I have a s&w 65-2 3 inch would you trade for a s&w 686 2.5 inch prelock thanks for looking
Advice needed
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I personally wouldn't.
I would consider both as carry revolves vs target/range revolvers, and the 3" barrel with lighter frame is ideal for carry.
If you do trade, and both are similar condition, I believe the 65 is more valuable than the 686, especially if it's pinned and recessed.
JMHO
I would consider both as carry revolves vs target/range revolvers, and the 3" barrel with lighter frame is ideal for carry.
If you do trade, and both are similar condition, I believe the 65 is more valuable than the 686, especially if it's pinned and recessed.
JMHO
ContinentalOp
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I wouldn't, but that's because I like 3" K-frames and don't really care for L-frames (except for the .44s).
I will add this. I had a 3" 65-3 that was a great carry gun and a very nice shooter. It's the one gun I most regret selling.
Just my opinion.
I will add this. I had a 3" 65-3 that was a great carry gun and a very nice shooter. It's the one gun I most regret selling.
Just my opinion.
LittleCooner
Member
personal choice here, but you ask "would I". No I would not trade, I think K frame 357s are way better than the L fames. That is my preference.
hogblue
Member
You already have a very desirable revolver. You would be very hard pressed to replace it. The 65 you described is undoubtedly worth more than what you look to trade it for.
If I had your 65. It would stay in my safe.
If I had your 65. It would stay in my safe.
For some reason the 3" K frames are the holy grail for many and the L frames just haven't caught on due to size and weight. I would keep the 65 3 inch.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
If you were wanting to have shooting sessions of 100 or more rounds of 158gr or heavier magnums, a 3 inch "L" frame is where comfortable shooting begins for me.
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Tom_R
Member
No
I prefer the L Frame to the K Frame, but not in this specific instance.
The 2.5" L Frame is too heavy for what is a snubnose and doesn't balance right.
A 3" K Frame will balance easier and actually carry much nicer.
Also, the 3" K Frame has a Full length ejector rod. The 2.5" L Frame does not.
I prefer the L Frame to the K Frame, but not in this specific instance.
The 2.5" L Frame is too heavy for what is a snubnose and doesn't balance right.
A 3" K Frame will balance easier and actually carry much nicer.
Also, the 3" K Frame has a Full length ejector rod. The 2.5" L Frame does not.
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One other advantage with the 3" bbl over a 2.5" bbl is the length of the ejector rod.
The length of travel of the ejector on a 3" bbl will fully eject cases from the cyclinder, but on a 2.5" bbl with the shorter rod, it will not.
That is a pet peeve of mine with my 686-4 2.5" bbl. I settled on a 2.5" bbl because I have not been able to find a 3" bbl CS-1 686.
The length of travel of the ejector on a 3" bbl will fully eject cases from the cyclinder, but on a 2.5" bbl with the shorter rod, it will not.
That is a pet peeve of mine with my 686-4 2.5" bbl. I settled on a 2.5" bbl because I have not been able to find a 3" bbl CS-1 686.
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The 3" K Frame M65 3" bbl. is one of the BEST Revolvers Smith ever made! It is very concealable, reliable, relatively light for the cartridge it shoots and is usually dead on with 158 grain ammo (.38 Spl or Magnum).
While the M686 is a great gun in 4" or 6" bbl. versions, the much heavier L Frame is bulkier and you will loose velocity from Magnums due to the 1/2" shorter bbl. (17% shorter). To me (IMO) a Snub Nose Revolver should have fixed sights as the M65 has since it is primarily a carry gun and adjustable sights can hang up and get knocked out of adjustment inadvertently.
Assuming you are looking at a snub nosed carry gun, WHY would you want a heavier, bulkier and lower velocity gun to tote around only to shoot the same exact ammo?
While the M686 is a great gun in 4" or 6" bbl. versions, the much heavier L Frame is bulkier and you will loose velocity from Magnums due to the 1/2" shorter bbl. (17% shorter). To me (IMO) a Snub Nose Revolver should have fixed sights as the M65 has since it is primarily a carry gun and adjustable sights can hang up and get knocked out of adjustment inadvertently.
