Advice on a .357

[silverbear123]

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a S&W .357. From my preliminary research I am thinking about a pre-owned 4" 686.

I would welcome your advice and thoughts on the 686 (dash, no dash, etc), as well as other models I should be looking at. The gun will be for home defense and fun at the range.

Also, I tend to see more 6" 686s available in my area and was wondering if I should be open to a 6" barrel as well. Advantages - disadvantages for my intended use?

 

[murphydog]

Any of the 686s through the -4 would be good. If you won't be carrying it a 6" would work fine, although it is muzzle heavy. Also think about the model 66, it is no longer in production but nice examples are plentiful.

 

[mtime7]

I have a 686 no dash 6" and I would think you would be well served with just about any 686

 

[Wheelgun686]

I currently carry a 686-2 4" and love it. It shoots nice and fits my hands good. Being that I have been cursed with short fingers, the 686 is a perfect fit!

 

[SWMod10]

A 4 or 6" would serve you will for HD and range. If you plan on carrying it, you might want to look at the 66...

Mine is accurate and has replaced my HK for my new carry gun.

 

[jpwhel]

The 686 is a great revolver. You will be well served with the 4" barrel. If you want the 6" for range shooting that is great. For cc you may also want to consider the 3" barrel, it is a very nice carry firearm.

As others have mentioned you may also want to consider the K frame Mod 66 which can be had in 2 1/2, 3, 4 and 6 inch barrel configurations.

 

[USAF385]

My personal favorite S&W is my 4 inch 681 no dash. It's a great house / woods gun and I also carry in concealed from time to time. Most often in colder weather in a shoulder holster, but IWB works too. You'd be happy with a 686.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have a 2.5" 686 which is a fun little range gun, and can be used for carry but frankly it is just too heavy and bulky compared to a SP101. The extra shot isn't worth it compared to the compact carry convenience of the SP and a speed strip.

I have a 6" 586 and it is a great range gun, superbly accurate. I would think a 6" is preferable to the 4" if you are considering primarily range/HD use over possible carry.

I also got a great deal on a used 4" 681 and it is a fine gun if you like fixed sights. It's a decent gun for outdoors carry but I have other things in a larger caliber that carry just as easily that I prefer for that task as well. Still, I couldn't pass it up for $250. Maybe I'll use it for something like IDPA some day.

I'd probably prefer a 4" 686 with adjustible sights since I could regulate them for heavier outdoors loads. I think the 4" 686 is one S&Ws more versatile revolvers.

 

[gr7070]

My preference is the 4", but a lot of that will depend upon how you intend to use it. All-purpose: range, games, hunting, defense, hard to beat a 4".

I couldn't care less about what dash, mim, ILS, etc. They all work very well. If for some reason they stop working S&W will fix it.

Price I care about. Make sure a used gun is significantly less than a new gun. Bud's online prices with free delivery are a decent price to use.

Depending upon shipping and FFL costs to you (or maybe you're local to their two shops) GT distributors has a 4" 686 for $589.95!! That's a crazy cheap price. Few used 686 are in good enough shape and cheap enough to compete with that price.

 

[das]

I have a 4inch 686+-4 and a 3inch 686+ with the IL. My favorite revolvers.

 

[silverbear123]

My current carry is a Glock 26 and 19. From what I'm hearing, the 4" gives me the most options on home defense, range, outdoors, and even carry.

Price is also a concern as I have about $500 set aside. Living in the Houston area, I have seen a number of local forum ads and gun shows to shop so I'm hoping to find one at that price range.

 

[one eye joe]

A 4'' 686 is a GREAT all around weapon that will serve you well. Try to find a 7 shot without a lock, especially a Mountain Gun. It's my favorite 686. Be prepared to spend more than $500...........

 

[310nightguard]

686s are great guns

28 (Highway Patrolman) are also great guns; bigger frame, heavier, but great to shoot and they can be found used for less than the cost of a 686 if that is a consideration

 

[luangtom]

I would take my $500 and look for a K-frame in VG condition. It will most likely be non-IL and they shoot well. My preference would be a 3" Model 65.

 

[gr7070]

A 4'' 686 is a GREAT all around weapon that will serve you well. Try to find a 7 shot without a lock, especially a Mountain Gun. It's my favorite 686. Be prepared to spend more than $500...........

If used a used 686 is going to run over $500 buying new for $590 makes a lot more sense.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

A happy gun is a clean gun, on the stainless I use mothers and a stainless brush along with a rag to run down between the barrel and top strap.

 

[feralmerril]

There are so many models out there each of us could argue forever and do about our personnal choices. I think we can sum it up by just saying try the heft out on different barrel lengths and models and buy what calls you. You wont go wrong and it wont change your life as long as you stick with S&W, colt and some say rugers. They all will do the job.

 

[parabarbarian]

For carrying I have a 3" 686. For showing off at the range and a general purpose defensive revolver without regard to concealment, I have a 6". The 4" is really a compromise between the concealment and speed of draw of a short barrel versus improved accuracy and higher velocity of a long barrel.

That said, any of the three length will serve at the range or in the home. Unless you really have a preference for number of rounds and/or bbl length, go for the best deal.

 

[David LaPell]

The 686 is a fine gun, having had one in a 8 3/8 and wished I had not sold it. For all around carry, the 4 inch is the way to go because it would be harder to conceal than a 6 inch. How heavy of a load do you want to shoot through it? I always prefer the heavier N frame .357's because I can shoot whatever load I want, but your 686 is as tough as they come, and should handle everything that you are looking for.

 

[Black Knight]

I carried a 686-1 for several years as an armed security officer and security firearms instructor. It served me extremely well in all the weather conditions a mobile patrol officer encounters. You should have no problem with one. While you can certainly find many worse 357s, some equal 357s, you can only find a very few that would surpass it. I started out with a 6" Colt Python so I am very partial to them but due to the fact they are no longer in production and good smiths that really know them are few and far between; I would still choose my 686 for heavy duty use. Don't get me wrong I still carry a 4" Python off duty from time to time but unfortunately my issued duty weapon today is a Beretta 92FS. S&W revolvers were designed for the heavy duty use a police officer or security officer can give it.