Just bought my first revolver :)

[S&W357Noob]

Just bought my first revolver.

A S&W 686 PC 2.5"

Can't wait to get her home. She is in 10 day wait jail.

Any suggestions on ammo? Grips? Holster? Thanks!

Paul

 

[Papa32129]

Wow, that's nice looking. Congratulations!

Papa

 

[Jamesatrange]

Nice choice to start with. You'll find it addicting to find others. Lol

 

[chuckster57]

Nice!! Remember, revolvers don't leave brass at the scene...

Just kidding, be safe. I normally shoot .38 special out of my 686 as it's cheaper. Since I reload, I can't recommend any brand over another. Shoot a bunch of .38 and then once your comfortable, load a cylinder full of .357 magnum and HOLD ON.

 

[Smoke52]

Very nice beginning! As to the stocks, I would certainly shoot with the factory ones first. They are nice looking and have those wonderful finger grooves for a good, no slip grip. For shooting my revolvers, 6 Smiths, I have Hogue Combats on them. Round butt, finger grooves and just a bit sticky. The backstrap is exposed with these, but recoil on stainless guns is pretty minimal.

On the pricy custom end, Nils makes a nice stock.

I live in a very 2A unfriendly state but we have NO waiting period. One of the very few good things re firearms.

 

[S&W357Noob]

Thanks guys, I'm so excited about this baby. I was a bit concerned about the 2.5 barrel for a .357 but the gun felt so good compared to the 4" I figured I'd jump in. Guy at the shop said he fires this gun all the time with .357 and loves it. Weight even seemed the same on this 2.5 as the normal 4".

I love the wood but a little concerned about mucking them up as I plan on shooting this gun quite a bit. Really feels like a work of art.

 

[snubbyfan]

Welcome from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
That's a nice lookin' snubby L frame ya got there.
I'd say get yourself a variety of ammo and see what works for you.
Those are some nice lookin' grips ya have now.

 

[theoneff]

Wow nice start to your "collection", I know, I know, your not planning on having one. Ya right. Enjoy yourself that is a great gun. Welcome, Theo

 

[hawkeye17]

Nice job beautiful revolver, take care of it and it will last a lifetime. If you are in need of a holster try LOBO I have two and they are great. shoot much and enjoy. tight groups Rich

 

[model70hunter]

Just bought my first revolver.

A S&W 686 PC 2.5"

Can't wait to get her home. She is in 10 day wait jail.

Any suggestions on ammo? Grips? Holster? Thanks!

Paul

Don't forget your ear muffs. Snubbies be very loud.

Like some have mentioned 38 specials are the way to go at first.

When ready adjust the sights for the 357 mag. Point of impact is different.

I just bought a new 4" 686 last week. It comes with the new synthetic black rubber grips. They are the most comfortable rubber grips I have used. You can try for feel at an LGS. This will allow your nice wood grips to stay pristine.

How do you want to carry it? That will determine which holster might be best.

Congrats 1st revolver purchase is quite the awesome one.

P.S. If it is to be used for defense the 125 grain self defense loads would be an excellent choice.

 

[peterdeb]

Welcome and congratulations on your first revolver. It is a beauty! Be careful, they tend to multiply quickly.

 

[S&W357Noob]

Reading a lot of people saying buying a .357 in anything less than a 4" barrel is stupid and they would never never shoot .357 rounds out of a snubbie. :/ I have lots of firearms and am def. not scared of recoil but is 357 not worth shooting out of a 2.5 inch barrel?

Just shot the .500 out of the 4 and 8 inch barrels and thought they were both great. Maybe I like punishment

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

My .357's never see anything but 38spl no matter what the barrel length. Congrats on a fine first purchase.

 

[S&W357Noob]

Thanks for the response

Is that a cost thing? What grain count would you use on a barrel this short in .38? Do you use P+'S?

Paul

 

[Robert B]

Luv the 686 PC

I bought that same gun last September. It is my favorite gun. You can purchase Hogue Bantam grips from S&W website which have the S&W logo. They are great for carry. I leave the wood grips in my safe. 2.5 inch barrel is excellent for carry in my Galco Combat Master leather holster. 3 inch bbl would require a very long shirt. A shirt one size up works well with this gun. My SD round is Speer .357 mag 125 gr Gold Dot. I bought 150 rounds from SG ammo online. They run 1230 fps with 420 ft lbs out of the 2.5 inch bbl. I shot some 180gr Hardcast from Grizzly Ammo at the range. At 7 yards, shooting single action my group was about 3 inches high and 2 inches in diameter. To me this is a very accurate gun. The great thing about this revolver is that you can use the Hardcast in black bear country and the 125 grain JHPs in the city. Love my 686 PC.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

I see no need to beat on the gun or my worn out wrists/hands. I load 125 plated bullets at the low end of the chart.Mainly my wrists cannot take a pounding anymore.

 

[S&W357Noob]

Thanks for responses guys!

 

[clevolver]

Just bought my first revolver.
Any suggestions on ammo? Grips? Holster? Thanks!
Paul

Soft loaded 38 spl. lead semi wadcutters, until you're good with it.

 

[Jhamblen86]

Soft loaded 38 spl. lead semi wadcutters, until you're good with it.

+1

I agree completely, learn to walk then run. I started with hot loads in my 3" 629. Took me months to get my groups back where they should be.

 

[BongoBoy]

Congratulations! I share your excitement, having just bought my first revolver recently as well. It has been a blast--something very different. I'm sure you'll be having as much fun soon. Nice looking choice, I must say.

 

[Isis1200L]

Welcome and congratulations on your first revolver. It is a beauty! Be careful, they tend to multiply quickly.

Yup! What peterdeb said.
Welcome from CT. Nice first wheelie! Stick around. Many good folks, much good info here.

On your upcoming acquisitions, because odds are, there will be...
My sweety asked why I bought a 7 shot 686, having a 6 shot already.
I looked at him intently and answered, "Too much is never enough."
What he really meant was, "You have too many, sell it to me."

 

[bbqbob51]

IMO A revolver chambered in .357mag is the most versatile handgun. You can shoot anything in the .38spl/.357mag family of cartridges regardless of load, bullet weight or bullet configuration. You can use it for plinking, self defense and hunting. If loaded with full boat mags it will bring down most any game in North America.
I shoot mostly 38spl in my 2 686+ Smiths but run a few cylinders of .357mags through it occasionally to remind them what it's like. Congrats on your purchase of a fine revolver, you'll love it and will more than likely have more in the the future. I love mine and the two I have are not enough!