S&W 686 or S&W 686+? Barrel length 4 inch vs 6 inch.

[rickbaales]

I'm shopping around for a 686 and would like thoughts on the 6 shot vs plus 7 shot. Also, what does everyone think of the 4 vs 6 inch barrel? Would the 6 inch have more collectors value later? It would mainly be a range gun and travel gun. Yes, I am aware of the newer smiths have MIM parts and IL's.

 

[Stopsign32v]

There's so many of them it would be a loooong time before they had collector value. Also my opinion is in the future the value will be in shorter barrels. My vote is 7 shot 4"

 

[rickbaales]

Thanks for the reply. Local shop has a new one for $608 out the door for a regular 686, and the 7 shot is $635 OTD NEW.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Pretty good price. I paid $739 OTD for my 3" Talo Edition

Love the 3"

 

[bigwheelzip]

... a range gun and travel gun.

If range use might include competition, then the sanctioning body has specifications. Not sure what a "travel gun" means. Might want to consider 5" lengths also, or maybe an 8 shot "N" frame.
Personally, my 4" 686+ seems to make me a better shooter than anything else. Love it at the range.

 

[rickbaales]

If range use might include competition, then the sanctioning body has specifications. Not sure what a "travel gun" means. Might want to consider 5" lengths also, or maybe an 8 shot "N" frame.
Personally, my 4" 686+ seems to make me a better shooter than anything else. Love it at the range.

No competition shooting, just plinking at the range. By travel, I mean something to stick in my car when I travel to other cities in my state.

 

[loeman]

I'm partial to the 4 inch models. Mainly because my best shooting is with a 4 inch 681 and 686. I also admire the looks of the 4 inch models over the longer barrels. I've never owned a plus model but having an extra round seems like a positive to me.

 

[Toblerra]

In my opinion the 4" 7 shot. Why not have one more shot? As far as the length goes 6" will be great for target and hunting but I think the 4" is perfect for all around use and is more than long enough to reach out there at the range.

 

[bigwheelzip]

No competition shooting, just plinking at the range. By travel, I mean something to stick in my car when I travel to other cities in my state.

For me, the 4" is the just right "utility" size for what you describe.

 

[fclef]

Hello All! New to Forum.
Those are EXCELLENT Prices! I have a 686 Plus 3".
I would get the 4" Plus , and don`t look back. I personally think the 4" is the best "All Around" Size.
If I were going to use it for hunting w/ heavy loads , I would go with a 6".
The 686 is a great gun!
Regards , Pete

 

[Arc Angel]

I've always been told that there's nothing you can do with a six inch barrel that you can't also do with a four inch. Is this axiom universally true? No. Is it, however, largely correct? Yes, I think that it is; and a four inch barrel is a little faster out of the holster, too.

My strong personal preference is for Safariland, 'Comp II' speedloaders. Last time I checked they only came in a six shot model.

 

[mak1965]

I have a 6 inch 686 +. It is great, once you get used to the size and feel. A pleasure to shoot as well. It did not take long for me to get used to the extra 2 inches. It just felt right to me. See if you can feel the guns before you buy!

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

I went through the same thought process, and just got a 4" plus.

See if you can get your hands on both, for me the 4" is balanced and points naturally without me trying. The 6" I had to think about keeping it level. 4" just felt like a natural (yet heavy) extension of my hand.

As far as 7 vs. 6, I saw no reason to give up the extra round. The only arguments I've read for choosing the 6-shot are "it's traditional, it's called a 6-shooter for a reason" or if you're planning to use it in competition for a class that specifies a max of 6 shots. If you're not buying the gun as a traditionalist collector or specifically for competition it just made sense to get the extra round.

 

[g-dad]

Thanks for the reply. Local shop has a new one for $608 out the door for a regular 686, and the 7 shot is $635 OTD NEW.

You haven't bought it yet??? I have a pair. I bought the 1st 686 plus several years ago and stumbled across an identical one local this year and bought it too.

 

[rickbaales]

You haven't bought it yet??? I have a pair. I bought the 1st 686 plus several years ago and stumbled across an identical one local this year and bought it too.

Nice! how do the cylinders compare, is the 686 7 shot cylinder larger and wider than a 6 round cylinder? Or are the charging holes just closer together? No issues with the cylinders failing or cracking?

 

[Stirling]

I agree that the 4" revolver makes for a better all round length. As far as the number of charge holes, I like six and it works for me, the way I shoot and my current set up, speed loaders etc. I've on come across a 5" N-Frame and Taurus 8-shot revolvers here.

 

[snowman]

Nice! how do the cylinders compare, is the 686 7 shot cylinder larger and wider than a 6 round cylinder? Or are the charging holes just closer together? No issues with the cylinders failing or cracking?

Hello, sir. I have two plus models and one 6-round model. The cylinder diameter is the same; the chambers are closer together on the plus model. This doesn't compromise the strength of the plus model. In fact, the plus model may be a tad stronger at the case heads, since the stop notches are between the chambers rather than on top of them.

Regards,
Andy

 

[Mehutch]

Rickbaales - the pre-lock ones are the best ones to have. The 686-4 models are the primo 686 made. IF YOU CAN FIND ONE, that is under $1000 bucks. The top of the pile, A#1 is the 686-4 7 shooter Pre-lock. Good luck finding that one, I have tried for several years. I have two 6" a 686-4 7 shooter and a 586 6 shooter both pre-lock 6; a 686-4 2.5 inch 7 shooter pre-lock, a blue 586-7 4 inch 7 shooter with lock removed. And finally a 4 inch 686-7 7 shooter lock removed. Better get one now before they are too expensive or hard to find. I do not like the guns with the barrel shrouds. And Smith & Wesson may start building revolvers with different type of barrels: flat sides or blade type of barrel lugs or some kind of new lock. Not for me. A price will be paid in one way or another that you might not like. I don't like the locks, but bought two with them because I could not find what I wanted... for the price. Remember they will only get more expensive and rarer.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I chose a 6 inch 686 mainly because all my shooting is at the range, I can't count to 7, and I'm compensating for having a tiny Johnson.

 

[rickbaales]

Thanks for the information everybody. Yeah I wish SW would have the option of no locks on new revolvers. I have a 686-3 pre lock that is fun to shoot. I notice that they do manufacture some 642 and 442 revolvers with no locks.