Model 60 Pro Series or 686 3-4 inch?

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Snowwolfe

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Thinking about one of these for my next revolver. It will serve as a home defense piece and for carrying aboard our boat during fishing trips and occasional light (.38 special) plinking on our property. My wife likes revolvers as well but doesn't want anything to do with picking one out. On occasion she will be shooting it using .38's. She isn't a fan of the 642 we have because of the recoil snap even when using light .38 loads.

Is the 8 ounces of extra weight in the 60 enough to tame the .38 recoil down? Or should we step up to the 686 in a 3 or 4 inch model?

Most likely neither would be carried concealed on our person so that is a non issue.
 
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My Model 60-15



With the .38 or +P she is very mild-mannered. With the .357 have a stiff grip. But I like it a lot. And am shooting it more and more.
 
The M60 does a good job taming 38SPL.
If you want to shoot Magnum, the 686 will be much better.
The non pro has a heavier barrel, and tames a little better.
I am not a fan of the powder coated revolvers. The finish can't be "touched up" like the standard finish ones can.
Some women prefer the grip of the J frame to the K and L frame guns.
Fits small hands better.

Best,
Rick
 
The trigger will probably be better on the 686.
I recently tried the trigger on a new model 60 Pro in a shop and it was awful. I also tried a new model 63's trigger and it was very nice (I bought it). So, if possible try before you buy.
Dave
 
Based on your listed uses, I would have to agree with those who recommend the 686 over the 60.

As a defense piece, a 686+ holds two more rounds than the 60. The added weight will definitely help your wife like to shoot it better when plinking with .38 loads. You will be better able to handle full house .357 loads as well. Either the 3 or 4 inch barrel would fit your needs well.

Bottom line, the proper answer is to get both!
 
Yes, having both a 642 and a 60-15Pro, I can say that the extra weight definitely does make a difference when firing 38Spl +P loads. I use my 60 often as a trainer to my 642 since both have the same frame and trigger feel which I feel is important.

IF you don't plan to carry either, and both of you can deal with the larger grip and weight, then I'd have to vote for the 686 though.
 
I own and shoot a 60-15 and I own and shoot a 586 w/4" barrel. Give me the 586 any day no matter what ammunition you are putting through it. I would not want my wife shooting a 60-15 with any factory loads, it would make her recoil averse instantly. She has shot the 586 and rather enjoys it.

Stu
 
I own a 686+ with a 3" barrel. I think it would fit your needs very well. The 3" barrel will make it a little easier to hide away somewhere on the boat. It still has plenty of mass to absorb recoil. The extra round is also a nice bonus.
 
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686 all the way. I might even vote 4" for your uses. I have a 686 with a 5" barrel and don't find it too much for home use.
 
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I have the Mod.60 Pro and a 686. Both are great guns. The Mod.60 is much smaller and easier to handle than the 686 so if it is for your wife you may want to lean that way.

Maybe the perfect solution would be a Mod.66 K frame which falls in the middle size wise.
BTW, I have found nobody, man or woman that really loves the grips on the Mod.60. Pretty to look at but....

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Plenty of good info coming so keep it up, and thanks. I did just sell a 686 7 shot with the 6 inch barrel. Couldn't find to much not to like about the 686 other than the longer barrel.
I didn't realize there might be a difference in the quality of the action on the 60. Unfortunately it is difficult to find one in a gun store as every thing in a dealers case seems to be a semi something or other these days. I guess the 686 is leading the pack right now if we have to order online.
 
For home defense, I'd give the advantage to the 686 due to the extra shot (or two in the plus version). Since you don't plan to carry for any long time/distance, the extra weight of the 686 becomes an advantage in mitigating the recoil of heavy loads and will make shooting 38's a piece of cake. Finally, for boating, I don't see an advantage for either one as both are stainless and the weight & size difference won't make any diffence in the boat. My vote is for a Model 686.
 
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Snowwolfe said:
Plenty of good info coming so keep it up, and thanks. I did just sell a 686 7 shot with the 6 inch barrel. Couldn't find to much not to like about the 686 other than the longer barrel.
I didn't realize there might be a difference in the quality of the action on the 60. Unfortunately it is difficult to find one in a gun store as every thing in a dealers case seems to be a semi something or other these days. I guess the 686 is leading the pack right now if we have to order online.
Click to expand...
Obviously this is mostly an issue of size and weight. Mostly we have to tailor this gun so your wife can shoot it comfortably. Did your wife ever handle the 6 inch 686 before you sold it? Perhaps it was too barrel heavy for her? But more important for this discussion is whether the trigger reach was good for her. Remember there are many grip options available for the 686 so unless she has tiny hands, a set of grips can probably be found that works.

The 4 inch 686 is the sweet spot regarding the Law of Diminishing Returns for accuracy, muzzle velocity, balance and looks. Personally I find a more accurate gun, more fun to shoot. I have and shoot the 3 inch 60 Pro and 3 inch 686+. I don't have a 4 inch 686 but I have a 4 inch 627 Pro. For me I enjoy shooting them in this order: First 627, second 3inch 686, third 60 Pro. I think she could get used to the 4 inch even if the 3 inch feels more comfortable to her initially.
 
If it's not going to be carried in concealment, the 686 is where my vote goes. Or, as an alternative, a K frame, like the 66, whether post- or pre-lock. The 66 does not have a full underlug so it is a bit lighter, but is a superb revolver for .38 Spl ammo.
 
Oh heck, after I finish finding all my reloading gear and get everything set up (we just moved) I might just load up some light 44 special rounds and see how the wife likes those out of my 69.
If she doesn't still leaning towards the 686.
 
Snowwolfe said:
Oh heck, after I finish finding all my reloading gear and get everything set up (we just moved) I might just load up some light 44 special rounds and see how the wife likes those out of my 69.
If she doesn't still leaning towards the 686.
Click to expand...
You have a 69-combat magnum! I want one of those. I mostly reload 44 mag and specials for a redhawk - but ive been eyeballing that one!

They are a good compact design? The L framed mod 69 and the K frame mod 66. I love the piece "American rifleman " did on those and put them on the front cover. I think the 69 got "gun of the year"?

Well there you go. I dont have to do much convincing here. Im sure either K frame or L ,you choose will be a great piece!

Combat magnum owners know what they have

Lou
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