Modern 357 - 66 vs 686

[The Norseman]

Best of the Best

Congratulations to you. I believe you will be happy with that
S&W Model 686.

Post a Range Review when you shoot it.

The Best to you and thanks for Sharing your decision.

 

[lrrifleman]

Sorry about being late for the discussion!

Personally, when I went with a 3" 357, I went with a 686+.

I had a few factors influence my selection. First, I have a 36-6 snub that I enjoy because of both the looks and the balance ... I wanted that in a 357. Second, I live in a state where a loaded magazine (all by it's lonesome) can get you 8 years in prison. For day trips in states where my non-resident permits are honored, I don't want to have to stop and empty all of my magazines, or risk forgetting to empty one, while a loaded speedloader won't raise an eye. Third, since some people equate the performance of a 357 Magnum to a 45, seven rounds of 357 gives me a comparable revolver to my 1911.

For grips, while I like the looks of the stock grips, I chose to install a pair of Hogue rubber Monogrips. When the heatwave breaks (maybe in February?), I plan on casting some Lyman 358156GCs and loading up a batch of Skeeter 357s for it.

 

[JohnRippert]

I much prefer K frames to L frames but if you are going to shoot a lot of .357 I would go with the 686.

 

[stansdds]

Sorry about being late for the discussion!

Personally, when I went with a 3" 357, I went with a 686+.

I had a few factors influence my selection. First, I have a 36-6 snub that I enjoy because of both the looks and the balance ... I wanted that in a 357. Second, I live in a state where a loaded magazine (all by it's lonesome) can get you 8 years in prison. For day trips in states where my non-resident permits are honored, I don't want to have to stop and empty all of my magazines, or risk forgetting to empty one, while a loaded speedloader won't raise an eye. Third, since some people equate the performance of a 357 Magnum to a 45, seven rounds of 357 gives me a comparable revolver to my 1911.

For grips, while I like the looks of the stock grips, I chose to install a pair of Hogue rubber Monogrips. When the heatwave breaks (maybe in February?), I plan on casting some Lyman 358156GCs and loading up a batch of Skeeter 357s for it.

That's a pretty good point on magazine restrictions. Here in Virginia, we have no such restrictions, but our governor wants restrictions or outright bans and the proposal was not voted on in the spring, but was tabled and may be brought back in August. Revolvers do not have magazines and a 7-shot 357 Magnum looks really good to me if there is an issue with detachable magazines.

 

[BAM-BAM]

That's a pretty good point on magazine restrictions. Here in Virginia, we have no such restrictions, but our governor wants restrictions or outright bans and the proposal was not voted on in the spring, but was tabled and may be brought back in August. Revolvers do not have magazines and a 7-shot 357 Magnum looks really good to me if there is an issue with detachable magazines.

I acquired a couple of extra revolvers and a 'bunch" of Safariland speedloaders right after the assault weapons ban went into effect in 1994 for just this reason.

For a carry gun that I'm going to carry all day and "I might have to shoot" my preference is a 3" 65 or 66.
For a "do it all" general purpose/utility/duty revolver give me a 4" 686.

 

[AlphaSig]

I agree with scharf schuetzer sehr gute! I have a 4 1/2" 686-3 from 1993 & a 3" (not 2.75") 66-6 sku 102720 from 2004 and can't say which I like better but the 3" is definitely better for CC. Both beautiful S&W revolvers... I am still getting used to improving my accuracy with the 3" but it's coming along with practice! Good luck with that 686 iconic model