S&W 686 -- Which Barrel?

[JLLNet]

I'm too deciding about the best all-around revolver mostly for fun at the shooting range, but also home protection..

686 4" vs 625 4" .45

I enjoy shooting my 9mm M&P P.C. Core 4.25" but love revolvers, the cylinder, the power, the look etc. I probably will mount a sight or scope or improve it for accuracy or looks..

Maybe I join IDPA and want to use a nice revolver, what do you guys think?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a 4" and 2.5" 686+ and a 3" on the way. I love them all. I have a 6" M586. It's one of the most accurate guns in my hands ever! And I'm pretty accurate generally, but that 6" barrel - WHOA!!!

For the house I prefer the 2.5", just because........

 

[Sparky Thundercrash]

Well I am here. Just registered. Did not know there was a smith forum. Just donated my M41 in an auction Looked at a 52-2 and walked out with another 686-6. Now I am infected with the Wheelgun bug. Is there a cure?
I saw a 686-4 and am torn between that and a 625. I probably won't stop until I collect the whole set.

I have some Model 29's in the collection. But the performance center guns feel so GOOD! I will probably go bankrupt because of the GunStore.
I am happy with the 686 I got. I bought the Handgun then 100 rounds of 38 and 357. After an hour I went back and bought another 150 rounds. And Dies and hornady 125 xtps and hp38 H110 Primers and a number 6 shell holder.

I am all topped off and ready to go back to the farm after turkey day. Thank you smith and wesson for making the spinny guns fun again. I think my colt nm bullseye is now my new toolbox gun for the truck. That 686 out of the box with armcorp ammo had the same accuracy as that ridiculously expensive pretty prancing pony pistol.

cant wait till payday I must get another but the website shows so many.And Jerry did not help either with his "So you want to shoot fast"
I knew revolvers drew fast but i never saw them shoot fast. Now I know . Dang I was ignorant all these years. Maybe the wife was right.

Well I will be back tomorrow you guys and gals be safe. I read on the internet that eating to much turkey can put you into a Coma!

Keep it real and keep them on Steel!!!

 

[bunkie12]

I love them both, but I slightly prefer the 686+ 4" to the 6", only because the 4" seems better balanced to me, if that helps you at all. I have a number of wheelguns already and a couple more on my Christmas list. I agree with others on these forums that there is no vaccine available for the "Wheelgun bug". You, like me, are permanently infected. Sorry to be the bearer of "bad" news. Enjoy!

 

[gr7070]

walked out with another 686-6.

I'll never understand buying a second gun of the same model?

Now I am infected with the Wheelgun bug. Is there a cure?

For starters, stop buying duplicates. ; )

 

[one eye joe]

IMHO, THE 4" VERSION OF THE 686+ IS THE MOST VERSATILE, AND MOST USEFUL SINGLE HANDGUN IN PRODUCTION. IT CAN DO IT ALL--FROM CONCEALED CARRY, AND HOME DEFENSE, TO HUNTING AND RANGE USE. IN MY 60 HEARS OF HAND GUNNING, I HAVE OWNED EVERY CONCEIVABLE LENGTH OF HAND GUN. I HAVE SETTLED ON THE 4" VERSION AS MY FAVORITE. IT GIVES UP NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNTS IN THE REALM OF ACCURACY, AND BALLISTICS, WHEN COMPARED TO A 6" BARREL. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2 1/2" VERSION OF THE 686+, AS WELL AS A 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN WHICH IS A 4", AND AN 8 3/8" VERSION NO DASH, THAT CARRIES A RED DOT IN A NO DRILL MOUNT. THE LATTER GUN SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT OWN A 6" VERSION OF A REVOLVER, OF ANY BRAND. I LONG AGO DISPELLED THE MYTHS THAT YOU ARE WRESTLING WITH REGARDING THE SUPERIORITY OF THE 6" BARREL. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT JUST AIN'T SO. NOTHING BALANCES AS WELL, OR FEELS AS GOOD IN THE HAND AS THE 4" BARREL LENGTH S&Ws. IF I WAS FORCED TO SELL OFF ALL OF MY HANDGUNS, AND JUST KEEP ONE--IT WOULD BE MY 4", 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN.......

