or 686plus?

[Rivers2k]

I have been wanting a S&W .357 for a very long time but for the past few years every extra cent I have scraped together has gone to the kiddos for some reason or another. Out of the blue last night my wife says to me you should get that revolver you wanted. After I got over the giddiness the dilemma hit me.

For the longest time I have been going back and forth between the 686 SSR and the 686 Plus 4".

- I do mostly target shooting
- I also want something I can pack on a day hike.
- I don't need a concealed carry I already have a 442.
- I have a concern about the finish of the SSR I hear it is hard to clean
- I also wonder if the SSR has enough weight behind it to absorb the recoil of full load .357. I am not afraid of recoil but I don't want a sore hand at the end of the day either.

So if you guys could give me your 2 cents which would buy?

I also know there are a lot of other options out there like the 627 and 629 but I really have my mind made up on either the SSR or 686 plus 4".

 

[Dftplan]

I vote for the ssr cuz its set up for competition and I like the aesthetics better, including the stocks.

 

[Vermilion85]

+1 on the SSR. Finish isn't difficult to clean. Just a matte stainless finish. I also like the aesthetics of it over the plain 686.

 

[bryan87]

My vote is for the 686+. I have a 686+-6 in 4" and am absolutely in love with that gun. I personally prefer the full underlug and find 686+ to have a classier look and feel than the SSR’s slanted underlug.

Now, I have never shot an SSR but my 686+ is dead accurate at the range. It handles everything and recoil with my camping/outdoors load (Buffalo Bore .357 Magnum 180 grain LFNGC) is brisk but manageable. It was my first revolver and I feel it provides everything I would want in a wheel-gun both aesthetically and performance-wise (with the exception of the IL which no longer resides anywhere near my 686).

In the end, I don’t think the extra round really matters that much to most, but I like it. I’d also imagine it would help with the resale value of the gun. Also, the 686+ is about $100 cheaper if money is an issue. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Edit:

I also wonder if the SSR has enough weight behind it to absorb the recoil of full load .357. I am not afraid of recoil but I don't want a sore hand at the end of the day either.

According to the S&W website, the SSR weighs 38.3oz and the 686+ weights 38.9 so no real difference.

 

[Doc TH]

Can't comment on the SSR, but 4" 686+ is a superb handgun. Accurate, reliable, smooth DA pull, SA is a target trigger. Nothing not to like.

 

[Neumann]

I have a 686+ with a 4" barrel, and it is accurate and well balanced. The 7 chamber cylinder has the locking cutouts between chambers rather than over the thinnest part as in the 6 shot models. It is slightly more barrel heavy than the SSR, but some matches don't allow 7 shot revolvers. I'm not a big fan of full-length lugs, but it looks better proportioned at 4" than 6". The trigger is smooth, but on the heavy side for DA. SA is ... there aren't words to describe it. I just loaded 500 magnum rounds, which won't last long.

I've handled the SSR at Cabelas. It is highly refined and well balanced for carry. In particular, it is basically a Performance Center revolver, and the trigger has definitely been to charm school at S&W. The street price is about $100 more than the 686+, if that means anything. I really like the sleek lines of this gun. It's like a 627 that fits a normal sized hand perfectly. If I'd seen it a month earlier, I would have jumped for it.

To sum up, each has its virtues, and neither has anything really against it. It might boil down to 7 rounds vs a $100 trigger job and 21st century lines. Whichever one you pick is a winner.

Both come with rubber Hogue monogrips, which I don't like very well - too narrow and sticky. I put on a set of Ahrends Tactical grips within a week, and haven't looked back.

 

[roundgunner]

I have both except in 6 rounds. Both handle well, and look nice, the finish on the 686 will put up with going in and out of the holster better than the SSR.

If you think you may get into compitions many wont let you have 7 rounds.
If you or your wife are going to grab it for home defense I would go for the extra round.

On looks alone I like the SSR

 

[snowman]

I have two 686+ 4" guns, one a dash 4 and the other a dash 6. I'm absolutely sold on both of them. I shoot nothing but hot magnum loads, which they handle without issues. Recoil is easily manageable. Accuracy is superb, which isn't even necessary for these guns since they are strictly home defense weapons.

I'm sure that the SSR is a fine gun also, but I don't own one so I can't speak from experience. I don't like the looks of them, and so for that reason don't plan to ever buy one.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes for you.
Andy

 

[MichiganScott]

The SSR handles better for me.

Besides, I'm a Luddite. Revolvers are meant to only hold six cartridges.

 

[Rivers2k]

Thank you all for your input! I was unaware of not allowing 7 shots in competition. There really aren't any competitions around me (I live in Upstate NY) but if one where to come up I would like to have that option.

@bryan87 thanks for the info on the weight. I should have looked that up and not just gone by how it felt.

@roundgunner I like the looks of the ssr better but the finish is what worries me. Do you have trouble cleaning the carbon off at all? Does the bead blast finish show scratches more than other finishes? Since you have both the 686 and the 686 ssr is there one that you prefer to shoot for a regular range day.

 

[Rivers2k]

Thank you all for your input! I was unaware of not allowing 7 shots in competition. There really aren't any competitions around me (I live in Upstate NY) but if one where to come up I would like to have that option.

