Smith & Wesson Revolver Question
- Thread starter dgalletti
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rt11002003
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Both .45ACP and .357 Mag are too hard on my body these days. With arthritic hands at 78, I finally (recently) sold my guns of those calibers. I still keep a "Saturday nite special .22" (more than 50 years old) and a S&W 986 PC, along with a S&W 929. The 9mm round is a little easier on me. Moonclips are a different story.
I was ready to sell my 986, then discovered the BMT tool. Loading and unloading the moonclip became a non-issue. I was so pleased I bought the 929 and a BMT tool for it.
I began shooting pistols 70+ years ago using revolvers. I now think revolvers send more shock to the body than than do semi-auto's. And, I shoot revolvers very little out of the 25,000+ rounds of 9mm ammo, each year.
I was ready to sell my 986, then discovered the BMT tool. Loading and unloading the moonclip became a non-issue. I was so pleased I bought the 929 and a BMT tool for it.
I began shooting pistols 70+ years ago using revolvers. I now think revolvers send more shock to the body than than do semi-auto's. And, I shoot revolvers very little out of the 25,000+ rounds of 9mm ammo, each year.
What do you want to do with it? They are both nice revolvers, I've owned both and currently run a pair of 686SSR's in IDPA.
The N-frame 625 is a well made gun. The JM version has the quick change front sight to boot. Running a .45's in moonclips wasn't a big issue. I would load all my moonclips before I left for the match and I would be set for the day. Made picking up my brass nice and easy....
However, my SSR's are far more enjoyable to shoot. They handle more like a K-frame than an L-frame. They have the quick change front sight and generally come with better fit and finish than a standard production gun. On top of that I enjoy shooting .38 spl more than I do .45. I shoot an indoor PPC leage in the winter and I end up running one gun for pretty much everything.
That said, I think every modern revolver needs to be tuned... Mike Carmoney did my 625 and one SSR was worked on by Clark Custom and the the other tuned by Mojo Customs.
My advice would be to see if you can find a place to try them out and see which one you like shooting more... I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Carmoney tuned Smith & Wesson 625 JM
Clark Custom and Mojo Custom tuned 686SSRs
The N-frame 625 is a well made gun. The JM version has the quick change front sight to boot. Running a .45's in moonclips wasn't a big issue. I would load all my moonclips before I left for the match and I would be set for the day. Made picking up my brass nice and easy....
However, my SSR's are far more enjoyable to shoot. They handle more like a K-frame than an L-frame. They have the quick change front sight and generally come with better fit and finish than a standard production gun. On top of that I enjoy shooting .38 spl more than I do .45. I shoot an indoor PPC leage in the winter and I end up running one gun for pretty much everything.
That said, I think every modern revolver needs to be tuned... Mike Carmoney did my 625 and one SSR was worked on by Clark Custom and the the other tuned by Mojo Customs.
My advice would be to see if you can find a place to try them out and see which one you like shooting more... I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Carmoney tuned Smith & Wesson 625 JM
Clark Custom and Mojo Custom tuned 686SSRs
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petewoodland
Member
Having a bunch of 45 acp Smiths my favorite, by far, is the SS Mountain Gun. Not knowing much when I started out I stocked up on boatload of 45AR (auto rim) as I did not want the hassle of moon clips. I reload for both with reduced loads but find I shoot at least ten times more acp.
As some have pointed out moon clips are cheap and you can bring your entire range day already loaded in clips. They reload even faster than a speedloader and once you learn how they are a breeze to moon and demoon with the proper tools.
Last year I picked up a blue mountain gun in 45 Colt that either the factory or some talented soul bored out the cylinder so it will accept 45 acp in moon clips or 45 Colt. It will not accept 45AR. Versatile but no match for my stainless favorite
As some have pointed out moon clips are cheap and you can bring your entire range day already loaded in clips. They reload even faster than a speedloader and once you learn how they are a breeze to moon and demoon with the proper tools.
Last year I picked up a blue mountain gun in 45 Colt that either the factory or some talented soul bored out the cylinder so it will accept 45 acp in moon clips or 45 Colt. It will not accept 45AR. Versatile but no match for my stainless favorite
Mulebuk Sam
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5thcommjarhead
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Get the 686.
