help with model numbers to buy

[sel1005]

Hi,

Long time 28 model owner here, plus shield, but looking for a new 357 purchase. Have read tons of posts and internet reviews, but still not clear on what to look for. My requirements are:

1. capable of constant 357 loads, not interested in a 38 that occassionally shoots 357 rounds
2. 7 shots; think that means a 686 plus, but not sure
3. preferably NIB, and less than $900
4. 3 in barrel, maybe 4, but not longer
5. one that I can remove the internal lock as I don't want anything that risks my life

I like the way the 686 + with rubber grips looks, but confused as to what else may be out there new that I have not found (S&W, your website is really a hard to navigate and follow site). Or should I try to just find a used 27-28, change out the grips, give up 1 round and move on?

Thanks

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I'm not sure there is anything out there that is the equivalent of a 686+ and you can probably get a 4" fairly easily for under 900 dollars. I'm not saying that Taurus or Rossi don't make a similar gun but I'd have to look that up and......seriously? I don't think so, not for my money, anyway.

They are far more easy to carry than an N frame IMHO but, again YMMV, and it depends on why you're carrying it, where you are going, what the threat is that concerns you, etc.

I have two 686+s with ILs and one without and I don't think about it. YMMV. I keep the keys out of all my IL Smiths and they've never failed and I don't expect them to.

You know the difference so what you really need is affirmation and I'm happy to tell you that if I'm selecting a revolver to be on my hip in the woods a 686+ ranks very much at the top of the selection board. My 2.5" 686+ is my bedside gun - no lock - but that's not how it got to be there. It's just a convenient size.

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

SKU # 164300

S&W 686+ 7 round 3" barrel with hogue rubber grip.

List for $849 but can be found online for a lot less.

Check out BUDSGUNS.com ($715 cash price) usually best buy and free shipping on some guns.

I own one for three years now and really like it. Very well balanced.
Removed the internal lock and replaced with plug found here on this forum.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

686+ plus is what you want. I think the 3-inch guns are in production rotation now because I've seen quit a few recently, sku 164300. You might want to move quickly, before they're all snapped up.

There's also a 3-inch 7-shot M586-7 cut for moon clips, sku 170170. Pretty common, right now. It's Performance Center, so it might exceed your dollar number.

While you're taking out that lock stuff you might want to remove the hammer and trigger studs. Since they're far more likely to fail. Relatively speaking, they snap off all the time. Due to stress fractures.

And while you're in there, get rid of the bolt plunger. In comparison, seems like those are always breaking. It's a complicated little part. All those little nooks and crannies. Cracks can form everywhere. In fact, half the parts in the lock work can fail unexpectedly. Take'em all out. Who needs the worry?

 

[muddocktor]

If you want one more round (8) and want to stretch your budget to the high end just a little bit, there is also the 627 Pro, which has a 4" barrel. It should feel much the same as your present 28, except I think it has a round butt instead of a square butt. Bud's has it in stock for $824.00 cash price.

EDIT: Kentucky Gun Co has the same pistol for $815.99 cash price and both show it in stock. Both stores show free shipping.

 

[sel1005]

perfect, thanks for the info