Need your opinions...

[BSkerj]

I have a good dilema and need some of your opinions. I have a 642 as a concealed using a pocket holster. A 645 auto for joy of shooting and use it sometimes for concealed IWB. I enjoy both of these and shoot each several times a week. Also I have a Ruger GP100 in .357 6" barrel which I very seldom shoot. I reload for all of these guns. Now I have the itch to either buy a 686 in a 4 " barrel or a model 1894 .357 long gun. This is where I need some opinions...should I buy the 686 or stay with a long gun in the same caliber since I already have the GP100. I feel in buying the long gun it would give me a well rounded compliment in the same caliber, but in buying the 686 in a smaller barrel I may use it more than I currently use the GP100. Thanks for all your opinions !!

 

[USAF385]

Well.. sounds like you already have a .357 which you seldom shoot. I'd go for the long gun.

OR... sell that Ruger and get both.

 

[OKFC05]

I shoot a 442/642 at least once a month because I have to; it is no joy to me.

A 4" revolver IS a joy to shoot, and you can start shooting IDPA with it. You know, a little simulated stress defense work and gun handling. Way more interesting than standing at a firing line and shooting a shot every 3 seconds.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

If you would shoot the 686 more often, and
have more fun with it why not buy the 686?
Most of the time I like a 4" barrel also. Don

 

[BlackSky]

I'd sell the GP and get both the 686 and the long gun.

 

[jbouwens]

I have or had all those boomers that you mentioned in you message. I would go with buying the 686. Pistol caliber rifles are just "toys" and are not very good past the 75 yard mark. For close up work they are fine but for what they are, they are fairly limited in their role. Rifles are best in rifle calibers. As far as the same caliber in different platforms; I went down that road with 44 mag. Problems started to pop up with the powder charge needed for each platform. I was loading a target load, a medium load, and a hunting load for the pistols and different loads for the rifles to make them function/accurate. I can't put my Ruger revolver load in my Smith, I can't use my Smith or Ruger revolver load in my Winchester 94, This problem really pissed me off when I went on a trip for bear and only brought the revolver load. I loaded the Winchester but did not shoot it due to the rifle would experience a huge pressure spike and did not want to put it through that. Don't get me wrong, I love the carbine rifles, I enjoy shooting them mostly around the fifty yard mark (open sights) and take them to the range a couple of times a year.

The 686: great gun, Fire just about any ammo in it without any worry, easy to clean/maintain, self defense gun, hunting gun, target gun, pretty to look at, takes up less room in the safe/car, I shoot mine almost weekly because of the cleaning, fun to shoot, pretty issues mentioned before. If you can get only one------- make it a handgun--------they just have so many more pluses than the rifles, carbines, shotguns, ect. offer.

 

[oldRoger]

I have a 640 & 60 10/3" which I shoot with magnum loads every time I go to the range because I carry them. I do not find it very enjoyable, not a trip to the dentist, but not a walk in the park either.
But my 686 and 27 with the same loads, delightful! I like 4 & 5" barrels better, but 6" are certainly available and if you want a long barrel why not a S&W?

 

[GatorFarmer]

I have no idea really. What are you trying to accomplish? If that is the total of your firearms, then you've obvious gaps - shotgun, .22 rifle, EBR, .30-06 type GP hunting rifle, etc.

 

[BSkerj]

Thanks all..Gatorfarmer...

Thanks all....I think I am going to go with the 686. Heading to Jackson Wy to their gun show in the morning. Gatorfarmer...after reading your reply I do have alot of weapons to fill in the gap..870 Wingmaster...270 win...22 Ruger Mark I...22-250...etc. so after thinking of what you said all the holes are filled and I don't really need the lever gun and would shoot and use the 686 tons more...Thanks!!!