Is a 4" 686 too large for occasional carry?

[Arkyvarminter]

I'm about to get my CCL. I have a 686 4" that I shoot paper with and even hunt with. I looked at some of the J frames but since I won't carry very often maybe I can just tote the revolver I already have and save the money. What do you think? I'm 6'2" and 235 if that matters...Thanks

PS. What would be the best way to conceal this revolver?

 

[RV4driver]

I've carried my 4" 686+ on occasion, but you really have to dress around it. A long coat will do the trick. It would work in a shoulder holster also, but that's a lot of harness you'll be wearing.

 

[at_liberty]

I'm about to get my CCL. I have a 686 4" that I shoot paper with and even hunt with. I looked at some of the J frames but since I won't carry very often maybe I can just tote the revolver I already have and save the money. What do you think? I'm 6'2" and 235 if that matters...Thanks

PS. What would be the best way to conceal this revolver?

The Desantis scabbard will keep it high and tight. I chose to convert to combat style grips to reduce grip length and the grip corner that reveals too easily.

It is a lot of gun, with weight as much an issue as size. It is really a matter of what you get used to and how you are willing and able to dress for concealment.

I also carry mine under a coat in a shoulder holster during cold weather. For driving, a cross draw like my Galco DAO places the gun in easy reach, if you remember to position your seat belt accordingly.

Note that the heavier guns like this one should best be carried on a 1 3/4" gun belt, so choose holsters that will accommodate that width. A proper gun belt is two thicknesses totaling 1/4" and rather stiff when new. Galco belts work for me.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I've carried my 4" 686+ on occasion, but you really have to dress around it. A long coat will do the trick. It would work in a shoulder holster also, but that's a lot of harness you'll be wearing.

I have a shoulder Holster but that won't work in the summer if I have to carry. I may HAVE to get something smaller. Just want to stick with a Magnum round. What would you recommend if I have to purchase?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Ya, the 686 4" is pushing the limit.........IMO

The best all around......"general purpose" .357....for everything but the range...... is

A 3" K-Frame.........65 ( fixed sights).......13 same gun in blue but harder to find....... a 3" 66 but they are going for top $$$$......3" 19s are $$$$$$$$

A 4" K-frame is doable ....... if you are only going to carry a little...... a 66 or 19 with adjustable sights is a little more versatile..... than a 4" 13/65....IMO

 

[Kframerbluvr]

I carry a 4" GP-100 occasionally as a CCW, which is comparable in size and thickness to your 686. A stiff belt is essential to support the weight of a heavy handgun. I use a Wild Bill's Concealment double thickness cowhide belt with a Galco Summer Comfort IWB holster. I can do this year round with pullover shirts one size larger than normal. If you choose an OWB holster, your covering garment must be longer to cover the exposed bottom portion of the holster and the garment will not drape as well over the rig as well as a IWB holster. Buy your belt and holster and wear your revolver around the house for a week or so to break the leather in and get used to the gear. Extra ammo can be kept in speed strips or speedloaders. BTW, I am 5'10" and 210 pounds with a pudgy mid-section.
Don't let the size or weight of the 686 deter you from carrying concealed. It can be done with a little forethought and preparation. To me, the practical accuracy and improved ballistics of the service size sixgun, in comparison to an airweight J-frame, is worth the extra bulk and weight.

 

[at_liberty]

Ya, the 686 4" is pushing the limit.........IMO

The best all around......"general purpose" .357....for everything but the range...... is

A 3" K-Frame.........65 ( fixed sights).......13 same gun in blue but harder to find....... a 3" 66 but they are going for top $$$$......3" 19s are $$$$$$$$

A 4" K-frame is doable ....... if you are only going to carry a little...... a 66 or 19 with adjustable sights is a little more versatile..... than a 4" 13/65....IMO

All good choices for size and weight, but the 686 in 4" is a real 357, not one that begs to be fed 38 Special or custom 357 lite.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I looked at some at the SandW site and this one caught my eye. I really want a hammer and a magnum. This one would be much easier to carry, right?

Model 60
SKU #: 162420
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 2.125" / 5.4 cm

More Info
$729.00

 

[75Vette]

How about a shorter barrel 686? I carry a 2 1/2"er and it conceals well. It's great at the range too, surprisingly accurate for such a short sight length and recoil is much more bearable than the 19 or 66 in the same barrel length.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

How about a shorter barrel 686? I carry a 2 1/2"er and it conceals well. It's great at the range too, surprisingly accurate for such a short sight length and recoil is much more bearable than the 19 or 66 in the same barrel length.

