Anyone here carry a 2 1/2" 686?

[CigarGuy]

Either regular or Plus?
Seems like it would be the perfect carry size and weight to accurately shoot a .357 Magnum?

 

[Nanook 450]

For another 1.5 inches I changed my 2.5 686 to a 4 inch mountain gun barrel. I've lost faith in short barreled revolvers because of lost velocity and accuracy.

 

[TxCol]

686

i have been carrying a 2 1/2 686 with stag grips and a tyler t-grip. It works well in a owb holster under a untucked shirt.

Doc

 

[Snowbandit]

My daughter has the 686+ with 2 1/2-inch barrel and, if she ever tires of it I'll have it. It's one of the nicest revolvers I know of. Not holding my breath though, she loves it too.

 

[doubletap4]

i carry a 3" 686 with hogues in Don Hume owb belt slider, love this gun. after yrs of semi autos and some nice 1911's carried, i just feel more reliability from my 686-3. ammo of choice is .38+p+

 

[carbofan21]

i carry a 3" 686 with hogues in Don Hume owb belt slider, love this gun. after yrs of semi autos and some nice 1911's carried, i just feel more reliability from my 686

The 3 inch barrel is definitely the way to go for a carry gun, in my opinion. For only 1/2 inch extra barrel, you get the full length ejector rod, which is a huge help for faster and easier reloading. Also, if you look at a ballistics table of .357mag as a function of barrel length, you'll see that the longer barrels do much better (4 inch or longer barrel for 125gr loads; 3 inch or longer barrel for 158gr loads).

Shooting .357mag from a short barrel just makes a big fireball, because a large portion of the propelant has not yet burned until the bullet has already exited the barrel. You may as well stick with .38+p, or use a downloaded (medium power) .357mag load like the 125gr Golden Sabre, or the 135gr Speer Gold Dot. These are both about half way between .38+p and full power magnum loads.

 

[indiandave]

I sometimes carry my 686+ with the 4" barrel. When wearing a coat it's easy to conceal. With a button down shirt or the right T-Shirt, I can carry it in the warm weather. When out in the woods hiking with my dogs I open carry her.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I was going to ask the same question!

I used to carry a model 66 snub, but my dad currently has it....

I currently carry a Ruger SP101, but am looking into carrying a 686+, but am wondering just how easily the grip conceals?

I am not worried about weight, because I have a Beltman Belt, and would get a good IWB holster... but am more concerned with the grip printing...

Can anyone post pics of a K frame next to an L frame?

 

[westczek]

I use one of two sets of Ahrends grips on a 2 1/2 inch 686. Smooth round combats or a little longer retro banana grip. Both are rounded and with a holster that holds the revolver close to the body it does not print under a reasonable loose t-shirt or other untucked button-front shirt.

Westczek

 

[Ghostofwar]

I've been considering carrying my 3 inch 686+, but I haven't found the right holster yet. Anyone here carry in a kydex holster? I'm looking for something like the Raven holster, but I don't want to buy something without some feedback.

 

[lhump1961]

I carry either a 2 1/2" or 3" 66 most of the time. I have a 2 1/2" 686-1 on the way to answer some of those same questions. I assume the 686 will carry about the same in a snubbie...little more cylinder and that's about it. The full underlug would start to matter at 3" but not until 4" would it really count IMHO.

Mine are all 6 shot...did they make the 7 shot before the hole?

 

[sixguner]

Bought the Plus 2 1/2 for my wife, girl friend at the time when she was living in an apartment. She thought it was to heavy to carry. I bought her the KAHR CW9 in a GALCO purse, Surefire E2E and a extra mag with Hornady crit. def. ammo She loves it!!!
A plus her boss/owner of the company is pro gun/pro carry in the work place it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

 

[Rule 303]

I have a 2 1/2 inch 686, a 3 inch CS-1 and a 696.
I have no problem carrying them in the fall or winter when I can wear a jacket or vest. Great guns and a pleasure to carry with a good belt and a good holster.

Rule 303

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I have carried both a 2.5" 686 & 3" 686+, at different times, but switched over to the 2.5" Model 66-2 after I came across one of those. The size & weight between the 686 & 66 really wasn't that big of an issue with me, it's just that, for some reason, I took a liking to the 66 and decided to carry it......

 

[dbl barrel]

65 ladysmith

i have a 3 in model 65 ladysmith and carry it on sometimes. carry 38 +p in it. I also have a 686 7 shot that I carry mostly when out in the woods in an owb. when in town i use an iwb. mostly carry them because of their shootability is better than my 642.

 

[hudsonvalley]

Found an old Lou Alessi (Brand new) for my 2 1/2" 686 7 shot....8" plates at 25 yds is pretty accurate, I think....
http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/store/category.aspx?&Page=1&Sort=1&catid=23898
That's the style but not made for 686 anymore...shame,really comfortable...

 

[CigarGuy]

I carry either a 2 1/2" or 3" 66 most of the time. I have a 2 1/2" 686-1 on the way to answer some of those same questions. I assume the 686 will carry about the same in a snubbie...little more cylinder and that's about it. The full underlug would start to matter at 3" but not until 4" would it really count IMHO.

Mine are all 6 shot...did they make the 7 shot before the hole?

61-Who makes that holster? Just "got" a 2 1/2 off of gunbroker, so actively shopping OWB rigs.

 

[HCA]

I carry the 686+ 2 1/2" with CT laser grips in a Galco Combat Master holster. I love it. I'm not overly concerned about loss of velocity or accuracy from the short barrel. I believe that from the distance where this gun would be employed, it would be insignificant. Standard load for me is 7 rounds of Hornady 125 gr Critical Defense .357 Magnums.

 

[The Highlander]

3" L-Comp 586. Essentially the same thing. In a Don Hume belt slide.

 

[CigarGuy]

You guys are all carrying OWB, right? Seems a little "too big around" to squeeze in between waist and pants, regardless of our individual "girths"? Do have the good belt!