3" 686 for carry

[t3hgruu]

Hello, I am thinking that my next handgun purchase will be a 3" 686 plus. I just wanted to hear from some others that carry one.

My current carry gun is normally a Government or Commander 1911 which is carried IWB. I live in Texas and carry the stainless in the summer and the blued one in the winter. I know a steel revolver will be heavy, but I am not concerned about that, I carry 1911s as mentioned.

I have a 4" 686 currently and am thinking a 3" would be a little more handy for day to day carry. What are some grip and holster recommendations that you actually use? I would like to find a compact grip that would still let me get a full grip and not require me to tuck my pinky finger underneath.

Also, how does it carry compared to a 1911 as far as concealment? We have open carry here so I am not concerned about a little printing, however I would like to be discreet too. The only revolver that I carry so far is an LCR and that one goes on my hip on the way to work and mainly only gets worn when I make a stop on the way home.

I have some time to shop around for a holster and grips as I more than likely won't be getting this until the end of this year or early next year. Thanks in advance.

 

[cd228]

I've got a 4 inch Square butt 686-3 that I've CC in Northern NY during the winter under a heavy jacket. The 686 is a service size pistol, concealment wasn't it's main design idea. But, you already CC a 1911, so you are used to hiding a service sized pistol.

I'd recommend a good pancake holster, I use desantis but galco and several others offer quality ones too. You'll need a cover garment if you go that route and you might want to go with a higher riding holster so the barrel doesn't stick out so far. I also tried a blade tech kydex, but it sat way low and was really bulky. it was great on the range though. i'd continue to poll the membership and see if folks like/recommend an IWB which IMHO might be easier to hide but less comfortable.

On grips, I'd make sure to get a round butt. I use hogues but also look at the Pachmyer compacs as well.

 

[getoff]

Iv'e been carrying a 681 4" that I round butted in a Milt Sparks VMII lately. same size/weight. VZ makes some of the best grips for guns imho. i have a set on my 681 and a couple Safariland comp. III's for reloads. weight is not an issue to me, as I too carried a 5" 1911 for years. only thing i ran up against, room in my pants/shorts. went on vacation and packed on a couple of lbs. and now its a bit snug!

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've got a 3" 686+ ( Talo 3-5-7 series) and love the gun for it's shooting characteristics. I'm not dedicated enough to carry anything that size and weight though. That said, I find the factory grips to be pretty decent and good looking . I think it would be a good pick . The 686+ pro also has a decent factory grip and shaves a few ounces off the guns weight .
Good luck in your search!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Best all around revolver I own is probably a 4" round butt 686...... but for all day concealed carry ......... make mine a 3" K-frame.

I had a 3" 586...... just to bulky and heavy for all day carry IWB...IMO

Remember we're talking carried a lot and hopefully never shot................

If I thought it was SHTF...................... hi-cap 9mm

 

[lrrifleman]

@OP,

Like you, I am in the planning stage. I have a 686+ 3" on order. When the current dust settles, I expect my rotation will focus on a Mauser HSc, a 686+ 3", and a Commander.

For the 686, I like the factory grips at the moment, and plan to get a second set. For leather, I am pretty much focused on a Galco Combat Master holster, or same style if I see one from a different manufacturer.

How it carries, I can't answer. However, when I do carry my Chief's 36-6 (a J frame identical twin to the 3" 686), that carries quite comfortably OWB, and it really depends on the holster for IWB.

 

[BB57]

I can't speak to a 3" 686+, but I do carry a 2 1/2" 686+, primarily in the winter.

Fully loaded it is 40 oz - on par with a steel framed full size 1911, but heavier than the 31 oz LW Commander I often carry in the summer (my usual summer pistol is a 30.5 oz S&W 6906).

If you choose a decent IWB holster, you'll find the 3" 686+ will be very concealable - more so than a full size or Commander sized 1911, and will be more comfortable to carry as the hammer on the 686+ doesn't rub on you like the hammer on a 1911 can.

I use a Wild Bill's Concealment Covert Carry IWB holster, for both my 2 1/2" Model 66 (36 oz) and my 2 1/2" 686+. The website lists it as made to order with an 8-10 week delivery time, but I've never had WBC take more than 3 weeks for an MTO item and the little brown truck usually brings in about 2 weeks. Summer is also their slow time, so MTO items should be quick.

This particular model uses an offset belt clip that keeps the overall profile thin, and the resulting wider surface makes it very comfortable. It's also a tuckable design if you need to tuck in shirt. As you can see the holster below is sized for my 3" Model 13, but works fine with the 2 1/2" revolvers.

I've also carried a 3" Model 13, and I can state that the extra 1/2" of barrel makes no difference at all in comfort or concealment. 3" does allow a little more velocity from a .357 Magnum, particularly if you are using a load optimized for a longer barrel.

L and K frame sized revolvers like the 686+, Speed Six and Model 66 below all conceal better than you'd think, particularly with a compact grip, as the maximum width only exists in the cylinder, with the barrel and grip frame being substantially thinner than a 1911 over all.

