Target oriented model
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Any model 14 is classic for target work. The model 686 is a slightly heavier model chambered in .357. Welcome to the forum. Plenty of great information available here.
The best in my opinion is a 686 L frame. The K frame is a nice gun, but if you shoot a lot the forcing cone may crack, then you need a new barrel. The L frame never has that problem. You can get an equally good action on a K,L, or N frame.
What type of target competition are you planning for?
Bullseye, silhouette, ICORE, steel, etc.
Bullseye, silhouette, ICORE, steel, etc.
JimBianchi
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Model 14(s) rules the roost in out of the box accuracy with a good triggers. It what they were made for.
Mine is incredible enough I'd buy another one if I could afford it and it was in good condition.
Mine is incredible enough I'd buy another one if I could afford it and it was in good condition.
No competition at this moment, just slow shooting, single hand, 25 meters.
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Depending on how much muzzle weight and sight radius you like (and hand/arm strength you have), either a 4" 586/686, a 5" model 27 (no longer made) or a 6" model 14 would appear to fit your needs. A 6" L frame is pretty heavy for one-handed target work and a 4" model 15 may be slightly muzzle light. Good luck in your decision.
argon18smith
Member
I have a 686 which feels like a Cadillac compared to my Alpha Proj. I have only been shooting it for a few months but I like it. It is heavy.
Avoid the full underlug in a 6 inch barrel If you decide to get into ISSF Center Fire Pistol competition. The extra weight will be an indrance in the duel part of the competition.
But if you are thinking in the lines of IPSC get the underlug version.
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Any new S&W revo will have a hefty 14 pound trigger pull out of the box. If you want accuracy then action work by a pistol smith is a good idea. If you want lighter than approx. 8 pounds then you will need ammo with federal primers.
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Welcome to the Forum
Without a doubt, in terms of accuracy, the 5" tensioned barreled, Model 327s (JM, TRR8 or M&P R8) all have that exceptional accuracy that made the old Dan Wesson revolvers so legendary when Metallic Silhouette was at it's peak
Even though it is 38 Special (I know you mention 357), the 8 3/8" Model 14s were very accurate as well and are probably the runner up to the Model 327 family of revolvers.
As a group, there is no measurable accuracy difference between the various 357 offerings. The K-frame Model 19/66 revolvers or the L-frame Model 586/686 revolvers or the N-frame Model 27/28/627 revolvers from the Production side of Smith and Wesson are all equally fine shooters. Longer barrels give a longer sight radius so they appear to be more accurate than their shorter brothers.
Most Performance Center offerings of these various models will have an advantage as the barrels are air gauged to insure accuracy. Barrels that do not make the cut are not used. Also a few of the Performance Center offerings were supplied with Lothar-Walther barrels (just can't recall which off the top of my head)
Without a doubt, in terms of accuracy, the 5" tensioned barreled, Model 327s (JM, TRR8 or M&P R8) all have that exceptional accuracy that made the old Dan Wesson revolvers so legendary when Metallic Silhouette was at it's peak
Even though it is 38 Special (I know you mention 357), the 8 3/8" Model 14s were very accurate as well and are probably the runner up to the Model 327 family of revolvers.
As a group, there is no measurable accuracy difference between the various 357 offerings. The K-frame Model 19/66 revolvers or the L-frame Model 586/686 revolvers or the N-frame Model 27/28/627 revolvers from the Production side of Smith and Wesson are all equally fine shooters. Longer barrels give a longer sight radius so they appear to be more accurate than their shorter brothers.
Most Performance Center offerings of these various models will have an advantage as the barrels are air gauged to insure accuracy. Barrels that do not make the cut are not used. Also a few of the Performance Center offerings were supplied with Lothar-Walther barrels (just can't recall which off the top of my head)
otasan56
US Veteran
I'd get a 6-inch S&W Model 586. L-frame, blue steel. Good steel for action jobs.
Get yourself a 6" model 14, if you just want to get your toes wet by a GOOD condition model W/O the underlug, if you don't mind the extra ounces then buy a GOOD condition 14-5,6,7 with the underlug. Ive yet to see one that wont shoot a single hole at 25 yards with any good 158 SWC ammo and even easier with wadcutter, that is what they were made for..Designed for PPC Distinguished match.
Most will easily shoot a 2" 2 1/2 group at 50 yards all day long and I have owned 6 or 7 over the years , still have 5 They may not be the best choice if you are going to shoot a steady diet of hot loads and they are not magnums, then buy a 5 or 686.
I have an older P/C 8 shot 627 and it is accurate, but not as accurate or easy to shoot as the 14-6.
Most will easily shoot a 2" 2 1/2 group at 50 yards all day long and I have owned 6 or 7 over the years , still have 5 They may not be the best choice if you are going to shoot a steady diet of hot loads and they are not magnums, then buy a 5 or 686.
I have an older P/C 8 shot 627 and it is accurate, but not as accurate or easy to shoot as the 14-6.
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@OP,
Are you in the US or another part of the world? I ask since you are referencing 25m shooting.
If you can get your hands on one, I would highly recommend that you aim for a no lug Model 14/K38 Masterpiece. I have a Model 14-4 with the 3Ts, and that is shot only single action ... with a 2.5# pull from the factory. I also have a 14-1 4 screw with the service trigger and hammer that I use for PPC. I will not shoot a K38 equipped with a target trigger double action!
With a steady diet of lead target ammo, expect the barrel to last almost forever, and you don't have to worry about forcing cone issues.
Are you in the US or another part of the world? I ask since you are referencing 25m shooting.
If you can get your hands on one, I would highly recommend that you aim for a no lug Model 14/K38 Masterpiece. I have a Model 14-4 with the 3Ts, and that is shot only single action ... with a 2.5# pull from the factory. I also have a 14-1 4 screw with the service trigger and hammer that I use for PPC. I will not shoot a K38 equipped with a target trigger double action!
With a steady diet of lead target ammo, expect the barrel to last almost forever, and you don't have to worry about forcing cone issues.
Answering for Ste79. I remember is introdution in the forum. He is in Italy.
And I agree with you. For ISSF center fire pistol the underlug is a huge mistake.
Pisgah
Member
For informal target shooting such as you describe, I am not exaggerating when I say that any S&W revolver with adjustable sights is perfectly suitable. You just need to decide what your preference is for caliber and barrel length.
As has already been noted, in formal target shooting there are usually rules describing the guns you can use. So if you're wanting to get in to any of the shooting games, you should research what's allowed and what's not.
As has already been noted, in formal target shooting there are usually rules describing the guns you can use. So if you're wanting to get in to any of the shooting games, you should research what's allowed and what's not.
As you can see from all these posts, it may be different depending on what kind of competition you are planning to use it in. Also keep in mind that several of the models mentioned have been discontinued by S&W and would have to be found on the used market.
daddio202
Member
Without doubt model 14's with any barrel length have exceptional accuracy. The model 14 is a 38 special caliber gun though. My recommendation would be a model 19 if you want to shoot 357 caliber occasionally along with the 38 special cartridge. All the other posters have good suggestions on this thread as well. They made many good accurate target revolvers so take your pick. My favorite gun as far as accuracy goes to my model 14 with 8 3/8 inch barrel. If my life depended on a round of accurate shots, that gun would be my first pick.
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