60 v 686

[Brian Williams]

I was being a SmartAlec earlier, A couple of thingS to try.

The 60 3" with adjustable sights is a great little gun and is fun to shoot. I have a 60-4 3" with adjustable sights and it comeS up as a go to gun in my thoughts often as do others.

A fully loaded 686 is a great gun, and can handle all that a 357 can handle. Send that thing out to Cyl and Slide and have them cut an inch off of it and while they are at it have them take off what they can of the underlug and slab the sides of the barrel. Look at what Dave Berryhill used to do with a barrel, he no longer works on revolvers, just 1911s.


Look at the 13/65 in 3", the best of both worlds. I have a 13 and a 65, but my 65 has been customized with a 4" pencil barrel.


Also look at having just the barrel lug removed, I did that to my 4" 586 and it made it much nicer. I spent about 3 hours grinding and filing to get the lug off without over heating the barrel. You would be suprised what the difference is without the under lug. Alas I sold that 586, but no great loss I have better now. I would like to do the same to a 581 some day.(I know sacrelidge)

 

[AStone]

I was being a SmartAlec earlier...

Oh, you mods are always goofing around.

Having said that, I've got to say, Brian, yours is one of the most creative and interesting post in this thread so far.

A fully loaded 686 is a great gun, and can handle all that a 357 can handle.

There's just something about those 686's.

I totally hear what the model 60 advocates are saying about the weight issue. I really hear that. When I'm (back)packing, I tend to count ounces, shaving off every ounce I can. So it seems irrational of me to even consider taking a 686 v a much lighter 60.

But there's just something about those 686's.

I think part of my reluctance to go with a 60 is that several people have said, "I wouldn't feed a 60 a steady diet of .357, and would never shoot a hot rnd (e.g., 125 gr) through it. I'd mainly use it to shoot .38s, with an occasional cylinder of .357." Advice like that just doesn't fill me with high levels of confidence about using a 60 for regular .357 duty. (Although it will probably not get much use in the field, I do intend to practice with it at the range, and want of course, to shoot in it what I'd likely be loading with in the field: .357.

Admittedly, that's a big part of why I'm still leaning towards the 686, even if only slightly. If it weren't for that concern, I'd be more likely to jump at the 60 for its lighter weight.

Maybe some folks in here will be willing to address that.

Send that thing out to Cyl and Slide and have them cut an inch off of it and while they are at it have them take off what they can of the underlug and slab the sides of the barrel.

Now that's where things started getting creative. I just explored their site for the first time. Had never heard of them before. Interesting ideas.

However, their price for shortening and re-crowning the barrel is $237. I'd probably be better off just selling this 4" (which I would do if I get a 3"; I won't keep both) and buying a 686 3" (recently reintroduced by SW by the way; they're back in production again, their customer service dept tells me).

Look at the 13/65 in 3", the best of both worlds.

Too bad SW doesn't produce them any more. I'll keep an eye out. Living in a small burg, though, it's hard to find good used weapons, and I just don't have the time/money right now to travel to larger shows and cities.

Also look at having just the barrel lug removed, I did that to my 4" 586 and it made it much nicer. I spent about 3 hours grinding and filing to get the lug off without over heating the barrel. You would be suprised what the difference is without the under lug.

Another interesting idea.

Which leads me to this question: what is the under lug "for", and are there any negative consequences (other than devaluing the gun for resale) of removing it? That is, is there a structural integrity issue?

Nem

 

[Brian Williams]

The underlug was to compete with the Python and to satisfy the target shooters to reduce recoil.

Also look at Mt Gun 686.

 

[ugaarguy]

When I'm (back)packing, I tend to count ounces, shaving off every ounce I can. So it seems irrational of me to even consider taking a 686 v a much lighter 60.

Well how about a scandium frame 686, AKA the 386. The link is to a 2.5" model, but S&W does make them with 3" and 4" bbls from time to time.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ted=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15705.
Or you could load up a 26 oz 4" bbl 44 Mag
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ted=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15706.
Just a couple thoughts .

 

[Black Knight]

How about trying to locate a good used S&W Model 65 in 3 inch? It kind of bridges the gap between the two sizes yet gives six rounds instead of 5. In lieu of this I would opt for a 686. The extra heft will help in controling recoil. The good thing about this is that there are many good handguns out there that will fit the bill. Just choose the one you like best. Good luck and may you fire it on the range only.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That's why I like my M619 so much, there is very little underlug on it. (or the adjustable sight M620)

 

[AStone]

How about trying to locate a good used S&W Model 65 in 3 inch?

If I lived in a larger city where such guns frequented, or had the time/money for travel so that I could handle it and inspect it (I don't buy used guns on the Internet; period), I would.

Alas, neither is true.

If only SW still produced some of those classic models.

 

[AStone]

686 3" is still ahead by 3
(20 to 17) ...

... which reflects
the way I'm leaning ...

If there's one word
to describe a 686,
it's "magnificent".

 

[DawgFvr]

I like Pine Cone's Mod 65-5 three inch barrel w/fixed sights. Damn, that seems to be my idea of the perfect CCW. I will be looking for that specific model tomorrow at the Puyuallup Gun Show. I realize that they are in demand now...might be hard/expensive to find. The Ruger SP-101 three inch barrel is a distant twin...but by the time I get a trigger job and fluffed and buffed to equal the smoothe action of the S&W, I'd be spending the same amount of money methinks.

 

[glocktoberfest]

Pine Cone , I also have the same mod 65-5 ( great gun ). Was looking at a local gun shop before the monthly gun show , didn't see it in the display case . Gun store guy pulls it out . Like new condition , pachmayr grips . I ask how much , he askes owner to knock 50 bucks off , sold . A great shooting gun . Bought it for G/F when home alone . Just point and pull trigger , not at me . ( 38 + P loads for her )