686+ for CCW

[Matthew]

Looking for some experiences on carrying a 686+ snub nose for carry. I may have the option to trade my current carry, a USP Compact 9mm for such a gun.

My other regular carry is a 642 sometimes alone, sometimes as a backup. So the allure of the 686+ is same operations and being able to reload both with a speed strip of .38+P. Not to mention I have a lot of .38 brass.

I'm also looking for a one gun does it all kind of idea. Target practice, home defense, year round carry (I'm ok with mid size guns in summer), and good for camping/hiking which for me means something with a durable finish and preferably able to shoot snake shot.

I have a texas heritage iwb holster from tucker gun leather for a 3 inch K frame I plan to use, the L frame fits easily. I have been carrying my 4 inch model 19 in this holster to get a feel for the weight and such and it seems fine to me.

I'm feeling pretty confident in my decision here but really want some input from those who carry this gun on a daily basis, and I leave open the possibility there's something I didn't think of.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Dennis The B]

I move back and forth between three revolvers for daily carry:

• Model 325NG
• Model 686-6 Plus
• Model 66-1

The 325NG does have some advantage in that it's lighter, and uses full moon clips. Moon clips are much faster than speed loaders.

I like the 66 and 686 Plus, and both are about equal. The 686 Plus has the edge for capacity, the 66 in weight (slightly). I like the 686 Plus a bit better because it had a nice trigger job when I bought it. The extra weight isn't really noticeable.

I don't kid myself into thinking that these are "pocket rockets". They outweigh my Model 649, so they're always in a Don Hume J.I.T. Slide.

YMMV

 

[1066]

The 2 1/2" 686 is a great carry gun. You will like shootig your 38+Ps in the 686 a lot more then in your 642.

On the minus side, you will notice the extra weight compared to the 642 when you carry it.

Also, I would not say the 2 1/2" is a great "target" gun, but it will work great for home defense and carry - two out of three isn't to bad!

 

[Matthew]

Ah target gun is the wrong word. I was trying to say something I would enjoy shooting for a long day at the range.

Dennis can you give me more comparrison on the 325 and 686 ? I really like the idea of the 325 but no one has made me an offer, and I'm a little worried its too big. I can't seem to find one in my area to look at.

 

[mod29]

Excellent Choice

I carry a 686 no-dash 2 1/2 snub on a regular basis. Not too heavy, but you do know you're packing.
I keep mine stuffed with Winchester 145-gr Silvertips.
In my mind, it's one of the best carry-guns out there.

In a Wild Bill's pancake holster:

-Jim

 

[Titan]

I carry a 3" 686+ about 1/3 of the time and am very pleased with it.

I also occasionally carry a 642 and an M&P9c. All three of these guns have CT grips.

I pocket carry the 642 when an OWB holster isn't possible, but it causes me to drop down to 38 special +P ammo. The 686+ is noticeably a bit heavier, but I have the confidence of .357 rounds and seven shots vs five.

The additional weight of the 686+ is minor compared to the other advantages.

I would have to say that the 686+ is my favorite Smith, followed very closely by the M&P9c.
.

 

[ab4ka]

my 6" 686+ would be a bit large, but I want one of the short barrelled ones in the worst way and it would be my carry gun.

 

[Dennis The B]

Ah target gun is the wrong word. I was trying to say something I would enjoy shooting for a long day at the range.

Dennis can you give me more comparrison on the 325 and 686 ? I really like the idea of the 325 but no one has made me an offer, and I'm a little worried its too big. I can't seem to find one in my area to look at.

The 325NG, as you probably already know, is an alloy N frame. It's very light, @ 28 oz. empty. As long as the size of the N frame isn't a turn-off, the 325NG is a great choice. The shorter barrel (2.5") makes it very handy, cylinder width aside. If you like the standard Pachmayr grips, that's fine. I happen to like Hogue's.

There are those, I'm sure, that don't like the alloy frame. However, this revolver isn't designed as a "stand on the line and fire 1k rounds" target revolver. It's a tool, plain and simple. I put enough rounds through it to be proficient, and I don't "hot" reload it. The mass of the frame, the grips, and the hardball ammo, make it more like a .38 Special, than a .357 Magnum in a comparable barrel length.

