[Mastrogiacomo]

I know it's a big gun for a snubbie but I'm very taken by the 4" and want another. At the moment, I'm waiting on my Ruger 3" at the shop but I'm already planning for my next purchase. :D Any folks with the snubbie version that want to share your pics?

[braindoc]

I find the 2.5" 686 to be primarily a range gun for me. It weighs as much as a 4" model 66 and doesn't balance or point as well. I don't have a 4" 686 for comparison (I have a 6" 686). As for CCW, I carry a Glock 26.

braindoc

[Mastrogiacomo]

Well -- three revolvers I know I'm getting: the 686 snubbie, the 640 (thanks to Ala's recommendation), and the model 60 3." The gun I buy next depends largely on which is cheaper and how much I get back on my tax returns. :D

My 686 4" and the GP-100 3" are largely for home only -- no chance I'd ever carry them. For that, I have my three Beretta Ms and a Glock 19, although the 640 makes a good BUG choice. I might also want to get a LS65 and snubbie model 60 at some point, but for now I'm thinking of going with the 686 snubbie or the 640.

[surfinUSA]

I think that the 2 1/2 inch 686+ 7 shot is one of the finest house and car guns made. Powerful, reliable, accurate, and with 7 shots. Its not too big and not too small. Sort of like the goldilocks of handguns.

With it simple manual of arms its probably the one gun that everybody in the family can quickly and accurately get into action. The seven shots puts it on par with many semi autos. And with 38+Ps or magnums it takes care of pretty much any business that needs taking care of.

[357wheelgunner]

Shame on you for using the word "Goldilocks" in a thread about L-frame revolvers.......

[Rangegod]

I love my 4" 686+ but for carry I prefer this:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=21288&stc=1

386PD

JAC

[SteelEye]

RangeGod,
What is the width of the PD? I'm on the fence with my 686 snubbie because it feels like I"m walking around with an anvil. The low weight and extra round of the PD is calling to me.

BTW, the background article compares the 386PD and 386SC. Couldn't find an SC on the Smith web site. What's up with that?

Thanks,
SteelEye

[Rangegod]

The width is the same as the 686 (1.6" says my reference) but at 20 oz. it carries much better.

However, I will be the first to admit that this is not a fun gun to shoot. The 125gr Rem GS is just about at the top of my tolerance level.

JAC

[Mastrogiacomo]

I wouldn't ever want to buy another light gun I can't shoot; did that with the 442 and sold it. What I love about the 686 snubbie and it'll take any load and not sting your hands. Gotta love a gun that lets you actually use it have a blast at the same time. :)

[FunYet]

I just got a Versamax II for my snubbie 686+. Amazing how the holster makes this gun IWB-able.

[surfinUSA]

Shame on you for using the word "Goldilocks" in a thread about L-frame revolvers.......

Nonsense, just like that wild little hottie goldilocks, the 686 snubbie is "just right".

[DHart]

I'm expecting my 686-4 Plus (7-shot) 2.5"er any day now... I know what a beast it's going to be as I have a 3" 686 right now and they are stout guns for sure! I'll post some pics of the 686+ when I get a chance.

Smith & Wesson Model 686 CS-1 .357 Magnum 3" barrel w/Spegels
http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/M686CS1.jpg

Smith & Wesson Model 686 CS-1 .357 Magnum 3" barrel w/Ahrends
http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/M686CS1_0808.jpg

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/M686CS1_0809.jpg

FUNYET... I'm seriously considering a VMII for carrying a 3" 65. I'd love to see how yours looks if you can post some pics of it... with the 686 would be great.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Beautiful pics...I hear a lot about the 3" 686 but I've never seen one. Maybe I'll look into taking off an inch on my 4" someday. It's probably the only way I'll ever own one... :(

[Thumper]

Here's mine...5 Aces.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/THR-Thumper/5-aces.jpg

[DHart]

Thumper... cool pic! Nice details. Looks like it's accurate too!

The wait for my 2.5" 686-4 Plus is driving me crazy... "any day now" I keep telling myself! :rolleyes:

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'm going through the same thing with my Ruger GP100. I thought it'd be in the shop over the weekend. Still waiting.... :cool:

[17RemFan]

Hey Thumper ,Ive got one like that one the way and I just cant wait ...Nice gun.I Like the brushed stainless look so ill go slow with a scotch brite type pad on it.