@bryan87 thanks for the info on the weight. I should have looked that up and not just gone by how it felt.

@roundgunner I like the looks of the ssr better but the finish is what worries me. Do you have trouble cleaning the carbon off at all? Does the bead blast finish show scratches more than other finishes? Since you have both the 686 and the 686 ssr is there one that you prefer to shoot for a regular range day.

 

[Vermilion85]

The finish to me seems to show scratches a bit more but, the carbon seems to wipe off just as easy as it does the regular finish. Though I've been leaving my SSR "dirty" because for some reason a dirty revolver just looks "good".

 

[Research Nerd]

The 686 plus will be my next purchase. My LGS said they could get it for $695 + tax. I think that is a fair price no?? After that I think I'm good on guns for a while.

 

[gr7070]

Thank you all for your input! I was unaware of not allowing 7 shots in competition. There really aren't any competitions around me (I live in Upstate NY) but if one where to come up I would like to have that option.

With any desire to play games I wouldn't consider the 7-shot.

Check this out for IDPA clubs near you.
International Defensive Pistol Association - Affiliated Club Contact Information

Dannemora is Upstate I believe. Is Sarasota? Star Lake sounds like Upstate ;-).

Contact NY's area coordinator:
International Defensive Pistol Association - Area Coordinator Contact Information

Go with 6! I see the 7-shot S&W as a no man's land gun. The extra round really doesn't provide much. It doesn't help in hunting - time to quit hunting if it does. It doesn't help at the range - you'll never notice the difference in a session. It effectively voids a gun from competiton - rules may allow them, but are hindered greatly. And if capacity is really that important get a S&W 627 or an auto with true capacity.

Personally, I just don't see why the 7-shot is ever purchased.

I like the looks of the ssr better but the finish is what worries me. Do you have trouble cleaning the carbon off at all? Does the bead blast finish show scratches more than other finishes?

I'd get the one you like best. I doubt cleaning one is a big enough issue to override your preference.

Personally I like the 6-shot base model 686. I'm not a huge fan of the sloped bbl profile. Go with the one you like.

 

[Rivers2k]

Go with 6! I see the 7-shot S&W as a no man's land gun. The extra round really doesn't provide much. It doesn't help in hunting - time to quit hunting if it does. It doesn't help at the range - you'll never notice the difference in a session. It effectively voids a gun from competiton - rules may allow them, but are hindered greatly. And if capacity is really that important get a S&W 627 or an auto with true capacity.

Personally, I just don't see why the 7-shot is ever purchased.

I'd get the one you like best. I doubt cleaning one is a big enough issue to override your preference.

Thanks I got a few chuckles out of that. If ever need more than 6 to hit a target its time to put down the gun or move closer. Definitively hope I never need more than 6 hunting because that means I am in trouble.

I was looking at the 7 just for the mere fact its just a little different but now knowing it would keep me from playing with others than that little difference isn't worth it.

 

[Rivers2k]

The finish to me seems to show scratches a bit more but, the carbon seems to wipe off just as easy as it does the regular finish. Though I've been leaving my SSR "dirty" because for some reason a dirty revolver just looks "good".

LOL I understand the way you think but I had drill instructors that beat that idea out of me. Now I keep everything as clean as possible.

 

[Rivers2k]

Check this out for IDPA clubs near you.
International Defensive Pistol Association - Affiliated Club Contact Information

Dannemora is Upstate I believe. Is Sarasota? Star Lake sounds like Upstate ;-).

Contact NY's area coordinator:
International Defensive Pistol Association - Area Coordinator Contact Information

Thanks for the links, There is one near me I am going to look into there IDPA class.

 

[gr7070]

Thanks for the links, There is one near me I am going to look into there IDPA class.

Another link for you.

Episode 20 – Shooting your first IDPA match « PowerFactor Show

 

[TROB]

i had a SSR, but sold it to get a 686+ 2.5".

I got over the SSR look and really wanted a more traditional looking pistol. The trigger on my 686+ is actually better than the ssr was. I prefer the standard brushed steel finish over the SSR finish.

686+ Pros: I LOVE the 2.5" barrel, not worrying about scratching it, the 7-shot cylinder, and the trigger

Cons: none for me

No contest

 

[roundgunner]

Thank you all for your input! I was unaware of not allowing 7 shots in competition. There really aren't any competitions around me (I live in Upstate NY) but if one where to come up I would like to have that option.

@bryan87 thanks for the info on the weight. I should have looked that up and not just gone by how it felt.

@roundgunner I like the looks of the ssr better but the finish is what worries me. Do you have trouble cleaning the carbon off at all? Does the bead blast finish show scratches more than other finishes? Since you have both the 686 and the 686 ssr is there one that you prefer to shoot for a regular range day.

I compete using a Kydex holster as they are faster. It scratches any gun but, with a regular finish you can polish it out. With the bead blast finish, not so much.

I take any carbon off all my stainless guns with a light rub of a polish rag.

To me the feel while trying to shoot fast is the same, while doing a more easy pace the SSR has a bit better trigger. However, I have redone both triggers and springs so you can't really use anything as a base line to judge.

Sorry I can't be more help but as many have said, the biggest thing is looks.

Good luck.