rawightman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
Do you have both the 686 4" & 6" and if you had to pick one to keep what would it be.
Do you have both the 686 4" &6"
- Thread starter rawightman
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
BobR1
Member
I have a 686-1 Power Custom Combat with a Clark Moon Clip Conversion, as well as a rock stock 686-5. Both are 4". I holster carry all of my revolvers, except my Big Hunting Pistols.
I have 11 carry revolvers with barrels from 1-7/8" to 4".
I also have a 480 Ruger Super RedHawk 7-1/2" with open sights, and a second 9-1/2" one with an UltraDot 30mm that is my deer hunting gun.
I do not own any 6" guns at the moment. They are plain unhandy to pack around in a holster. I do not holster carry the Super RedHawks either, I carry then in Boyt Cases with shoulder straps added.
If you only shoot at the range, and do not carry in a holster the 6" may work for you. I belt carry 365 days a year to include driving a vehicle. Barrels over 4" do not work out for me. Today I was carrying my 3" Model 66.
You may wonder why I have a pair of 4" 686's? The Power Custom Combat is the wifes house gun, and has been for over 20 years. I picked up the second 686-5 so that I had my own 4" 686 again. If my Pistol Smith, Ron Power can get the new 686-5 to work like a Swiss Watch for me, I may replace my 4" HB Model 64 SSR gun with it sooner or later as my primary match pistol. I will be patient, Ron has the 64 running about as slick as a revolver gets now.
Bob
I have 11 carry revolvers with barrels from 1-7/8" to 4".
I also have a 480 Ruger Super RedHawk 7-1/2" with open sights, and a second 9-1/2" one with an UltraDot 30mm that is my deer hunting gun.
I do not own any 6" guns at the moment. They are plain unhandy to pack around in a holster. I do not holster carry the Super RedHawks either, I carry then in Boyt Cases with shoulder straps added.
If you only shoot at the range, and do not carry in a holster the 6" may work for you. I belt carry 365 days a year to include driving a vehicle. Barrels over 4" do not work out for me. Today I was carrying my 3" Model 66.
You may wonder why I have a pair of 4" 686's? The Power Custom Combat is the wifes house gun, and has been for over 20 years. I picked up the second 686-5 so that I had my own 4" 686 again. If my Pistol Smith, Ron Power can get the new 686-5 to work like a Swiss Watch for me, I may replace my 4" HB Model 64 SSR gun with it sooner or later as my primary match pistol. I will be patient, Ron has the 64 running about as slick as a revolver gets now.
Bob
My 586 and 686 are both 6 inch range revolvers so I can't anwser you question on that model but I do have the model 617 no dash in 4 inch and 6 inch and they are similiar to the 686. I bought the 6 inch first and just about 8 months ago picked up the 4 inch. To my surprise I like the 4 inch better and it's just a little more accurate then the 6 inch for what's that worth.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
I own both, and concur with youngda9. The 4" model is better balanced.
ibthumper
US Veteran
Eyes got me two of them non silver no shine no dash 586 one six and one 4 incherr. Don't let my state overseers know pleaseee
AveragEd
Member
From the photo below, you can tell that I prefer the six-inchers but I use handguns of that caliber for target shooting most of the time. The 686-0 in he middle right with a TT & TH is my regular "shooter."
If I carried a gun all the time, I'm sure I would prefer a shorter barrel. I own that 4" 686-4 strictly for snake medicine with shotshells when scouting for deer prior to the opening of our fall archery hunting season. In fact, I use it so little that I offered it for sale in another thread.
Ed
If I carried a gun all the time, I'm sure I would prefer a shorter barrel. I own that 4" 686-4 strictly for snake medicine with shotshells when scouting for deer prior to the opening of our fall archery hunting season. In fact, I use it so little that I offered it for sale in another thread.
Ed
Last edited:
dentkimterry
Member
I was sold a 6" 686 for the touted longer sight picture. I later bought a 4" because I think it handles better. Accuracy wise they both shoot about the same for me. They are both keepers!
rrobertson
US Veteran
I would keep the 4in but more over I would keep the 3in over the 4in.