Any revolver, when used within its design parameters, is usually ample for the task. It's very accurate at shorter ranges. I typically practice at 7-10 yards. It will print nicely at 25 yards, but I don't frequently practice at that distance.

I carry the revolver, and two spare loaded full-moon clips, in the aforementioned Don Hume J.I.T. Slide holster. I can carry it all day, and it remains very comfortable.

I've used .38 Special +P, and .357 Magnum in the 686-Plus. The shorter barrel doesn't get the most out of either round. However, I keep the 686 loaded with 158gr JHP. I'm looking for the most practicable mass from the round, and the 158gr fits the bill. The recoil of the 686 is definitely stiffer, but the Hogue's do buffer it better.

At the range, the 325NG, the 686-Plus, and the 66-1 are all flame throwers. At a darkened firing line, they provide some nice fireworks.

In the end, I still prefer the 325NG. Loaded, it's still lighter than the all-stainless K and L frames similarly loaded.

 

[Matthew]

Thanks for the input Dennis (and others too). I've decided to go ahead with the trade, hopefully will have pictures to show off before the weekend is over.

Hopefully I can pick up a 325 some where down the line, I always wanted a moon clipped revolver and I love .45.

How's that for a symptom of sickness? I don't even have the 686 and thinking of the next one I want

 

[kennyb]

you will love it matthew...i have carried a 686 snub for a long time..i use an ankle holster and it works fine for me...on occasion i also carry it in a bellyband...shoots great and has enough weight that recoil is no issue....enjoy!

 

[perpster]

I sometimes carry a 2 1/2" 686+. IMHO Great for belt carry but too heavy for ankle carry and too big for pocket carry. I'm not crazy about the rear adjustable sight for quick presentation, but I don't think it's that big a concern. I did put CT laser grips on mine and like to carry it at night for that reason. But truly, most often I'm carrying a Scandium wonderweight.

 

[ladder13]

With the advent of cooler weather , I've put the 442 away and now carry my 686-5+ with 2.5 tube. I also have taken my Glock 27 out of mothballs. Not for nothing, but that 27 shoots like a laser.

 

[exfebee]

I currently carry my 686 snubby since i retired, in a galco holster on the belt, but i would suggest a heavier type "gun belt" rather than a Dress suit thinner belt. I have the Galco 1 3/4" gun belt. When i wore my Suit pants with a regular belt the 686 made my pants droop & almost fall off. I almost lost them more than once. The thicker "gun belt" won't do that. Before i retired i carried my 686-1 4", 3 speed loaders, a set of handcuffs, & sometimes a Motorola Saber portable radio attached to the belt. Back then i needed to wear a suit. Since i retire, have only worn a suit twice in the past 15 years.
Carl

 

[haifabuddy]

Came online just now after getting my carry rig ready for tomorrow. 686+ 3 inch with 125gr Gold Dot Duty +P. FIST OWB holster and Boston Leather no buckle 1.25 belt. I normally carry 45 auto and do not feel anything negative on the revolver.

 

[Matthew]

Got it today, (686-6 made in Feb 2002) very happy with it. It actually carries better than I thought that it would. I'm a little unsure about which grips to use, concealment wise I like the wooden boot grips pictured but shooting wise I will probably like the Hogue Monogrip that came with it the best. Maybe i'll look into Ahrends grips when money allows.

Someday when money allows I will send it off to be fitted with moonclips.

Well here are the pictures, sorry for the low quality.

Here it is with the rest of the family, 19-4 and 642-2

 

[Sportsterguy]

Congrats! You are well armed. I personally load all of my .357's with factory 158 gr. Speer Gold Dot's for SD. Roll my own LSWC's for plinking in the same bullet weight.

Don't know how large your hands are but Ahrends finger grooves fit my hand (medium) great, offer outstanding control under recoil and don't draw blood like the S&W combats do. They're also WAY less expensive and look great IMO.

 

[5Wire]

Heres a visual:

On the the wheelers

I like the 686P Snubby, myself but EDC is usually a 642.

 

[perpster]

5Wire, That is a REALLY COOL graphic!

 

[5Wire]

Thanks, perpster.