686 vs. 686p (6 or 7 shot)

[thebusinessend]

I have the choice to either get the 686 4" barrel or 686p also with a 4"barrel. They are both the same price.
I have a few questions.

1. Can I get speed loaders for a 7 shot?

2. I know there is a plus with having an extra shot in the barrel, but are there any other advantages in owning the 686p over the 6-shot? i.e. resale, etc.?

3. Are there any particular negatives about the 686p? Like having a shorter duration of trigger pull due to the shorter space between cylinders holes? Or having to worry about the cylinder walls being thinner and failing to take long periods of magnum loads?

4. Lastly, what would you get? If given the chance to own the 686 4" barrel in either the 6 or 7 shot, which would you get?

Thanks,

AT

 

[doublesharp]

Brownell's has the 7 shot moonclips but you didn't ask that. I've got a 7 shot 681 performance center that I use mc in.

I'd get the 620. Same as a 7 shot Mountain Gun.

 

[roundgunner]

I have a couple 686s. Mine are 6 shot because I use them for IDPA competition. If I was getting the gun for carry or house protection I might go for the 7. I don't carry a reload that often with a revolver. (6 for sure) Having the extra round could be OK. As far as speed loaders go I'm pretty sure they don't make a good fast one for the 7 rounder yet. I like the Safariland 1,2,&3 speed loaders. HKS makes a strong speed loader but it isn't fast.

So if I was going to use it for a defensive fighting gun and not carry a reload I would go for the 7. Otherwise the 6 and some speed loaders. Good luck.

 

[OKFC05]

2. No
3. No, the locking cuts are better positioned in the 7-shot.
4. Until IDPA and USPSA allow 7 shots in competition with revolvers, there are going to be few speedloaders or other accessories for the 7-shot. I use a 686 in IDPA and have no use for the 7-shot.
Trying to shoot a 7-shot in IDPA and load only 6 is a PIA.

From an engineering point of view, the 7-shot makes good sense.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I would go for the plus. One extra round dosent hurt. HKS does make a speed loader, I use em for my 586 plus, speed in a speed loader is a relative thing, in the real world there is no practical diference between them speed wise. However I do feel that the HKS is the most rugged and dureable, you can toss em across the street and they will retain round's and still work. A good point was made about IDPA compitition, no seven shooter's allowed!

 

[snowman]

I have two Plus models with 4" barrels. I know of no negatives. I shoot only magnums with maximum charges, and they don't phase these guns. I got them for home defense, thinking that an extra round only makes sense for that purpose. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them.

Andy

 

[doublesharp]

I don't really keep up with the newest offerings but doesn't Smith have an 8 shot .357?

 

[Kanewpadle]

I don't really keep up with the newest offerings but doesn't Smith have an 8 shot .357?

Yes. M&P R8 and TRR8 are two that I know of.

 

[paladin42]

yes - I have 3 different models from 3" to 5"

I don't really keep up with the newest offerings but doesn't Smith have an 8 shot .357?

 

[squidsix]

The new 27, and 627 have eight holes.
The seven shot is a sweet shooter. The 686+ I have is really nice, and YES, there are speedloaders for it. HKS ones, which are cheap, simple, and plentiful.
Nice guns. If the price is the same, get the plus. If the difference is more than $50, get the six-shooter.