The 686 is just a bit too big for me...

What grips did it have on it?

I'd like to try something that is a similar size/weight that has a tad less of a reach for the trigger.

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Ruger GP100. Same heft, but shorter reach to the trigger, AFAIK.

And yes, what grips did the 686 wear? Grips with an open backstrap will shorten the reach.

I just picked up one of these a month ago, and I think it has become my favorite revolver. It is a pro model with the contour/flat barrel and really nice wood grips. Fits my hand much better than the larger 686.


Quickview Model 60
SKU #: 178013
Caliber: .357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 3" / 7.6 cm

whatever said:

I rented a 686 yesterday and I loved everything about it except for the fact that I had to reach a bit too far to reach the trigger (I've got short fingers). I'd like to try something that is a similar size/weight that has a tad less of a reach for the trigger. Any suggestions?

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I looked at 4" Dan Wesson Model 14 with small kinda rounded grip. While the appearance and finish was somewhat H&R-ish it was affordable had great SA/DA trigger pulls and was chambered for the .357 cartridge. These are kanda poor man's Smith & Wesson.

The grips were rubber...hogue-like. I assume they were stock.

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That's what I figured...

Try one with old school Magna's on it...They expose the back-strap and are smaller for small hands...

I just measured my 686 and my GP100...Both the same appx 3.5" distance with old style Letts (GP100) and Magna's (686)...

I hate grips that cover the back-strap on the 686...

S&W uses an L frame for the 686. The grip frame for the smaller K frames is identical, so I don't think there is any significant change in the trigger reach.

Next down for Smiths would be J-frames, like the Model 60. They used to make a five-inch, but no more. Sigh.

whatever,

the finger grooves on the hogue monogrip tend to keep your hand low on the frame. that keeps your trigger finger farther away from the trigger.

if you move your hand up so the web of your hand is as high up on the frame as you can get it, you should have more reach for your trigger finger. this will also make it easier to shoot double action.

murf

Any grip that covers the back-strap by it's very nature pushes the web between thumb and index further rearward away from the trigger...

The issue is not the 686...The issue is the fit of the specific grips to the individual shooter...

Taking an unnatural, or uncomfortable position with the hand is not the answer...

Finding the correct grips for one's hand is...

The old tried and true is what works best for me and my stubby fingers:



I realize this is probably an issue when a person is renting a gun to try, but don't hate an entire model of guns for poor fitting grips...

HTH

I agree about the difference an uncovered backstrap grip can make. I did not care for the stock rubber grips that came on my 686-4. These banana grips by Kim Ahrends make it much more comfortable to shoot for my small hand.

Those are so much better looking than the stock rubber grips also...

Very, very nice...

FWIW

I myself have widdle girly hands (no kidding), but what works for me on what I love best (6" k frame model 66s) is the traditional walnut fat butt "target" grips. Doesn't cover the backstrap, no finger grooves (so my fingers go where they want to), and my natural grip is arguably "high"... but not unnatural or uncomfortable in the least. My hand is where it should be, not 'forced' lower than it ought be.
Salmoneyes picture is a great example, though showing the less 'fat" Magna grips.

Do try some traditional style wood, uncovered backstrap, no finger groove grips; let your hand ride where it wants to, see if that works. S&W got it right a long time before groovy rubber became all the rage.
S&W never intended that the backstrp be covered, you know, and that K/L grip frame steel is the shape it is for good reason.
(I don't hate rubber, works really great for some folks, but rubber is "in" because it's promoted, and it's promoted because it's cheap)

I have small hands and I use the grips the gun came with - rubber but it works great for me. I'd just try different grips with it to fit your hand. The 686 is seriously the greatest revolver ever made and I've got the 686+ - never selling that gun....


Laura

Next down for Smiths would be K frames, like the Model 60.

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Sorry, Loosedhorse, but the model 60 is built on the J frame, which is more compact than the K frame.

Loosedhorse said:

S&W uses an L frame for the 686. The grip frame for ths smaller K frames is identical, so I don't think there is any significant change in the trigger reach.

Next down for Smiths would be K frames, like the Model 60. They used to make a five-inch, but no more. Sigh.

