From what you've written, I'd suggest you look for a 4" 686. If you anticipate cc, the 3" will be a bit easier to carry, but only a bit. Personally I have always found the 4" 686 to be just about ideal for the range as well as the woods and fields. The one I currently own is just about the ideal .38/.357 revolver. There is not hardly anything one might do to make it a better revolver for any practical use. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.
686 3" or 4"
- Thread starter rotax1
- Start date
I say get em both too. But then you might as well add in a 6" if you are worried about accuracy... I personally have a 6" and just ordered in this 3" from lew Horton.
neorebel
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I like the 4" simply because it is the length I carried while at my first Police Department in 1985...(Yes we were just changing over to semi-auto's. We were authorized to carry 1911 types.)
I just shot my 586 today with my wife (She shot it as well.) Smooth as silk trigger very accurate. We were at my buddies private range and shooting at 25 yards, at two foot by 10 inch metal targets..it hit them every time smack in the center.
The only difference is a slight increase in weight and a little less muzzle flip...I didn't ask if you were thinking about carrying concealed?
I just shot my 586 today with my wife (She shot it as well.) Smooth as silk trigger very accurate. We were at my buddies private range and shooting at 25 yards, at two foot by 10 inch metal targets..it hit them every time smack in the center.
The only difference is a slight increase in weight and a little less muzzle flip...I didn't ask if you were thinking about carrying concealed?
Sportsterguy
Member
My sentiments exactly! Well worth the wait on a custom from Lobo holsters IMO. Have a few 3" S&W's and all of them are extremely accurate for a semi snub. My old 66-2 will out shoot my pre lock 686 and is the most accurate of the bunch. I will say the most accurate centerfire I own is a 4" 586 in nickel. I can ring a 12x12 plate sandbagged at 100 yards with no problem on a regular basis if I'm having a good day and stayed away from the coffee. The 3''rs just feel so darn well balanced in my hand. Think that alone adds to their accuracy. Could be a mental thing but the targets don't lie. You really can't go wrong with either except if you plan on using it for hunting as you can wring a little extra velocity out of the 4". Also many states do not allow 3" revolvers.
After reading all of the posts like I should have the first time I'd go for a pre lock 4" 586 or 686. They can be had for less money than a new 3 or 4" revolver and are extremely accurate. The 3" revolvers are more expensive and for what you'd be using it for you would have the perfect barrel length. JMO
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A big thanks to everyone for your input. It sounds like I will be happy either way, so I will let the local market decide which one to get. There is a gun show coming up on the 4th and I will keep my eye out at the gun stores in my area. Whichever I come across first for a good deal will be the one. Although, I would bet I will wind up with both and more eventually.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
I'd like to hop in if I could. I'm also trying to decide between a 3" and 4". I much prefer the balanced feel of the 3" but I want to make sure I'm aware of all it's peculiarities before I put my money down.
A previous post mentioned I will have to get a custom holster if I want one that fits correctly. Someone posted on the High Road board that HKS is my only speed loader option since the 3" model only comes with a 7-shot cylinder. I'll also have a conflict if I want to go IDPA shooting since they have a 6-shot maximum capacity.
Does the 3" 686 have any other oddities as compared to it's bigger 4" sibling? For example, the 3" Ruger GP100 has a pinned front sight and only one available aftermarket option as opposed to their 4" which has a slick, plunger-anchor mechanism.
A previous post mentioned I will have to get a custom holster if I want one that fits correctly. Someone posted on the High Road board that HKS is my only speed loader option since the 3" model only comes with a 7-shot cylinder. I'll also have a conflict if I want to go IDPA shooting since they have a 6-shot maximum capacity.
Does the 3" 686 have any other oddities as compared to it's bigger 4" sibling? For example, the 3" Ruger GP100 has a pinned front sight and only one available aftermarket option as opposed to their 4" which has a slick, plunger-anchor mechanism.
BarkSlayer
Member
I bought a 3" 686 on Sunday and sold my 4" 686 just tonight. The 3" is an awesome shooter - perfect balance and I can carry it very nicely. I'll admit that it hurt to let that 4" go though. I'll be up all night with remorse of some kind.
les strat
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I really like the 4". Perfect balance between the attributes of the 6"
and 3". Love the balance vs weight vs recoil.
+1 on a no-dash to -4. You can find some great prices on some mightly fine older ones. I know I did!
Wouldn't mind all 3.
and 3". Love the balance vs weight vs recoil.
+1 on a no-dash to -4. You can find some great prices on some mightly fine older ones. I know I did!
Wouldn't mind all 3.
I was ready to get a 4 inch. There was a 4 inch and 3 inch at a gun show and I compared both of them. I ended up with the 3 inch as it felt balanced and just looked cool. It shoots awesome and is accurate. Personal preference.
That's a beauty!!
Beautiful piece. Any second thoughts from a functionality point of view?
Dot_mdb
Member
I like the shorter barrels for the guns that get carried in a holster. I think they clear leather faster and can get lead on the target a little faster. For revolvers that don't get carried I prefer a 6" barrel for the increased velocity.
Bill
Bill
Those are some really nice factory grips on the 3 inch. I have a 4 inch 686-2 and waiting on a 21/2" -4 to come to the LGS from gunbroker deal. I am going to get a Lobo IWB holster made for carry it. I think you will enjoy the 3 inch.
badge70
Member
I have a 3" 686+ and I like it a lot. Carry it every day.
fjtiii
Member
686-3 4" was my first Smith I bought. Love the gun.
dwpmusic
US Veteran
Thinking about taking the plunge and getting a 686. Got enough Glocks for the moment, if you can ever get enough, and love them all but I've always wanted a good S&W .357. So, from the gist of this thread I'm getting 4" barrel from most everyone. Not much to be said about a 6" barrel. Now, considering that this will not be a carry gun would the 4" still be the one to get? Wouldn't there be greater accuracy with a 6"? Also, are most people buying the 686+? I'm so old school that a 7 shot revolver sounds so odd to me. All responses welcome. Thanks.
Baggy Wrinkle
Member
I bought the 4-inch 686+ because that's the minimum length barrel for handgun hunting big game in my state (WA). It also feels right to me.
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