Which one?

[Fchewy]

Lgs has a New Model 66 and a New 686, 66 has 4 1/4" barrel and 686 has a 4" one, both have the "hole" so which would you prefer and why? they will mainly be a range piece so the "hole" dosen't matter to me.
They also had a Ruger GP100 3"er...I have a GP with a 4" barrel i just don't have a bigger S&W even thought about the Model 69? Thanks.

 

[Nick B]

The 686 will do everything the 66 can do and then ask for more .
686 for the win .

 

[mg357]

I suggest the 686 since it is an L-frame and slightly heavier

the recoil will be a lot less painful because it is a heavier gun.

that the 66 which is a K-frame which is slightly lighter in weight.

 

[Helderberg]

Both nice guns but the 686 gets my vote. That said I am more than a little biased.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[Sikiguya]

I have had both...some subjective differences. Go for the 686.

 

[HarrishMasher]

Range gun = 686

 

[BAM-BAM]

686/586s

6"= great range or hunting gun

3" = a concealed carry ......... but the L-frame is too heavy/bulky..... concealed carry go with a 2.5" or 3" K-Frame....... Models 13,19,65 or 66.

4" = is where the L-Frame shines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CO_Kid]

What's it going to be used for? If it's going to be shot a lot, go with the 686. If it is going to be carried a lot, or if you aren't going to shoot 357 but 38 special mostly instead, the 66 weighs less so it'll be that much easier to carry.

 

[brucev]

Have in the past had both 66 and 686's in 4 and 6 inch barrels. To carry a whole lot and shoot some... take the 66. To carry and shoot a whole lot, especially with .357 Magnum loads and especially if those might include ammo in the thermonuclear range... by all means get the 686!

Currently I own and adore my 4 inch 66... and my 6 inch 686... as well as my 4 and 6 inch 28-2's. I carry the 66 when I want a thumper on my hip while I'm out and about in the woods/fields. I carry it when I'm in the car on the road, in a hotel overnight. And I commonly have it on the desk in the office.

The 686 is what I carry when I'm going to do some serious heavy duty shooting... maybe practicing for a match, etc. In that thing... 2-300 rounds of even heavy loads is just no big deal. In SA or DA, that thing is like a scalpel, you can really cut something down to size with it in a hurry. And... it's strong, any normal SAAMI magnum load will work just fine.

The 28-2's... they are what no other manufacturer produces... .357 Magnum revolver that can handle anything in the manual... and then some! I know we are all supposed to not exceed the load recommendations of the manuals. And just for the record, I've always followed such instructions. However, once upon a time in a different place and time I had a Speer manual that had some very interesting loads in it. They were impressive of both ends of the barrel. The 6 inch 28 that I had was shot hard with a pile of those loads. Happy times! Happy time! Of course now I have moderated things a bit. And for some reason I let that old Speer manual go... we were moving. We could not keep everything. Some of my books had to be left... Had to leave Keith (Hell I Was There!), the Speer manual as well as a lot of other things. Oh well. Last year I found and bought a new copy of HIWT. Doubt I'll buy another of that old Speer manual. However, the 28's... the 686... the 66... they will be staying a long long time. And of them all, probably the 686 is about ideal for a .357 Magnum revolver. If you ever get a yen for a little experimenting... you'll probably want to get a nice 28... they are made stout. Like a Timex, they'll take a licking and keep on ticking! JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.