Thinking on a 686 plus unfluted Talo

American1776 · Oct 27, 2015

I've got a Ruger GP100 Match Champion. I love this revolver, and it fills its role very nicely; A mid-size .357 magnum revolver that is nicely balanced and not too bulky, but strong enough to withstand .357 magnum on a steady basis. It carries very well at 37.5 ounces and a 4.25 inch barrel.

I'm thinking of trading this gun for the 686 plus Talo edition with unfluted cylinder and 5 inch barrel. According to the website, this revolver is only 3/4 inch longer overall than the Ruger GP100, and it weighs the same even though it has a full lug 5 inch barrel.

Will I like this gun over the Ruger Match Champion? Does the extra 3/4 inch overall length make this harder for carry? Anyone have the particular gun that can chime in on their thoughts?

Thanks.

BLUEDOT37 · Oct 28, 2015

The S&W website is wrong on the weight. They list 37.4oz but mine weights 42oz with the Hogues.

Sorry but I can't answer any of your other questions.
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S&W 686+ Talo -357 Magnum- SKU 150854 specs

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686-6+ Talo, 5" bbl.

SampW%20686-6%20Talo%20-01_zpsn6ucrjkb.jpg

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PatriotX · Oct 28, 2015

I like the 5-inch barrel length for most applications, as it makes for a well-balanced gun. Holsters are a bit more challenging to find, but worth the search.

Those TALO guns with the unfluted barrel are sharp. There's one sitting at the LGS all alone right now that may merit a second look.

EDIT: After staring at the pic above, I think that the LGS is gong to get a visit today.

PA Guns & Ammo · Oct 28, 2015

American1776 said:
I've got a Ruger GP100 Match Champion. I love this revolver, and it fills its role very nicely; A mid-size .357 magnum revolver that is nicely balanced and not too bulky, but strong enough to withstand .357 magnum on a steady basis. It carries very well at 37.5 ounces and a 4.25 inch barrel.

I'm thinking of trading this gun for the 686 plus Talo edition with unfluted cylinder and 5 inch barrel. According to the website, this revolver is only 3/4 inch longer overall than the Ruger GP100, and it weighs the same even though it has a full lug 5 inch barrel.

Will I like this gun over the Ruger Match Champion? Does the extra 3/4 inch overall length make this harder for carry? Anyone have the particular gun that can chime in on their thoughts?

Thanks.

Also, do not forget about the Classic Hunter 686 with the 6" barrel. Same gun just 1" shorter and it is a pre-lock -3

American1776 · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for the info guys.

After discovering that the S&W website's information about weight is incorrect (it really weighs 42 ounces), I think I'll reconsider getting the 5 inch barrel. I'd like to keep the weight at or under the Ruger Match Champion, which is 37.5 ounces.

I was also considering the 8 shot 627 Pro series with 4 inch barrel, but the weight is in the 41 ounce range. Plus, the reason I like the Match Champion is due to the slenderness of the 6 round cylinder. If I want a fat and heavy revolver, I'll get my .41 mag.

rwsmith · Oct 28, 2015

If you don't buy it.....

If you don't buy it maybe I will.

The other guys do have a point. I've got a 686-1 6" that I like just FINE. Nothing special, except that it's perfect.

buck460XVR · Oct 28, 2015

4.5 oz is pretty much a moot point unless it contributes to being unbalanced. I own the said model and it's a well balanced machine. I also own a 4'' and a 6'' 686 and the 5 incher is my favorite.

Wee Hooker · Oct 28, 2015

I have a Match Champion and agree it is everything you say it is. Not sure I've ever seen a request for a bigger heavier carry gun but I understand "want" as much as the next gun enthusiast. Still, if you like this size gun and want a S&W , there are several offerings that will get you closer in size and weight to the MC .
The 686 pro (sku: 178038) comes to mind and gives you a moonclip option: Product: Model 686 Plus
The SSR is also really nice . (sku 178012) Product: Model 686 SSR
Both are pro series so have out of the box triggers similar to the MC as well.
Personally, there is room in my safe for all three

American1776 · Oct 28, 2015

buck460XVR said:
4.5 oz is pretty much a moot point unless it contributes to being unbalanced. I own the said model and it's a well balanced machine. I also own a 4'' and a 6'' 686 and the 5 incher is my favorite.

Thanks for your thoughts.

The weight limitation for me (no heavier than 37.5 ounces) has to do with carrying my revolver. I do own heavier revolvers, chambered in heavier caliber (.41 mag), and I do carry those as well. The role for this revolver is to be lighter weight and slimmer profiled than the .41 magnum revolver.

The 686 models do look awfully nice. Maybe I should consider the 3 inch Talo unfluted 686 plus due to weight. Does anyone have a confirmed weight on that model?

buck460XVR · Oct 28, 2015

You might want to consider the Model 66 @ 36.6 ounces with a 4.25'' barrel.

Product: Model 66

PatriotX · Oct 28, 2015

American1776 said:
...The 686 models do look awfully nice. Maybe I should consider the 3 inch Talo unfluted 686 plus due to weight. Does anyone have a confirmed weight on that model?

No, but thanks to this thread, I can give you a confirmed weight on the 7-inch unfluted model....

The short barrel version is next up for me. I can't imagine a better carry gun than a seven-shot L-frame in the 3-inch length, except possibly the eight-shot 627PC 2.625-inch.

As far as shooters go, the five-inch guns have a an inherent balance lacking in other platforms. The slabside 5" guns point even more naturally for me than the full-underlug 4" versions, with a bit longer sight radius to boot.

I really like the Match Champion guns, and the stippled laser cut grips are very comfy. Any of the guns mentioned above would be an upgrade, IMO.

rwsmith · Oct 28, 2015

Admittedly......

I agree with the shorter than 6" barrel thing. It IS nose heavy, though with a good grip it's not problem to shoot. If you need the velocity, like for hunting it's fine. I didn't need a 6", but it was available and what I could afford because the 6 inchers don't have the demand the shorter barrels do and there are plenty of them. I do about all of my shooting at the range so the little extra sight radius doesn't hurt. I know some people are wild about their 3" barrels, but for me I think that about 4-5" would be ideal.

S&W1006 · Oct 28, 2015

I own a 5" Talo 686. It is one of my favorite revolvers. It is accurate with every load I have tried. I do not carry this revolver concealed so I can't speak to the concealabilty. I like the extra round but speedloader choices are more limited for the 7 shot. The HKS work ok but not what I would consider good. I have 7 HKS speedloaders and I had to work on all of them to get them to drop the rounds reliably. 5 Star Firearms makes a very nice aluminum model I have read good things about but they are not cheap. Safariland doesn't make a speedloader for the 7 shot. Speed Beez has a 7 shot also but it is expensive also. I plan to send my cylinder to TK custom and have it cut for moon clips. A friend had his 7 shot cut for clips and that is the best way to go in my opinion. You can still use it without moon clips if you choose. There are reasonable priced 7 shot moon clips available also. The conversion is an added expense but it is a one time cost. The only reason I haven't done it yet is I can't stop buying other guns.

Thinking on a 686 plus unfluted Talo

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