I am a proud owner of a model 686 and I have an opporntunity to purchase another revolver...I am looking at the brand new model S&W 66 4" and a new 2012 S&W 586 4"... Which one would you go with and why? Thanks everyone!!!
O.K. Here it is. I own a very nice four inch 66-3 and a six inch 686-1 that I bought NIB. Both are exceptional revolvers. I have over the last thirty years owned other 66's and 686's in various barrel lengths. I prefer the K-frame 66 for those times when I carry a revolver in the woods/fields. At such times the revolver is only along for the ride, i.e., it will not be drawn unless circumstances demand it. My rifle will be used for any deer, etc. that I might shoot. If a deer or hog comes up really close... inside of say 20 yds., then I'm going to draw that revolver and make some meat! If I have to help someone trail a wounded animal (something I've had to do on a number of occasions), that revolver will be in my hand and ready to go if the deer or hog tries to get up and make a run. If a finisher shot is needed, the revolver will be used.
I like going to the range and shooting. I like to shoot a lot... say 2-300 rounds at a time. I shoot a lot of .38 Special simply b/c I have a lot of .38 Special brass on hand. I also have a lot of .45 ACP... which will get shot as soon as I get some LP primers. I can't hardly find .44 Special, so my 21-4 doesn't get shot so much. I have no .357 Magnum brass. If I were going to do a lot of range shooting, especially with hard kicking magnum loads, I'd buy the 686 and not think twice about it. At least for me, a hot .357 Magnum in a K-frame is a handful. I do not enjoy 2-300 rounds of magnum ammo in a four inch 19/66. It's just to much jump and thump. In a four inch 586/686, it still hops around but it is much much more manageable. With the six inch barrel, the snap and pop is virtually eliminated. Even the little 125 gr. hot rods are easy to handle.
A few years ago I found and bought a excellent four inch 66 in a LGS. Last year I found and bought a NIB six inch 686-1. Last year when I was out bumping through the woods w/ my 15-22, I had the 66 on my hip. This year when I go hunting I will almost certainly have that same 66 on my hip. If I have reason to think I might be on a stand where I could harvest a deer w/ a pistol, then I'll carry the 686... loaded with 158 gr. JHP's. Either way, I'll be well set for anything that might come down the trail.
