686+ 3" or 4"?

[tj1371x]

I already own a 686+ 6" that is near and dear to my heart, but I'm considering getting another one in a shorter barrel length (not really interested in another snubbie right now). I'm not planning on using this one for concealed carry (got a Glock or 66-3 for that), probably just an extra range gun really. Right now I'm leaning towards a 4" as I've always heard this barrel length balances well and is a good general purpose length in terms of maintaining good velocity and accuracy (I guess it's kind of the standard length right?). Any who, I figured I would reach out and ask for some opinions of guys who have handled both/either first and get their impressions. Which would you go for? Is there anything you have in one barrel length that left you desiring what the other had?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OKFC05]

I find the 4" 686 to be the one I use the most. Certainly if you ever plan to shoot something like IDPA with it, it is the most versatile and quick to shoot in an action game.

With a 3" barrel, I find anything more than a mid-range .357 load to be truly obnoxious to shoot, with the 4" being more tolerable. Still prefer 6" or 8" for my .357 hunting loads.

Some of us just have to have one of each...

 

[islamoradamark]

i like the 4 inch great balance and accurate the 6 inch is great also like em both hard to say which is better but 4 inch woud be easier to conceal carry

 

[wolverine]

Morning tj1371x;

I just bought a 686-6 (4") about a week ago.

It does balance in my hand just about perfectly.

Grip feels great (not too large & not too small)

Both single action & double action trigger pull was not the best (as bought) --but with a couple of hours work the single action is now great & double action is getting better every day (a little over 800 rounds through it now).

One thing I have noticed is the 25 meter accuracy isn't nearly as good as my 6" barrel GP-100. (about the same at 12 meters)
On that, I'm not sure if it is due to the shorter sight radius, or different front sight (GP-100 has a fiber optic out front), or tighter forcing cones in the cylinder (I shoot mostly lead & the 686+ has fairly tight forcing cones for lead bullets), or all of the above combined.

The 686+ (4") does seem easier to hold on target than my 6" due to the weight balance so I'm not sure the problem. One by one I am going to address the above & see what holds the best gain in accuracy.

 

[greenmachine]

I already had a 6" and wanted a 3" to go with it. Couldn't find one so I compromised and bought a 2 1/2 and a four. This probably doesn't help does it?

 

[wolverine]

Morning tj1371x;

I just bought a 686-6 (4") about a week ago.

It does balance in my hand just about perfectly.

Grip feels great (not too large & not too small)

Both single action & double action trigger pull was not the best (as bought) --but with a couple of hours work the single action is now great & double action is getting better every day (a little over 800 rounds through it now).

One thing I have noticed is the 25 meter accuracy isn't nearly as good as my 6" barrel GP-100. (about the same at 12 meters)
On that, I'm not sure if it is due to the shorter sight radius, or different front sight (GP-100 has a fiber optic out front), or tighter forcing cones in the cylinder (I shoot mostly lead & the 686+ has fairly tight forcing cones for lead bullets), or all of the above combined.

The 686+ (4") does seem easier to hold on target than my 6" due to the weight balance so I'm not sure the problem. One by one I am going to address the above & see what holds the best gain in accuracy.

 

[tj1371x]

One more note of clarification: I'm not getting rid of my 6", just getting him a little brother


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mg357]

4 Inch barrel version of the 686 +

 

[KevinCH]

I already own a 686+ 6" that is near and dear to my heart, but I'm considering getting another one in a shorter barrel length (not really interested in another snubbie right now)........

Funny - this is almost my exact situation, except mine is a 686-2 that I bought new (not a +). I have wanted a 4" for a long time, & today the one I bought from a GA ad will arrive at my dealer.

I've often said if I had to do it all over again, the 6" I bought so many years ago would be a 4". While I can't see myself ever selling that gun unless I have really hit rock bottom & need the funds, I think I'll like shooting the 4" more. What I am really after now is collecting all the barrel lengths that were available before the new locking versions came out. I know that includes the 2-1/2" barrel; I'm not sure if there was a 3" or 5" available. Even though it would round off a collection, I really have no desire for the long barrel - was it 8" or something? That would be the last I would want to add.

 

[Garybock]

When I was trying to decide if I should get the 3 or 4 inch model I could not make a decision. Yes, I now have both.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Get the 3 inch 686. You already have a 6 inch, which to me is too close in weight and sight radius to the 4 inch. You'll feel like they are both too similar to each other.

I actually sold my 4 inch for a 3, because I wanted to conceal carry it and the holsters are perfect size for it. After having mine I can say that the the 3 inch conceals like a 2.5 inch but shoots like a 4 inch duty gun.

Also here's the video that convinced me to get one.
Hickok45 shooting a 3 inch 686.
http://youtu.be/Nn2XX81_kPU

 

[tj1371x]

Get the 3 inch 686. You already have a 6 inch, which to me is too close in weight and sight radius to the 4 inch. You'll feel like they are both too similar to each other.



I actually sold my 4 inch for a 3, because I wanted to conceal carry it and the holsters are perfect size for it. After having mine I can say that the the 3 inch conceals like a 2.5 inch but shoots like a 4 inch duty gun.



Also here's the video that convinced me to get one.

Hickok45 shooting a 3 inch 686.

http://youtu.be/Nn2XX81_kPU

Those are some very good points. Hickok45 is awesome. I watch a lot of his vids, although I haven't seen this one yet. Gotta give it a watch now. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Invictus357]

If this thread

The ultimate 3" picture thread. More three inch madness.

doesn't convince you of the awesomeness of 3", get a 4" instead.

 

[Invictus357]

My 3" 686+ with various grips

 

[tj1371x]

My 3" 686+ with various grips

That thread is awesome. I really like the look of those 3" 686's, they are just really tough to come by :-/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fast-Eddie]

I have a 686+ 6" that I love. I really enjoyed shooting my uncles 4" security six, and can see what others are saying about a 4" barrel, but I wouldn't trade the 6" for it. I would rather add a 4" to my collection. It would make an awesome woods gun. I would add a scope to 6" for long range shooting. I am getting a 2" J frame for EDC.

 

[Riflemann]

My son has a 6" 686, and I have a 4" 686, I will never get rid of my 4, this is one sweet size revolver.

 

[M3Stuart]

I traded my 6" for a 4" and like it better. I've shot a 3" and, from a practical standpoint, is as accurate as I am out to 50' - 75' so I would be indifferent between a 3" and a 4" - preferring both over the 6". But that's just my opinion.

Note: I traded a 6" 686-1 for a 4" 686-4+ (round butt) and I think the dash 4+ is a slightly-to-somewhat better gun. So I would never EVER trade my dash 4 for a new 3".

 

[Seneca]

I bought a new 3" 686 Plus about 18 months ago and I really like the size. I carry it in the winter in a pancake holster and it conceals well. Very accurate shooting in both single & double action. Best part is my little wife ( 5' 105lbs ) can handle it very well, usually in single action. It has become her basement ( family room ) gun when she is home alone.