Need Help Deciding Between 686 or 642?

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Tecolote

Tecolote

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Posting for a buddy:

Hello-I need help deciding between a SW 686 and SW 642. This would be my first revolver but I have a lot of experience with autos. I'm looking for an all round revolver that will last a long time.

The 686 sells for $550 and the 642 for $400, are those good prices for NIB?

Thank you for the help.:)
 
Is this for carry? The 642 is a great carry gun, but the light wt j-frames aren't much good for plinking, intensive practice sessions or getting to know and love revolvers. The 686 is a fine gun, and will be more versatile w/the .357 mag chambering. Price-wise, S&W has been discounting the 642's heavily, and in the mid-$300's would be a fairer price. 6 mos ago, 400 would have been pretty good around these parts. I haven't priced 686's lately, and can't comment on that.
 
For small CCW use, recommend the 642. For everything else (including larger CCW), get the 686, because it's far more versatile and fun to shoot. You get your choice of barrel lengths, .357s or .38s, and he will shoot it much more accurately. Plus you can get an extra round or two with the 686.
 
642 with CTG

Tecolote,

Right now S&W has a sale going on with the 642 plus the Crimson Laser Grip Model LG-305. It is the over mould model with the on off switch. If you check out the different dealers and auction sites I think you can easily find a 642 with laser grip for under $550.00.

I have the Laser grip on a model 649 357 and it is worth every penny. Once sighted in at 10 yrds it is very easy to keep shots in the ten ring out to 25yrds. Of course you have to know your ammo and how it drops out of your particular revolver but, it is easy to do if you pick an ammo and stick with it. I carry my 649 either in my back pocket in a Mika pocket holster or when weather is cooler I use a Ken Null shoulder rig muzzle up Model SKR.

Gary
 
Check out these auction sites - Auction Arms or Gun Broker. If you don't mind used you can sometimes get a real bargin. They also sell new guns too. I would go with a 686.
 
I have a 4" 686, and it's a great gun. Shooting .357's all day out of it is no problem at all. For carry, definitely go for the 642, but for everything else, you will much prefer the 686. I found mine for $450 on gunbroker, NIB. It came out to about $520 out the door.
 
I just added the 686, 5" barrel version to the family. It also was my first revolver. It is great. Absolutely love it.
mysw686.jpg
 
I have both, and it would be hard for me to choose between the two of them.

However, they fit different niches, and it is like comparing apples and oranges.

The 642 is a go anywhere gun, and disappears in the right pocket holster. When I travel by air, it is the one weapon that always makes the trip. (Isn't that Florida non-res CCW great?)

The 686 (4") is a very accurate weapon, but I wouldn't want to try to conceal it and carry it all day long. However it does go with me in a belt holster as a backup to the 30-06 when I am hunting. Also, since the 686 has night sites, it is the one that comes out of the safe each night and sits on the nightstand.

Both have very good DA triggers, and the quality is second to none. Either one would serve you well, but you need to decide what your primary mission for this revolver purchase will be.
 
The 686 can be had for about 500.

My recomendation...for a first revolver, go with a full size. By far the best/funnest pistol I have ever shot is a 686 with .38's. And I've shot really nice autos. Sig 226 in .40 and 9, Springfield mil-spec, Sig 220, Sig 229 .40, sig 228, H&K USP compact in .45, and H&K USP full size in .40. The revolver is just fun but a J frame can be a handfull.
 
What do you intend to do with the gun?

I wouldn't recommend the 642 unless you have a CCW or wish to conceal it around your property. It's a handfull to shoot with a short sight radius and surprising stout recoil for being only a .38. It's really, really difficult to shoot with any accuracy past 15 yards. OTOH, it's a nice carry gun because it's so light and it just disappears in a pocket. It's a great "up close and nasty" gun.
 
Thanks for the responses. I printed them for my buddy without a PC.

Here's some more info from him:

I'm looking for something to use for licensed carry. I want something that will slip into a pocket without a lot of hassles.

I like the 686 because it's great on the range but it looks like a 642 might be better as a starter.
 
I'm looking for something to use for licensed carry. I want something that will slip into a pocket without a lot of hassles.
Click to expand...
Sounds like the 642 was made to order then. That's exactly what it was designed for.

Just be sure to stock up on some cheap range ammo and practice, practice. It's a good little pistol and will serve you well, but you need to take it out and show it who's boss before trusting your life to being able to hit something with it.
 
I went with my buddy to look at some SW revolvers. Now I've got the bug too.:D We tried a 686 Plus and a 642. The DA was a lot smoother on the 686. It felt gritty on the 642. Does the DA get smoother with use?
 
phorvick

I have been drooling over that M686 5" for about a month. I'm on the fence if I should buy it or not I already have 1 M686 and 1 M66. Do I really nees/want another .357?


PS to keep this on topic Tecolote go with the 686.
 
I have a 642 also,,,

And it is the most comfortable carry gun I have. Nestled in my from pocket inside a Milt-spark holster, I forget it is there. It however the most uncomfortable gun that I have to shoot. I have over 600 rds. through it and, I have felt everyone of them. Practice is proficiency with these snubbies. I also have a 2-1/5in M66 .357 snubby that is an absolute joy to shoot. What I'm getting at is why not consider both the 642 and the 686. Revos are addicting and it is hard to stop at just one. There are very few auto that I trust let alone want but, I love the simplicity of revolvers. If you want a comfortably pocket gun, it doesn't get any better than the 642. If you want a fun time at the range, then the 686 should fit the bill. There are compromises with anything to include revolvers.

Flip.
 
Tecolote, I actually think the 642 is a terrible "starter" gun, if that means "first" gun. The one and only reason that they're great is for small, concealed type of carry. Beyond that, they kick surprisingly hard, they're hard to shoot accurately, and they're not particularly powerful. Again, it's a great "niche" gun, but it's a very poor choice for a first handgun. In my opinion.
 
"I'm looking at getting a new car. Should I go with the F-150 or the Civic?"

;)

I'm looking for an all round revolver that will last a long time.
Click to expand...

That alone settles it: An all-steel L-frame is an all-around revolver that will last a long time, while an Airweight J-frame is a specialized carry piece that can be downright un-fun for recreational shooting.
 
Why not a 2.5" 686

You would have concealability and shootability. My M66 is a 2.5in snub nose .357 and even with .357 loads, it is easire to shoot than my 642 with +P's. the 686 has a heavier frame and will help tame recoil a little bit more than the 642. It won't be pocket carry or anything like that but, you will still have the dependability and the intimidation factor of a revolver. Nothing says "see ya" like having a cylinder full of nice shiny JHP's staring at you :eek: .

Flip
 
Truth in the pudding

My buddy and I tried out a 642 and a 686 4 inch with the newer internal firing pin. The 642 kicked harded than any auto I've tried. With very slow fire I could get some in the black at 7 yards. The 686 was a lot more fun. I can't get over how smooth DA/SA are. My buddy also decided he liked the 686 a lot more too.

I'm going to have to reconsider my anti-revolverite feelings.:D :evil:
 
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