[jeffrice6]

hi all, new to this forum. I have a 686p question, here in Sacramento i have found a nib 686p for $470, believe it or not the same price or less than gp100's around here, first off is this a good price? my second question is-- I buy firearms for life, will the 686p last me a lifetime like people say gp100 will? I plan on 25% .38's and the rest .357, mostly at the range but also packing in the field with a little hunting someday. my final question is 4" or 6", they both feel good, is the little extra weight worth accuracy gains, if any?
Thanks for any help, Jeff :)

[jeffrice6]

nothing at all

[DillHarris]

Isn't the 686p a 7 shot model? If I had to choose between that and a gp100, I'd decide based on how many shots ya want. I have a 6" GP100 and love it. Great gun, but I wouldn't rate it higher or lower than the 686. Take a look at both of them. One of them will appeal to you more for reasons you can't explain; pick that one. I would prefer a 6", but someone else can tell whether or not it would make a difference for hunting as opposed to just field carry. I think for all these Ruger vs. Smith&Wesson vs. Colt threads, you can't make a bad decision. I think maintenece/care will far outweigh any differences between brands.

[stellarpod]

Jeffrice:

I just bought an extremely nice, hardly used 686p here in OKC for $350. Don't know whether that's a terribly great price. But, I'll tell you, I REALLY like this revolver. When you look at the price of new S&W magnums the $470 seems quite reasonable. I believe I'd go for it.

DillHarris:

Actually the 686 was first introduced in '94 as a six-shot model. The seven-shot came out a year or two later. Mine is six-shot and has the 6" Powerport barrel. But, I do like the seven-shot L-frames and wouldn't hesitate to pick one of them up as well.

These are really nice shooting wheel guns. I just don't think a person can go wrong buying one that's in good shape.

stellarpod

[Majic]

Either one are great guns, but I would go for the six-shooter 686 as your uses really don't have a need for the 7th shot. I would also go for the 6 incher because you will need the sight radius and velocity for hunting.

[chaim]

The 686 will last every bit as long as that Ruger. Both are good, well made guns and will probably be passed down to subsequent generations. I would say buy the one you prefer. There has to be something you like about one over the other, even if it is just purely emotional. Personally, I'd go with the S&W because I like S&W revolvers much better than Ruger, but that is pure personal preference (I realize that Ruger makes great revolvers too).

[stellarpod]

I believe I'm guilty of a bit of misinformation in my previous post.

The 686 was actually introduced in 1980. The 686 Powerport was introduced in 1995 (686-4).

The seven-shot 686 was also introduced in 1995, also with the 686-4 identification.

This is my best interpretation of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", 2nd Edition by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.

The listings are a little confusing. Of course that could just be me, not the book... :confused:

stellarpod