[FrankD]

I have a S&W 686 with a 6" barrel. It shoots good and no gun problems. Whats going thru my mind is replacing that 6" barrel with a 4". The gun is a bit front heavy for me, and the thought of going to a shorter barrel should lighten it up a bit. Besides, I like the looks of a shorter barrel. I use it for target usually at no more than 25yds. Maybe the shorter sight radius would be noticable. I don't know. I keep going back and forth... yah do it,, no don't do it.! You wheel gunners think I'd be making a mistake.? I wouldn't be doing this myself. It would go to S&W for the swap.

[gripper]

Keep it,practice a lot and save for a 4 inch....and maybe find a 5 inch...and a...

[Majic]

If no custom work has been done to the revolver it may be cheaper to sell it and purchase a 4 incher.

[FrankD]

I did have S&W do a custom trigger action job to it not long ago.

[Frandy]

May I ask what you think of the Smith trigger action job that they did? I have a new 625 JM and have been thinking of getting them to do the action job on it.

[FrankD]

I'm very satisfied with their work. It's lighter, smoother and has a nice feel to it. And there's nothing there to void any warranty in the future if needed. May be a different story if a local smith worked on it and S&W didn't care for the local's work. All and all I'm happy with S&W's work and would definitely go with them again.

[perpster]

FWIW, I just ordered the 686P (7 shot) 5" barrel Stocking Dealer Special. It got a really good reivew in handgun magazine online (don't have link handy). HOWEVER, I'm finding that no one has a holster for it because of the cylinder AND the 5" bbl.

My research found that 5" is a happy medium between 4" & 6" bbls in .357 cal.

[Sunray]

"...It shoots good and no gun problems..." Rule number 1. If it works, don't fix it. Especially since you've had the trigger done. That adds value to a Smith.
It'd be less fuss to just buy a 4" 686. Even though a Ruger GP-100 is a better revolver.

[gen]

Even though a Ruger GP-100 is a better revolver.
:rolleyes:

[DHart]

Frank... I've had a 6" 686 for many years and almost never shot it... it always felt too long for my liking. Great gun, good for long distance shooting and good barrel length for competition bullseye target shooting, but for general use, the 4" is much better suited, IMHO.

Ultimately, I got a hold of another 686 with a 4" barrel that I wanted to put a 3" barrel on, so S&W moved my 4" barrel from the one 686 to my formerly 6" 686 and installed the 3" barrel on the once 4" 686. I like the 4" barrel much more on the gun than the 6". I understand your feelings about the 6" barrel and based on that, would encourage you to trade it for a 4" or have S&W put a 4" barrel on it. I must say that I prefer 4", 3", 2.5" and 2" barrels on revos.... but I'm not a hunter, nor a long distance shooter.

[FrankD]

I'm not a hunter or long distance shooter either. Gonna take it out to the range this morning and put a hundred or so rounds thru it and try to make up my mind. If I did have Smith change it out for the 4" and find later on that I made a mistake, could always send it back to Mr. Smith and change it back to my old 6". So changing the barrel wouldn't be "set in concrete". But then again the costs of two barrel swaps could equal the price of another gun, minus the action job. Big problems huh, ha-ha.!
Well on the bright side, it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. :)
Hey Mr.DHart, why don't ya put up couple of your 686 photos. I've enjoyed your photography in the past.

[FrankD]

Just came back from the range and decided to keep what I have, the way it is with the 6" barrel. I'll keep an eye out for a nice 4 incher down the road. No more "problems" and now I start my mission for another gun. Can always use another.

[perpster]

Just came back from the range and decided to keep what I have, the way it is with the 6" barrel. I'll keep an eye out for a nice 4 incher down the road. No more "problems" and now I start my mission for another gun. Can always use another.


Have you considered the 5" barrel?

[DHart]

FrankD... always nice to add another gun! It will be nice to have the 6"er even if you wind up using the 4" a lot more. Next you'll have to think about a 3"er! But that will require a bit of a hunt!

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/686-4+_LF_6733.jpg

[Vern Humphrey]

I did have S&W do a custom trigger action job to it not long ago.

Factory custom work is an exception to the rule that modifications decrease the collector value of a gun. Keep the paperwork associated with the trigger job.

What I would do is seek to find a 4" gun and shoot it -- see for yourself how much you like it. You should be able to sell or trade your present gun if you like the 4" better after you try it.