Is a 4" 686 too large for occasional carry?

[silentflyer]

I have carried a 8 3/8" Model 57 in a shoulder holster rig in cold weather, not to practical for summer though.. I am 6'3" and about 240#'s..helps a bit.

 

[1320ft]

I carry a 681 all day (same as a 686 only with fixed sights, also carry my 686 occasionally). Holster is a Texas Heritage IWB from Tucker Gun Leather. Set it up right and you will forget its there. I'm 5'11 170lbs and carry all year round even under t-shirts. A fitted t-shirt creates a challange but other than that, no problems! Give it a shot!

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Your 4in Lframe "can be ccw'ed that is not the question.
The question is "will " you?
If you stay with a 357 , [I don't see why not!]
Then go with a light small one.
The 357 really turns on with a 3in barrel therefor
I would go with a 3in M-60 or a 3in SP101.
Both 5shot , accurate enough , thin and light.
The 60 is lighter and has adj sights where the SP is heaver / chunker
maybe stronger with fixed sights.
I have and carry both, the 60 is a great light gun for SD
the SP is a "Hammer" for " Critter Loads"
Find the one that fits, change grips if needed then get the holster
you like. [ Simple Rugged with OWB straps for OWB/IWB carry].
I have shot Target through 200gr Bear Thumpers in both.
They are :Thrilling" but if you fit the grip to your hand [ I like Pachmyre Decelerators]
Not painful,,, Clint Smith-" A gun is not comfortable , it is comforting.

 

[CoMF]

Hello,

To answer your question, well... It depends. It's definitely possible to carry a 4" M686 concealed, but you may find yourself "dressing around" the gun. Outside factors such as the weather and your build will also influence whether or not it'll "work" for you. A sturdy belt and well-made holster come highly recommended should you do decide to carry it.

As for me, I open carry my M686 in a Bianchi "Cyclone" 111 OWB holster when bicycling in rural areas. I don't even bother trying to conceal it, especially in Summer.

 

[Jim NNN]

Since there's such a shortage of opinions here, I thought I'd offer mine.

I have a 4" 681 that I might consider cc'ing sometime, but it wouldn't be ideal...and if I added adj. sights to it (making it a 686) it would be even less so. HAVING SAID THAT, if you can only justify owning one gun, DON'T sell the 686 so that you can own a smaller weapon - that has "future regret" written all over it. Make it work somehow.

When you can afford a second weapon, semi-automatics will get you more bang for the buck, as far as concealed carry goes. Ruger's SR9c is great. If you need to go smaller, Smith and Wesson's Shield has a good reputation, but I don't own one so I don't speak from experience.

If you must stay with snubbie revolvers, stick to .38 special - your options will be wider and shooting .357 out of some of those small guns is an acquired taste AND skill, IMO. Best wishes.

 

[diggler1833]

I've CC'd my 4" 686 before. I need a jacket to do it though.

I have mine in a Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake holster. It fits surprisingly well and close to the body. Downside is that IWB is pretty much impossible if you plan on sitting (hence the need for me to wear a jacket).

 

[petepeterson]

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

I always chime in and agree with BAM in threads like this. My 60-15 (his 60-10 with the dreaded IL) is the most versatile revolver I own. Depending on the grips you choose, it can be highly concealable, while still handling loads as hot as you want to go. It would be my pick for a "do-it-all" handgun.

 

[W.E.G.]

...versus a "full" size Glock 22 .40 cal.

 

[W.E.G.]

The 60's are nice.

...for a 5-shooter.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I always chime in and agree with BAM in threads like this. My 60-15 (his 60-10) with the dreaded IL is the most versatile revolver I own. Depending on the grips you choose, it can be highly concealable, while still handling loads as hot as you want to go. It would be my pick for a "do-it-all" handgun.

There fixed it for you the 60-10 does not have the IL but does have the frame mounted firing pin.

 

[W.E.G.]

