notsofast
Member
Had a 6" 66-1 for many years, it was the most accurate revolver in my collection. Made a mistake and sold it !!
686 vs. 27 vs. 66 vs. 19 - How do they compare and what's S&W's best 357?
- Thread starter Walky Talki
- Start date
There is no "best". They all have plusses and minuses.
The only possible answer is to get one of each, possibly two.
The only possible answer is to get one of each, possibly two.
In my opinion there are two .357 revolvers that really stand out in the S&W lineup.
The first of these is the original P&R Model 66. It's light enough to be a fine carry gun, it fits the hand well, strong enough to withstand sufficient .357 loads to last a lifetime for most people, and with the stainless steel setup, very resistant to the elements. It's a superb all-around revolver and fine enough to be an object of art.
But the king of them all has to be the Model 27 - the original P&R guns and their predecessor, the .357 Magnum. This gun is the epitome of elegance. Classic high-polish bluing or sparkling nickel plating. Checkered top strap. Rugged enough to last a lifetime with whatever you choose to feed it. Butter-smooth action. It's the best of the best.
The Model 27 from the classic era is getting a bit pricey now, so a lesser-finished gun that's otherwise exactly the same, the Model 28 Highway Patrolman, is equally strong and rugged. Even these are seeing quite an escalation in pricing. I have owned this one since 1967, and it's still fully as good as it ever was.
These are my personal picks. And I will just say it: to me, the more modern guns with the manufacturing shortcuts and the ugly hole in no way compare with the elegance of the older guns. They may be fully as functional, but for me, they do not engender any significant pride of ownership.
John
The first of these is the original P&R Model 66. It's light enough to be a fine carry gun, it fits the hand well, strong enough to withstand sufficient .357 loads to last a lifetime for most people, and with the stainless steel setup, very resistant to the elements. It's a superb all-around revolver and fine enough to be an object of art.
But the king of them all has to be the Model 27 - the original P&R guns and their predecessor, the .357 Magnum. This gun is the epitome of elegance. Classic high-polish bluing or sparkling nickel plating. Checkered top strap. Rugged enough to last a lifetime with whatever you choose to feed it. Butter-smooth action. It's the best of the best.
The Model 27 from the classic era is getting a bit pricey now, so a lesser-finished gun that's otherwise exactly the same, the Model 28 Highway Patrolman, is equally strong and rugged. Even these are seeing quite an escalation in pricing. I have owned this one since 1967, and it's still fully as good as it ever was.
These are my personal picks. And I will just say it: to me, the more modern guns with the manufacturing shortcuts and the ugly hole in no way compare with the elegance of the older guns. They may be fully as functional, but for me, they do not engender any significant pride of ownership.
John
Actually, S&W did make a 686 without a full lug AND with a tapered barrel it was the 686 Mtn Gun. They are hard to find. I have owned or do own all the 357s. Of them all, the 686 Mtn Gun is the one I would never part with. I suspect other owners feel the same probably the reason they are hard to find !!
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I have multiple 586/686/19 in different barrel lengths, they are all great.
My favorite S&W revolver?
28-2 4" Highway Patrolman
Basically a plain Jane 27.
Of all the Smiths I have, this one is the one I shoot best with.
Although the 4006TSW CHP pistol is becoming a close second.
As you all know, Smiths are like potato chips.
You can't have just one.
My favorite S&W revolver?
28-2 4" Highway Patrolman
Basically a plain Jane 27.
Of all the Smiths I have, this one is the one I shoot best with.
Although the 4006TSW CHP pistol is becoming a close second.
As you all know, Smiths are like potato chips.
You can't have just one.
lamarw
Member
I too own examples of our four referenced revolvers. My personal favorite is a Pre-Model 27 with a 3 & 1/2" barrel of 1950 vintage. The only slight negative about any of them is the weight of the stainless steel of my 4" barreled Model 686-1.
I hate the thought of ever parting with any of them.
I hate the thought of ever parting with any of them.
FWIW, with regard to S&W .357s, I have owned 2 M19s (a 2.5" and a 4"), a 2.5" 686PC, and a 3.5" M27.
I traded the 686 away, never liked it.
I still have the M19s, but if I were to downgrade from the M629 I carry, I'd reach for the 3.5" M27. I've been thinking about selling the M19s to profit a bit from the current insanity, but that M27 is going nowhere.
There's just something about the way an N frame feels in my hand; it feels right. And honestly it's just as easy to conceal an N frame as K frame IMO. The M27 is a bit heaver than the others, but with a good, tight gun belt and OWB pancake holster I don't notice it personally. If I want to carry a smaller 357, I reach for my 2" Kimber K6S or 2" Chiappa Rhino.
If I sell the M19s, the only K or L frames I have left are my 4" M10 HB and my very nice 2" M12. I shoot the M10 better than just about any gun I own, so it's staying, but maybe the M12 should move along as well...
I guess my point is if you are willing to accept a compromised 357, I'd go with a J frame sized gun like the Rhino or K6S, because they can do everything a K/L frame 357 snubby can do but smaller, and, in the case of the Rhino, the smaller gun is actually much easier to shoot than a K/L frame. If I am not willing to compromise and want the best 357 platform, the M27 wins hands down over all comers.
I traded the 686 away, never liked it.
I still have the M19s, but if I were to downgrade from the M629 I carry, I'd reach for the 3.5" M27. I've been thinking about selling the M19s to profit a bit from the current insanity, but that M27 is going nowhere.
There's just something about the way an N frame feels in my hand; it feels right. And honestly it's just as easy to conceal an N frame as K frame IMO. The M27 is a bit heaver than the others, but with a good, tight gun belt and OWB pancake holster I don't notice it personally. If I want to carry a smaller 357, I reach for my 2" Kimber K6S or 2" Chiappa Rhino.
If I sell the M19s, the only K or L frames I have left are my 4" M10 HB and my very nice 2" M12. I shoot the M10 better than just about any gun I own, so it's staying, but maybe the M12 should move along as well...
I guess my point is if you are willing to accept a compromised 357, I'd go with a J frame sized gun like the Rhino or K6S, because they can do everything a K/L frame 357 snubby can do but smaller, and, in the case of the Rhino, the smaller gun is actually much easier to shoot than a K/L frame. If I am not willing to compromise and want the best 357 platform, the M27 wins hands down over all comers.
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I'm not a big shooter but my brother was and for many years .357s were his favorite.
He just about had one of everything and this was the one that he competed with, a 1983 6" 686.
It wore Hogue Monogrips, a High Patridge front sight and a Millet rear sight.
The nicest trigger that I have ever felt. SA all you have to do is get your finger close to the smooth target trigger and BANG!! Bullseye.
I'm by far more accurate with this pistol and all the others.
Unless of course its a rabbit on the run then I'll take my M28-2.
I would have to think, best pistol for what purpose?
gfors
Member
Zombie Gun for a Zombie Thread
If I was going to shoot zombies, and wanted to look good doing it, I would pick this nickel 27-2.
If I was going to shoot zombies, and wanted to look good doing it, I would pick this nickel 27-2.
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StrawHat
Member
Sounds very much like the 686 I used in the Distinguished leg of PPC. Great revolver for competition.
That is the $64 Question!!
Kevin
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