[alcmaeon]

It is time for a 357. Price not being an issue, what do you all think of a 686+ with a 6-inch barrel vs. a 627 with a 5-inch barrel. I will be punching paper and cans for the most part.

Thanks

[9mmepiphany]

the 5" M-27 is a classic combat .357 mag (as opposed to the 8.375"). the only thing you get my going to a smaller smith is the ability to CCW it. since you're not using it for carry, i'd go with the larger N-frame

[themontashu]

My dad has a 686+ 4inch and we both love it

[Gillster]

My $.02 is I shoot a lot of steel challenge style matches with a revolver, and a little ICORE. I've always used 686's, first the 6 shots and then 7 shooters cut for moon clips. Finally decided to get the extra shot and purchased a 627. I liked it a lot and it was plenty accurate out of the box but after messing with the 627 for a while, I went back to the 686. The L frame just seems to fit my hand better and I shoot much more smoothly with the L frame. If you know somebody that has both that you can shoot side by side try them out, as for me, I'd take the 686+ 6" any day.

Chris

[DHart]

A 6" 686 is a wonderful target revolver indeed. If you think you might want to carry the gun or use it in a wide variety of ways, my suggestion would be to go for the 4". The long 6" barrel can get pretty tiring after a time and it's not very "wieldy" compared to the shorter barrel models. Good reason to buy several! Everyone needs a 6", a 4", a 3", and a 2 1/2", right? :)

[Ric]

I don't have a 686 but I do have a 627 and I really like it. very accurate and smooth. Didn't need any work out of the box.

Besides, you gotta love the whole "357Mag - 8 Times" thing :D

http://img42.exs.cx/img42/259/Laserengraved627.jpg

[alcmaeon]

LOL, Yep, I need both I think! Thanks for the opinions everyone. I'll just have to go paw them at my local shop and see which one sucks me in! I'm in CA so the chance to ccw is null, making the barrel length not so much of a decision. Than there is the 625, which is calling because I shoot a fair bit of 45, oh man I need more money...

[Gixerman1000]

I have a 6" 686+ and a 5.5" 627, I like them both.

[MrMurphy]

Having shot both I prefer the 686+.

[cottontoptexan]

I have the 586 which is the blued version. Purchased it used several years ago with the Pachmeyer grips. It has a 6 inch barrel . The best revolver i ever owned. Good sights and accurate and the trigger of a Swiss Watch. I just love mine.

[patentmike]

Just to confuse the issue, consider the 5" 686.

[Guy B. Meredith]

I have both. The 8-shot is nice, but very massive like a battleship. I now prefer my M66 and would go for a 686+ in 4". I got the 686+ 6" as the all round handgun and it is fine, but just don't have use for the little extra accuracy the 6" provides. The smaller guns move.

Hunting and plinking go for mass of the larger gun/longer barrel. For action sports go for the shorter barrel. Four inches is max in IDPA.

[Walter]

I have an early model 686 that is probably the most accurate handgun
I've ever shot. Mine has the long barrel (8 3/8"), which is not what you are
looking at, but I don't believe you would be going wrong with a 686.

Walter
:)

[Stainz]

As Patentmike said, consider the 686+ in 5" - like the may-be-still-available 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' (#164284) I bought last month. It has a 5" half lug barrel with an orange HiViz front sight and V-notch rear - with the 7-shot cylinder and Ahrends finger-groove squared cocobolo grips. Mine was priced new the same as the regular 4" 686+. It points nearly as well as my favorite 625 & 629 Mountain Guns - and actually a tad better than my earlier favorite plinker, a 6" 66-6, also equipped with the HiViz and same Ahrend's. Those grips are nice - I have them on my 696 and N-frame MG's, too. Great plinker - and just acceptable for HD, etc, although CC will require some doing... Check your dealer for availability on that 5" h-l...

Stainz