.357 Help!!

6" is a great choice. I have a cherished 28 year old 66 in that length. It belongs to my late father and I'm watching over it for now. I want a 4" as well. I'll go with an L frame for that one. I think they are a great compromise. Easier to shoot as well as easier to carry.

I like 4in revolvers but the 6in is nice to.

I have a 4" 686 + and love it. I also have a 6" Colt Python and the Python was easier shot good groups with at first but with practice I'm good with the 4" 686. I think the extra 2" helps but its not paramount.

4" is the best general purpose configuration, IMO. But if yours is to be a dedicated range and pig hunting unit, the 6" can only benefit you. Higher velocity and longer sight radius.

My 686 no dash is a 6" gun. It's big, but not unweildy. For woods carry, however, I find my 4" 586 or M65 preferable.

I've had my 6" for almost 11 years and will never part with it. Not great for concealment, but great for hanging on my hip when in the great outdoors hunting. Wish I had a 4 inch to sit next to it.

I also like to carry my Colt Magnum Carry, but keep that beauty locked up in my bullet proof safe.

Good luck on your choice!

I would go with a six-inch for that use. There is no reason to conceal it, and the six will give you a longer sight radius and impart more speed to the bullet.

I have the 686 in 6" barrel and is accurate to 100 yds. easily. For hunting as you plan to use it you would be better off with the 6".

For what you're talking about a 6 inch would be nice. But if the hunting will happen on a regular basis the longer 8 3/4 longer barrel would not be a bad thing either if you came across one.

This is easy.. get a 4" and a 6"... you will eventually anyway =P

Bflobill69

For what you want it for, a 6-inch would be a great choice. I, too, have a 6-inch 686 no-dash, but if I were going to get a .357 for hunting, I'd look for a primo stainless steel Ruger Security-Six. It gives you the longer sight radius and the ability to quickly acquire a target. In other words, it's as light as a 686 4-inch, but gives you all the benefits of the 6-inch! That's why the Rugers was one of the most popular hunting handguns of its day. Underlug barrels changed all that, making .357s heavier, bulkier and harder to acquire moving targets with. They were great for range use, but if a bear or couger is charging, I'd take the 4- or 6-inch Security-Six any day!

I'm not about to sell my 686 6-incher, but if you were going to put me out in the field for three days of camping, hiking and grubbing, there's no doubt about the gun I'd take.

The one thing I'd change on my Ruger (and I've already changed them) are the aluminum sights. I'd take some of the money I saved by buying it and pick up some Millet sights and a good spring kit. You can even buy a lock, which is optional, not mandatory. ; )

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I have 2 6'' 686s, both -5s. One is a powerport and the other is a standard. Both are very accurate and are the guns most want to shoot at the range. I hunted deer with the powerport for several years and took several deer with it. Carried it in a drop holster on my hip and never felt it was too large or cumbersome. I believe you have done your research and have come to a wise decision.

I have a 4" 686 that I carried as an armed security officer and love it. A 4" or 6" would fit the bill, but a 4" should be easier to carry and move around with. If you have to climb a tree fast the 6" might get in the way quicker than the 4" model. A friend of mine hog hunted about 20 - 30 years ago with a bow and had to climb a tree quick. He was very glad he had his 3" model 10 with him. The boar tried to uproot the tree. He was able to shoot straight down into the boar. He didn't stop shooting until the gun went dry.

Since your stated use will be at the range and possibly hunting I would buy a 6" barrel without a doubt...

Hunting / target shooting = 6" (or more)
CCW = 2-3"
General, all-around use = 4" (my personal favorite)