Darkenfast
Member
Sorry, this isn't a "Look what I got!" thread! I recently got to handle and dry-fire a 686+ PC revolver in a store (needless to say this wasn't at a Cabelas), and was very impressed. I read the various reviews back when this model was introduced and just wasn't interested. Smart young man behind the counter took the lock off, handed it to me and said to try the trigger.
First thing I noticed was the feel of the gun (five-inch barrel model) - the combination of standard Hogue synthetic grips and the medium weight barrel made for a very pleasant gun to hold and point for me. It runs around 39 ounces, I believe. The DA was of a nice weight and buttery smooth. The SA was surprisingly light and CRISP. It matched my friend's old Python (which I got to shoot). I've handled a few standard 686+ samples in both four and six inch persuasions and felt the PC was handy like a four-inch and had a better sight radius like the six-inch. It certainly felt more compact in the hand than the eight-shot N-frames.
The last revolver I dry-fired there was a new Python. This Smith equaled it it DA, far surpassed it in SA, has seven chambers, the advantages of a five-inch barrel, and was priced at $1169. BTW, it said "Performance Center" on the barrel, but didn't say "Pro Series" anywhere that I remember.
Anyone who's heard me rhapsodize about my old Glock 17L knows I prioritize performance over traditional looks(!), and also that I like longer barrels and guns that can be more general-purpose. As much as I can tell without actually shooting the thing, I think this is the best wheelgun I've handled in a long time. I'm just really happy with the guns I have at the moment, so I didn't get it.
So here's my question: What's it for? It seems to be a competition pistol. IDPA says four-inch and six shots. The other games seem to be dominated by the eight-shooters. I think it's a great general-purpose revolver, but that's just me. What do you think?
First thing I noticed was the feel of the gun (five-inch barrel model) - the combination of standard Hogue synthetic grips and the medium weight barrel made for a very pleasant gun to hold and point for me. It runs around 39 ounces, I believe. The DA was of a nice weight and buttery smooth. The SA was surprisingly light and CRISP. It matched my friend's old Python (which I got to shoot). I've handled a few standard 686+ samples in both four and six inch persuasions and felt the PC was handy like a four-inch and had a better sight radius like the six-inch. It certainly felt more compact in the hand than the eight-shot N-frames.
The last revolver I dry-fired there was a new Python. This Smith equaled it it DA, far surpassed it in SA, has seven chambers, the advantages of a five-inch barrel, and was priced at $1169. BTW, it said "Performance Center" on the barrel, but didn't say "Pro Series" anywhere that I remember.
Anyone who's heard me rhapsodize about my old Glock 17L knows I prioritize performance over traditional looks(!), and also that I like longer barrels and guns that can be more general-purpose. As much as I can tell without actually shooting the thing, I think this is the best wheelgun I've handled in a long time. I'm just really happy with the guns I have at the moment, so I didn't get it.
So here's my question: What's it for? It seems to be a competition pistol. IDPA says four-inch and six shots. The other games seem to be dominated by the eight-shooters. I think it's a great general-purpose revolver, but that's just me. What do you think?
