Best Fighting Revolver or Pistol What Is It? S&W 686+:Episode 1

That looked like a ton of fun.....Im going to have to try get some of that set up next time we get to the range.

That looks like fun. Once in done with my current medical situation I'll give it a try.

BTW..... it's uncanny how much you remind me of my grandfather. From the USMC hat, to the glasses, to the way you talk. It's crazy.

The Schofield revolver with quick extraction of all cases and easy reloading of the wide open cylinders is the best SINGLE action fighting revolver yet, and fought it did during the Indian wars.

But for double actions?

Not even tackling that one.

@Mr.Revolverguy
I enjoyed your video very much.
I am excited to see the next video with the .45 Colt S&W Mountain Gun. I have never encountered one of those for sale anywhere, but I sure would like to.

Thanks for the video. I will have to try those drills one day.

I do something similar with one or two of my wheel guns each week. Same distances as my autos though, which is mostly from contact to about 15 yards. Most of it starting from a holster or SUL/low ready.

As far as guns go, SA isnt really in the game, unless of course, it is all you have. DA is the way to go if you choose a revolver, and in reality, DAO is how a DA revolver is meant to be shot.

For me, the S&W's have it there. Caliber or model really doesn't matter, but of the realistic models, I put the J frames at the bottom of the list. 2"- 4" K/L/N frames would be my pick.

I have a 4" 620, and a 2.5" 686+, both 7 shooters, and they are both great shooters. The only problem I seem to have with the 7 shooters is, my brain seems to be hard-wired to the old 6 shooters, and I keep finding live rounds mixed in with the empties on the ground when I go to recover my brass. That voice in my head must be counting, even if Im not.

And if you're playing with revolvers, don't forget your reloads.

When it comes down to "whats best", I don't think its a matter of gun, as much as its a matter of what you have decent experience with and at least somewhat regularly maintain. The "one gun" shooter loses out here.

Make the effort to learn and regularly shoot as many different types as you can, and "you" will be the best choice for whatever you might come across.

Doing what you've laid out above is a great way to broaden your horizons, learn new things, and have a lot of fun doing it.

AK103K said:

The only problem I seem to have with the 7 shooters is, my brain seems to be hard-wired to the old 6 shooters, and I keep finding live rounds mixed in with the empties on the ground when I go to recover my brass. That voice in my head must be counting, even if Im not.

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I have encountered this. For years I shot Cowboy Action. In CAS you load only 5 with the hammer resting on an empty chamber. At that time I only owned Ruger Vaqueros and 1 S&W J frame 442, a 5 shooter. I also had autoloaders.

When I started shooting 6 and 8 shot revolvers I would occasionally find myself shooting 5 rounds then start to to clear the revolver and realize I still had a shot or three left. I got into the habit of saying aloud to myself when getting ready to shoot my DA revolvers “This is a six shot revolver.” Or “This is an eight shot revolver.” I still do it today. It’s a good prompt to remind myself. When I retrieve my bedroom gun for going to the range or for whatever reason as the little safe comes open I say to myself, out of habit now, “This is an eight shot revolver.” I don’t say it aloud, but I think it.
This has helped me.

Well, I have this silly prejudice, but IMHO the name says it all: Smith and Wesson Combat Masterpiece.

Best pistol? 1911

Best fighting handgun? 1911

Just my opinions, not wanting to start a hissy fit.

Webley and Scott Mark VI DA/SA revolver milled to accept .45 ACP with a 4" barrel.

Course to use the DA trigger you've really got to have been eating your Wheaties

Sarge7402 said:

Webley and Scott Mark VI DA/SA revolver milled to accept .45 ACP with a 4" barrel.

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Converting any Webley to .45 ACP is an invitation to disaster, if you are shooting factory loaded ammo. The ACP round operates at pressures that are above what the gun was proofed at.

tark said:

Converting any Webley to .45 ACP is an invitation to disaster, if you are shooting factory loaded ammo. The ACP round operates at pressures that are above what the gun was proofed at.

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Unfortunately the overwhelming majority of Webley Mark VI's imported into the US were shaved for 45 ACP. I would love to find one, shaved or not, and have had not luck for a price I am willing to spend, yet.

tark said:

Converting any Webley to .45 ACP is an invitation to disaster, if you are shooting factory loaded ammo. The ACP round operates at pressures that are above what the gun was proofed at.

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I've owned two and neither gave ma any trouble with standard GI ball and low pressure lead reloads

Nice video - appreciate your effort and enthusiasm. I'm with you on the 4" 686! On the two target scenario, why the 1-2-1 combo with two transitions vs. 2-2 and one transition? In the interest of time and thoroughness, 2-2 seems more prudent.

Well done. Nicely executed and narrated.

Sarge7402 said:

I've owned two and neither gave ma any trouble with standard GI ball and low pressure lead reloads

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SAAMI specs for the 45 ACP are 21,000 PSI. .455 Webley ammo runs at 12,700. You wanna shoot ammo loaded to 21,000 PSI in a gun designed to operate at barely more than half that..... go right ahead. Just don't do it when you're close to me. The fact that the Webley can USUALLY tolerate such abuse is a testament to their ruggedness. Here is the exception to the rule. Blown up shooting G.I. Ball ammo.

tark said:

SAAMI specs for the 45 ACP are 21,000 PSI. .455 Webley ammo runs at 12,700. You wanna shoot ammo loaded to 21,000 PSI in a gun designed to operate at barely more than half that..... go right ahead. Just don't do it when you're close to me. The fact that the Webley can USUALLY tolerate such abuse is a testament to their ruggedness. Here is the exception to the rule. Blown up shooting G.I. Ball ammo.

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Back in the 30's Major Hatcher listed in his textbook two factory loads for the .45 ACP giving velocities in the low 800's . Both were in the 13 - 15,000 psi range. When I was shooting these pistols, we're talking in the early to mid 70s

Standard ball ammo gives velocities in the low 800s . 230 gr @ 830 FPS.....at 21,000 PSI. It has been loaded that way forever. Hatcher may have been referring to Wadcutter loads or handloads. You said you were shooting G.I. Ball and handloads. That Ball ammo was loaded to 21,000 PSI. You got lucky.