688+ 2.5" vs 586 4" Classic

[Styx]

Between the 688+ 2.5" vs 586 4" Classic, which would YOU personally buy and why?

Slim pickings at local gun shops in my area. These two are in stock along with the 19 Carry Comp. I am just intereted in hearing other members personal feelings on why they would pick on over the other.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

I like both, have both I like the 686 2.5 " but if forced to choose 586 4" Classic I guess { Get Both }

 

[Styx]

I like both, have both I like the 686 2.5 " but if forced to choose 586 4" Classic I guess { Get Both }
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Why the Classic over the 686 of you were forced to choose?

 

[Snake Plisskin]

Why the Classic over the 686 of you were forced to choose?

The 586 Probably better for the range ect but for a EDC the 686,JMHO

 

[Snake Plisskin]

That is why I have both

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The 4-inch .357 is such a useful all-rounder that I’d have a hard time going for a 2.5 unless I had a very specific role in mind for it.

 

[UncleEd]

Styx,

Although I voted for the Classic, it really
comes down to what do you want out
of a .357/.38. The Plus model is certainly
more of a concealed carry design especially
with the round butt.

And do you have other .357s which might
make either Smith more of a "duplicate."

When it comes to"snub nosed" revolvers,
I prefer the 2.75 or 3-inch models, mainly
for the full length ejector rod they feature.

 

[unclenunzie]

I'd get the 2.5 simply because I have a 4" 686 already, and a 6" 27-2

 

[Old_Grouch]

Faced with that choice between the two I know exactly what I'd do. I'd lose several hours sleep each night agonizing over the choice. Beyond that I'm not sure.
As to the Carry Comp; see my posts here and here.

 

[jmr40]

I don't like barrels shorter than 4" on guns with frames that big. If I'm going shorter than 4" I'd want a K or J frame. But that is just personal preference.

 

[1KPerDay]

The 4” 586 gets the nod IMO. The 2.5” barrel doesn’t look right with a full lug, to my eye. Plus with the 4” you get a proper length ejector. Plus it’s gorgeous.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I would get the 4" out of the 2 it would just be more useful for Me if I was looking for a short barreled revolver I would be looking at a 5 shot with a thinner profile good luck

 

[Riomouse911]

IMHO the 4” L frame is just about the perfect .357 revolver; a great balance of portability, shootability and carryability rolled into a frame size that allows for full power loads to be fired without worrying about issues that plague the older K frames. The 586 is one handsome revolver that has lines that scream “shoot me!”… in a good way of course



I have a 686+ 4” and really like the extra round the seventh shot offers over all of my other traditional six-shooters. Since the 586 is a six shot that extra round is only a benefit for the 2.5” gun, but I still chose the 4” 586 as the first one of these two that I would get.

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

If I'm going shorter than 4" I'd want a K or J frame.

I agree with jmr40.

Even so, I also have my share of 4” K and J frames.

 

[Riomouse911]

I agree with jmr40.

Even so, I also have my share of 4” K and J frames.

I’ve been known to dabble a bit in the 4” K and J frame realm myself… awesome tools those guns are!

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

I’ve been known to dabble a bit in the 4” K and J frame realm myself… awesome tools those guns are!

Stay safe.

Yes, 4" 22LR and 32 S&WL J-frames are awesome shooters.

 

[cfullgraf]

In the L-frame platform, I have sub-3" barrel revolvers in 9x19 (Model 986) and 44 Magnum (Model 69) and they just do not have the same oomph as their longer barrel cousins. I pretty sure, similar results would be found with then short barrel 357 Magnum L-frame revolvers.

I do not have a sub-3" barreled 357 Magnum L-frame gun.

I have 357 Magnum 586/686 revolvers in 4", 6" and 8-3/8" barrel lengths. While the longer barrels are not convenient for daily carry they definitely have advantages for longer range hunting applications.

Also, I have a Lew Horton 3" Model 624 (44 Special N-frame). Nice revolver and fun to to shoot, but too big for concealed carry in my opinion.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Between the 688+ 2.5" vs 586 4" Classic, which would YOU personally buy and why?

...I am just intereted in hearing other members personal feelings on why they would pick on over the other.

It seems you've had plenty of feelings offered, allow me to offer some objective reasons for a choice between the two.

1. 686+ vs. 586: the six-shot 586 offers a wide choice of speedloaders...specifically the more efficient Sarfariland Comp-III

2. 2.5" vs. 4" barrel: The 4" barrel offers more reliable ejection as the shorter ejector rod of the 2.5" does not have enough travel to clear .38Spl cases, much less .357Mag cases.

There isn't much practical difference in accuracy between the two barrel lengths until you get well pass 50 yards