Advise on a 4 or 6 inch Model 686

[Mr.Harry]

I like 6 inch barrels, but in the interest of variety, and some of the other reasons already stated, I would get the 4 inch if I already had something in 6. Mix it up. They are fine looking too.

 

[cleans up]

4" is probably the bests all around gun. But I'd go for the 6" personally. I don't carry my revolvers and enjoy the look and feel of a 6" gun better. If I did carry them it'd be for hunting and the extra 2" then isn't a big deal. In my state you need a 5" barrel to hunt with, so there's another possible advantage.

 

[apollo99]

I have revolvers in lengths from 2 1/2" - 8 3/8". In the 686 my favorite would be the 4", nice look, great balance, a beautiful overall package. You can't go wrong either way 4" or 6". I carried a 4" 38 special for years in NYC, but that's a story for another time.

 

[mg357]

I recommend the 4 inch 686 I own a pair of these revolvers and it's a fantastic revolver.

 

[Redlegvzv]

You cannot go wrong with either the 4" or the 6". For a range shooter I prefer the 6" but I have a 4" and I love it. The differences are marginal. For me 3" is too short, but others obviously have a different opinion.

 

[silentflyer]

If it's just going to be a range gun go for the 6", useful out to 100 yards, if is a CC gun the 4".

 

[BAM-BAM]

A 4" 686/586 is IMHO the best all around, general purpose .357 magnum handgun going...... the best of both the K and N frame features...... grip/trigger reach of the K-frame with the strength to handle as many of any .38 or .357 load you want to shoot..........

If you are "only" shooting for tiny groups or maximum X count..... in all likelihood you will be shooting .38s and the slightly longer sight radius of the 6" barrel will be of advantage.

My advice is a 4" 686 to start and later a 6 inch 586 (Options include a Model 14 or K-38 Target Masterpiece) for the range ..........................

and then................. you've "got's to have" a 2 1/2 inch 19.......... LOL

 

[buck460XVR]

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.

While a lot of it is personal taste, for a range gun that will be shot often and with legitimate .357 loads, one will find recoil reduces with barrel length and additional sight plane makes it easier for most folks to shoot more accurately. I have a 4'', 5'' and a 6'' 686. My favorite is the 5'', the favorite of others I take to the range is the 6''. While most of those folks will say the 4'' feels more balanced at first, when it comes to shooting them the second time around, most of them reach for the 6'' over the 4''.

 

[diyj98]

A lot depends upon your intended use. 4" is as short as I want in a full sized 357 magnum. While 6" is as long as I want normally. Anything longer and it's gets a bit unsteady for me offhanded. I have a 5" that seems to make a nice compromise.

 

[Granite Stater]

Six inch 686 rules! But you can't go wrong with the 4 inch and as mentioned above you have to own at least one 4 inch 38spl/357mag.

 

[Ranger514]

Are you buying new or used? I've owned both in pre-lock configuration. Regretably, I sold the 4" that was my first personally owned duty carry revolver. It was well balanced and a perfect defensive handgun. I now own a dash 3, 6-inch 686+ that feels a little heavy on the front end for balance, but is a very accurate shooter. Either would be great at the range for practical target and defensive handgun practice. I'd say the OP should follow through with his thought of renting a 4" to see how well it handles before making up his mind. He might just end up owning both.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Thank you everyone for all of the experience and opinions you shared so far. I'll just keep listening...

To answer Ranger 514...most likely it will be new.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I just realized I mispelled advice! Boy! Am I embarrassed!

 

[johngalt]

I find the 6" L frame with the full underlug a bit heavy for target shooting. A 6" K frame without the full underlug is about perfect.

 

[lrrifleman]

Hi, I hate to muddy the waters, but I will toss in my 2 cents.

I have about 7 revolvers, with barrels running from 3" to 8 3/8", each has a mission specific purpose. To me, the term "range use" can have a number of meanings.

When I shoot one handed bullseye matches, I use 6" revolvers. I also use a 6" revolver for PPC matches. I use an 8 3/8" revolver for bowling pin and metallic silhouette matches. I use my 3" and 4" revolvers for self defense type range matches. For concealed carry, I will use my 3" revolvers when appropriate, or my automatics as needed. I would never consider handgun hunting with less than a 6" revolver.

Just as an aside, we are much like Baskin Robbins, handgunners are just like everyone else, we aren't content with just one flavor of ice cream!

 

[AlphaSig]

Ok here ya go. You might consider one thing if you're buying new -- the grips are different than the older models. If I were you, I would compare the older 80's square grip revolvers and the newer made revolvers. I bought a newer revolver 686 which I then sold because I couldn't grip the round grips as well as the square. Anyways, here are examples - 686-3 6" blackened over SS (limited run) and a 4" 686-3 both were made in the 80's bought them used 1 on gunbroker (4") and the other(6") on gunsinternational.com
All the best in your S&W search - misspeller. Definitely compare (grip) them is my 2 cents-

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

Go with the 4"

 

[Redlegvzv]

You can easily get the round-to-square grip conversion grips as I have done with all my S&Ws...

 

[bananaman]

I started out with a 586 no dash, 4" that I got on a trade. Really liked it, and shortly after got a 686-3, 6". Great range gun. The only thing that I can say, is that the 4" BLUE gun looks much cooler! Bob

 

[CherryRiver]

While both lengths are excellent, the four-inch gun is more versatile.
It can do more things. That would suggest the four.
My 4" 686, though, is actually a 586. One of the best full-size revolvers ever, takes a beating and keeps on shooting... easily.