686 and 686 plus

[ppeavey]

What are the differences between a 686 and a 686 plus and is it safe to say the plus is more epensive?

 

[H Richard]

I believe the "Plus" is a 7 shot cylinder, and yes it is more expensive,

 

[jlanecole]

That is the difference, and the MSRP for the 'Plus' is $20 more.

 

[Smithluver]

My answer same a s previous two responses. Plus is a 7 shot and the other is a 6 shot. The Plus will be slightly higher but usually not a ton more.

 

[g-dad]

I have the plus and really like it. The seven round is why I bought it over the six. I have the 4". I read somewhere on here that a 7 round cannot be used in certain competitions. Consider what you plan to use it for.

 

[BobR1]

What you plan to do with the revolver has some impact on which one you might want. I would not worry about one being stronger than the other.

686 SIX Shooter:
You have the choice of using speed loaders made by about everyone in the business. The 2 big ones for competition shooting would be the Spring Driven Safariland Comp III, and the Jet Loader.
If you plan to compete in Revolver Match's some Divisions require 6 shooters, reloaded with Speed Loaders, such as ICORE Classic, and IDPA SSR.

686 Plus SEVEN Shooter:
You are down to a couple Turn Knob Speed Loaders, the HKS 587, and the 5 Star.
For Revolver Match use you will probably be in a Division where you would be ahead using Moon Clips to reload with. The 686 Plus can be cut for moon clip use with no issues other than the added expense.

For general range use, and home protection either should work fine.
The 686 is on the large end of the scale for concealed carry. Some will feel the 7th shot is important to consider, while others will feel the use of slower speed loaders with the 686 Plus, makes the 6 shooter a better choice.
I fall into the SIX Shooter for better speed loaders camp.

My grail revolver after clearing the 3 Inch 66-2 from the list, was a 3 Inch 686, SIX Shooter. Not real easy to find, at a reasonable price. I ended up filling this spot with a 3 Inch Adjustable Sight GP100 Ruger for the moment.

Just some things to consider. The $20 difference in price is not enough to lose any sleep over. Get the one that suites your needs the best, then try your best to wear it out shooting it.

Bob

 

[Green Frog]

I guess I'm old school, but full size revolvers are supposed to be "SIX shooters" in my mind. In fact the only thing I dislike about my Ruger BH 327 Fed Mag is the extra two holes in the cylinder. When I was assembling the latest iteration of my "working gun battery" there was no question about my 357... a Model 686 (no dash, no M) with 6" barrel and a handful of Safariland Comp II™ speed loaders. From a purely objective standpoint, one of the 686 Plus models would be "just as good," just not for me.

Froggie

 

[one eye joe]

I have the plus and really like it. The seven round is why I bought it over the six. I have the 4". I read somewhere on here that a 7 round cannot be used in certain competitions. Consider what you plan to use it for.

I HAVE BOTH. ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN COMPETITIONS VS AN EXTRA ROUND FOR SD / HD IS THE ONLY REAL CONSIDERATION. THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE IS MINIMAL. CYLINDERS ARE THE SAME SIZE--JUST DRILLED DIFFERENTLY. NOTCHES ON THE 7 ROUND CYLINDER ARE LOCATED BETWEEN THE CYLINDERS , WHEREAS ON THE 6 SHOT THEY ARE OVER THE CYLINDER. ON PAPER AND IN THEORY, THE 7 SHOT CYLINDER IS STRONGER. IN REALITY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BLOW UP EITHER CYLINDER WITH AMMO THAT MEETS SAAMI SPECS. BUBBA CAN BLOW UP ANY CYLINDER, ONCE HE STARTS RELOADING WITH A BEER IN HAND. TRIGGER PULLS ARE SIMILAR. I HAD MY 2 1/2" NO-DASH CONVERTED TO A 7 SHOT BY S&W, WHEN I SENT IT IN FOR THE FIRING PIN ISSUE. MY 686 MOUNTAIN GUN IS A 7 SHOT. MY 8 3/8" NO-DASH, RANGE AND HUNTING GUN IS A 6 SHOOTER. I LOVE THEM ALL…..
IMHO, THE 686 IS THE BEST .357 MAGNUM IN CURRENT PRODUCTION IN THE WORLD, AND ONE OF THE GREATEST REVOLVERS S&W EVER MADE…….
THE 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN IS ON THE THE EXTREME LEFT OF THE 3 MOUNTAIN GUNS. ALL THE 686 MOUNTAIN GUNS ARE 7 SHOOTERS...

 

[5Wire]

The seven shot "Plus" offers the opportunity to paraphrase Dirty Harry, "I know what you're thinking, punk. Did I fire five or six shots..."

 

[pdog15]

+ or not

I have the plus in 38/357 with a 5" barrel. I'm not into competition/hunting so a + or not is not a deal breaker for me. 6 shots is enough for me but we don't have carry up here. I don't see any advantage to a 7, really.

Had I had the choice, I would have taken the no plus model but it had to be in a 4.2" .barrel (CA legal req'ments). Now this one is available up here, but I like the one I have.

The 617 (.22) with 10 shots seems to liked for competition

 

[JohnSW]

In peeking at S&W's web site, it looks like 2.5" and 3" barrels are only available in the 7-shot Plus version.