S&W 686 and then the rest

I rank the Smith 686 and the new Colt Python revolvers as being worthy equals. The just as well-made Model 686 gets the edge for being cheaper and, for self-defense, the Plus version of the Smith garners even more votes, imo.

Smallbore, I'd like to see your CCW setup. There is just barely enough room in my britches for my fat belly, let alone trying to shove my 4" 686 in to. My 686 is a -4 and I agree with you, I like it a lot. I carry in a Bianchi Cyclone crossdraw, but your shirt tail has to be pretty long to cover it.

I concur-

Would still like a Python for funsies, though!

I agree, the 686 is the perfect .357 Magnum revolver....same goes for the 586. I've had a few 686s over the years, and most of them being the less common versions, people have offered generous amounts of money for them so now I'm down to just one...the 8 3/8" 686-3.
Also had a 2 1/2" 686-4. It's the one i most regret selling, but I should have kept them all.

686-4 I concur also.

In my world the 586/686 gets the nod over the Python with it's cylinder release (and because my wife likes the Smith better! ).

Great looking gun, smallbore!!

I miss the one I had

Have had quite a few .357s (mostly Colts but no Python and some K frame S&Ws), over the years and my Model 686-no dash is the best of them all. It gets this title from having the cleanest, lightest, smoothest DA/SA trigger I have ever found, right out of the box, on a revolver. That and the fact that it is so solidly built with it's L frame design, along with it's perfectly sized K frame grip section, making it one of the most comfortable to shoot .357s around!

357smallbore said:

For me my 1984 no dash 686 is what I consider the best 357 magnum created. Bought this new and it's performed flawless. Many, many 357 and 38's have gone down the pipe.
As a carry gun I've never had a problem, I even ccw with IWB holster. I've had many different 357's. All the rest play second fiddle to the 686 in my opinion

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I'm fond of my 686. I wouldn't want to get rid of it. I looked all over for a 3" .357 magnum and finally found this Talo edition 686+ deluxe. If anything, I'd get another one in 6". They really are great revolvers.

357smallbore said:

wear this strong side in the waistband

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Who makes those grips?

It was the first revolver that I bought back in the mid 80’s . It is still one of my , if not my favorite handguns . If I ever had a hardship sale , it would be the last handgun to go . Mine is a -3 with a 6” barrel . I did remove the wood grips soon after I got it and replaced them with the pachmayr grips .

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Would still like a Python for funsies, though!

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I have been going back and forth on the Python for a while now. I think it's a status and collector thing. I'd buy your 686 for half the price or better and have plenty of funsies. That is a sweet revolver. No doubt.

Just purchased five handguns of which is one is a 686. After a long time looking I have what I want. Been revolver fan all my life, one a smith and Wesson I carried as duty gun in which I had the pleasure of wearing it out. The 686 is up there around the top of the heap.like your pick.

I bought a new 586 no dash in Mar. of '82 for the grand sum of $248. Bought two boxes of factory wadcutters at the same time. First time I ever shot it, I used the wadcutters and shot a 5 shot cloverleaf at 50'. Choked when I saw that and pulled the last shot. lol

There used to be a small holster outfit on the west side of Manhattan, 7 Trees, and they made me up a beautiful left handed custom molded IWB holster for it. I was skinnier then.

At the time, my agency let us carry a .357 as long as we only loaded it with .38Spl. ammo, which is why I bought this gun. Not long after, they changed the rules, .38Spl. only, and sadly, I sold it.

Best revolver I ever had.

Having had most 357 models or some version of them over the past sixty or so years I tend to agree with one caveat. A 357 Registered Magnum 5".

^^^^^^^ Agree---Make mine a Model 28.

I have a 686 Silhouette Model.
Most accurate hand gun I own out of 30-40 handguns, including other S&W, Colts, Rugers, Ubertis, Dan Wessons, etc.

I keep buying more handguns maybe because I am looking for a more accurate handgun. I don't really expect to find a more accurate handgun but I still keep buying and testing. I may have a problem...

Speedo66

There used to be a small holster outfit on the west side of Manhattan, 7 Trees, and they made me up a beautiful left handed custom molded IWB holster for it. I was skinnier then.

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Would that be the same Seventrees founded by Paris Theodore?

357smallbore said:

For me my 1984 no dash 686 is what I consider the best 357 magnum created. Bought this new and it's performed flawless. Many, many 357 and 38's have gone down the pipe.
As a carry gun I've never had a problem, I even ccw with IWB holster. I've had many different 357's. All the rest play second fiddle to the 686 in my opinion

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Very nice. I'm a Ruger man myself. Bold talk from a one eye fat man

375supermag said:

I have a 686 Silhouette Model.
Most accurate hand gun I own out of 30-40 handguns, including other S&W, Colts, Rugers, Ubertis, Dan Wessons, etc.

I keep buying more handguns maybe because I am looking for a more accurate handgun. I don't really expect to find a more accurate handgun but I still keep buying and testing. I may have a problem...

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I suspect I'm the one with an accuracy problem not my handguns

I had bought mine brand new at the Indy gun show a few years ago where I paid $360 with tax. It helped me to win a few trophies but as I got older, the stainless front sight does show that well anymore when the lighting conditions are less than perfect.

bannockburn said:

Speedo66


Would that be the same Seventrees founded by Paris Theodore?

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Yes. He was a competitor to Chick Gaylord, and there was talk of each stealing designs from each other.

Both were suppliers to NYPD detectives, the FBI, and the “spook” community.

Seven Trees also ran Armament Systems and Procedures for a while before being sold off.