Wich revolver for EDC? Differences?

Just picked up my first revolver a couple months ago. 629 .44 mag for hunting. Now im hooked on revolvers and would like to purchase one for everyday carry. Ive narrowed it down to 2 models. both 357mag with 3inch barrels. cant decide between the 686 plus (all stainless with rubber grip) or the 586 L-Comp (blued steel with wood grip and comped barrel). The 586 is a performance center model, and the actions on the PC's I really like. Anybody own either of these? Thoughts? Opinions? Experience?

Welcome to the forum.

I like PC guns, and occasionally carry a 3" 686, I just don't want any ported carry. Many experienced members say ported carry is not a problem, and I believe them. I just choose to remove the possibility of a problem, by not having the feature.

They are both choices you can have confidence in. Enjoy.

Welcome to the Forum.

You should pick the sidearm that fits you the best, is adequate for the job at hand AND THAT YOU WILL PRACTICE WITH AND CARRY EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tis better to have a .38 in the pocket than to have a .44 in the gun safe.

I have been carrying everyday for over 40 years. When I was young, I carried my duty gun, generally a .45 auto or a .44 or .45 revolver. Since I retired and no longer live in the area where I was a police officer, I pocket carry a 2" .38 special Colt Agent and a speed loader. If I walk outside, that little Colt is in my pocket. Nowadays, my biggest threat is rabid animals, but there are still two legged predators out there.

Welcome to the Forum!

You are now on the slippery slope. Hang on to your wallet! We are a great bunch of enablers here....best to buy one of everything you can find!!

Best Regards, Les

Muley Gil said:

Welcome to the Forum.

You should pick the sidearm that fits you the best, is adequate for the job at hand AND THAT YOU WILL PRACTICE WITH AND CARRY EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tis better to have a .38 in the pocket than to have a .44 in the gun safe.

I have been carrying everyday for over 40 years. When I was young, I carried my duty gun, generally a .45 auto or a .44 or .45 revolver. Since I retired and no longer live in the area where I was a police officer, I pocket carry a 2" .38 special Colt Agent and a speed loader. If I walk outside, that little Colt is in my pocket. Nowadays, my biggest threat is rabid animals, but there are still two legged predators out there.

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Muley:

I sometimes carry this Agent:



I have a pre shroud version as well, but it is nearly mint, and I shoot it, but don't usually carry it.

Best Regards, Les

That's a lot of iron to haul around. For most of us, the bigger and heavier the gun, the more likely to leave it at home.

Les has the correct approach - have one of everything on hand. If you can't swing that, I would suggest you take a look at an Airweight J-frame. I have never been able to pocket carry J-frames but I assure you an Airweight on your belt is almost forgotten, and at normal ranges, it will be plenty accurate. It won't be as easy to shoot well as the guns you mention, but it should suffice. If the Airweight guns don't appeal, look around for a Model 640.

i know the 686 is an L frame. is the 586 L-comp an L frame as well? i dont mind the little bit of added weight in comparison to the J frame airweight. little heavier guns have always seemed to fit me better and i tend to shoot them better.

Scott14 said:

i know the 686 is an L frame. is the 586 L-comp an L frame as well? i dont mind the little bit of added weight in comparison to the J frame airweight. little heavier guns have always seemed to fit me better and i tend to shoot them better.

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Yes, it is also an L frame. The M686 is stainless and the M586 is carbon steel, either blue or nickel.

Scott14 said:

i know the 686 is an L frame. is the 586 L-comp an L frame as well? i dont mind the little bit of added weight in comparison to the J frame airweight. little heavier guns have always seemed to fit me better and i tend to shoot them better.

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The L-Comp is on the L frame and weighs 37.5 ounces......that's three times the weight of some of the J-frames that are available.

Scott14 said:

i know the 686 is an L frame. is the 586 L-comp an L frame as well? i dont mind the little bit of added weight in comparison to the J frame airweight. little heavier guns have always seemed to fit me better and i tend to shoot them better.

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In the same family of "L" frames, but not in current production, are the 581 & 681 versions with fixed sights, sometimes preferred for carry.

Another similar choice in a "K" frame that just started production is the 2.75" barrel Model 66.

Model 66 Combat Magnum(R) | Smith & Wesson

armorer951 said:

The L-Comp is on the L frame and weighs 37.5 ounces......that's three times the weight of some of the J-frames that are available.

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The guns OP is considering will end up in the safe, not on his belt. They are too big and heavy unless he plays offensive tackle on an NFL team.

By way of comparison, my Colt Commander weighs 26 oz.

L frames are great on the range or on the nightstand.

Not so much on a belt.

The new model 66 would be an excellent choice. I carry an older 2-1/2" M66 pretty regularly and it is all the weight and bulk I care to tote. Other times I carry a Colt Agent, which is a lot lighter but not as easy to shoot well. The L frames are too big and heavy for concealed carry regardless of barrel length.

Rpg said:

.... too big and heavy ...

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epj said:

... too big and heavy ...

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Too big and heavy, for some people and under some conditions.

I'm a sick old woman, and my EDC, a CZ PCR, with 14+1 loaded is not much lighter than the 3" 686+ I tote around occasionally. But by necessity, I'm not very active, so it's not a problem.

My husband is 6'-7" & 250#, and he has no problem at all carrying it.

You have to want to carry it, and have a good belt and holster.

