Help Please 686 SSR or 60 Pro?

[jpargo]

I have the 686 SSR and 60 Pro coming into my local gun shop this friday...can I get some opinions on what gun to buy? I am not concerned about the shot capacity, I have spent the last week researching both models and see alot of great things on the SSR. I am concerned about the accuracy of the 60 Pro as I had a small airlight snubnose (much shorter barrel) that I could not hit anything with that I traded two years ago. I had an auto jamb on me recently with snake shot while fly fishing...not a good feeling. I have read on some of the forums that some guys own both, I realize they are different frame sizes and barrel lengths one being a 4" and the other is a 3"...any hands on feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks John

 

[rick45acp]

The SSR is an amazing gun for the price. Forged trigger and hammer, PC look/shape barrel with recessed crown and a trigger that is as good as the PC guns. Two sets of grips and chamfered cylinder. The only thing I don't like about the SSR is the bead blast finish. I like the brushed finish that you can touch up yourself.

 

[colt_saa]

I was shooting my 60Pro today. It is an astonishingly accurate revolver. Easily the most accurate model 60 I have ever owned.

 

[Reevolvers]

I have the SSR, and it is an awesome gun! I also have the performance center model 627. Also an awesome gun. I will be getting the model 60 pro, because I have heard great things about it, and it will complete the set for me! I don't think I have helped but let me know what you decide! You can't go wrong either way!

 

[mack1]

My wife has a 60 pro for a small framed gun it shoots very good. I have not done any bench work with it but did add CT grips and at 25 yards a 4" plate is no trouble to hit with mild 38 loads. It is not to bad with 357 mag's but would not want to shoot them all day that is reserved for the 686. A 686ssr is on my short list when the ot picks back up.

 

[sourdough44]

In most cases snake shot won't reliably cycle in a semi-auto.

 

[MTKTM]

Buy both, the 60 for your wife or GF and the SSR for yourself! Barring the ability to do that, then it really depends a lot on what you plan to do with the gun. I think the SSR is going to be more durable long-term thanks to a significantly larger, beefier frame, where the 60 would be lighter. My personal choice would be the bigger gun if I were looking for an all-purpose shooter.

 

[jpargo]

I learned the hard way with the snake shot...I have a like new condition 6" Colt Python that I do not want to carry while fishing or in the field. I'm looking for something that will shoot well that I can taking on the streams or in the woods while hunting or on the quad. I need a revolver for this as I will never be without one again while enjoying these activities. There is not much difference in weight to these two guns and the 60 would be something I could conceal better but I do not know if concealment is something I need to be looking at for my needs. I knew some members were going to say get both as I'm reading that most guys actually own both and a few also own the 627 as well. I cannot wait until I see and handle them on Friday I was just looking for some opinions from people that own one or another or both possibly...thanks again.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I have a 60Pro and a 686 {same frame] 2 1/2in..
To carry and shoot little with mags the 60 Pro,,
To shoot with mags a bunch, go with the heaver larger gun...
Remember that even a little weight difference will show up at the end
of the day, also that small cylinder is very easy to carry.
I say 60 pro and change the grips for something softer...

 

[SaberOne]

Apple n' Oranges really... The SSR is a nice gun and yet I opted for the 686 2.5-inch just because. If I decide to keep the 686 I'll order the forged parts directly from Smith. I recall the trigger, hammer and bossed spring are all very reasonably priced.

 

[Stainz]

Just over two years ago, I went to my pusher to buy a 686SSR - or, as a backup, a 620. Then, I saw 'Curtain #3' - my choice - the 627 Pro. I am not much of a competitor - except with myself. If the competition aspect interests you - get the 686SSR. I have a friend who has a 60 Pro. He won't carry it as a CCW due to it's weight, preferring his old 642 - or, barf, his new LCR. As I found, if it's too heavy - or big - you won't carry it often - and that's not good.

If it's basically for fun - or competition with yourself - Curtain #3 - the 627 Pro - the same price as the 686SSR. My 627 Pro is my favorite centerfire revolver, especially when fed by moonclipped 125gr JHP .38-ish plinkers in .357M cases. Gaining ground rapidly over the last two months is my new production 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. Also taking up space frequently in my range bag is my 4" 617, but that's a rimfire. For comparison, here is my 627 Pro with a HiViz sight and Ahrends retro targets in cocobolo and my 625 JM:

Odd how, as the years sail by, I migrate to .38/.357 & .22 LR in revolvers - my .44/.45 big bores languish in the safe. Well, the .45 ACP makes a few trips. Good luck.

Stainz

PS If you got your dealer to order both the 686 SSR and 60 Pro for you... won't you have to buy both??? Problem solved!

 

[jpargo]

The owner of the gun shop is someone that I've become good friends with over the years...he said no problem in ordering both guns. I could pick the gun the felt best and he would put the other in the case. I'm afraid that I cannot make up my mind and may be purchasing two on Friday. I can see me carrying the 60 Pro while fishing and on the quad and getting the 686 SSR for the range. My son who is 16 is interested in shooting but not hunting...I can see he and I breaking these guns in on Saturday. I realize these are different guns really. I appreciate everyone's feedback and do like the 627 as well...I cannot wait to see these as I have only one other revolver a 6" Python. I've migrated back to revolvers for some reason...and the snakeshot jambing in my Glock did not go over too well either. I should have known better...

 

[MTKTM]

The owner of the gun shop is someone that I've become good friends with over the years...he said no problem in ordering both guns. I could pick the gun the felt best and he would put the other in the case. I'm afraid that I cannot make up my mind and may be purchasing two on Friday. I can see me carrying the 60 Pro while fishing and on the quad and getting the 686 SSR for the range. My son who is 16 is interested in shooting but not hunting...I can see he and I breaking these guns in on Saturday. I realize these are different guns really. I appreciate everyone's feedback and do like the 627 as well...I cannot wait to see these as I have only one other revolver a 6" Python. I've migrated back to revolvers for some reason...and the snakeshot jambing in my Glock did not go over too well either. I should have known better...

Well there, if you have a 16 year old son who's interested in shooting you absolutely need to get both!!!! I know what you mean by "migrating back to revolvers for some reason...." too, I did that. As a kid and young man I was a total revolver guy, thought semi-autos sucked.....because most of them did back in the '60s and early '70s. In the '80s I got into semi-autos and competition, did a lot of IPSC/USPSA shooting and, later, some IDPA, for the next 20 years and my several revolvers collected dust. About Y2K I was burnt out on competition and began to be more interested in plinking and hunting with a handgun, and in '03 I bought one of the early 500s for both purposes and loved it, thus renewing my interest in revolvers, and have bought several more since. Fun stuff. Enjoy!