For me I have found for CC'ing and target/range work that I do just as well with the 3in as the 4in.
For me I have found for CC'ing and target/range work that I do just as well with the 3in as the 4in.
Lou_NC
Member
I own a 686 6" that is my "range" .357 magnum. I think the longer sight radius and extra weight under the barrel is an advantage for range use with .357 loads. Actually I sent this gun back to S&W in the late 80's to have the red ramp front sight replaced with a patridge front sight, and I'm very glad I did.
I also own a 66 4" that is my "woods carry" .357 magnum. This is a "carry a lot and shoot a little" gun for me. (Actually, I shoot a LOT of .38spl. plinking loads in it, but I don't beat it (or myself) up by shooting a lot of .357 mag loads in it).
If I could only own ONE .357 magnum, it would be a 4" 686. I may buy one someday if I'm in the mood and a fair deal on pre-lock gun presents itself. But for now I am well-served by the combination of the 686 6" and 66 4".
Oh, and since I like looking at pictures of others' guns, here are pictures of mine.
Lou
I also own a 66 4" that is my "woods carry" .357 magnum. This is a "carry a lot and shoot a little" gun for me. (Actually, I shoot a LOT of .38spl. plinking loads in it, but I don't beat it (or myself) up by shooting a lot of .357 mag loads in it).
If I could only own ONE .357 magnum, it would be a 4" 686. I may buy one someday if I'm in the mood and a fair deal on pre-lock gun presents itself. But for now I am well-served by the combination of the 686 6" and 66 4".
Oh, and since I like looking at pictures of others' guns, here are pictures of mine.
Lou
sub-moa
US Veteran
There are unfortunate souls here who don't?
Just can't imagine being forced to choose one child over the other
Okay...4"
just to add to the confusion Smith started selling a 5" in 2010 I believe sits right in the middle. I feel the 4" is much more balance and can do everything 6"ers do. I don't own a 6" but have handled them and didn't care for them.
sits right in the middle. I feel the 4" is much more balance and can do everything 6"ers do. I don't own a 6" but have handled them and didn't care for them.
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I have a..., well, my wife has a 4 inch Model 681. I carry an issued 4 inch Model 686-6. I may buy a 3 or 4 inch Model 686 once the truck is paid off. Don't need a 6 inch. Don't want a six inch. Now, if you want to get rid of a 6 inch, I could take one as a favor, I guess, if I have to.
ECS
ECS
Gman56
Member
It would be 4in no matter 586 or686! I love 4 in barrels with full underlug.6in with half lug. I have a 686-1 that was a 6 in. I sent her to LSG in Tx. a S&W warranty repair shop.I had the switch the 6 to a 4in. Itis my favorite pistol now!It just feels great in my hands!I have other 6 and 4in revolvers but this one is my favorite.She shoots just as accurate! Points and balance is much better now.I just wish a 4in 28-2 would show up in my area it would be mine!I know the 6in 28-2 I have feels like my 4in 686 in my hands. So a 4in with a half lug has to be the best!
Last edited:
I own a 4" 586 Nickle and think it is very well balenced. I have a 6 " Model 19 that I think is great for hunting and Target work. I also have 3 six inch N Frames and they are my favorite for Hunting and range work ( 27-2/29-2/25-2) all of the other guns have better triggers than the 586. I really like the balence of the 586 4". Good over all pistol you can carry and hunt and make a great house defense gun. You will be happy with any Smith.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I do not have a 4" or a 6". I do have a 7" 686. I lettered it and it was a special order. There were 30 non fluted 7 shot and 30 fluted 6 shot. I have the 6 shot. It is a fine shooter.
YankeeWheelgun
Member
- Range: 6-inch
- Carry: 2.5 or 3-inch
- All around: 3 or 4-inch
snubbiefan
Member
Matter-of-fact....I recently swapped a ND 6-inch for a dash 4 four-inch. I would not normally swap any ND for a later model, but in this case....it was a no-brainer for me.
