Advise on a 4 or 6 inch Model 686

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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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-
 

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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
 
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.
 
Try a Five Incher

To resolve the conundrum, consider a 5 inch barrelled revolver.
I recently acquired the S & W TRR8, .357 magnum/.38 Spl.

Scandium frame, steel cylinger, 8 shots.

Very accurate in 5 inch barrel.

Just my two cent.
 
I guess it just depends on the shooter. I have the 686+P 7 shot 6" barrel. I love shooting it. It is very accurate and shoots great. Almost no recoil shooting the 38 special ammo and very little shooting the 357 Mag ammo. I have a Ruger GP 100 4" barrel also. And it shoots great to, but I really prefer my 6" barrel S&W. The only draw back is that it isn't really something you want to try to carry as a concealed weapon.
 
OP said no carry so: Absolutely 6"

Better in every way, except carry. I've owned 686's from 2 1/2" - 8 3/8"
 
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4" vs 6"

Over the years I have found that 4" guns (and some 5") balance better in MY hands than 6" or longer guns. That said my PPC revolvers were 6" guns and for a range toy the 6" Model 686 will probably prove more satisfactory - if for no other reason than the longer sight radius.
 
Boudiepitbull said:
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.
Click to expand...

Definitely no loss in accuracy for a 4" barrel, and the balance is much better, much more fun to shoot. IMHO> :)
 
excepting my .460 and Titanium snubby, all my wheel guns have 6" barrels and I'll not be changing anytime soon.
 
If you decide on the 4", check out the S&W 627 PC. Better trigger, 8 rounds, hand fitted and assembled. It costs a little more but you'll not look back. Jerry Miculek shoots a modified 627.
 
A 4 inch barrel is better for all around. A 6 inch barrel is better for competitions
 
Boudiepitbull said:
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.
Click to expand...

Not an easy one!Range toy only,I'd go with the 6'';but the 4'' is so sexy!But the 6'' develops more FPS but range toy only means shooting at paper;don't need the extra 50FPS or so!The 6'' has more sight radius but the 4'' points so well!Heck,get both or keep bugging S&W to come out with a 5''.I know I'd buy one!
 
686 4" or 6"

My first suggestion is move out of NY. I did, and have never looked back. At the least out of NYC area. It has gotten progressively worse when it comes to gun rights. As for the gun, I prefer 4" for the handling. I hunt in VT with several different 4" revolvers. But I also have 6" hunting guns. Since that is not a consideration for you, I like the 4". I have a 4" 19, 28, and 57. They all shoot fabulously. Good luck.
 
Back in my competition days, I shot a six inch 586 with a a Patridge front sight and the standard Target Grips in duty matches. Those matches required .38 +P as a minimum-strength cartridge. That piece was unbelievable soft to shoot and supremely accurate.

I think that I may have talked myself into another...
 
You should get the one that feels best to you.

This is not an investment.

These guns are quite new to collectible consideration. Lots made, more to come. Not rare.

The 4" tend to hold value better than 6".
 
I have the 2 1/2" and 6" 686 P's and love shooting them both, especially with 38 spl. I wanted a 4", but someone let me shoot a 327 TRR8 5" with the lighter scandium frame. I ended up getting this instead of the 686P-4" model. It has become my favorite range gun...I can shoot all day long without fatigue, even in my 70 year old hands. For reasons I am not sure about I find it much more accurate than the 686 P 6". I also have a 617-6" which is fun to target shoot as well. That's my "stable" of S&W's and I recommend that anyone interested in the 38/357 revolver should shoot them and choose whatever feels and/or performs best for you. As you can see, you'll want more than one!!! Good luck...and enjoy!
 
For ME and only me, the 4" weight, balance, and length all come together for rapid sight acquisition and the darn thing is just plain sexy!
 
Well, I agree with those who say that eventually many of us should end up with both. I have a 686+ 4" now, and absolutely love it. Saw a 6" 686 (six-shooter) on the LGS consignment shelf in like-new condition, and am waiting to be able to pick it up now. The price was great. So soon I'll be taking my advice by having both.

Fact is that either is a great choice so no real chance of error here.
 
REF: 4" Model 617

You can have a lot of fun with a 4 or a 6 inch .22 revolver. Back in the early days of my police career, we carried 4 inch Model 19 revolvers, and the Model 18, which had a 4 inch barrel, was used by many Officers as a practice gun to always be ready for a perfect picture alignment with the sights. So, even if you are not a police officer, I would say try to look at both barrel lengths, and make YOUR decision. Don't let anyone else influence you. Remember that this is YOUR gun and YOU will be using it. Good luck, and I trust that you will make the right decision.
 
686 barrel length

Mine is 8 3/8 in model. I got it for hunting back in the day, and I've killed two Javelina with it. Of course it's a great range gun, but way too large for concealed carry, unless you use a shoulder rig. I'd like to have a 4 in though.
 
Of course the answer is you need one in each length and flavor...:)
BTW this thread needs more pics ;)
(L to R) Early production Model 686 snub, Four inch Model 686-4 plus 7 shot, Model 629-4 "Classic" five inch.


Another not so common version is the 686-5 "Mountain Gun" shown below wearing factory SB targets


The Model 586 in nickel or blue are also favorites

 
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