first handgun... S&W 686 .357, Sig P226 DAK 9mm, or BHP 9mm?

[Chris17404]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post in the handgunning section of this forum, and I have learned so much from all of you.

I have been shotgunning for a few years now (skeet and sporting clays), and am officially addicted to those sports. I have also become a real gun enthusiast in general. As a result, I am looking to purchase my first handgun of any kind.

I have been doing a lot of research online and have narrowed my choices down to these three. I will be using this handgun primarily as a self defense weapon (if for some reason my 870P cannot be used), as well as for general range practice and fun shooting. It will also be the handgun that I learn proper handgunning techniques on. This will also be my sole handgun for quite a while since funds are limited with a family and 2 small children.

The reasons why I've chosen these three handguns are primarily reliability, ease of use, cost of ammo, and esthetics. I have yet to actually fire any of there weapons, but I plan to before I make my final decision. However, I have handled many handguns at local stores and these are the ones that feel best in my hand. I believe I can rent each of these at the range I live close to (except for maybe the BHP).

I would like to ask for your input to help make my decision. What are the pros and cons of each one, given my planned use and the fact that I'm a handgunning tyro? Have I made wise decisions? Any other suggested makes/models?

Thanks a lot!

Chris

 

[KINGMAX]

Get the S&W 686

Get the S&W 686. Reason: Able to shoot .357, 38 spl and 38 +P. It is a great wheel gun, and you can find some after market stuff to make it your own. S&W 686 = good choice = IMO / KINGMAX

 

[wanderinwalker]

Agreed with the 686. I'm a revolver guy at heart (mostly) anyway though. That .357 Magnum will last you forever and is very versatile. From .38 wadcutters up to 180gr .357 Magnum hunting ammo, you're set.

That being said, the BHP is a very nice, classy handgun in its own right. But for an out-of-the-box shooter type, I'd choose the Smith.

 

[ChristopherG]

#3 for the 686. You've demonstrated by your entry into the gun world (sporting shotguns and an 870p--good choice!) that you're not one to be seduced by the black gleam of 'tacticality'. A revolver like the 686 is an ideal introduction to handgunning for several reasons.

First, its flexibility, durability, and comparative accuracy. In a price-to-price comparison, a revolver like the 686 is peerless in these categories.

Second, the operational simplicity of a revolver makes it an ideal platform on which to learn handgunning safety and handling.

Third, learning to shoot a double action revolver DOUBLE ACTION will train you in trigger control and sight discipline in a way that will transfer directly over to any semis you might pick up down the road--while the reverse is not the case. Learning to shoot a DA revolver first is like learning to drive on a manual transmission; it will make you a better driver/shooter in any vehicle/pistol you handle down the road.

Finally, it will provide a superb introduction to reloading, should you choose to take that gentle plunge. I always recommend that a first centerfire handgun should be a .38/.357 revolver; and the second should be a reloading setup. You'll be able to shoot better-than-factory ammo for a fraction of the cost of the cheapest 9mm, and have a gun that will last you your whole shooting life in a multitude of roles.

 

[hoghunting]

My first choice would be the 686. If you don't reload though, get the Browning in 9mm. In order to become a better shot with a handgun, you need to practice. 9mm ammo can be less expensive than 38s or 357s. You will shoot more if you don't have to empty your wallet each time you go to the range.

 

[MCgunner]

The 686 is a high end, high quality, very accurate .357 and the .357/.38 is the single most versatile platform you can own in a handgun. A Security Six was my first centerfire handgun and it served well. The 686 is a better gun IMHO than my old Security Six, certainly better out of the box trigger and more inherently accurate, just going on two friends that have them. I've never owned one, but have a shooting buddy with one and I've shot it a bunch. It's a 6" gun and I sorta prefer 4" guns, but if you're going to hunt with it, 6" is the way to go I reckon.

Autoloaders take a lot more attention than wheel guns to keep functioning. They also are more complicated in function. I much prefer a revolver for a newbie handgunner, less to go wrong and easier to keep going.

 

[Terrierman]

686

The 686 is a great choice for a first and only handgun. Mine is a 6" silhouette model. I wish it were a 4" for a little more ease in carrying, but that 6" barrel is real nice when it comes time to shoot. It spends most of it's time in a drawer and the extra 2" and few ounces aren't much of a drawback there. It's hard to imagine a better first handgun than a 4" 686. And they are a great value too.

 

[gunnovice]

Ditto

My first gun was the 686. Go for it!

 

[Universal]

I am with the rest of the crew here. Go with the 686.

 

[Black Majik]

I'm going against the grain, and recommending the SIG P226. Get the traditional DA/SA version instead of the DAK. For a first gun, the single action is VERY easy to shoot. Also, if you can find an older stamped slide model P226, go for it! Look around for the CPO SIGs. Very good quality usually.

 

[Radagast]

686, assuming no concealed carry. If for CC, then the SIG.

 

[Soybomb]

I'm going to go against the crowd here and say funds are limited, you're going to want to shoot often....9mm. Locally its $12 for 100 9mm, or at least $18, maybe more for 100 rds of .38 spl. If you shoot 100 rounds a week, once a week thats $300 a year extra to have that revolver.

 

[ugaarguy]

Go with the 686. I love my BHP, but a good 357 wheelgun is too versatile to pass up.

