686 PC in 38 Super

C

copasj

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Messages
18
Reaction score
3
First off, I've been a lurker here for awhile, but never posted. That out of the way...

I purchased a PC 686 in 38 super a few years back. Originally it was to be a companion piece to a 38 super 1911 I had on order, unfortunately Springfield never made another run of them so I never got the 1911. It seems this model has some collector value, is this true? A collector I am not, so I am thinking of trading/selling it off to fund the purchase of a S&W. 357 revolver. Here is the rub, I'm not much of a revolver guy. I'm hoping you all can help me narrow down which model would best fit my needs, there has been a plethora over the years it seems.

Mostly this will be a "woods" gun. I am an archery hunter, but we are allowed to carry a handgun here durring archery season for self protection. And sense black bear season overlaps archery deer and elk, it might be used to dispatch a bear, in a very limited set of circumstanses. Bow would be primary/prefered, but if I have it on me I can't just say it would never happen. 4" is the minimum barrel length for a hunting handgun here. Also this would be a concealed carry piece for too/from the woods and national parks, so I don't want to go to long or big. Stainless would be preferable, it rains non-stop hear it seems from oct through may (I do love the aesthetics of blued steel, so I won't rule it out completely) . Most shooting would be light 38 special loads with 147-158 grain plated bullets because I have lots on hand, but occasional heavy cast bullets for woods carry.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

Edited to fix some grammatical errors, typing on a touch screen tablet isn't my strong point.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
What you probably would be happy with is Model 66 (stainless) or Model 19 (blue or nickel), also named the Combat Magnum. These are built on a frame (known as the K frame) that is slightly smaller than the frame your Model 686 is buit on (known as the L frame). They have adjustable sights. The barrels have a shround that protects the ejector rod but lack the full-length underlug that your 686 has, which makes the 66/19 lighter and handier. Neither model is made currently, but they were manufactured for a very long time, were quite popular and are easy to find in nice condition.

The same basic guns made with fixed sights are a Model 65 and Model 13.
 
I've never seen a 686 in .38 Super, but sure would like to own one! It has to be a rare one IMO.

If you're going to carry a handgun for hunting or protection from bears or want to take an elk I'd go with nothing less than a .41 magnum. The .357, loaded with heavy bullets is NOT enough cartridge to penetrate through bones and reach a bears vitals. Same goes with an elk.

Buffalo Bore makes some Heavies for the .41 and .44 magnum that will take a bear down as their penetration is fantastic and you HAVE to have penetration for a bear gun to break through heavy bones and still have a hard cast bullet that will not deform or break up on its way to the heart and lungs. Leave the .357 at home! Buy ya a 657 or 629 (.41&.44 mag,both stainless) with a 4" but preferrably a 6" barrel for more velocity, load it with some of them Heavy Buffalo Bores. If you don't reload you'll be as properly armed with a handgun for a close encounter with a bear or elk as you can get.

Happy hunting!
 
Sportsterguy gives you very good recommendations. A 357 isn't appropriate for either bear or elk. Would be minimum for deer. A .41 or .44 magnum in 4" is what you need. With appropriate holster, a 4" N Frame isn't that much different to carry than an L or K Frame. Rob at Simply Rugged makes an excellent holster that I carry for days at a time when in the field. I can forget it's there it rides so well.
IMG_1722.jpg
 
I appreciate the suggestions on an N-frame, but even the 686 with a round but is about the limit for my hand. I had a Colt Trooper at one point, but I just couldn't reach the trigger with a proper grip on the firearm. I either had to choke WAY up on the grip rotate my hand around to the outside with only my thumb on the back of the grip.

I do reload, but the gun would not be used for Elk or Deer under any circumstances. Where I live I have to specify Archery, Muzzle, or Modern for both of those animals. It would not be legal for me to even use it to dispatch downed a downed elk or deer. Most likely it would never be used for bear either for that matter, I only mention it because that tag doesn't have to be specified. So the only way it would be used would be to dispatch a downed, but not quite bled out yet, bear that I happened to run across during deer or elk season. When I am hunting specifically for bear I carry a rifle.

I'm not too worried about being attacked by a black bear, mountain lions are the ones that worry me. It's most likely use would be for coyote and forest grouse though.

I will try and post a photo of the 38 Super 686 when I get home.
 
Sounds like a Model 66 or if you could use fixed sights a Model 65 would be your best bet. Or Models 19/13 in blued . I might be interested in your 686 if your would PM me a price.
 
I couldn't P.M. an honest price at this time, as I have no clue what the value would be. Or where to actually find that information =p.

I'll see if I can gather the info and get back with you.
 
Just as an update. A lot of people have counselled me to hold onto the 38 super, and trade off some of my more mundane and little used pistols. So that's what I am going to do. Also, a lot have suggested N-Frames so I will fondle some at the local stores before I decide that's a straight no-go.

But I'll definitely not be going for a .44. I'm thinking a 45 colt or warm 45 Auto Rim (didn't know about that until just recently) will do fine for my needs, without the fuss and bother of a magnum. I don't need anything that will reach out and touch anything at a hundred yards, or even 50 yards for that matter...
 
maybe you should take a look at a 696.

3in., stainless, 5 shot L Frame in 44 Special. They are +p rated. There are a few on gun broker right now.
 
The 686 .38 Supers are great guns...I was lucky enough to find two... I have sen NIB models sell up to $1350 on Gun Broker... Not a bad decision to hang on to it...

If you reload .45 ACP and like the thoughts of using a heavy Auto Rim see if you can find a 625 Mountain Gun... Not many were made but they are wonderfully balanced and very accurate...

As to N-Frame grips being too small....there are lot of grip options including going to a small set of grips with a Tyler T-grip. The recoil of the .45 ACP is fairly mild....

This is a friend's 625 with ivory Micarta grips....

SW57012408002.jpg


This is another RB N-Frame .41 Magnum with ivory Micarta grips and a Tyler T-Grip...

SW41s013011051.jpg



RB N gives lots of options...

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ddeanjohnson
For Sale WTS: 16 guns -- all offers respectfully considered -- collection liquidation
2
Replies
35
Views
21K
Heinz
Heinz
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN -- Collection reduction: 40 guns (15 S&W + Colts, etc.)
2
Replies
26
Views
11K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN. WTS: Collector downsizing-- 26 collector handguns
Replies
10
Views
7K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
Jeroenw114
45ACP pistols. The unknown, the rare and the prototypes.
2 3
Replies
51
Views
11K
Lonestar57
Lonestar57
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN --WTS- GUN BOOKS -- MAKE AN OFFER
2 3
Replies
45
Views
9K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson

Latest posts

Back
Top