The Smith with the most versatility...

[one eye joe]

I like my K frames and N frames in .357, but for me, I think my L frames have them beat for most versatile Smith .357.

As the .357 (at least to/for me) is the most versatile handgun ever made, I will have to go with the L famed 686.

At least that's what I'm going with!

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE M686.....

IMHO, IT IS THE FINEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION......

AS FAR AS VERSATILITY, MY PICK OF THE LITTER WOULD BE THE M686+ MOUNTAIN GUN. ITS EASILY CARRIED CONCEALED. ITS GREAT FOR SD AND HD WITH ITS 7 ROUND CAPACITY. ITS AT HOME ON THE RANGE, AND IN THE FIELD ---FOR HUNTING OR AS A CAMPING OR FISHING COMPANION. THE VARIETY OF AMMO AVAILABLE IS ENDLESS, FROM THE LIGHTEST TARGET LOADS TO THE MOST POWERFUL HUNTING LOADS....

I DON'T HAVE A SOLO PIC, BUT MY M686+ IS ON THE EXTREME LEFT OF MY 3 MOUNTAIN GUNS BELOW.....

 

[BAM-BAM]

I'd have to say a 681/686 in 4" barrel. It can use both .38 and .357, in all different bullet weights plus shotshells. Still small enough to carry but long enough to use for hunting at somewhat longer ranges. Ease of maintenance ( stainless vs. blued ), and the beefier L frame for regular use of magnum cartridges vs. a K frame.

If I could have only one..........................though I love my 3" 66s for concealed carry.

 

[flagman1776]

My all around gun... was & would be my 3" M66. OD, many miles of trail on foot & on horseback. No big dangerous critters here that couldn't be handled by it. It strikes the right balance.

 

[ericrlarson]

4" 66 could easily fill all roles. Though it probably wouldn't be my ideal choice for concealed carry.


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[rwsmith]

For me its' .357.....

Talk about VERSATILE. If I don't want an 'L' frame (which I have) a mod 66 would be my next choice.

 

[ctxcummins]

As much as I love K-frames...my answer for 'most versatile' is a 4" 686. Hands down.

 

[Grayfox]

Another vote for a 4" L-frame .357. All the advantages of a 19/66 but able to handle a steady diet of full house magnums.

 

[H Richard]

I would be another vote for the 686. Potent 357, +P 38's, mild 38's, or lite target Wad Cutters. Can take deer size game, self defense, practice, or light wc game loads for rabbit or squirrel.

 

[Decker]

I can't argue at all with the K frame having the most versatility.
Thinking about it, I never intentionally sought after K frames on purpose, but over the years, I have ended up with a 2" 66, a 4" 66, and the first pistol I ever bought new, a 6" Mod. 19.

So I guess on a psychological level, I must like the darn things because they can do pretty much everything.

Have a Mod.29 8-3/8", a couple of L frames, and a gaggle of J frames, but if I had to sell most of my Smith revolvers, it would be the K frames that would be the last to go.

 

[Ross3914]

I'm going to go with the 686 here.

Specifically the 686-4. The -4 had the frame drilled and tapped from the factory for a scope mount. You just remove the rear sight and the gun's already set up to mount a scope.

You don't have to worry about how many, or what bullet weight magnums you fire. You have all the advantages of a 66's stainless construction, and it's stronger. You get a trigger and sights as good as a 66. You get the same large selection of grips as the K-frame. Holster selection is great. You can swap to a scope easily for hunting, etc.

 

[chiefbob81]

For true versatility the Governor wins hands down, besides the three calibers it fires you can use it for a small boat anchor or ballast for a hot air balloon.

 

[snubbyfan]

4" Model 66.

 

[LEO918]

Here's my latest favorite. A Model 66-2 with 3" barrel.

 

[shouldazagged]

I can no longer shoot .357 Magnums for physical reasons, but for sheer
versatility you can't beat a .357 revolver. I love K-frames, so a four-inch 66 would be my first choice; but the 686+ would be a very close second.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

629 mtn gun.

 

[CH4]

For all around versatility, I'd also vote for the Mountain Gun Revolver in .44 mag or .45 Colt. Merely for SD/HD I like my 2.5 inch 66, 686 or 627-5.

If all my listed 2.5" revolvers held 6 rounds, then the K frame 66 would get the nod every time. However, in my battery as frame size and weight increases, so does capacity; the L frame 686 holds 7 and the N frame 627 holds 8, to my mind justifying the nearly linear increase in the weight to round ratio.

 

[Muley Gil]

629 Mountain Gun.. I hike in places that are inhabited by some big mean critters.

and it goes well under the pillow(well next to it) to put a 240gr thump on an intruder.

That little off the barrel weight makes a difference.

This is also my choice.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Keeping the threat in mind, I never feel undergunned with my Baby Chiefs Special in an appendix holster.

When I'm working in the woods, though, I like my 640 Pro at 4 o'clock.

 

[snowman.45]

I will have to say that I have had a hard time deciding between the Model 19/66 and a Model 586/686. I have my last duty carried 4" 66-2 and a 3" 66-2. Both hold a special place in my heart, and really don't get shot or carried much. I have a 4" 586 that is about the sweetest shooting .357 I have. I have a 4" Pro-Series 627 x 8 that is also a great shooter, if a bit on the heavy side. They are all special revolvers to me.

A while back, I decided that I needed to get a mid-sized S&W revolver that would handle the chores for which it might be needed in the hills and desert; one I wouldn't worry as much about harming in some way by carrying in the dirt and sand or by firing full-house loads. I settled on a new 2.75" Model 66. The damn thing is quite accurate and seems tough enough to handle anything I'll throw at it. I'm still on the prowl for a 3" 686, though. It just seems that the L-framed .357's might be the best compromise between size, weight and durability. I'll wait and see how the 2.75" 66 does over time.

 

[Benchrest1]

I'll go with the 4" 686.