I'm a big fan of Pachmayr's Compact grip on this class of revolver as it conceals well, yet is still comfortable and controllable to shoot with .357 Magnum self defense loads.

 

[blues7]

I don't carry mine often but do so occasionally AIWB with either a leather Triple K holster or a kydex holster from JM Custom Kydex. It wears and conceals surprisingly well imho.

For most day to day carry, however, I generally carry one of my other semi autos or a 642-1.

 

[Enzo]

I have a 686+, 3" talo edition
The Scopesmith The Gun Room— — Back in Stock TALO Model! Smith & Wesson 150713 Model 686 Deluxe 357 Mag 3in 7rd – Adjustable White Outline/Red Ramp Sights Stainless Steel – Satin Finish – Textured wood grips
and carry owb in a Lobo Leather enhanced pancake holster with a thumb break.
Enhanced Pancake – Welcome to Lobo Gun Leather
I think the 3" is the perfect carry size and imo, nothing beats 7 rounds of .357

 

[DD357]

I have carried snub K's and L's and I much preferred the K's. Sold both my 2.5 & 3 inch L's a long time ago - don't miss them.

 

[Lostaro]

I carry a 3" GP100 in a Simply Rugged pancake...works great, conceals great.

Also carry my 4" 686 in a Remora, even for a full size gun it hides rather well.

 

[Brasky]

Go shoot the 1911 and 686 without ear protection and your favorite carry loads and see which one you still want to carry

 

[Retired Chief]

I carry either a Star PD in .45 ACP or a Mod 66, 2&1/2 inch barrel, round butt, Pacmeyer grips in custom made shoulder holsters. Conceals nicely in cool or cold weather, and either a lite vest or a light-weight sport coat in warm weather. As I spend a lot of time in a vehicle, the shoulder holster is more comfortable and offers easy access while sitting. (A retired trooper went into leather work when he got bored, and my last custom holster for the Star, including two mag pouches and a handcuff carrier cost $70. Rodek Leather Works, Inc.)

 

[bigwheelzip]

My husband and I both occasionally carry a 2 1/2 and 3" 686+, mostly for woods walks or when bears are sighted in the area. In a Sourdough Pancake and Galco Combat master. The stock grip on the 3" is good and a Hogue Bantam is a good alternate that's a bit smaller.

Grips L to R: Stock 3", Hogue Bantam, Stock 4"

 

[Walkingwolf]

For me I prefer nothing less than 4 inch. As a LEO I could conceal a 4 inch IWB just as well as a 2 inch. Did not make sense giving up the one, or two inches. Pocket backup though had to be no more than a two inch.

I have only a couple three inch revolvers, a Charter Arms bulldog, and a 1851 Navy avenging angel. They sit in the safe most of the time. Carry for rotates between several 4 inch DA revolvers. Only snub I carry regularly is a NAA mini revolver in my pocket.

 

[jimmyj]

In my younger life pre-chemo I CCW a S&W Model 29 4" or 6"plus four speed loaders.

Currently I CCW a Glock with a extra magazine plus a S&W "J" Frame

 

[Walkingwolf]

In my younger life pre-chemo I CCW a S&W Model 29 4" or 6"plus four speed loaders.

Currently I CCW a Glock with a extra magazine plus a S&W "J" Frame

Currently I have been carrying my model 21, and a peacemaker clone. But I can get away with it here in NC as OC is a protected right. The NAA though never leaves my pocket no matter what I am carrying, sometimes my only carry depending.

 

[t3hgruu]

Go shoot the 1911 and 686 without ear protection and your favorite carry loads and see which one you still want to carry

Lol I actually have shot a 686 I owned years back as well as 1911s without ear pro, I also put a couple of cylinders of .357 through my LCR with naked ears. We all do dumb things right? If I had to to risk rank my concerns of hearing loss during a SD situation I can say that would be at the bottom of the list.

To everyone else, thanks for your replies and especially for the photos! Pictures are worth a thousand words. I was looking at the Hogue bantams, however I am concerned the rubber grips my cause my shirt to stick and ride up a little. I am personally not too big of a fan of the stock grips that came on my 4" 686 and my Governor. Those finger grooves are just in the wrong place for my hands.

I have a couple of High Noon down under holsters that I use for my 1911s. I like the looks of the leather one with the clip. I have a kydex holster that I use occasionally if I know I'm going someplace where carry is a legal no no. It's easy to take on and off but not very comfortable.

I am wanting to have a good revolver as an option to remove some magazine and ammo concerns. Maybe since I am starting to push 40 I am realizing that sometimes it's better to keep things simple.

 

[Mehutch]

A half inch here, a half inch there.... my 686+ with 2.5" barrel is just fine. And I think that your intended target wont know if it came from a 2.5" or a 3" barrel.

 

[t3hgruu]

That's an awesome picture.