Advise on a 4 or 6 inch Model 686
- Thread starter Boudiepitbull
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Richochet
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
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.
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.
dennisvet
Member
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.
DocAnyday
Member
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.
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.
Definitely no loss in accuracy for a 4" barrel, and the balance is much better, much more fun to shoot. IMHO>
Ahab
Member
excepting my .460 and Titanium snubby, all my wheel guns have 6" barrels and I'll not be changing anytime soon.
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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.
os2firefox
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A 4 inch barrel is better for all around. A 6 inch barrel is better for competitions
Qc Pistolero
Member
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.
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.
Blackshirt
Member
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...
I think that I may have talked myself into another...
Rpg
Member
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".
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".
Mehutch
Member
If you can... collect them all. Each one is a seven shooter.
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!
Redlegvzv
Member
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Engine49guy
Member
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
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
