Am I crazy?

[Paper Clip]

I am inches away from buying a 3” barreled 686 as my next and last gun for a while. I have been shopping, researching and saving for over a year and finally can afford it, but now that i am ready, or close to it, i cannot pull the trigger. The gun is supposed to be for everything. concealed carry, home defense, ranch gun (ex. Coyotes and snakes, longer range shots, hiking gun, truck gun, etc etc etc. ) it is worth noting that I will be teaching my girlfriend to shoot on this gun most likely. I have looked at autoloaders from Sigs to rugers and none of them are an everything gun. A .357 revolver can go from snake shot and low powered .38 “small game rounds” all the way up to pretty serious 180 or 200gr hard cast loads. As far as revolvers go I have bounced around. First I wanted the exact gun I am about to buy, over a year ago. What keeps me looking at other options is the worry that I will not be able to carry it in hot Georgia weather. I have small autoloaders, but really want to carry this revolver for some reason. I have looked at the 4.2” sp101. It only has 5 shots and the barrel length makes owb concealment hard. I have looked at the model 60 3”. It only has 5 shots and I worry about .357 wearing it out. I have looked at the new model 66. I HATE bead blast finishes with a passion. They look cool, but I sweat and it will rust.

Am I missing something? I am worried about not being able to carry the 686. I am 5’8” and about 190. I am also worried that the 3” barrel will not get enough out of 357 vs the 4 inch but then we run into a concealability issue again. Does anyone have any last second advice? It is a lot of money to spend on a handgun for me, and I really can’t afford for it to be one I buy and just dont use/carry. I will probably place the order today or tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[JayFramer]

BUY IT. BUT IT NOW.

The 3" 686s are some of the sweetest Smiths to be made yet. Velocity will not be an issue if you use Buffalo Bore or Double Tap ammo. Concealability is easy with the right holster. They are a phenomenal "do-all" revolver and the 3" bbl is the best of the bunch.

 

[NRA DOC]

prelock 686 2.5

I would get a prelock brushed stainless 686 with a 2.5 inch barrel. The extra 1.5 inches is not a big deal. The snubby 686 is also a tough gun....my 2 cents worth.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

A 3" 357 is a great tool. The 686 like wise. Good choice. The search for the right or 'purrrfect' holster may take awhile. That why most of us have a large box full of barely used nice holsters.

As for crazy, crazy is okay it's 'nuts' that you should avoid.

Best wishes.

 

[first-model]

I have a Model 65 with a 3" barrel, and I'd buy a 686 with a 3" barrel in a New York Minute if I could find one. The 3" barrel makes it the perfect "woods" gun. It's my hiking companion and it'd be one of the last guns I'd ever part with.

Mike

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

For "home defense/ranch gun", sure, I luv a 3" .357 L-Frame. On the other hand, for CCW during Georgia's humid weather that L-Frame will be a challenge to say the least. You're already "worried" you won't CCW the L-Frame in "hot Georgia weather". That tells me you won't. If CCW is a priority for you I'd look at smaller, lighter options.

 

[damienph]

I would get it. I am 5’-11” 195# and have a 2.5” 66-1 that I carry occasionally. I also have a Scandium 360J that is very easy to carry but not near as much fun to shoot.

I have other semi-autos that are easier to conceal so I have never ccw’d my 4” 686-4 but it is one of my favorite revolvers; you would not be making a mistake buying that 686.

 

[Garman]

Grabagun has several variants of the 686 plus 3" in stock at the best prices I have seen. I just recd my Talo 3" from them this past Monday.

 

[AlHunt]

You're looking for a jack of all trades, master of none firearm. 3" 357mag is probably it. I think you're reluctant to commit because then the hunt will be over. Everyone knows the hunt is more than half the fun.

 

[22hipower]

Buy it, you won't be sorry. You may find it a bit much for carrying in all situations but you've already got "small autoloaders" when those conditions arise. A very good choice for all the applications you list. . . .not much of a compromise for any of them. . . .until you buy the "perfect" solution for every different situation. And since S&W still makes it, or did last I knew, it is one of the few three inch 357s that is still available at a reasonable price. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Whitwabit]

Not at all !! I have a 686 + PC 2 1/2 inch barrel coming in the mail .. should get it Monday if the snow doesn't slow it down ..

 

[Paper Clip]

Grabagun has several variants of the 686 plus 3" in stock at the best prices I have seen. I just recd my Talo 3" from them this past Monday.

Thanks so much for all the replies so quickly! Grabagun is where I am ordering too, I think I am going for the Talo “Deluxe” version. How was your experience with them?

 

[Garman]

I have always had great luck with them! This is my 4th firearm purchase with Grabagun. The gun usually ships in about 2 days and they ship it by UPS 2nd day air, but UPS usually delivers it the next day, at least in my case. Prices are usually always less than everyone else.

The Deluxe version was my second choice! It looks sweet!

 

[Bill In Texas]

You may be overthinking it a little Paper Clip. You've done good research, all that's left is to pull the trigger.

I'm somewhat the same way, buyers remorse before I purchase. Go for it! You'll be glad you did!

 

[Peak53]

...Am I missing something? ...

You are missing the fact that there is not a "do everything gun." The gun you are looking at is a fine one, but the reason we have different frame sizes, different barrel lengths, different calibers, and different finishes is that each variation zeroes in on a specific purpose. Start saving now for the next identified purpose.

 

[Paper Clip]

I did it! Phew!

 

[Chukar60]

Congrats!! Local pawn has a 3” 686 that has been tempting me. It would make a great companion to my 3” 60-10.
I shoot 158 gr. 357 out of the 60 occasionally and it ain’t that bad. Ain’t that great either.
That is why I am toying with the idea of the 3” 686.

 

[ImDrRich]

686

I'm a new owner of the 686 Plus, 2 1/2 barrel. I own a variety of handguns. The 686 Plus is the one I should have had first.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

EXECUTE YOUR PLAN

 

[Notary]

I recently purchased a new 686+ 3" barrel with the intention of concealed carrying it. I have to be honest, it's a big gun, and I am starting to think it's way to big for EDC. Maybe I am spoiled carrying my J frame or Shield, but the 686+ 3" is a lot of gun!
Im not a real big guy, but 6' and 205 lbs and it's to big for me for an EDC.