Help! Can’t decide on what revolver to get!

[Darkenfast]

If you are looking for a good carry gun, I'd recommend a pre-lock model 19. Pinned and recessed if your budget allows.

That would be my choice over all of those.

S&W stopped making pinned and recessed centerfire revolvers over four decades ago. There's nothing sacred about them. Same about the pre-lock guns. Ignore it if you don't want to use it. The current Model 19 Classic is probably more durable, and if the one American Rifleman tested is typical, it is extremely accurate. If an L-frame is too heavy, this (or the Model 66), might be a good choice.

For reference, here are the current weights and thicknesses of these revolvers (from the S&W site):

Model 19 Classic 4.25" (wood grips) - 37.4 oz., 1.45" thick.
Model 66 4.25 (rubber grips) - 36.9 oz., 1.45" thick.

Model 686+ 4.13" (rubber grips) - 39.2 oz., 1.55" thick.

P&R is for collectors. A new revolver shooter is probably better off getting a new gun, under warranty, than taking a chance on a used example, especially if you can check it out (and maybe even rent one), at a gunshop/range.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I had to look up the respective weights to confirm the weight difference. The above response is correct. However hefting both guns the weight difference is noticeable. The 686 is an excellent revolver I have owned several. A three inch CS-1 is always on my wish list. But I believe the 66 is a better choice. You cannot go wrong with either one. YMMV

 

[DGNY]

To the OP. It is an honor to have you ask this great forum what to purchase. Though we don’t know a great deal about your intended purposes, the modern, 66 (even with the “dreaded”, but not to me, lock), with a 4.25 inch barrel would be a superb choice for almost anyone.

BTw, one of the Reasons for wide variety in our answers is that many have a large context of 5… 10…50 or more Smith and Wessons, and each S&W has its place in our vision of personal defense, range, work, preparing for the next generation, general or specific collecting, etc..

Please do let us know what your ultimate choice is, hoping you realize it will likely not be your last such a choice!

 

[SWOLVOLVER]

Thanks for all the comments everyone! After hearing everyone's inputs I a have decided to go with a new 66-8.

Reasonings:
4.25 inch barrel with half underlug looks more appealing to me than full underlug.

I prefer the finish over the polished steel.

The cylinder is the optimal size for 6 shots rather than 7 or 8.

Lighter than 686 with arguably same durability due to improvements to forcing cone and ball detent lockup (If I find proof that this is not the case I will reconsider!)

Has adjustable sights, after looking into this I think I prefer this feature over fixed.

2 piece barrel seems to have less issues with timing. (I have read a lot of stories with people talking about how their barrels on their 686's were crooked.)

Finally, it's new so I would get the lifetime warranty. I plan on keeping this purchase till I die so this is a no brainer for me!

Again, thankyou to everyone's input!

 

[rogerwnuss]

k frame magnums are not made for a steady diet of magnum rounds. that's why they came out with the L frames, unfortunately just before the great switchover to automatics.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Wow, you have definitely done your homework, well done. One thing you didn't mention, are you OK with the internal lock that S&W started using with the 66-6? Some prefer their revolvers without it, either for aesthetics or concerns that it could fail. But have no fear! There is a "plug" you can purchase to replace it with if desired. From what I've read here, users are pretty happy with it.

Todd

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Thanks for all the comments everyone! After hearing everyone's inputs I a have decided to go with a new 66-8.

Reasonings:
4.25 inch barrel with half underlug looks more appealing to me than full underlug.

I prefer the finish over the polished steel.

The cylinder is the optimal size for 6 shots rather than 7 or 8.

Lighter than 686 with arguably same durability due to improvements to forcing cone and ball detent lockup (If I find proof that this is not the case I will reconsider!)

Has adjustable sights, after looking into this I think I prefer this feature over fixed.

2 piece barrel seems to have less issues with timing. (I have read a lot of stories with people talking about how their barrels on their 686's were crooked.)

Finally, it's new so I would get the lifetime warranty. I plan on keeping this purchase till I die so this is a no brainer for me!

Again, thankyou to everyone's input!

