My Next Smith and Wesson...Suggestions?

[Fresh1179]

Hello All,
Let me preface this by saying this gun will be used strictly for plinking/target shooting/competition. I will not be using it as a home defense weapon so the ILS argument is slightly irrelevant here::braces himself::Okay, so I have a 686 6' and love it. I love it so much that I am going to get another revolver. I have considered picking up one of the "new" classics. Either the 29 or the 586. For the 29 it would be a 6.5 inch barrel. For the 586 it could either 4 or 6, not sure yet. Also looking at the 629 stainless also. What would you get? What barrel length? Any suggestions are appreciated
Thanks,
Winston

 

[guskody]

Sounds like you may be going for the longer barrels, but my two favorite revolvers are Smiths 66-7 with 2.5" barrel and 686+ with 4" barrel. Both great shooters. Wouldn't trade either.

 

[AZretired]

I didn't vote. Wouldn't buy any listed. My next Smith will be another M64 police trade in.

 

[lhump1961]

Of the guns you listed I would choose the 29. You already have a 686 so a 586 would be the same shooting experience and unless you are partial to stainless there is something to be said for a nice blued gun. Personally I would go with a 29-2 but the new classics are fine also.

 

[J-FRAME]

Good used or new 629-4 4 inch

 

[gumpys]

Well the heck would you want a 44 magnum to plink with,If you are looking for something differant buy a 45 acp revolver or get a 22lr revolver.
Eric

 

[dwpmusic]

Well, I've got a 629-4 so I think I'd opt for a 29.

 

[arjay]

29 or 629.If you reload,you can build very mild,and cheap,loads all the way up to bear slayers.

 

[M29since14]

Heck, everyone I know plinks with a 44 Magnum now and then.

I'd buy the 29, if you don't mind taking care of a blued gun. If you are partial to stainless, get the 629. I agree with the writer who said the 586 is probably too close to what you already have to buy in preference to a 44. The 44 will give you something different to monkey around with.

 

[nipster]

Try to find a 29-6 or 629-4, they are better than the newer ones. If you want a 586, get a 586-4.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I voted for the 4" 586. You already love the gun as a 6" stainless model. The blued 4" version is more of the same but different enough to have a different look, balance, etc.

 

[dwpmusic]

Got to get started reloading. Period...........

 

[Rawhyde]

Have you considered a Model 14 (.38 Special) or a Model 17 (.22) with an 8-3/8" barrel? Those are mighty hard to beat for plinking.

 

[olds442guy]

I have a model 29 classic with the 6.5 barrel. In short, it's awesome and I couldn't be happier. All the talk that "the new guns aren't as good as the old ones" has proved to be completely false in my experience. The 629 is cool too, and stainless is easy to maintain. They're both sweet guns

 

[dma1]

I think you should add a 10 shot 617 in either 4" or 6" to your list, if you don't already have one.

I bought the 629 in 6.5" first, then the 686 in 6", and then the 617 in 6".

Guess which one sees the most range time.

For plinking and target shooting, its hard to beat a .22LR.

Having said that, of the ones on your list, I vote for the 629.

Good Luck.

 

[Magnumdood]

Get the Performance Center to make you something unique in your favorite caliber. That's going to be my next S&W; I just have a hard decision regarding the caliber, as the caliber is going to determine the build.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Interesting options.

For me it would be an older Model 17, or perhaps a 617.

I can almost guarantee you will shoot it more than any of the others. And probably have more fun doing it. I recommend sticking with the 6-shot versions though.

 

[buck460XVR]

For the options you give, I would chose the 629. Suggesting other options would be going off topic.

 

[yeti]

I would go with the 17/617 first also, but in the spirit of your poll I voted 29.

 

[Sirad]

I have a 4" 686. Love the gun. I also have a 19-3 that I will never paert with. I have a 629 as well.

I suggest the 4" barrel 357 because it is so versatile. I've had 6" guns (GP100) and just never carried or shot them since I shot a 4" every bit as well and it was easier on the belt and somewhat concealable in a good, high holster under a jacket.