1/2 inch more or less, not buying it.

[Mehutch]

I have many guns, a S/W 686-4 2.5 inch and two Springfield Garrison full length .45.

Now Smith has a fine 3" 686 357 Mag that would be good to have. But I have one in 2.5 inches. For another $900 dollars to have the 3"-barrel... 1/2 inch more, not going to happen.



Springfield Garrison has a full-size Gov. 45ACP that I love, now they have a Garrison 4.25"-barrel Commander size. Like it! But for .25 less on the barrel for another $850, not going to buy it.



What say you?

This is what I carry. S/W 686-4 2.5" barrel and a Colt Defender 3" barrel 45 ACP. Both %100 dependable and shoot spot-on. What more can you ask.

 

[Bald1]

Yeah that’s fuzzy math. Those dollars don’t make any cents.

 

[Shark Bait]

The main advantage of the 3 inch 686 over the 2.5 inch is the full length ejector rod. I have a 2.5 inch and a 4 inch 686-4+. I also have the 3 inch 686-6+. If I'm going to carry one, I'd rather have the -6 go to the evidence room if I need to use it.

The commander size 1911s are nice for carry, but the full size can carry just fine too. Nice to have choices, don't you think?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

My first M686+ was this slightly used 2.5" found at the LGS for $350 quite some years ago:

My second was this 4" that I bought new through a Heritage House auction and by the time the dust settled with their fees and so on I paid full retail at $1,000.

So you would think that I wouldn't be attracted to a 3" M686+ but this was at the height of my collecting fever and I jumped at it when it was offered by someone here on the Forum - and I have no recollection of what I paid for it but it was reasonable at the time:

For whatever reason the 3" has become my nightstand gun; the others are tucked away in my safe.

Someone on the Forum did inquire as to why I cared about the extra half inch but, in reality, that had nothing to do with it.

 

[JumboJVT]

5" Gumint' to 4.25" Commander is almost certainly 3/4". And it seems to me that having another gun is going to money. Trading one in for something more desirable (to you), not so much. So the point is?

 

[robvious]

What else were you planning on doing with the money? it may be an easy decision to help you with if we knew what that was..

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

The 4” 1911 belongs on a CCO imo.
That said the Commander in my safe is new and the CCO has lots of carry wear.
And a 3” 686 should have gone home w/ you

 

[ColumbusJBR]

My advice is be happy with your 5” Garrison. I LOVE mine. FWIW I already have a commander sized Ruger 1911 that I carry when I get the 1911 itch, so the Garrison is just a range toy. But I can’t see the incentive on buying a new 4.25” Garrison to carry. They aren’t THAT much easier to conceal than a Govt. I’d save your money on that front, but that’s just me.

 

[CobiaS&W]

My 686-4 3" and CS1 3" are great guns that I paid substantially more money for. My 686 no dash 2.5" is also a great gun and I cant tell much of a difference in accuracy shooting them.

 

[firebreather]

I have a 3" Mod 65 that I sometimes carry and lost my 3" 686 when a friend suddenly died and his wife didn't realize the guy wasn't his and sold it. The positive extraction on the 3" models make them the best combat carry revolvers ever made IMHO. I trade into the 2.5" K and L frames occasionally but they never stick around due to the lack of that feature.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I owned an early Colt Defender for many years, and it was a great little 1911. I even completed a personal defense handgun course with it, and it was accurate and dependable. I only recently traded it away, and still have some seller's remorse. I just picked up a minty Model 686-6+ (similar to a "3-5-7 TALO") with 3" bbl., but haven't had a chance to take it to the range yet. I own some snubbies like those below (1.875", 2", 2.5", and 2.625"), and thought that I needed to get one with a 3" bbl. Here in Florida we tend to dress casually and cargo shorts and t-shirts are my daily wear, so I tend to pocket carry. My EDCs are an M&P PC Shield9mm Plus and a Model 642-2. But I like having a selection of short-barreled revolvers, and an extra 1/2" is OK with me.

 

[Chrisj357]

I have two .357 revolvers. 686 and a M-19. Both are 4”. (Technically the M-19 is now 3 7/8”). I carry the 686 every day and I wouldn’t want any other.

 

[JohnRippert]

If there was both a 2.5inch and a 3inch sitting in front of me and I was told to choose one the answer I would give is always the 3inch. Full ejector rod and longer barrel giving a bit of improvement to both velocity and sight radius are enough for me. Plus, the extra worth of a 3inch is just icing on the cake.

 

[Mehutch]

Well, thanks for the responses. But I have and carry my S/W 686-4 2.5" barrel. My target, paper or flesh won't know the difference between 2.5 and 3" barrels. So, I'll keep my $900 bucks and be happy with my .45 Defender with 3" barrel and my 686-4 with a 2.5" barrel. Just my opinion.

 

[Dump1567]

Longer barrel usually equals more velocity. More velocity "may" give the edge in expansion and penetration.

 

[Mehutch]

My usual load.

 

[SmithNut]

Well.........

Feast your eyes on a 3" M586 for beauty.

Is it worth the extra money for that 1/2" - I'd say yes.....

Enjoy....

 

[panamajack310]

I have one of each a 2.5”, 3” and 4” 686, the 3 inch is nice because it has a full length extractor rod, I always had one or two rounds stick with the shorter extractor rod. The same goes for my 2.5”19’s and 2” 64.