THE LEGENDARY PISTOLERO, ELMER KEITH, WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING BOTH THE .357 MAGNUM, AND THE .44 MAGNUM CARTRIDGE, CARRIED A 4" MODEL 29, IN .44 MAGNUM, EVERY DAY--AS A WOODSMAN, HUNTER, FISHERMAN, AND GUIDE. HE WAS A PROLIFIC WRITER. "SIX-GUNS" AND "HELL, I WAS THERE" ARE TWO OF HIS GREATEST WORKS. I DOUBT THAT YOU COULD GET A BETTER ENDORSEMENT THAN THAT, FOR THE 4" BARREL LENGTH......

 

[crstrode]

I own a 6-inch 686 myself, and it is a superb revolver. That being said the choice between a 4-inch barrel and a 6-inch barrel for a fellow of your circumstances is almost entirely a matter of esoteric preference.

For target shooting at a local or home range, the 6-inch gives me more hits in the bulls-eye.

For the utility of carrying in a holster, be it open or concealed carry, I prefer a shorter barrel.

For pure coolness and eye appeal, I vote for the 6-inch barrel.

FYI, I own and shoot a bunch of revolvers, including 1-7/8 inch snub nosed 38 specials, 8-inch 44 magnums, and just about everything in between. They are all beautiful to me and each is a different and enjoyable shooting experience.

Get whatever revolver that really jingles your bells!

 

[Sparky Thundercrash]

gr7070 it was a revolver rescue. There was only two revolvers in the case and they were surrounded by those plastic blocky shaped guns.Everyone in the family shoots. So this was a good thing. I don't have to wait my turn to shoot the fun guns. Also since my nephew has started to hunt with me we can both handgun hunt. So it works out.

next Month I will see what strikes my fancy. I have got to try to avoid that website..Sooo Many.. I promise to post a picture up of the next one I get. These things are so much fun!!

 

[CQB60]

I enjoy these old threads. Vintage S&W K/L frames have become quite the commodity as of late with prices at a premium. I acquired an early Christmas present my self today. A 686-5 2.5 barreled beauty. Although its not the Plus variant, as the saying goes, beggers need not be choosey..

 

[sw282]

My first revolver was a 6" 586 in 1983. It was nose heavy IMO, but that said, others enjoy that feel.

I settled on a 4" 586 and couldn't be happier.

You loose a little velocity with a shorter barrel, but it's not enough to work up a sweat over, truth be told. Add to this, the shorter barrel is easier to hold and therefore more accurate in my hands, YMMV.

For carry and home protection, the 4" is more desirable and is a pleasure at the range.

Will the 6" work too - of course.

The L frame is always a good choice, so whatever you decide, you will not be making a mistake.

Let us know what you decide.

BTW, they don't call 'em six-shooters for nothing. I personally can't wrap my mind around 7 & 8 shot revolvers.

l'm with twig on this... S-I-X Shooter is right..

 

[BAM-BAM]

Hope Jake (OP) has a 4 and a 6 inch by now!!!!!!!

 

[rwsmith]

I guess the problem is...

This is a 3 year old thread.
After much good advice, the Original Poster said he was going with the 4 inch barrel.
I suspect he and his wife have many thousand rounds thru it by now and have enjoyed it very much.

I guess the problem is that when we click a 'new post' and it goes to that post, then we should check the date of the original post. Something that I fail to do.

Well, sometimes there is plenty of life in old threads, like which is the best caliber for bear? or "What is the best powder to use in my .357? These questions will never be answered.

 

[CQB60]

I like some of the old threads! My personal preference as to the barrel length on a 686 is 2.5". Makes for an easy AIWB carry in that configuration.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Like others have said, the 4" 686 is the one in my opinion. Funny, given that I don't own one currently.

I have long felt and told friends and family that if they are going to buy ONE handgun, to consider the 4" 686. As always, your mileage may vary.

 

[SC_Mike]

IMHO I'd say 3 inch if you can get it, if not 4 inch, easier to handle indoors. I'd also go for the 7 shot just to have one more loaded and they do make speed loaders for the 7.

If 357 is too much you can back it down to 38+P.

Here's my 686, seven shot loaded with .38+P stashed for HD where we can get to it quickly if the time comes.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I have the 6". It gives you a better reach if you are bashing heads.