If it's a "one or the other" situation, go with the 686 and start a savings fund for whatever you want next. Others have already posted about practicing with .38 SPCL, so I won't belabor that point. You can use a mix of .38 and .357 on the range to accustom yourself to the bigger bang and kick and to be sure it's not making you flinch. For daily carry, if a .357 doesn't stop your adversary and you don't have an elephant gun handy, run like hell. As for the qualities of the 686, I filled mine with snap caps and worked the action every chance I got. After a week or so of this, that revolver now has the smoothest action of ANY revolver I've ever owned or fired.
If it's a "one or the other" situation, go with the 686 and start a savings fund for whatever you want next. Others have already posted about practicing with .38 SPCL, so I won't belabor that point. You can use a mix of .38 and .357 on the range to accustom yourself to the bigger bang and kick and to be sure it's not making you flinch. For daily carry, if a .357 doesn't stop your adversary and you don't have an elephant gun handy, run like hell. As for the qualities of the 686, I filled mine with snap caps and worked the action every chance I got. After a week or so of this, that revolver now has the smoothest action of ANY revolver I've ever owned or fired.
I have versions of both. When I qualify for my carry permit, I always use the .45. I have always found the recoil on it notably less intense than the .357. First, the ft-pounds for .45 range from about 350 to 500 while .357 range from about 500 to 800. And as the .45 revolver is usually heavier than the .357, the felt recoil is less. Generally, the grips are wider on the .45 and that also spreads the recoil over a larger area, further decreasing the recoil impact. I always shoot better with my .45 revolver than with my 45 autos. My testers for my carry permit are always surprised by that, but the gun runs so smoothly it isn't surprising to me. The moon clip thing seems like a problem at first, but it is so quick to load and unload you will learn to love it. No more bulky than speed loaders, but much faster. Putting the round into the clips and removing the empties are sort of like a little Zen exercise for me. I find it very relaxing and calming (really!!). AS other have said, cost is not really a big difference. You can usually find on line sales which will bring the prices close together. If you have to buy only one, get the .45.
kilroy2721
Member
What do you plan on doing with them? It sounds like you want to shoot competition with them maybe?
I shoot both. I lean more toward the 625 for several reasons. I have a lot of moon clips so I load them all up before even heading out to the range. And it is easy to get all my brass back. Where as if I shoot my 686 it seems like I always have to bend over several more times to pick up the brass. Moon clips are cheap.
But then I also reload my own ammo, and my .45acp loads are right at the 165 power factor, while most of the factory ammo is at 170+.
I shoot both. I lean more toward the 625 for several reasons. I have a lot of moon clips so I load them all up before even heading out to the range. And it is easy to get all my brass back. Where as if I shoot my 686 it seems like I always have to bend over several more times to pick up the brass. Moon clips are cheap.
But then I also reload my own ammo, and my .45acp loads are right at the 165 power factor, while most of the factory ammo is at 170+.
Redhawk500
Member
Load in bulk before going to the range, refill the full moon clips at your leisure. Full moon clips come out as six and in as six in 45 ACP N frames. If you ever get a case stuck under the extractor, or are trying to reload under time stress, you'll have a whole new appreciation for the full moon clips. I keep a couple of speed strips and load with auto rim if I plan on firing just a couple of rounds, while hunting.
kilroy2721
Member
+1 on the BMT loader. Very easy and quick to use. It will both load and unload the moon clips.
Since you say it's your first revolver I will make some assumptions. I will assume this is a range toy or a target handgun; not a carry gun.
I carried revolvers on duty and shot them in competition many years ago. Never cared for the N frames; their extra size didn't offer me anything over a K or L frame but weight. They aren't any more accurate.
I would recommend a 686 as a range or competition gun. It will shoot the heaviest .357 Mags or cream puff .38's. The SSR looks nice, but is only offered in 4". The price I see for it is $783. A new 6" 686 would make a better target gun and it is $683. A pre-lock 6" 686 would be my choice if you could find a deal on one in excellent condition.
But that's just the opinion of someone that has owned and shot S&W's for over 40 years and its worth exactly what you paid for it.
I carried revolvers on duty and shot them in competition many years ago. Never cared for the N frames; their extra size didn't offer me anything over a K or L frame but weight. They aren't any more accurate.
I would recommend a 686 as a range or competition gun. It will shoot the heaviest .357 Mags or cream puff .38's. The SSR looks nice, but is only offered in 4". The price I see for it is $783. A new 6" 686 would make a better target gun and it is $683. A pre-lock 6" 686 would be my choice if you could find a deal on one in excellent condition.
But that's just the opinion of someone that has owned and shot S&W's for over 40 years and its worth exactly what you paid for it.
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