Assuming you are looking at a snub nosed carry gun, WHY would you want a heavier, bulkier and lower velocity gun to tote around only to shoot the same exact ammo?
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No........ for concealed carry the 3" k-frame is the perfect compromise of size and power......The L-frame at 4" shines as a duty/utility/general purpose .357.
I've had 3" L-frames but they got very little use prior to being traded away.
I've had 3" L-frames but they got very little use prior to being traded away.
gwpercle
Member
In no way , shape or form ...
Keep the older 3" K-frame ...sweet to carry , sweet to shoot !
Gary
Keep the older 3" K-frame ...sweet to carry , sweet to shoot !
Gary
gfors
Member
Keep the K
Value-wise, the 3" K is a super hot item right now. Last night a -3 (not P&R), with box, no docs, sold for $1275, on GB. It was the only 3" 65 listed all week.
Value-wise, the 3" K is a super hot item right now. Last night a -3 (not P&R), with box, no docs, sold for $1275, on GB. It was the only 3" 65 listed all week.
Given a choice between keeping a Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel or trading for a Model 686 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel, I would, without hesitation, keep the Model 65.
Your Model 65 has a number of advantages over the 686 when it comes to being a carry gun. It has a smaller frame and cylinder, which makes concealment slightly easier. It has a full length ejector rod, which makes ejection of spent cases more consistent. It has fixed sights, so they will not snag on clothing, dig into you, and are less likely to be damaged.
The advantage of the 686 would be ammo selection. It can handle a steady diet of full power magnum loads better than the K frame. That is its only advantage over the K frame.
Your Model 65 has a number of advantages over the 686 when it comes to being a carry gun. It has a smaller frame and cylinder, which makes concealment slightly easier. It has a full length ejector rod, which makes ejection of spent cases more consistent. It has fixed sights, so they will not snag on clothing, dig into you, and are less likely to be damaged.
The advantage of the 686 would be ammo selection. It can handle a steady diet of full power magnum loads better than the K frame. That is its only advantage over the K frame.
15 replies and only bigwheelzip did not write that they'd keep the 65 and bigwheelzip only wrote a reason for trading without clearly writing they'd trade. There might be another couple of reasons to consider.
2 1/2" 686s were the last model to loose S&W made Combat Stocks as their standard stocks. They came with Combat Stocks until about 2000. If the 686 still has its Combats then its stocks are worth about $250. There is no doubt 3" 65s are nice revolvers with a following but I'm skeptical about using the highest freak gone broker auction price to value guns. Every internet auction site I've used is plagued with shill bidding. Pretend auctions are used to raise the value dealers hope to obtain from their guns. All they have to do is report their own shill bid as a non-paying bidder and their scam costs them nothing.
I'd only consider keeping the 65 if it hit to point of aim for me with the weight of bullets I wanted to use at the velocity I wanted. If it required much Kentucky windage I'd say good-bye to it.
2 1/2" 686s were the last model to loose S&W made Combat Stocks as their standard stocks. They came with Combat Stocks until about 2000. If the 686 still has its Combats then its stocks are worth about $250. There is no doubt 3" 65s are nice revolvers with a following but I'm skeptical about using the highest freak gone broker auction price to value guns. Every internet auction site I've used is plagued with shill bidding. Pretend auctions are used to raise the value dealers hope to obtain from their guns. All they have to do is report their own shill bid as a non-paying bidder and their scam costs them nothing.
I'd only consider keeping the 65 if it hit to point of aim for me with the weight of bullets I wanted to use at the velocity I wanted. If it required much Kentucky windage I'd say good-bye to it.
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You'll probably get lots of offers to make the trade you propose; personal preference but the collective seems to give it a thumbs down.
No I wouldn't!
HOUSTON RICK
Member
No, I think that the consensus here is that a 686 is generally, all else being equal, more popular and expensive than a Model 66. But everyone marches to their own drummer, and there are lots of Model 66 fans..
OP
Thanks group the 686 can be saved up for the s&w 65 stays in The LAND 
