Advise on a 4 or 6 inch Model 686

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Boudiepitbull

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I'm a new shooter. I recently bought a 6 inch Model 617 and would now like to add a 686 to the mix. I'm having a little trouble definitively making up my mind about seeking a 4 inch model or a 6 inch model for the second gun. I've rented a 6 inch 686 before getting the 617 but never used a 4 inch. I guess that's the next rental before buying anything.

If you had a choice would you seek a second 6 inch revolver or would you get a 4 inch, mix it up a little bit and have one of each? Both guns will be strictly used as range toys for the next few years, so the options of use for home defense, hunting, or carry are not considerations (I live in NYC, my son lives in Florida, so they stay in his gun safe and we go shooting together when I visit).

I know there is no right or wrong answer, I'd just like to hear some different points of view. Thanks!
 
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Everybody should have at least one 4" K/L frame revolver because they are so handy to holster for a walk around, let you shoot IDPA, steel challenge, and other games with a stock revolver, and are just so handy for general shooting.
I started with a 6" 686 after the .22, but soon bought a 4", and have shot it much more since.
 
OKFC05 said:
Everybody should have at least one 4" K/L frame revolver because they are so handy to holster for a walk around, let you shoot IDPA, steel challenge, and other games with a stock revolver, and are just so handy for general shooting.
I started with a 6" 686 after the .22, but soon bought a 4", and have shot it much more since.
Click to expand...

I must admit I have some leanings towards a 4" at this time. I'm wondering if it will prove to be a little more manageable yet still maintain a comparable degree of accuracy as a 6" at the usual pistol ranges of 7, 10, 25 yards making the extra long barrel kind of a moot point.
 
If you haven't looked at it, you should check out the 686+ with the 3" barrel. One of my shooting buddies got one and I'm jealous even though I have a Model 27 with a 4 inche barrel and a 686+ Pro with the 5" slab barrel. The 686+ has seven shots and the 3" barrel isn't as small as it sounds. Recoil is no greater than my 5" 686+ and the gun is plenty accurate. If you want to see one in action, go to YouTube and search for Hickok45, 686+, he can easily hit his gong at a distance of 80 yards. This gun is very well balanced and I've even though about selling mine to get one. I know that doesn't help you with your decision making but you should check it out. Regards, Elliot45
 
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What are you trying to hit at 25yds? The 4" 686 will take down 6" steel plates at 35yds all day if you can shoot. From a rest, I can shoot your 2 liter water jug at 100yds (proved it one day, hit first shot). The main advantage of a 6" is more bullet speed for hunting and a longer sight radius for the shooter. There is very little mechanical difference in the accuracy from a Ransom Rest.
I used to shoot with a fellow officer who had shot on the West Point pistol team, and he introduced me to playing "impossible shot" like shooting clay pigeons on the 50 and 100yd backstops. After a few cases of ammo, the shooter can begin to approach the gun's capability.
 
the more the better

I have 3", 5" & 6" 686
The only reason I do not have a 4" is I have enough 4" K frames.
Since you can't go wrong with any 686... get them "ALL" one at a time.
but for the record I have shot the 3" more than the rest.
 
So it seems that being limited to shooting paper and a few reactive steel targets indoors and out that it's very unlikely that the capabilities of the gun in short or long barrel length are ever going to be exceeded. The limitations are far more likely to be my own.

In the end, I guess it comes down to a matter of personal taste and aesthetics. When I would help friends choose between two similar motorcycles the ultimate defining question was often, "Which one makes you smile the most?"
 
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robvious said:
I have 3", 5" & 6" 686
The only reason I do not have a 4" is I have enough 4" K frames.
Since you can't go wrong with any 686... get them "ALL" one at a time.
but for the record I have shot the 3" more than the rest.
Click to expand...

That's how we ended up with 9 motorcycles. There is no more room in the garage, but I still like your thinking. :)
 
If you have the eyesight to see distant targets and the strength to hold aim on the 6" for extended range sessions, then that would be my choice. I'm a female senior citizen with poor eyesight, and the 4" is tiring for me to hold with my arms extended, but it's a great shooter so I just take more breaks and only shoot to 25yds.
 
Elliot45 said:
If you haven't looked at it, you should check out the 686+ with the 3" barrel. One of my shooting buddies got one and I'm jealous even though I have a Model 27 with a 4 inche barrel and a 686+ Pro with the 5" slab barrel. The 686+ has seven shots and the 3" barrel isn't as small as it sounds. Recoil is no greater than my 5" 686+ and the gun is plenty accurate. If you want to see one in action, go to YouTube and search for Hickok45, 686+, he can easily hit his gong at a distance of 80 yards. This gun is very well balanced and I've even though about selling mine to get one. I know that doesn't help you with your decision making but you should check it out. Regards, Elliot45
Click to expand...

Oh! Believe me! I've stayed up watching Hickok45 on YouTube to the point where my girlfriend thinks I'm having an affair or developing a porn addiction. I've seen his 686 and was very impressed, also someone else did a very interesting one on a reworked Model 60 also with a 3" barrel. If I ever live in a place where carry is an option either would be a very viable choice. Right now it's range toy only.
 
There's just something about the aesthetics of a S&W revolver with a 4" barrel. That balance of height and length makes them possibly the best looking pistol ever produced.
 
I suspect you will not notice the difference between a 6 and 4" 686 for range work, or for that matter a 4" or 3". Also, you could obtain a FL non-resident carry permit, and if so a shorter barrel version would be easier to carry when you visit down south. Good luck in your decision.
 
I've owned both and I find I can shoot the 4" faster, especially with full power loads. You would think it would be the opposite but I found when all that weight out front with the 6" get moving it actually takes longer for it to settle down. I don't like the balance on full underlug guns once they get past 4" anyways.
 
I own both a 6" 686-3 (blackened over SS) and a 4" 686-3 SS. Theyre both pretty awesome revolvers (old school square butts). Wouldn't get rid of either. Mostly shoot the 4" and if you carry it's a bit easier to conceal. I practice w/either at 7yds and 15yds, but will try the 4" at 100yds and see if I can hit like member TRE on here. I don't really see a difference in accuracy between the 4" and the 6" when I shoot. I'll throw a pic tomorrow of each for you-
 
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