65 vs. 686

[kbm6893]

My wife has finally acquieced to me teaching her how to shoot. I have a cherry 19 4" that even I don't want to shoot for fear of messing it up (although I shoot it from time to time). I have a very nice 686 4" also. She likes the feel of the 19 and doesn't like the heft of the 686. I used to have a 66 but sold that. I'm not much of a shooter anymore, maybe 5 times a year. I want a gun that will be her designated "bump in the night" gun. I prefer .357 just for the option of firing .38 or .357. I can't justify buying another gun since I shoot so infrequnetly, so if I get a 65, the 686 will most likely go. The 65 I am looking at is a 3", which I like. I know the 686 is built to take more abuse, but I'm not giving my guns any abuse anyway. So, it comes down to a 3" 65 or keep the 4" 686. What say you?

 

[Maximumbob54]

If she is complaining about weight then she has yet to feel recoil. Mine did the same thing and wanted a lighter gun until she felt the recoil for the first time. Then she saw the light gun as the devil. Now she even wants all steel in her .22 pistol. Start her off with .38 wadcutter in a 686 and she may not get it. Also, don't forget that grip that fits your hand may not fit hers. Last, read up on the Cornered Cat website if you are wanting to be serious about this:

Cornered Cat

 

[catsfan20]

One difference to consider between the two is fixed (65) vs. adjustable sites (686). A model 66 will have adjustable sites in a .357 k-frame package. Another consideration could be to get her a shooter grade model 10. They are not expensive and will handle all the .38 special +P you want to throw at it. It won't shoot .357, but as it would be your wife's gun and she is just learning to shoot, .357 may not be ideal any way. You said you only shoot occasionally, but a model 10 may be found cheap enough where you don't feel like you have to sell a nice 686. Plus you will have a gun for both you and your wife.
Check buds for more police trade in model 10s. I don't know if they have anymore, but at only 280 some bucks shipped its worth looking out for.

 

[SAFireman]

Take her and both guns to the range and let her try them both...then let her decide....a 65 is a dandy 'bump-in-the-night gun'....be careful what you send her to the range with however....my wife has 'appropriated' several of MY favorites

If you don't own the models in question, you could always borrow or rent them....perhaps a fellow forum member lives close by and would enjoy a joint range session. If you lived close to me, I would be happy to share for demonstration and learning purposes

 

[Mack]

If it was me I would sell the 19 and keep the 65 and 686.

 

[kbm6893]

If it was me I would sell the 19 and keep the 65 and 686.

Sell a 99% pinned and recessed 19 with diamond targets and a mirror blue for a 65 or a 686? I can't do that.

 

[roaddog28]

Sell a 99% pinned and recessed 19 with diamond targets and a mirror blue for a 65 or a 686? I can't do that.

I could not agree more with your statement. I would not sell my two 19s or my 13 for a 686 or a 65. I have a later 66-4 and a 686-2 4 inch. Neither one of these revolvers is as good a shooter as my three pinned and recessed revolvers. If your wife does not like the 686 then sell it. Your can always get another one. They are a dime a dozen. You can take the money and either get a model 10 or how about a model 64.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[Mack]

No sell a safe queen for a shooter. And if it is nice as you say you might get 1.5 - 2 shooters for it. But that's just me .

 

[kbm6893]

No sell a safe queen for a shooter. And if it is nice as you say you might get 1.5 - 2 shooters for it. But that's just me .

I understood your point, but that 19 was the score of a lifetime, and I hope to hand it down to my son one day. I got it for $250 about 3 months ago. I could more than double my money, but this is the nicest gun I have ever owned. I shoot it so little because I want to preserve it for him. It will get shot maybe 100 rounds a year.

And I ordered one of those Bud's model 10 3"'ers on Friday. I'm kind of debating my purchase. If it has rust or pitting, that's gonna bug me. Loss of blueing is OK. I figured I can shine up a stainless gun. I know, it's only a tool, but I like my guns to look nice.

 

[GJH77]

And I ordered one of those Bud's model 10 3"'ers on Friday. I'm kind of debating my purchase. If it has rust or pitting, that's gonna bug me. Loss of blueing is OK. I figured I can shine up a stainless gun. I know, it's only a tool, but I like my guns to look nice.

Well it sounds like you were one of the lucky ones. Congratulations and post the pictures when you get it.

 

[Black Knight]

I hope you were able to keep the 686 as well. The 3" model 10 is a fine defensive gun. I carried a 4" 10-8 for a while as an armed security officer and the stainless version (model 64) as a police officer. Great guns that everyone should have a version of in their collections. Also by keeping the 686 the two of you could back each other up when that bump in the night comes. My wife liked my 2 1/2" S&W 66 so much that it became her home gun. Considering the other guns available to me I would say she picked a nice one for herself.

 

[kraigwy]

Ask your wife which one she wants

 

[remat457]

My wife can shoot my 3" 65 fine but my 4" 686 does not balance well for her. She probably would be fine with a mild 357 like the Rem Gold Saber but prefers 38 SPL+P.