[4thHorseman]

I had a snubbie 686. Got rid of it.
Snubbie is not the word I would use on the monster.
It is a huge gun for a snubbie and defeats the purpose of carring one a ccw.
If you are gonna carry a gun of that weight and size, you my as well carry a full size K frame, about the same weight and size.
If you are gonna go with a snubbie...man get a real snubbie.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Believe it or not, a lady on the Glock Forum carries this gun. I wouldn't because I agree it's not meant for CCW, but there's nothing wrong with it for range and home. As I got a better deal on the S&W 60 snubbie which is perfect for that, it's the first gun I'm picking up. Later maybe the 686 -- but it's going into my collection sooner or later.

[DHart]

man do I love this snubbie! I didn't buy it with the intention of carrying it concealed, but with the intention of putting a 3" barrel on it for general use home/RV/car, etc. Funny thing is, once I held the gun and shot it, I love it so much just as is that I decided to leave it with the 2.5" barrel. I really like the size and weight... they make for a very luxurious shooting gun and the short barrel makes it very maneuverable indeed.

It's an excellent close-quarters defense gun (home/RV/car, etc.)... balances beautifully, luxurious to shoot, soaks up recoil like a sponge, built to take a LOT of heavy shooting, very accurate, and lots of power available even with the short barrel (I get about 1241 fps with Winchester 145 gr. Silvertip - that's a nice hunk of power).

Anyway, I decided to buy another 686+ with a 4" barrel to put that 3" barrel on. I'm becoming a very strong advocate of the L-frame Smiths, with 686's in 2.5", 3", 4", and 6" barrels and two 586's in 4". There are other guns I tend to use more for concealed use, but for just great shooting I highly recommend the 586/686 line of guns, they're really fine (and cool) revos indeed! I'm thrilled with mine.

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/M686_1181LB.jpg

[Mastrogiacomo]

Please let me know who you hire to reduce the 4" to a 3." I've been dying to do that with my 686 but can't find a good place to send it.

[DHart]

Mas... fortunately, the S&W Performance Center found a 686 3" barrel and they are going to put it on my 4" 686+. Then I'm going to put the 4" barrel on my 686 no dash 6"er and store the 6" barrel. I have no need nor interest in the 6" at this time, so I'm shuffling barrels around on the guns to create what I'd like to have. I wanted a 686+ 3" with standard S&W finish because the matte finish on my 686 CS-1 is a bit unforgiving of dings and such, so I don't tend to give it much use, but the standard finish I can clean up myself anytime.

For having a barrel cut down, there are a couple of folks who I believe would do a fine job of this:

•David Clements
http://www.clementscustomguns.com

•Ten Ring Precision, run by Alex Hamilton (president of the American Pistolsmith's Guild) in San Antonio, TX
www.tenring.com.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Thanks for the links. What a shame the 3" was discontinued and so hard to find in my state.

[DHart]

I saw a GP-100 3" that David had cut into a slab side barrel and refinished... really cool!

Here's his custom work page:

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/handguns/options.htm

[DHart]

Mas... if you expand your search beyond the state, your odds of finding one will be a lot better. You might have to eat, sleep, and breathe the online auction boards for a time, but that could just do it for ya!

[Mastrogiacomo]

It's hard, trust me I've looked but I always get out bid on those sites. Damn near cheaper to just buy a 4" and send it to a gunsmith to shorten the barrel.

[Archie]

I bought a then, newly released S&W 581 (blue/fixed sights) in 1980. I was a humble but lovable Border Patrol Agent. I carried a M13 at the time, and liked the heavier frame. It shot to the sights with WW Silvertip 145 grain ammo. Werewolves, beware!

Much later, about 1988, I was issued a 4 inch CS-1. Not long after, another inspector had been issued a 3 inch and didn't like it, so we traded. Full extractor throw, good balance and it 'handled quickly'. Got issued the Federal 125 grain Ye-haw Whoopee load ammo. I really liked it.
Then management changed us over to 6946 pistols... yuck. I would have purchased the CS-1, which did have some precedent, but we had a President named Clincksom or something and his administration stopped that danger to society and the environment. I digress...

I still have the 581. I still like it.

As for size, when I'm in the mood, I carry a 1917 S&W or a 5 inch M27. The L frame ain't all that big. Of course, I'm built like Danny DiVito's stunt double and I wear a sports jacket a lot.