Hello, I am new to the forum and am looking to purchase a 4" 357 mag. I have decided that I'm either going with the 686 or the 686 ssr. I was wondering if anyone could give me any info on what the pros and cons are of each if there are any. As far as looks go, I like them both so that's not really an issue. Is one more durable than the other? Is the trigger pull on the ssr a whole lot better than the 686? It's about a hundred dollar difference so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra hundred. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance

I have both and there are a few advantages to the SSR such as the ability to change front sight with ez and the hammer and trigger are not mim parts. But if it were me I like the 686+ because of the extra round. I only use ny SSR for IDPA and I have 4 686+s Either way you go you will have a fine firearm.

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May God Bless The USA

Also, look at the 627 Pro. About the same price as the SSR. It carries 8 rounds, and to me is better balanced than the 686.

You can't go wrong with either model. I shoot a 686 and a 686 SSR. Honestly, I really love the SSR. The lighter barrel really makes a difference when transitioning from target to target. Before I bought the SSR, I would not have thought the narrow barrel profile would make that much difference. However, for me, it does. The gun is also put together very well. I have a 686-3 that Jack Weigand worked on and I will still reach for the SSR most of the time when going to the range.

5/08 found me at my local pusher - to buy a 686SSR. I left with a then new arrival - the 627 Pro, SKU #178014 - wow, am I glad! Moonclip ready - springloaded front sight - decent trigger - great looks/balance - same $ as the 686SSR, too.

Stainz

We had a discussion about this in another thread quite recently. Both guns are excellent, well made, accurate, durable, all that. I think most "standard" 686s these days are the 7-shot models, whereas the SSR is a six-gun. If you think you might want to use the gun for IDPA or IPSC matches you are restricted by the rules to a six shooter. Any of the new 7 or 8 shooters are, for all practical purposes, verbotten. If you are not interested in IDPA or IPSC, then it really makes little difference and depends entirely on your preferences, cosmetics, cost, etc.

i suggest the 686 its a fine revolver in fact its on my list of favorite s&w revolvers.

I gotta agree, mg357. I have a 2 1/2" no dash 686, that I had fitted with a 7 shot cylinder when I sent it to S&W for the mod. It shoots one ragged hole groups off the bench, and is one of my favorite handguns.....

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and welcome to the forum!

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KK4EMO

I agree with this.

I think if I were set on a 686, I'd get the 7 rounder unless I was going to shoot in more competitions penalizes anything above 6 rounds. Then I'd go with the SSR.

Seven and 8 shot revolvers are allowed in IDPA but may be loaded only with 6 rounds.

"D. Be loaded to the division capacity of six (6) rounds in the
cylinder. Seven (7) and eight (8) shot revolvers are permitted,
but may only load six (6) rounds."

http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

I have an SSR for IDPA but am at a disadvantage in Steel Matches if I miss twice.

I know. "Don't miss twice; it's cheaper than adding a 627."

But even if you "down load" the 627 it's still not permitted because of the 5" barrel, right?

The 627 Pro has a 4-1/8" barrel. Actually, I think the barrel is only 4", 'cause the crown is recessed about 1/8". However, I think they catalog it at 4.125.

Right. And try speed reloads with 7 or 8 shot speed-loaders downloaded sometime for kicks. Quite simply put, if you're going to shoot IPSC or IDPA with a revolver, don't mess with it, get the SSR. If you want to also shoot steel, bowling pins, ICORE, etc., maybe you ought to spring for two guns!! It's still less expensive than golf!!

I love my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's and 4" 627 Pro. They were preceded by my "'04 Stocking Dealer Exclusive", a 5" half lug 686+ with Ahrends cocobolo square conversion finger grooved stocks, an orange HiViz front sight, and a V-notch rear sight. Oddly, I bought it new for $10 less than a new 4" full-lug 686+ (both 7-shooters). Great SPC revolver - then they went on a SPC hiatus at the range for a couple of years. Fun plinker - great pointer. Sadly, the 627 Pro made it collect cobwebs... and the PC627 UDR almost did the same to the 627 Pro - phases, I suppose.



I need to dig deep in the safe and take that great plinker to the range. Those evil 627's!

Stainz