Looking to buy my first revolver

[Scottastic]

3" Example

Couldn't think of a better thread to post this, since we've been talking about it. Got my 3" out of jail and it's beautiful. You can see my small hands wouldn't take to any longer in the 686.

I'll report back after I take it to the range on Sunday.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Well, the op has stepped into this discussion enough times, with enough input that I for one am totally satisfied as to the best choice.....I believe it's a two gun solution. Or more likely ten. That's how I got my start. The perfect range gun typically makes a less than perfect carry gun. Anything can be pressed into service as a nightstand gun. But IMHO a carry gun, and a range gun are at separate ends of the spectrum.

 

[Scottastic]

I promised a range report and here it is!

I love my new 3". Very handleable for 38 spl +p, and magnums were fine but stout. With steel and soda cans, I was hitting 9/10 @ 10 yards (probably even better) and 7/10 @ 25 yards. For this, the 3" is amazingly fun to shoot.

Paper, on the other hand, was difficult for me to get good groupings @ 25 yards. I was getting better towards the end of the day but I don't think I'll ever get it as tight as I am with my .22 and my .45 SAA.

TL;DR: I'm very happy I got the 3" over the 4", but I mainly shoot steel. If you will mainly be shooting at paper, I agree with others that a 4" or longer would be preferable.

 

[Service Rifleman1]

There are also 686 versions with smooth cylinders unfluted with 3-5-7 length barrels with nice wood stocks. I have read that 5" Smiths are the best balanced in the K frames but the trend for 4" bull barrels diminished the demand for 5 inch tapered barrels. 5" would give you a slightly longer sight radius giving you a finer sight picture for more precise shooting at the longer ranges. Good shooting to you.

 

[nachogrande]

"FIRST REVOLVER," NOT THE LAST.

Boy this is tough, all the comments are leading me to the 4", but when I look at it versus the 3". My eyes want the 3" without question. That's the gun I want, just not sure if I should I buy it!!

Trust your instincts. If in the doubtful case you don't like a S&W I doubt you would lose much $ on resale (on a used gun) as S&W prices seem to only go up, just don't trash it.

 

[bananaman]

My ultimate goal with the gun is to get proficient with revolvers for home defense. I can see this being a bed side piece ultimately as well. With that being said, I am buying it to practice on a full size revolver, rather than the j-frame I plan to get if I decide to carry later. I want something to take to my local indoor range and practice with that is fun to shoot and not punishing while I work on my skills. Standard .38 rounds initially....

So I basically want a j-frame but I don't want to learn to shoot on one.

It should be much easier for you to master a K/L frame over a J. My opinion! I got rid of my J's. Went to a 10-5 RB, 2". Like that much better. It is hard for us to decide for you, because "EVERYONE" has different wants/ needs. Bob

 

[mjt29]

I promised a range report and here it is!

I love my new 3". Very handleable for 38 spl +p, and magnums were fine but stout. With steel and soda cans, I was hitting 9/10 @ 10 yards (probably even better) and 7/10 @ 25 yards. For this, the 3" is amazingly fun to shoot.

Paper, on the other hand, was difficult for me to get good groupings @ 25 yards. I was getting better towards the end of the day but I don't think I'll ever get it as tight as I am with my .22 and my .45 SAA.

TL;DR: I'm very happy I got the 3" over the 4", but I mainly shoot steel. If you will mainly be shooting at paper, I agree with others that a 4" or longer would be preferable.

Scottastic, thank you for the fine report. That 3" incher is a beauty!! My range shooting is going to be paper, so thank you very much for your input, since you battled the same thing as well.

I did get to handle the 686 4" at my LGS and to my surprise it's not awkward to wield like I thought, at least unloaded. I do believe the 3" revolvers are nicer to look at for my eyes, but given all the input I may just grab that 4". At least to start!

Then I'm buying a 442!

Again, you gentlemen have been great and I've learned a bunch just from this thread and lurking for the past month. Thank you.

 

[Electric Head]

Gun buying is 95% about want. Buy what you like and enjoy the feeling of a decision well made ( and an itch well scratched .

Oh man this is the truth.

I wanted a 4" 686 and bought a (now sold) 6" 686 as they had it in stock, and not the 4", and as a sports / target shooter I justified the longer barrel as being better for my needs.

It always nagged me not being a 4" and not being 100% in love with it was what made me able to sell it. I hadn't shot it much in the 6 months leading up to selling it, and may have shot it more had it been the 4" I wanted.

I would have kept it even if I didn't shoot it any more, if it was a 4".

Get what you want. Do research though, you may find what you want isn't quite what you thought it was, the more you know, and you might find something else more fitting.

 

[Edknn123]

You will love the 3", and if you are considering a J frame as well, I highly suggest the 640 Pro.

640 Pro's are like finding a unicorn. I've looked everywhere and they are out of stock. A few are on Gun broker but at ridiculous prices. I look daily.