Which 357

[Maddrifter]

Hello, I am willing to buy a 357mag revolver. For the same price i can choose between a Performance Center 686 6" or a Deluxe 686 6". Can i ask for your advice?
Accuracy for me is the most important aspect, but i like wood over rubber..

 

[bigwheelzip]

For me, all else being equal, Performance Center offers a nicer action out of the box.
If you want wood grips, swap them out.

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[Maddrifter]

For me, all else being equal, Performance Center offers a nicer action out of the box.
If you want wood grips, swap them out.

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So I understand that PC and Deluxe mechanics are not the same?

 

[dmthomp32]

Mechanism by which the revolver operates is the same. Performance Center has a little more attention paid to the trigger and action, ensuring a mild improvement over the standard production revolvers.


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[bigwheelzip]

So I understand that PC and Deluxe mechanics are not the same?

On the 686 specifically, the Performance Center version has an upgraded hammer and trigger, and additional work done to smooth the pull.
Other PC upgrades typically are sights, grips, and barrel.
All things that add up to a better user experience. But that's just me.

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[VictorLouis]

For the same, or even close, price..I'd be hard-pressed not to lean toward the PC model for reasons already stated.

Welome to the club!

 

[Spokes]

My choice also...Performance Center...

 

[hittman77]

I've always had the best luck with old guns.

For me, they shoot just as well when I'm on top of my game.

The Classic Series and PC and Commemoratives and Deluxe and whatever other gimmick of "special edition" they offer have just never done anything for me. Old guns will always be old and to many ….. valued higher even if they are fired.

 

[CH4]

I would look for a 686-4 or older in whatever barrel length you like, I prefer 2.5"

 

[The Norseman]

Heavy Metal

Welcome to the best Smith & Wesson Forum
out there. Accept no Substitute.

I suggest which ever S&W Mdl 686 you feel
comfortable with and appeals to you. They
are heavy revolvers.

If both are priced about the same, I would
probably lean towards the Performance
Center Revolver.

Either one would be nice to have. S&W Mdl
686s are always crafted nice and are solid
in operation.

The best to you and your endeavors.

 

[kas9412]

I have a 686 Deluxe (basically wood grips instead of the rubbers) and a Performance Center revolver - it is .357, but is an N-frame, TRR8. The action on the later gun is slightly less heavy and is smoother, than on the 686. So for the same price, I would choose the PC gun.

By the way, the TRR8 is the most accurate revolver I own, which I attribute to the two piece tensioned barrel.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[colt_saa]

First, Welcome to the Forum

Prices and condition being the same or close, I too would be purchasing the Performance Center offering.

In my younger days, I stayed away from Performance Center revolvers mostly because of the price. Paying for college left me with very little in recreational money

After saving up and getting my first Performance Center firearm, I was hooked. There has been no turning back since my first one.

Now, decades later, I have many Performance Center offerings.

I want to agree with kas9412, The revolvers using the multi piece tensioned barrels are the most accurate Smith & Wesson 357s I have ever fired.

You have been looking at the L-frames. The revolver that kas9412 mentions is a N-frame Model 327 TRR8. It's frame is made from Scandium alloy. It weighs in like a 4" K-frame but performs well beyond your expectations in terms of accuracy

I have added a set of the old factory Combats to mine, but there are Many other wood choices. Here is a set of Hogue Tulipwood on my Model 610. I order the Hogues with no finger grooves. That configuration fits me better and looks' better as well

OK, all of that being said . . . . I am certain that you would be happy with eiter of the two revolvers you are currently looking at

 

[diyj98]

I agree with the others. For the same price, I can't see any reason not to go with the Performance Center gun.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I personally would not waste my $$ on the performance center . I'd buy the Deluxe model . Shooting it will smooth out the action , slowly over time . Regards Paul

 

[Lou_the_welder]

A 6" 686 PC Competitor vs. A 6" 686 deluxe.

Value wise, the PC being a $1500 gun being sold near an $800 msrp 686??? Am I the only one with questions here??

A deal like that hasn't ever come by with me. Unless I'm completely not understanding the two models we're talking about. Maybe there could be some clarification. ?

Otoh the R8/TRR8 and those barrels are the most accurate that I've tried.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Are we talking the 686 with the weighted barrel system?
If so, I would happily spend your money on that.
If it were my money, the classic look of the regular 686 but with a shorter barrel.
What exactly are you expecting in terms of accuracy? I havent seen very many shooters to group better than 3" out of 357 benched at 25yd

 

[Biggfoot44]

For the same $ , the PC is a better value FWIW . For me , I want to go hands on with all candidates , and let my finger and eye decide .

I have to disagree with that accuracy expectations .

In addition to my own and friends , once upon a time I had the opportunity to test drive a whole fleet of DA Revolvers .

Two hand braced @ 25yds , with ammunition of known capabilities , 1.5 in groups were average . 1.25in were pretty good , and the occasional would go 1.0in . On the other end , anything over 2.0 had damaged crown , or other mechanical damage .

 

[Maddrifter]

Thanks a lot guys. I know it's a weird question here but.. Is the colt python to take into consideration too? The new (2020) ones are moreover in the same price range of pc.. I have always seen colts revolvers as nice collectable items and nothing more, are them at the same level as smiths in terms of performance (accuracy, trigger..)?

 

[Maddrifter]

Also let me reply at some of your question. I will shoot at my local range, mostly at 25 meters, standing, mostly 2 handed, NOT benched (i bench rest with the rifle, with front rest only).

The reason why there are some different models at a differnt price is due, i guess, to the fact i that live in in Italy, so various gun shops import a various number of guns in various times with various €/$ change ratios. So you can find the same new gun at very different prices from different shops. The 686 deluxe for example ranging from 1050 to 1400euros.

 

[Maddrifter]

Smith Wesson 686 Performance Center

This seems very cheap, but it's only 5"..