 

[Ala Dan]

I cast my vote with the S&W 686 crowd~!

While all the firearms you mentioned are great in their own respects,
the S&W 686 tends to lend its-self more too a beginners handgun.
As has been stated, this weapons versatility makes it ideal for all
the stuff you have heard about; from informal target practice, IDPA,
home defense, and even putting small game on the table~! I own
a S&W 6" 686-5 myself; and while I shoot self-loaders more often,
this wheelgun is my long range target gun. Before old age and bad
eye sight set in, I could consistently hit a Coke can at 100 yards
with NO problem~!

 

[bpisler]

The 686 would be a wise choice but one of the
9mm's wouldn't be bad either.Think about the
cost of ammo if you don't reload.Here in
phoenix i can buy 100rds of ammo compared
to 50rds of 357 for the same price.

 

[Checkman]

Go with the 686.

686 is a good choice. Revolvers are excellent out of the door to teach folks how to shoot handguns. Plus it's a good design.

 

[P-35/53]

The 686 is my recomendation the Hi-Power would be my next choice.

 

[lyricsdad]

I would go w/ a smith and wesson 686, i wish i would have gotten one for my first pistol, I want one now, and am considering trading my p99 for one, i love the .357 platform, great for hunting, get yourself a lee hand loader, for .357 and one for .38 your set.

good pistol

 

[miko]

Personally, I got 686 as the first and getting H&K P2000 as a second.

I am not disappointed with 686. I believe anythyng worth shooting is worth shooting with .357 Magnum.

If the cost of ammo is significant for you, getting a 617 to practice with .22 may pay off for itself in a year or two.



miko

 

[Hogfan1911]

686 with a 4" barrel. A 4" .357 mag revolver is about the closest thing to an "all purpose" handgun ever created, IMO.

 

[10-Ring]

I'd recommend a 686 and learn to shoot it DA! Once you do that, you will be able to shoot anything w/ ease

 

[pwrtool45]

Another dissenting opinion:

I shoot a 681 (fixed-sight 686) or one of my 686s in IDPA. I currently have a Colt Detective Special for carry in more restrictive attire. Every once in a while I break out the Colt Viper (4" aluminum Det Spl) for range work. I've been shooting a medium-frame S&W and Colt (and Ruger) revolvers since I was 14, and that's starting to seem like a long damn time ago.

Get the 9mm 226 or Hi Power.

Unless you reload, .38 ammo at Wal-Mart is $20/100 in the best case (125gr JHP). You can get ~ $11/50 130gr FMJ if you like, but the most cost efficient solution is the green-box UMC (when exactly did they stop being yellow, anyway?). 9mm ammo is almost half as much. That relation still holds if you mail order. Personally, I shoot whatever the Big Blue Beast (Dillon 550) gives me-- but for buying factory ammo and shooting in any real quantity, you're basically screwed with a .38 or .357 these days. 9mm is where it's at for serious trigger time with factory ammo.

Also, my understanding is that the DAK-equipped SIG provides a consistent DAO-ish trigger. Then you can learn the same lesson with it as you can with a revolver. It might not be quite as heavy, but for learning I wouldn't really consider it a crutch in this case. DAK has length and some reasonable weight (AFAIK). That should do just fine.

All of the pistols under consideration are more than servicable. With that as a given, proficiency comes before everything else. $11/100 ammo cost and a proper DA(O) trigger to learn on give you all the tools you need to develop that proficiency.

Just FWIW.

---

Edited to add: Have you considered a 229 DAK? You don't sacrifice much practical accuracy (and some would say nearly zero mechanical accuracy) and it fills the role of a general-purpose handgun (re: concealment) better than the 226 (IMO).

 

[HankB]

I have both a 686 and a Mk III BHP.

The BHP is better for concealed carry - I got rid of the magazine disconnect (took 5 minutes) and put on Spegel grips, and I was good to go. Great autoloading pistol.

The 686 is one of my "house" guns, always loaded near the bed. If you go this route, I'd recommend buying a pre-lock, pre-MIM version, fairly common on the used gun market. They're better than what S&W is putting out now. Great revolver.

I don't like SIGs . . . the ergonomics are terrible for me; in my hands, they don't actually "point" anywhere near where they FEEL like they're "pointing."

 

[roo_ster]

SW686

My first centerfire handgun was a SW686 4". I have no regrets and I still own it.

It is, hands down, the most versatile handgun produced.

I would recommend that you buy the cheapest reloadable .357mag and .38spl fodder you can find and keep the brass.

If you are on a budget, do yourself a favor and buy a beginner Lee reloading setup. If you have no place for a bench, get their hand press. You can produce mild-wild reloads at a fraction of the cost, using lead bullets.

 

[Greek]

I started with a S&W Model 10 (.38 special). After that I acquired a Sig 226 (SA/DA) in 9mm. I recently bought a S&W 686 (4") which I always wanted.

I would start with the revolver and then go to the Sig 226.

I have to agree witht he ammo cost issue however. If $ is an issue I would go with the 9mm.

I will also throw up another suggestion. I started my wife with a .22 S&W Model 617. Ammo is really cheap. Or, if you prefer a semi auti you can go with a Ruger .22 (MKIII).