Question regarding comparative accuracy of 586-6" and a 686-2.5"
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There can be a big difference between mechanical accuracy (what a gun will do bolted to a Ransom Rest or similar) and practical accuracy (how easy it is for humans to shoot unsupported).
With the longer sight radius and more muzzle weight you will 'probably' shoot smaller groups with the 6" barrel. For the truly skilled it may not make a lot of difference.
With the longer sight radius and more muzzle weight you will 'probably' shoot smaller groups with the 6" barrel. For the truly skilled it may not make a lot of difference.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
If both guns are in identical perfect mechanical condition, (not likely unless worked over), the group size in a Ransom Rest won't be much different. If the 6" gun has a bad barrel crown, the barrel is leaded up, out of time, etc., the 2-1/2" one could very well shoot better groups from a Ransom Rest. Holding them by hand is a different deal. A good shooter on a bench rest could tell what was what, but would most likely have bigger groups than the Ransom Rest.
Standing up off hand at 7 yards
not much difference. At 25 yards
99% of the people out there,
Will shoot a group with the
6" gun 1/2 the size of a 2-1/2
Gun. Nothing to do with the
Potential of gun.
not much difference. At 25 yards
99% of the people out there,
Will shoot a group with the
6" gun 1/2 the size of a 2-1/2
Gun. Nothing to do with the
Potential of gun.
As I have aged I find that I shoot a 2.5 inch 686 the most accurately of any revolver. The shorter sight radius is easier to line up correctly due to my eyes.
If not in a rest you will likely see a big difference between the snubbie and the 6". A 4" is a good compromise if you're trying to go shorter. If not for concealed carry I'd go for longer than the snubbie.
Now I am going to have to take my 6" 586 and my 2.5" 686+ out of mothballs to see if this is true. Sounds like fun!
Don't we require pictures?
Don't we require pictures?
Harkrader
Member
Accuracy with a short barrel, if it is a quality gun, has a lot to do with you.
Bob Munden broke balloons at 200 yards with a S&W J-frame. Videos are online.
I met USAF Lt. Co. Wm Butler of SAC through his son, with whom I went through USAF pilot training and Viet Nam.
There was a famous story of the Lt. Col. from when he was a "butter bar" lieutenant. He was assigned to Panama and given the task of seeing to the firearms qualifications of base personnel.
At some point a many-chevroned sergeant came up. He felt it was beneath him to have to show proficiency with a hand gun, far worse that it was to a 2nd Lieutenant.
With words known only to senior NCOs he took the revolver and in movie cowboy fashion hurled six rounds downrange. Of course, it did not come close to required proficiency. The Master Sergeant declared that the (again using words known only to senior NCOs) gun was obviously a piece of (more such arcane words).
Whereupon Lt. Butler, a skilled and accomplished competition shooter, said "Let me try it, Master Sergeant." He loaded six rounds, turned his back to the target, bent over and shot all six from between his legs, all in the 10 ring.
He handed the gun back to the Master Sergeant saying "Seems fine to me, Master Sergeant. Try it again."
I never asked the Lt. Col. what revolver that was, but since it was not too far post WWII I have often wondered if it was a S&W Model 1917. He did say it was a .38, so probably not.
About 20 years ago I was whining about the miserable accuracy of a snub-nose .44-Special. A clerk I knew at a local gunstore offered to try it for me. I was certain he would validate my umbrage. Instead, he put all five rounds into a 4-inch circle at six meters.
Nuff sed.
'
Bob Munden broke balloons at 200 yards with a S&W J-frame. Videos are online.
I met USAF Lt. Co. Wm Butler of SAC through his son, with whom I went through USAF pilot training and Viet Nam.
There was a famous story of the Lt. Col. from when he was a "butter bar" lieutenant. He was assigned to Panama and given the task of seeing to the firearms qualifications of base personnel.
At some point a many-chevroned sergeant came up. He felt it was beneath him to have to show proficiency with a hand gun, far worse that it was to a 2nd Lieutenant.
With words known only to senior NCOs he took the revolver and in movie cowboy fashion hurled six rounds downrange. Of course, it did not come close to required proficiency. The Master Sergeant declared that the (again using words known only to senior NCOs) gun was obviously a piece of (more such arcane words).
Whereupon Lt. Butler, a skilled and accomplished competition shooter, said "Let me try it, Master Sergeant." He loaded six rounds, turned his back to the target, bent over and shot all six from between his legs, all in the 10 ring.
He handed the gun back to the Master Sergeant saying "Seems fine to me, Master Sergeant. Try it again."
I never asked the Lt. Col. what revolver that was, but since it was not too far post WWII I have often wondered if it was a S&W Model 1917. He did say it was a .38, so probably not.
About 20 years ago I was whining about the miserable accuracy of a snub-nose .44-Special. A clerk I knew at a local gunstore offered to try it for me. I was certain he would validate my umbrage. Instead, he put all five rounds into a 4-inch circle at six meters.
Nuff sed.
'
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