I have lighter choices, but when bears are around the house, or for woods walks, the 686 is with me.

and I am fine all day long.

Go with the 686. Stainless and rubber will hold up to the scuffs and bumps of everyday carry much better than blued steel and wood. The l-comp is too nice of a gun to put through that.



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epj said:

The new model 66 would be an excellent choice. I carry an older 2-1/2" M66 pretty regularly and it is all the weight and bulk I care to tote. Other times I carry a Colt Agent, which is a lot lighter but not as easy to shoot well. The L frames are too big and heavy for concealed carry regardless of barrel length.

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according to s&w website, the new model 66 combat (k frame) with 2.75" barrel weighs 33.5oz. the 686 plus (L frame) with 3" barrel weighs 36.8oz. So is 3.3oz that big of a difference or is it the size difference between the L & K frames?

I love S&W revolvers, and own both a 620, and a 686-4. Both are 4" barrel, and are tied with my 1911 when it comes to shooting on the range. However even though the models the OP is considering are shorter barrel, I feel that both of those choices are much too heavy to CC every day. I bought my wife a Ruger LCRx in 38+P, and ended up liking it so much that it is my EDC. Small, light (13.5 oz) and powerful enough to be effective, I find that the size and weight of it make it the perfect gun for EDC. If you don't like Rugers look for an Airweight as others suggested, but in any case, buy something that won't be a chore to have on you at all times.

Besides, you can still buy either the 586 or 686 and keep them in your collection, because both are great guns! I just would I not carry them all the time.

It doesn't sound like a 'J'......

.....it doesn't sound like a J frame would be enough gun for you. Besides they are only five shots.

I unashamedly LOVE my 686 but I don't think I could carry it around constantly. The 66 is a super choice. 'K' frames were my first love. As much as I like the looks of steel and wood, SS is much more utilitarian if you are going to be carrying it around constantly.

I have an idea. Buy one of each and rotate them on a weekly basis. Seriously, you won't be sorry.

rwsmith said:

.....it doesn't sound like a J frame would be enough gun for you. Besides they are only five shots.

I unashamedly LOVE my 686 but I don't think I could carry it around constantly. The 66 is a super choice. 'K' frames were my first love. As much as I like the looks of steel and wood, SS is much more utilitarian if you are going to be carrying it around constantly.

I have an idea. Buy one of each and rotate them on a weekly basis. Seriously, you won't be sorry.

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I really wish i could just go buy both. Someday, i will own both. But is there really that big of a difference in size between the L & K frames. as i said a few replies back, the weight difference between the 2 models (66 & 686) really isnt all that much. ?

Scott14 said:

Just picked up my first revolver a couple months ago. 629 .44 mag for hunting. Now im hooked on revolvers and would like to purchase one for everyday carry. Ive narrowed it down to 2 models. both 357mag with 3inch barrels. cant decide between the 686 plus (all stainless with rubber grip) or the 586 L-Comp (blued steel with wood grip and comped barrel). The 586 is a performance center model, and the actions on the PC's I really like. Anybody own either of these? Thoughts? Opinions? Experience?

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IMHO, THE 686+ WITH A 3" BARREL IS THE PERFECT REVOLVER FOR EDC. THE DURABILITY AND RESISTANCE TO RUST OF THE STAINLESS GUNS GIVE THE 686 THE EDGE OVER A BLUED GUN, ESP FOR CARRY.....

ANY BLUED GUN WILL EVENTUALLY SHOW HOLSTER WEAR. A BLUED GUN MAY EVEN BEGIN TO RUST DUE TO BODY PERSPIRATION, IF CARRIED IN AN IWB HOLSTER, OR IN A VERY HUMID ENVIRONMENT. HANDLING MARKS, MINOR DINGS, AND SCRATCHES ARE INEVITABLE, ON A WORKING GUN. ALL OF THESE BLEMISHES CAN BE REMOVED, AND THE STAINLESS WEAPON CAN BE KEPT IN A SPARKLING, PRISTINE CONDITION, WITH MINIMAL POLISHING, USING A PRODUCT LIKE MOTHERS MAG WHEEL POLISH, AND AN OLD T-SHIRT.....

IMHO, THE PC GUNS ARE NOT MUCH BETTER THAN REGULAR PRODUCTION GUNS. THE COMPED BARRELS ARE MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF PC GUNS ON THIS FORUM. ALL OF THE 686s THAT I HAVE OWNED, OR SHOT, SEEMED TO HAVE VERY NICE TRIGGERS, RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.......

YOU ARE NOT SADDLED WITH THOSE UGLY RUBBER GRIPS. A GRIP SWAP IS PROBABLY THE MOST POPULAR MODIFICATION THAT IS MADE TO REVOLVERS. S&W HAS FACTORY WOODEN GRIPS FOR SALE, THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR GUN INTO A THING OF BEAUTY. THERE IS A PLETHORA OF AFTERMARKET SOURCES FOR WOODEN GRIPS, IF NOTHING FROM S&W CATCHES YOUR EYE.......

BELOW ARE PICS OF MY 686+, WITH A 2/12" BARREL. THIS REVOLVER WORE FACTORY RB COMBAT GRIPS WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THEY DID NOT FIT MY HAND, SO I SWAPPED THEM OUT FOR THESE PC MAGNAS AND A TYLER T......