Want to get 686 have questions?

[MichSteve]

I have had a few revolvers over the years and want woods gun, and a range gun in 357 mag.

? 1. The 686 4" barrel is one on my list, questions are about the plus 7 shooter and 627 8 shooter. I understand the extra fire power, if I were to get into competitive shooting should I stick with a 6 shot?

? 2. Pro Series, is it worth the extra money, or should I get a stock 686 and then get an action job, or is there other things included in the Pro Series?

? 3. Is it practical to CCW the 686 4"?

I also have my eye on the Model 60 in 3" for CCW, what is your thought on it.

 

[MakeMyNight]

Question 3: a 686 with 4" barrel is a pretty good sized gun, and a mite heavy to use for CCW.
Go with the model 60 for CCW, and use the 686 for range, hunting, plinking. Just My .02.

 

[billd13]

A couple of points.

I would go for a stock 686 and shoot it for a bit.You might get one like mine which did not need an action job at all. It happens to be a 6". I also have a 4" 586. Its trigger is good but could be helped by an action job. As far as carry, an L frame is pretty wide and these are also up in the 42 oz or heavier range. You did not indicate what kind of competitive shooting you are contemplating which would tend to favor a certain type of weapon choice.

 

[MichSteve]

Competitive shooting?

I am not sure what type of competitive shooting there is in my area, and I know nothing about it. I would get involved just to get better at shooting, so maybe you suggest something.

The idea of get a stock 686 and shot it to see if it need an action job makes sense.

 

[m657]

1) competitive shooting of revolvers, at least in my area, are all based on the notion of '6-shot cylinder neutral' stages. If you don't miss any targets during that particular cylinder full, there is no advantage to 7 or 8 shot....unless you miss. On an 18 shot course of fire, you have to reload twice regardless of cylinder capacity. How fast you reload counts, and I still find 6-shot cylinders reload faster than 8. I need to improve my own performance here. On stages of 6 or 12 shots, there is no 8-shot cylinder advantage.

In actual practice, though I am by no means 'competitive' for speed, I find my scores are rather consistent between a 6 shot 610, and an 8 shot 627, on the same type of stage. YMMV.

2) My OPINION is to work with the stock model long enough to find your skill improves enough that you would benefit from having the action tuned after suitable practice. I believe the maturation as a shooter gains experience, is a worthy part of the process. It's easier to identify your own phase of improvement IMHO.

I started with a 627 V8 PC and after 3 years, barely have come up to the level of being able to actually benefit from some of its features, such as magnificent trigger and incredible accuracy. The fancy carrying case I leave at home. And still reloads are more demanding than on a 6-shot. I think I lose as much time on the reload as I gain on having the extra shots....so IF the stage requires reload on the clock, it's still a push on whether I've gained anything as far as stage-timer shows.

3) the 4" 686 is pretty heavy for a CCW if you have it on you all the time.