In my opinion, you have chosen very well. People make a fuss about the K frames and Magnum loads, but unless you’re really planning to rack up a high round count (who can afford to do that these days?!) AND planning to do so with 125 grain ammo, the likelihood that it will matter is slim. Furthermore, by going with the latest model, you will be giving yourself all of the improvements that supposedly render those concerns moot, and you’ll have the benefit of an excellent warranty to take care of things in the unlikely event that you do have a problem.

Obviously, do your due diligence when you go to pick up your purchase, and inspect it carefully before taking possession. Look for all of the things that people tend to complain about in terms of quality control issues both mechanical and aesthetic. If it passes muster when you look it over well, chances are it will provide you with a lifetime of trouble free use.

As for the model 66 in particular, I don’t think you could choose a better .357 Magnum revolver. Its size and weight make it handy and comfortable enough to carry all day, while being sufficient to manage Magnum power level ammunition. Congrats on your decision, and be sure to post pics when the new cannon arrives. Well done.

 

[MajorD]

Fork me the only way to choose better than a 66 is for it to be a 19. I detest stainless, and never saw any point to it. I am pretty lax on maintenance and never had issues with any of my blue guns as a result. The wear a lot better than a lot of people think. I do prefer old classics, but the more modern design improvements and metallurgy of the current production guns is a plus.
I have never owned or shot an L frame. Always preferred K, and in all my years ( decades) I have a
Ways been satisfied with 38, and shot very few magnums. When I did a lot of shooting with a revolver, even when I reloaded magnums they were just a hair hotter than 38, so never felt there was an issue inducing excessive west or abuse on the guns. My go to do everything revolver is a 38 combat masterpiece made in the mid fifties. Does everything I need in a general purpose gun. I have tried several times to embrace N frames, but just find the K more comfortable and practical

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

Very sorry that you cannot experience the same freedoms we have here in the US. I did not know that you could own guns in Finland. Is it similar to Switzerland where you can own rifles and such?

Are you guys allowed to own Ar-15/AK platform rifles?

Thanks for the reply!

Just curious, thanks!

Here in Finland you can own guns, rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers. Fully automatic weapons are practically prohibited.
The rifle and shotgun must be 60 cm long and their barrel 30 cm. Weapons may only be used for sport shooting and hunting and, of course, collected as a collection with a separate permit.
Before 1998 it was possible to get a ccw permit.

AR15/AK type weapons are common among sports shooters IPSC & SRA (SRA is our own four gun sport for reservists)
It's easy to get an AR15/AK license if you can prove that you practice IPSC or SRA.
A magazines with more than ten cartridges requires a separate permit. To get it, you have to practice IPSC or SRA for one year.
Similarly, a handgun with a magazine of more than 20 rounds requires a separate permit.

Getting a handgun license requires two years of training with someone else's or a shooting club's gun. Once the first permit is obtained, the following ones are easier.
A handgun license requires the shooting sport you practice, 25m "bull's eye", IPSC, IDPA, SRA or similar.

It's easy to get an AR15/AK license if you can prove that you practice IPSC or SRA.
Each weapon must have its own permit. The permit costs €105


SRA-shooting:
SRA-shooting - Wikipedia
About SRA – IFSRA

Gun collecting requires a collecting permit, which is difficult to obtain these days

 

[sodacan]

So little criteria, what about a 581 or 681 both basic combat handguns that will do the job when called upon.

terry

I can't disagree with either of those. I only have a few post-1957 S&W revolvers, but I was really drawn to these. The 581/681 models are terrific (and beautiful) revolvers.

 

[DeafSmith]

Think CLASSIC.... think a S&W 66-1 to 4 2 & 1/2 barrel Combat Magnum.

I find the 686 snubs to heavy for carry all day.

OR...

Find a Ruger Speed/Security Six with 2 3/4 inch barrel.

 

[mikeruns]

I just looked at the S&W factory site and it shows a huge selection…
I favor 4” L frames and have a couple as well as a 6”-all amazing but, they show a 3” model 686 plus with rubber at 35 oz, and another same length with wood grips at 36 oz…and then I see a 2.5” version 686 plus at 34.5 oz….if I were to buy new, one of those would be looked hard at by me….I also like a blue Speed-six .357 in 2-3/4” and a 4” model 65 s&w and they are cherries and kind of all around purpose guns that I like almost as much as the L frames…cheers and good luck!