S&W model 686-3 or a 28-2??? cant decide..

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jimbombo

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Need help.
Considering purchasing a excellent shape S&W 686-3 with 2.5" barrel, comes with box and papers. Or a excellent condition S&W 28-2, 4" barrel with box and papers and period correct grips.
Both guns being equal condition with box and papers, that parts a wash. The 28-2 is $650 and the 686-3 is $550. I would love both, but cannot do that, i have to choose 1!!!! If it were you which would you choose?

Was at a local show this weekend, and lots of rifles and polymer wonder guns, but VERY few pre lock Smiths!
I have a feeling people are starting to hang
On to the nice pre lock Smith's...
 
id get the 28-2 why I prefer the 4 inch barrel longer sight radius and I figure it will be harder to find later
 
For the money I see the 686-3 being a slightly better buy, but its a pretty close one. They are both about even to me as far as future value, the 686-3 in 2.5" is a more scarce barrel for that gun, but not really rare. If I had to guess, kept boxed and in excellent shape they will both climb in value about the same, but IMO people gravitate towards those N frames as shooters more than to those short barrel L frames for CCW.
 
Howdy

No contest. I don't much care for Stainless guns. I would get the 28. I have two of them, one has a six inch barrel, the other has a four inch barrel.

Model28_01-1.jpg

Can't seem to find a photo of the four incher. Must remedy that.

By the way, these guns are heavy enough that even with the standard Magna grips they came with, I have no problem shooting them with magnums.
 
I love N-Frames, but a 686 is probably the ultimate refinement in .357 Magnum service revolvers. Too bad it wasn't a 4" barrel.

A 4" model 28 is a darn fine gun too. The frame is actually overkill for the caliber. About the only thing to watch out for is peening of the cylinder stop notches on the cylinder if you cycle the action to fast.

If the 686 was a 4" gun, I would recommend jumping on it, but since it is not, I would say it is a wash. Get whichever one is less money.
 
Range gun? Go with the 28-2.

Carry gun? The 686 is a tad heavy, but manageable.

I love my 2 1/2" 686, but if I had to let it or my 4" 586 go, it would be the 2 1/2" 686.

The 2 1/2" 686 vs a 4" or 6" 28-2 is tougher for me. My 28-2 is a 6" and I do enjoy it.

It's a tough choice, but I would probably go with the 4" 28-2.
 
I would also go with the M28 especially as a range gun. The .357 Magnum N frame is a wonder to shoot all day long and it's also a very nice revolver. Remember, they are still making the M686 but not the M28.
 
That IS a tough call. I would say get the 686, but then that would mean NOT getting the Model 28 - and vice versa.

Is it to primarily be for carry or for range fun? The answer to that question seems to be the primary difference to me.
 
At those prices you should buy both. You will get a better return on your investment than a comparable 401k contribution.

Seriously.
 
The hard part for me is it will most likely be a range gun, but i like the idea that i know i can carry the 686 if i like...,Now if it was a 6" barrel on the 28, that may be a easier decision because it can be a range toy, but could also be used for hunting!!!
 
I'd go with neither and get the gun you want even if its a little more expensive. To me it sounds like you want a 4" 686 so I would look for one of those.
 
Well since I already have a 686, I would get the 28. But if didn't then it would be a much tougher choice as I really would love to have one of those 686s with the 2.5" barrel. I guess at this point in time, if I found any decent 28 (or 27 for that matter), at a reasonable price I would probably get it and wait on finding another 686.
 
It really depends on which feels better to you. There is definite size/weight/balance difference. The grips are different. For me the 686 size frame has always been perfect. The N's just seemed a little large for me and I never enjoyed shooting them as much. The only advantage a 2+ inch gun would give you at the range it the shorter sight radius would make you have to work harder to shoot well, making you concentrate on fundamentals more.
I'd go with the 686 (but it makes no difference what I'd do).
 
Both excellent guns, no doubt. But if a man does not own a .357, a 4" bbl. is the place to start because you can take advantage of a broader range of the cartridges excellent potential ballistically with a bit more barrel. The N frame 28 while not an optimal carry option sure isn't going to limit your ammunition selection nor make you feel like you are paying for expensive fireballs. Unless you really need a hide out, think that 2 1/2 686 gets used a LOT with .38 spl +P. Heavy for the task too by most opinions.

If CC isn't the primary use it would be hard to beat a 4" Mod 28 as a very versatile start in the .357 world. True appreciation of the cartridge will most likely also lead to 6", but snubbies are not a mandatory stop on the journey. Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to them as dedicated carry guns. They are however the most use specific and limited of your options.
 
They're both great guns, but based on your previous posts, it sounds like neither fits any need you have right now. So don't by either one. Don't be in a rush. Save your money. It may not seem like it, but there's lots of prelock revolvers in the world. Hold out until something better comes along.
 
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