Need an Education on the S&W Model 67, Please

[Hondo 60]

I'd love to get a 13, 65, 581 or 681.
13 & 581 are blue, 65 & 681 are stainless.
All are 357 magnum (although there are some instances of 38 spl)
And if I understand correctly all have fixed sights.

 

[Radagast]

The Model 67 Combat Masterpiece Stainless had a square butt until 1996, round butt after that. The red ramp front sight was catalogued from 1984 and may have been available before then.
The Model 15 Combat Masterpiece was a square butt till 1996. Red ramps were available at least from the late seventies. Most guns were tapered barrel variants, there were a dew special orders with a heavy barrel.

The 686 has a deeper cylinder window and larger cylinder. So the gun is heavier even without the heavy barrel. If you are interested in these then try and find a 686 SSR, this is a 4 inch, tapered, flat sided barrel gun with round butt, white outline rear sight and interchangeable front sights.
It has a premium price, but may be worth it due to the balance being much closer to the trigger.

 

[Remllez]

PearsonM,

I commend you for doing your research and asking good questions about your revolver purchase. I've but one thing to add to the conversation.....This will not be your last revolver. You gotta da bugga!!! LOL

No Doctor can help you now!

 

[pearsonm]

^ I'm definitely feelin' the fever!

Everyone has been very patient with my never-ending questions and I appreciate the excellent (and free) advice I've received. That said, I realize it's time for me to get off the crapper.

As an all-rounder the 686 platform is looking tough to beat. Besides, blasting some Big Dog .357's is just something I want to do before I die. I plan on putting money down an a 3" Plus - or possibly 4" 6-shooter - tomorrow morning.

One shop I spoke to while getting prices this morning had something interesting to say about the current M67. According to one person the reason S&W still makes the 67 is that it's the spec sidearm (4", .38 revolver) for security service. It made no difference in my decision, I just found it interesting.

 

[71Commander]

One more to help you decide.

67 no dash W/ stainless sights.



686 W/ Nill grips.

 

[pearsonm]

I called my closest dealer with the best price this morning and asked him to find me a 3” 686. According to S&W’s website there’s less than an ounce difference between the 67 and (3”) 686. It sounds like the center mass on the 686 is further forward so it may feel heavier than the 67 but I’m going with the wider range of the 686.

About the only thing I may not like about the 686 is the 7-shot cylinder. From a home-defense point of view there’s obviously no downside, but it adds weight, limits my speed loader options and may be an issue if I go sport shooting. I’ll deal with it.

Like Remllez said, this won’t be my first. Maybe after some bunny .38 loads out of that big ‘ol L-frame my wife will get over her recoil shyness and want a 67 instead of a .22.

 

[ChuckB]

Doesn't S&W make both a 686 (6-shot) and a 686+ (7-shot)?

Chuck

 

[pearsonm]

^ The 3" 686 comes only in the Plus model. It's one of the reasons I seriously considered the Wiley Clapp GP-100, which is a six-shooter.

We're really sold on the balanced feel of the 3" over the 4" in full-size .357's. It's amazing what a difference 3-4 oz can make. I don't understand why they're not more popular. Hopefully it's not because there's significantly more recoil!

 

[JN01]

I picked up a Model 67-no dash with stainless rear sight today. NRA excellent (perfect other than a few barely noticeable dings in the stocks) with box and instruction manual, $475. A little more than I was thinking of paying, but it is in such great shape.