686 Plus

[BookerT]

Greetings from Wisconsin!
Looking at the 686 with a 2.5" barrel. Does anyone have any insight of this model? We finally passed our CCW law and I need to get myself a gift! I do have a 2.5" model 10 that carries well but thought the extra horsepower would be good.

 

[Neumann]

The 3" 686+ is just as easily concealed, and has a full length extractor. Full-power magnums are usually a little sticky, and the shortened extractor of the 2.5" model might not do the job without a good whack. Either version is heavy enough to handle magnums without excessive recoil, but some people prefer .38 +P for less flash and blast (and penetration).

I'm considering a 3" with a boot grip.

 

[Ashlander]

Booker: You have a couple of great guns. The 686P can get pretty heavy after a few hours of carry, but that's not a biggy. You're right about the horsepower of the 686P, but I use 38 Special +P for personal defense (I don't think I'll need to shoot through any car doors or crack any engine blocks). So I'd probably end up carrying the Model 10 and saving the 686P for the range -- everybody needs a good show-off gun.