Shameless plug for the G26.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

CONCEALED CARRY

Welllll, something I have a little knowledge about, but it is all personal and my opinions are only meant for ME. I am 67 years old, I have had a concealed weapons permit since 1976. Every day since 1976 I have carried at LEAST one gun. In the 80's I corresponded a little with Evan Marshall, of Detroit Homicide fame. He said " If when you leave home, you think in the farthest recesses of your mind...Before I come back home I may need a gun.... Take 2!" I followed his advice and have always carried 2. Now in 39 years of daily carry, and YES every day, you learn a few things. These only pertain to ME. Weight of the guns is by far the most important factor, and how you choose to carry. In the last 10 years I have been blessed to have my own range and a group of 20 men who gather every Sunday, from this group and many thousands of rounds fired, we have learned quite a bit. No mode of carry is as fast to draw and put the first round on a target as "pocket carry". Nothing more socially acceptable than standing around with your hands in your pockets. We test for concealment by having shooters extend their arms fully over their head and turn around 360 degrees, nothing can be seen, not holster or mag carriers, nothing! The pocket is the easiest way to comply. The best time ever for the first A zone shot on target at 7 yards is .39 sec. ALL can do it in under a second. You are a big man, no doubt, but I think you will find your L frame too big to carry on a daily basis. Fine gun, absolutely, TOO BIG, TOO HEAVY! I hesitate to tell you what I carry except to qualify it is MY solution. That said remember 39 years of carrying EVERY DAY. Glock model 26 right front pocket, S&W 642 left front pocket. That .39 was me, at 67, was a little quicker 20 years ago. If you guys have time check Google B&M Rifles, I am the "B".

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

One more quick thing for clarity

All knowledge does not flow from this fountain! If you have a better way and are in driving distance of The Battery Oaks Range, come show us. We can be shown but not told, kinda thick that way. 20 hard men shooting thousands of rounds over a decade come to some good solutions to some pointed problems.

 

[John R]

I have carried my 4" 19 IWB and with a coat had no problem hiding it.
You should be able to do so it with a 686 unless your very skinny.

 

[CH4]

As a young cop in the mid 80s I could only afford one gun, so if I wanted to carry off duty, it was my 4" 686 in a Bianchi shoulder holster.

 

[one eye joe]

IMHO, THAT'S A SUPER RIG Dr.Lou…………..

 

[at_liberty]

Just got the shipping notice from El Paso Saddlery that my shoulder holster for the 686-6 is on its way. I have one for my Kimber and thought a revolver version would be good to have for under a coat.

 

[savit260]

I've CC'd my 4" 686 before. I need a jacket to do it though.

I have mine in a Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake holster. It fits surprisingly well and close to the body. Downside is that IWB is pretty much impossible if you plan on sitting (hence the need for me to wear a jacket).

Sitting down with a 4" mid IWB frame is pretty much impossible????????????

I'm average size and built and have absolutely no issues with a 4" mid frame IWB sitting down .

I just can't see that unless you are of very small stature.

 

[kenv1950]

Thanks, I won't worry about it being a magnum when I get one then. I'll probably look at a 60 or something truly small that is comfortable. I'm not much of a semi auto guy, I've had Glocks and Walther, even a PPQ. I really liked the PPQ but I just don't feel comfortable carrying one concealed...

With all the handguns I have I prefer the model 60 38 special for carry Just the right size to conceal and revolvers don't fail

 

[CharlesB63]

Smith & Wesson - 686 - 2.5 Snubby

I carry a SW 686 - 2.5 Snubby as a daily CCW in an IWB Falco leather holster - I appendix carry and it fits perfectly. I can wear a pair of shorts with just a t-shirt and no one knows it's there. People are shocked when I show them the size of the pistol that I carry. I Bought it a month ago and have not carried anything else since. GREAT gun. Love it.
I might add that I am 6'4" 230lbs.