smith 686 or 386

I have the long bbl XL version and that should fit your needs. Good gun. Check out the prices at Cheaper Than Dirt. I have bought several guns on line from them. Ships fast and their prices and shipping costs can't be beat. Dave

bottom 1...686-6+.....top is a 66-3....both have shot a few deer

Using only the two choices you mentioned:
If you are looking for a gun to hunt with I would go with the 686.
If you are looking for a handgun as backup to a rifle, then I might opt for the 386.

Unless I am not understanding the question

the 386 and the 686 are the same gun, just the 600 series are Stainless, the 300 are steel...

As far as cleaning and maintenance, the requirements are the same.. The SS is LESS prone to corrosion.

The SS is a better choice for a marine enviornment, or a Law enforcment application, where Police offices generally are not known for taking the best of care of the equipment, and they are forced to expose them to all the elements, and it may be a whil before they get to clean em up..

The Blue Steel, you just need to be a little more attentive in the time frame between exposure to weather and the elements.. The advantage for some in the blue steel, is they tend to "hide better" in the woods for hunting applications.

Really it is a matter of personal choice and environmental exposure.

Unless I am not understanding the question

the 386 and the 686 are the same gun, just the 600 series are Stainless, the 300 are steel...

As far as cleaning and maintenance, the requirements are the same.. The SS is LESS prone to corrosion.

The SS is a better choice for a marine environment, or a Law Enforcement application, where Police offices generally are not known for taking the best of care of the equipment, and they are forced to expose them to all the elements, and it may be a while before they get to clean em up..

The Blue Steel, you just need to be a little more attentive in the time frame between exposure to weather and the elements.. The advantage for some in the blue steel, is they tend to "hide better" in the woods for hunting applications. Some target folks, I have heard make comments about glare...

Really it is a matter of personal choice and environmental exposure.

I own both, I like em both...

586 is blued, I thought the 3xx Smiths are lightweight versions?

Personally I would have to go 686, had one it was the best DA trigger EVAR!!!!

586/686

The 386 is too light at only 30 ounces to enjoy a lot of full house hunting loads. Also the 586/686 extra weight steadies the gun. I shoot PPC style matches and many of us use a 6" 586/686. I have never seen anyone use a 386 in my neck of the woods.

Well they should all have good DA triggers, but that particular 686 I owned had a phenomenal trigger. I had previously had a 586 with a trigger that wasn't nearly as good, though it was still a great trigger. I think it was that specific gun, not a model-endemic thing.

The 386 is a light weight scandium frame correct? The 586/686 is blued carbon steel/stainless steel. So its far more than just looks. As far as shooting goes the heavier steel models will tame the recoil much better, especially stout hunting loads. I own several 357's and don't pound away all day with any 357 load in any of them - and all mine are steel except for a 340 M&P which I dont put 357 in at all.

I'd go find an older 686 in good shape for $400-500 and refinish it in whatever black finish you want if you just have to have a black revolver. Then you have a quality finish with SS underneath, tough to beat that.

Here's my no-dash 686, great guns:



PS - You can read for days on old vs new S&W revolvers. I like the old stuff but I do own both. They're all good but older is slightly better imo, sadly thats often the case with guns these days.

This is taken from the S&W site:
Model 386 XL Hunter $899.00 * *Suggested Retail, Dealer Sets Actual Pricing

Model:
386 XL Hunter .Caliber: .357 Magnum® .38 S&W Special +P
.Capacity: 7 Rounds
.Barrel Length: 6" / 15.2 cm
.Front Sight: HI-VIZ® Fiber Optic Red
.Rear Sight: Adjustable
.Overall Length: 11.875" / 30.2 cm
.Frame Size: Medium - Exposed Hammer
.Action: Single/Double Action
.Weight: 30 oz / 850.5 g
.Grip: Synthetic
.Frame Material: Scandium Alloy Frame Stainless Steel Cylinder
.Finish: Matte Black
.Purpose: Recreational Home Protection Handgun Hunting

Can't beat those pre-lock 4" 686s

I'm a fan of shorter barrel DA wheel guns so I keep them all around 4", I've sold every one over that length actually. But that's totally a personal preference, lots of guys love a 6" or even longer barrel. So if I want extra power I just jump up to a bigger round I don't buy the accuracy argument. Maybe if I was shooting cabbage heads at 200 yards I would but for 44mag out of a hunting revolver my shots are close anyway.

Here are my current 44's, have owned several but kept these because they're my favorites. I take the blued gun out for long walks on the beach, the SS gun takes all the abuse.

The 386 is the scandium version of the 686. It is not a blued carbon steel gun.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Like said above, the 386 is the scandium version of the 686. It is not a blued carbon steel gun. You can't easily change the finish in a M386. I think you're referring to the M586 which is the Carbon Steel version of the M686.

The M386 is a very nice revolver but again like said above, you probably won't like the felt recoil using a heavy hunting load in a 30oz revolver.

IMO if this is going to be a primary hunting weapon buy the heavier revolver with a 6" barrel for the longer sight radius.

$890 for a 686? You've got to be kidding. For $600 you can EASILY get a LNIB pre-lock 686 on gunbroker. Better gun imo and way better price.

I have owned a Smith $ Wesson 6"- six shot model 686 for a long time; any
other shoot'in from my 6" collection would come from my blued S&W model
19, as used for shoot'in wad cutters and other non +P .38 Specials~!
I don't anticipate on purchasing a 386 anytime soon~!

The Scandium Alloy Frame 386 is intended as a conceal carry firearm and it excels in that roll. If you want a range gun get a 4/6" 586/686.

The recoil from the 2.5" 386 is about the same as a 2.75" Ruger Service Six. The recoil was not as much as I anticipated but I wouldn't want to run two boxes of hot loads in one setting.

S&w 686

Having just purchased a 686(-6 so a 2010 build) w/4" barrel and the 6 capacity cylinder I suppose I'm partial. The weapon is well balanced and a "looker" IMHO. Then there's the dilemma of do I change out the grips from the Hogue rubber to perhaps a wood and if I do will I keep the round butt look/feel or covert to the square butt? (I'll listen to any opinions on this fellas ). I won't conceal carry this weapon as I have much lighter options that I switch off with depending on my mood .

If I found a 386 at a "good deal" price would I buy it? Well....sure I would

I rather buy a Ruger GP100 in 4 inch barrel. S&Ws are just to expensive.