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I have one of these that's quickly supplanted everything as my primary carry gun. But its built on a five shot j frame

If you find one BUY IT

posted via mobile device.

The 686 is too big in my opinion, but I've beat that horse to death. Find a good, used Security-Six. It's the best .357 out there for all around use.

Next down for Smiths would be K frames, like the Model 60. They used to make a five-inch, but no more. Sigh.

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Sorry, but you're mistaken. A Model 60 is a J-frame.
K & L frames are the same size.

I have the same problem as the OP.
I have short fingers.
The rubber grips on the K or L frames are too wide from front to back.
They may absorb some of the recoil, but they don't work, if you can't hang on to the gun.

The old style wood stocks are MUCH easier to hang on to.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...58004_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N

K & L frames are the same size.

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The grips are. The frames are not. L is about halfway between K and N.

Doug Add said:

I agree about the difference an uncovered backstrap grip can make. I did not care for the stock rubber grips that came on my 686-4. These banana grips by Kim Ahrends make it much more comfortable to shoot for my small hand.

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And if those are still too big you can always change over to Service grips, with or without a grip adapter.

Those are so much better looking than the stock rubber grips also...

Very, very nice...

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Thank you Salmoneye, I happen to think so, too!

A grip with an uncovered backstrap will provide you with a shorter feach to the trigger. Hogie makes a number of them in either wood or rubber.

Well, you might try an SP-101 with a 4.2-inch barrel. True, it has a 5-shot capacity, but it may fit your hand better and you may like it.



If I have the funds, I'll most likely get rid of my 2-incher and get one of these.

Finally, if you get a shot at a Security-Six, go for one of those.



Back in the 80s, I remember a lot of articles had outdoorsmen armed with Security-Sixes with 6-inch barrels. They were touted as great hunting and camping pistols.

I also bought a magazine, the front cover of which sported a gorgeous blonde standing in the doorway of her apartment. Down near the door knob she had a stainless 6-inch Security-Six. It was the same one she used to stop an intruder in her home. After hearing his sob story about being out of a job and he was just trying to find a way to feed his family, she made him call the Police, then told him to shut up. After about 8-10 minutes of some quality time together, the cops showed up and took him into custody. Turns out he had a long criminal record. (I know, I was surprised too.) That was in the late 70s or early 80s.

So let's see. A gorgeous blonde with a Ruger. Can't go wrong there. Wish I still had the magazine. Wonder whatever happened to the guy?

.

Sorry, Loosedhorse, but the model 60 is built on the J frame, which is more compact than the K frame.

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Yup. J-frame is what I meant to type. "Next step down" from a K-frame can't be a K-frame, can it?

Thanks. I'll correct.

K & L frames are the same size.

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Not exactly, as MachIVshooter mentions. The cylinder window of the L-frame is larger, to accommodate the larger cylinder. However, as I said, the grip size of K and L is the same, and so is (I believe) the trigger reach.

Loosedhorse said:

Quote:
K & L frames are the same size.

Not exactly, as MachIVshooter mentions. The cylinder window of the L-frame is larger, to accommodate the larger cylinder. However, as I said, the grip size of K and L is the same, and so is (I believe) the trigger reach.

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If the trigger reach isn't the same on the Ks and the Ls, it's so close it doesn't matter. My 586 and my 19 feel the same in the grip section, but even blindfolded you'll never mistake one for the other.

Speaking of, my 586 came with a set of Pachmyer Presentations the previous owner had put on, which covered the backstrap. I immediately took them off and threw them as far away from the gun as I could. (Then walked to them and threw them again... ). Then I swapped on a set of Ahrend's Smooth Tacticals. No finger grooves, massive improvement. I'm the small side of a size medium glove, so I understand where you're coming from.

The Hogue monogrip is also fairly small around and isn't terrible for a finger-groove model IMO. If you can find a K/L frame with a set to try out, see if they're to your liking. As I recall the rubber ones are only $25 or so, so they're pretty cheap to switch.

Top to bottom: M-18 with Ahrend's Smooth Tacticals, M-19 with Hogue Monogrip, M-586 with standard service stocks. (I've swapped the stocks between the 18 and 586 for now, waiting for a set of smooth tacticals in maple to replace the service stocks.)