I thought about that too. I really hate to spend that much money and have a revolver that I can use for just one thing. Also, I looked at a SP101 with a 2" and it was longer and heavier than the Smith 60 so I won't go there. Rather stick with a Smith anyway. I'll look at the short 686 too.....

 

[BAM-BAM]

All good choices for size and weight, but the 686 in 4" is a real 357, not one that begs to be fed 38 Special or custom 357 lite.

The "HOT" factory .357s of the 70's and 80's are mostly a thing of the past.....

As I read his posts OP is looking for a Concealed carry gun.... which I take to mean 2 legged predators.......modern +P .38s are much better round for this kind or threat than .357s or older .38 loads..............IMHO

You want a good penetration with a round that will dump all it's energy into the target and allow for a quick follow up shot;........

not a "through and through" with a lot of energy going down range and a slower follow up ..........

If he feels he is going to need a full bore/hot .357 load he's got his 686...........

I've been known to carry a 4" 686 (round butt) concealed while hiking/ATVing Penn's Woods......to me as I said...it's really pushing the limits of practical CC..........if I was going to Pittsburgh or taking the wife to a movie and dinner!!!!

OP a great little .357 if you can find one is a 3", 60-10 ........ think a micro-686

 

[Redlegvzv]

I have a 4" 686 and I love it. Fantastic gun.

No good for concealed carry though. It is designed to be a duty gun, a range gun, or a home defense gun. Or for those lucky few who live where it is legal, an open carry gun.

When I got my CCW I considered designating my 686 as one of my CCW guns on my license. I quickly discovered, however, that size and weight are the critical issues for a CCW gun. I now carry a Sig P238 most of the time, or at most an S&W Shield 9mm. But even the Shield is too big to carry wearing a suit IMO.

 

[hangnoose]

OCCASIONAL CAARY OR C/C?

If your not heavily dressed, yes too big for C/C. For a comfortable carry, the better the belt & holster the longer you can carry it with ease, so YES there.

 

[gunhobbit]

No, it's not too large. But you'll want a quality belt and holster - or shoulder rig - and some practice time with different cover garments to see what works.

My only gripe with mine is that I can't strong side carry - all the holsters I've tried put the butt of the revolver almost up into my armpit. So ... crossdraw for me.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I'm about to get my CCL. I have a 686 4" that I shoot paper with and even hunt with. I looked at some of the J frames but since I won't carry very often maybe I can just tote the revolver I already have and save the money. What do you think? I'm 6'2" and 235 if that matters...Thanks

PS. What would be the best way to conceal this revolver?

Yes, it can be done, but I wouldn't want to do it too often.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

I carry one and clothes aren't a problem for me but I live in the northwest so always have a jacket or something. But I carry on the hip and I'm 5'5" and 155lbs. Carry it everyday except when I go to nice places when I wear nice clothes due to concealment so for that I use a shield.

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

A nice belt and holster are everything for everyday carry.

 

[307-Niner]

I sometimes carry my 4" 686, it conceals pretty easily in this Lobo Gunleather pancake holster. Conceals under a sweat shirt or jacket with ease. Magnas and a BK grip adapter help too, the factory target stocks are huge & harder to conceal.

With a gun this size & weight, a good Gunbelt is also important.

 

[wheelgunguy]

I'm about to get my CCL. I have a 686 4" that I shoot paper with and even hunt with. I looked at some of the J frames but since I won't carry very often maybe I can just tote the revolver I already have and save the money. What do you think? I'm 6'2" and 235 if that matters...Thanks

PS. What would be the best way to conceal this revolver?

Where and just how often will you carry? What will be the determining factors? This will help a lot in answering.

 

[outflyin]

I have a 686 Plus 3" which I've been trying to carry for a while now, but haven't found the right holster. I'm sure it would be much more carryable with a better holster, but it is a bit large, fat and heavy.

I now have a Model 60 2-1/8", exactly the one mentioned above, and it is much more carryable. I can even pocket carry it. I expected to have to deal with more recoil but so far have been pleasantly surprised. It really doesn't seem to have any more kick than the 686. It may be a combination of its weight (stainless, not an Airweight), and how I am able to grip it. Both have the stock rubber grips which I really like.