Need Help Choosing Barrel Length on 586/686

[Morton Henderson]

I'm planning to purchase a new S&W 586 or 686. I like the idea of having the longer sight radius of the 6" model, but also appreciate the more handy size of the 4". My current concealed carry revolvers are a S&W 351C for when I dress light (most of the time) and a Kimber K6S DCR in 357 Magnum for the rare times when the size and weight are less of an issue. I don't plan to EDC the 586, but do like keeping the option open should extreme societal circumstances ever arise. The realistic uses for either length 586 are home protection, range shooting, and just admiring. I went to my LGS and was able to handle both. I must say that I was impressed with the sight radius of the 6" model. In spite of the length, it felt pretty natural, and I had no problem sighting-in quickly and holding it steady. I like them both, but for very different reasons. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[S&W Fan]

With the exception of a 6.5” 29 (-2 or earlier) I always favor a 4” for 98% of my revolvers. I have both a 4” 686 no dash I inherited when my dad passed in ‘92 as well as a 2.5” -4 I recently acquired just for giggles. I’ve owned a 6” 686 in the past and while it definitely was a fine shooter I didn’t notice improved accuracy over the 4”.

 

[Morton Henderson]

Thank you. This is the kind of input I'm looking for.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

I have a 4" 686=2 I got from my Dad when his arthritis got the better of him and he could no longer handle the .357 recoil during the sheriff's department annual qualifications.

A 4" 686 is going to be more accurate than you are.

 

[Daimler1989]

for more than 35 years I favored 4" over longer barrels even for target shooting at 25 meters because of the balance. Now with my eyelight getting worse, my groups at distances over 15 meters benefit from longer barrels, but there are days when I can shoot a 4" as accurate as I used to and as accurate as any other revolver with a longer barrel. Most of us can't test the pure precision of a revolver by shooting by hand anyway.

So go with the one you like the most for balance and handling qualities.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[Morton Henderson]

Thanks for the responses folks. It's sounding like the 4" can be the happy medium. In any case, I'm leaning toward the 586 because blued guns with wood stocks really appeal to me.

 

[PHS327]

I have a 4.25 inch model 69, same frame size as the 686/586. I always thought about 4 inch was the best size for a revolver barrel until I bought the model 69 with a 2.75 inch barrel. I still like the 4.25 and it's slightly more accurate than the 2.75 but now I would only buy another revolver if it had about a 3 inch barrel. Try one if you can, you might like it.

 

[413Maxwedge]

I had a similar decision when I decided I wanted something larger than my J-frames. I knew I wanted a K or L frame but what length? After staring at S&W's site, GunBroker and YouTube for a month, I talked myself into buying two guns. A 3" 686-6 for the nightstand or coat pocket, and a 6" 66-1 for range use.
If I could have only one it would've been a 4" 686.

 

[bobsguns]

The realistic uses for either length 586 are home protection, range shooting, and just admiring. I like them both, but for very different reasons. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I'm going to track in a slightly different direction.

I'm going to vote for a 3" barrel over the 4". It will be just as accurate & might be even better balanced, IMO. It can also double up as a carry piece with the shorter barrel. Smith was/is smart enough to recognize this & makes several different models.

The 586 L-Comp is my fav.

THEN, what I would do is get a gently used 6" barreled one off of Gun Broker. Then you have the best of both worlds: all-round and target piece.

My .o2

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

You said home defense. Do you live in a condo in an urban area or on a ranch? Will this be CCW or open?

 

[38 Specialist]

I've had 586/686 in a variety of lengths. I like the 6" 586 the best because of the way it handles recoil. That full underlug on the long barrel make for a sweet supporter. Shooting .357 Magnum through it is positively plush!

It's not ideal for carrying, obviously. And it's not as nimble in the hand as a lighter, shorter him. But as a shooter, the long barrel is a real pleasure!

It comes down to your intended use.

 

[CH4]

For a range or hunting gun, I’d go 4 or 6 inch. For ccw, home defense or all the above, I’d go 2.5 to 4 inch.

 

[Morton Henderson]

You said home defense. Do you live in a condo in an urban area or on a ranch? Will this be CCW or open?

I live in a private community of about 100 homes. When I say home defense, this particular piece would be secondary to others I already own that are more suitable to my particular environment. But, it would be kept available. Same goes for carry. I consider the 686/586 a bit too heavy to conceal and carry around regularly, but I'd figure out a way if I ever felt the need to have something more effective than the 351C I usually carry when stepping out into society.

 

[Fishinfool]

I am a big fan of 6 inch K/L frame magnums for range and hunting use. I like a muzzle heavy revolver for deliberate shooting, and especially if a lot of magnums are going to be fired. The 4 inch version will certainly work for you as well, especially if your not a heavy magnum shooter.

If you do go with a 6 inch, don't fool yourself into thinking it is going to be a regular concealed carry gun - Most soon find it is not very practical. Probably not the best for home defense as well - Why have that extra couple of inches of barrel hanging out there for someone to grab?

But for the range, where it is going to be most likely used, yea, the 6 incher.

Larry

 

[cadmike]

You already have some great concealed carry choices, so why go short?

Why have less, when you can have MORE?

3, 4 or 6, what would a woman say?

Come ON man, this isn’t difficult.

More gun is always better.

 

[stansdds]

The only correct answer is to buy both.

I will say that having toted six shot 357 Magnum revolvers with barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 inches that 4 inches is the best for carry on a belt. With a vertical type shoulder holster, the length of the 6 inch barrel becomes much less of an issue, but I find the weight across my shoulders becomes uncomfortable after a short period of time. For an all-around, home defense, range toy, and possibly carry revolver, the 4 inch barrel provides the greatest utility. When used only for home defense, target shooting, or hunting, the 6 inch barrel is a better choice.

That's my opinion, take it for exactly what you paid for it.

 

[M29since14]

…Most of us can't test the pure precision of a revolver by shooting by hand anyway.

So go with the one you like the most for balance and handling qualities.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

I agree with Ulrich. I own both but I am most comfortable with the 4-inch gun. A decent example of either will shoot way better than I can hold.

 

[bobsguns]

Same goes for carry. I consider the 686/586 a bit too heavy to conceal and carry around regularly, but I'd figure out a way if I ever felt the need to have something more effective than the 351C I usually carry when stepping out into society.

There's a simple method for carrying heavier pieces.

Use a good, thick leather gun belt. No dress belts, no canvas, no nylon, none of that tactical garbage. Leather! Some are sold at gun shows as well.

Use suspenders along with the belt. I often wear mine underneath my polo or t-shirt as the shirt hides the pistol.

The combo of belt & suspenders allows me to carry a 3" Colt King Cobra, 3" Python & 3" Smith 19C. All solid steel wheel guns, none of them lightweights.

My .o2

 

[raljr1]

Interestingly, most of my purchases are 6" barrel revolvers with target sights. Having said that, for the purposes you mention in your OP, I would probably suggest the 4". I recently acquired a 4" Model 29, and find it handles nicely and the sight radius is good enough. Still like 6" barrels, but see the utility of the 4" in your instance.

 

[Nightowl]

The above advice is certainly good, BUT, the reality is that different situations, activities, are best met with different barrel lengths! The short barrels for home, carry etc, longer barrel lengths for hunting or range! In order to meet all the potential uses, you really need multiple barrel lengths! So start your purchasing process with whatever you can find first, 2 1/2, 3, 4, or 6! The fill in the rest as you can! (Lots of smiley faces here!)