My 7 shot 686/6" came with a target trigger, one of the best DA triggers I've ever felt. One day at the range, I outshot a group of guys with AKs at 160 yards iron sights on a torso size target. First shot accuracy at extended distances.
I've carried K and N-frame Smiths for patrol, I'd choose the 686 with a target trigger in a heartbeat, even with the IL.
Bob
Yep. I have a 686+ 6", a -5 I think. Prelock, MIM parts. Did a little polishing and swapped out the mainspring with a stronger one and put in a lighter return spring. The trigger on this thing is AMAZING. I have people comment on it all the time. Super smooth double action, in single action it is super crisp and short --like pushing the button a dvd player. No pre-travel, no over-travel. Simply amazing. The cylinder has no real play and positively stops, it is so well made that when I spin it, it will spin for nearly a whole minute. Full lug, adjustable sights, 7 shots, and VERY accurate.
What he said about the 160 yard shot. In the army I was instructing an SDM course at a 300m KD range. We had steel silhouettes set up on the berm and we were at the 300m line. The day before, the chief instructor shot an 18" target standing at 200m with a .40 USP and I wanted to try it with my .357. We repainted the target to see any splashes first, and then standing at 300m using one hand firing single action, I put 5 out of 7 140gr. Hornady XTP handloads on the target.
Also, with the full lug barrel, it is pretty tame. .38spcl. feels like a .22, seriously. My wife loves this revolver as well, it is one of her favorite pieces to shoot, mostly because of how tame it is, but also because of how accurate it is and how easy and smooth the action works. She doesn't fight the trigger or hammer like she does the little 317, which has a very heavy action. She says I can't ever sell this one; no problem there. I got this thing for just over $200 in the mid-late 90's used!
Not only is this my favorite revolver, it is one of my favorite handguns, alongside the G17L and the Ed Brown Custom (which I don't own yet...). The 6" model probably isn't the best carry option, great for home defense and target work though (you can get very high velocities in .357 with a 6" bbl. --I've seen 1800+fps using 125's and N110!). Depending on how you carry, a 3" or 4" bbl. might be better. If I could only get one, I guess it would be the 4". If I were you and you can do it, I'd get the 6" 686+ used, with no lock and a frame mounted firing pin. Having the stainless or case hardened lockwork might be a plus, it is has never been a drawback for me though, and I think there are only one or two years that have the frame mounted pin, which I think is much more important. You won't find it for $200 anymore, but you can still get a good deal on one if you look around. Then if I were to carry a revolver, I'd take a hard look at the Smith and Wesson Night Guard. They come in several calibres, three frame sizes ranging from 5-8 shots, stainless cylinders, scandium frames, 2.5-2.75 inch barrels, and night sights. I'd go with the .44mag myself, but in .357 the 386 or 327 looks nice. Again, finding one that has a little use can save you some money.
I haven't handled the 8 shot ones, but they look nice. Jerry Miculek can sure shoot 'em fast! The only drawback is that they are built on large frames (or maybe that isn't a drawback depending on how you look at it --I like the elegence and balance of the medium frame, and 7 shots ain't anything to sneeze at).
Oh yeah, and if you get one with a lock, they are easy to disable. All you have to do is remove the side plate and some of the lockwork, then remove the lock "flag". The flag is the flat part that has a little steel pin on it and it moves. File the pin flat. Reinstall and off you go. The lock will look normal, no hole or anything, it just won't work. Make sure to replace it if you ever sell it.