I was looking into getting a 686 .357 Mag. Now let me say this would not be for carry but, for home defense and range shooting. I already have a sig 229 .40 and CZ po1 9mm for carry purpose. Now for my question what size barrel should I get? I was going to get the 4" but, I was thinking the 6" might be better. What is all your experiences with these guns? I would think maybe the 6" might be a bit more accurate and maybe less recoil? Thanks
S&w 686
- Thread starter rich0372
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I have a 586 with 6" barrel and feel it is one of the most beautiful pistols in my collection. That 6" barrel just balances-out the revolver.
I think that most people suggest 4" for carry convenience, but if this will not be a carry gun, then definitely get the 6".
I don't have any problems with recoil and it's plenty accurate for me. I have carried it as a sidearm for pig hunting, I really want the extra velocity those 2" more inches provide.
I think that most people suggest 4" for carry convenience, but if this will not be a carry gun, then definitely get the 6".
I don't have any problems with recoil and it's plenty accurate for me. I have carried it as a sidearm for pig hunting, I really want the extra velocity those 2" more inches provide.
glockman19
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I have a 686+ 4" and I love it. It was my first revolver. Get the 4" It's perfectly balanced
BlindJustice
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I also like the balance of the 4 inch Bbl. on
the 686P - so much now the 617 6 inch Bbl
I also have seems nose heavy and not balanced
so I'll switch it for a 4 incher. FWIW the 6 inch
is so long it seems the only carry rig should be a
HD shoulder holster imo
Either way enjoy they're great revolvers
the 686P - so much now the 617 6 inch Bbl
I also have seems nose heavy and not balanced
so I'll switch it for a 4 incher. FWIW the 6 inch
is so long it seems the only carry rig should be a
HD shoulder holster imo
Either way enjoy they're great revolvers
railroader
Member
I would suggest getting the 4". I have a 686 that was a 6" and now it is a 4". I had it for home defense but with the six inch barrel it was kind of front heavy if you held it one handed. Now with the 4" barrel I can hold a flashlight in one hand, gun in other with better balance. Mark
sandy4570
Member
I ,too agree that 4" barrel is the way to go . I own 4" barrel 686 and it has the best double action trigger pull. If you can you should look for the old version with out the trigger lock and old style cylinder latch ,I think it is the best 686 version
yongxingfreesty
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3" barrel, I really want to trade my 3" for a 4"
jad0110
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NOOO!!! Those 3" 686s are too cool! If I had the money, I'd make an offer on yours. Beautiful gun, I know I wouldn't sell it if I were you!
rich,
If you can try both out, even if it is just in a gunshop, you would be well advised to do so. Some people like the muzzle heaviness of a 6" or longer full underlug barrel because it soaks up 357 Mag recoil (as well as giving a sizeable bump in velocity). Others prefer a much shorter, lighter barrel with a partial or no underlug for it's greater speed in swinging rapidly between targets.
For me, I prefer my 6" guns in half lug configurations at the most. Ideally, they have no lug at all such as my S&W Models 14 and 17. I used to own a 6" full underlug Taurus 66 and never got used to the way it balanced it's weight further towards the muzzle. The 4" 686 balances very well for me, though it is as barrel heavy as I care to go.
For nightstand / home defense duty, I prefer revolvers with 3-4" barrels. I keep the gun in the nighstand with the drawer open just enough that I can quickly and easily swing the 686 into action if needed (I sleep a little heavy at times, and I'd rather my gun wasn't too visible). Such a maneuver was noticeably tougher to pull off with that 6" Taurus.
I think I will go with the 4" like I was going to do. Before I do I will try them at the gun store. I did fire a 4" S&W .357 I don't remeber the model though and thought it felt pretty balanced. I absolutely love the 686 .357 Magnum I think it looks awesome.
jad0110
Member
rich,
While you are there, you might as well try out a 4" Ruger GP100 if they have one. I decided against one because it was just a little too nose heavy as compared to the 686. They are truly nice guns, though not as good looking as the 686 IMVHO
!
While you are there, you might as well try out a 4" Ruger GP100 if they have one. I decided against one because it was just a little too nose heavy as compared to the 686. They are truly nice guns, though not as good looking as the 686 IMVHO
!I advise on 6" for home defence - if only for lesser flash and better velocity in 38/38+P. It would be fine for range and also as a car defence gun - a 357 could make good use of two extra inches of a barrel, which you might need if your attackers are in another car.
yongxingfreesty, 3" is a perfection for a carry revolver. If you get rid of it, you will never forgive yourself.
I love my 3" 66 and would be glad to get a matching piece, but I imagine the logistics of a private sale across statates (I am in NY) are not simple.
miko
yongxingfreesty, 3" is a perfection for a carry revolver. If you get rid of it, you will never forgive yourself.
I love my 3" 66 and would be glad to get a matching piece, but I imagine the logistics of a private sale across statates (I am in NY) are not simple.
miko
Snapping Twig
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In the past I have owned a 6" 586, a 2.5" 686 and just this week I picked up my new 4" 686-2. I can't believe I ever let my other L frames go!
The action on a S&W is legendary and the durability of the 686 is beyond belief. You can shoot magnums exclusively and still pass it down to your kids and they can do the same.
The 6" barrel makes them legal to hunt with in California, but I have a .44 for that, so unless you need a 6" barrel, I'd say go with the 4" for all around use. IMO, the 4" is the best balance and the best aesthetics. You don't give up much velocity either since it's documented at @ 35fps/inch, so you lose 70fps to the 6" barrel and that's no big deal.
The action on a S&W is legendary and the durability of the 686 is beyond belief. You can shoot magnums exclusively and still pass it down to your kids and they can do the same.
The 6" barrel makes them legal to hunt with in California, but I have a .44 for that, so unless you need a 6" barrel, I'd say go with the 4" for all around use. IMO, the 4" is the best balance and the best aesthetics. You don't give up much velocity either since it's documented at @ 35fps/inch, so you lose 70fps to the 6" barrel and that's no big deal.
I have serious doubts about those numbers - unless they specifically refer to a 38, not a 357.
4" is too short to take full advantage of a 357. Loads not specifically developed for a short barrel should show quite significant improvement.
I have a Marlin, so I looked into that - some loads with madium weight bullets (158) out of 18 inch barrel have more energy at 100 yards than at muzzle from 4" - the gain is that great.
6" is not good for carry, but neither, I discovered, is 4" - at least not under-arm or IWB for a medium-height person like me. 3" is perfect for that.
But as a hunting, range, HD or car gun that is not going to be carried, there are only advantages and no disadvantages to having a 6"
Speaking of, is there a special wisdom to a car-gun load?
I would use a heavier FMJ bullet for such, not a 125gr HP I'd use for carry. Instant incapacitation is less important - a person outside a car, especially in another car is not likely to jump and grab you if he is not incapacitated immediately. A highjacker inside your car will likely be shot with a muzzle pressed into his flesh or close to that - with 20 grains worth of gasses augmenting the action of the bullet.
On the other hand, shooting at another car, penetration is more important. From the notes of the argentine, having to defent oneself from attack from another car is a realistic scenario - of course he advises a semi-auto for that due to capacity considerations.
miko
Another vote for the 4" 686. I have a 686-3 with a trigger pull so smooth that even my CCW instructor, a self-professed wheelgunner, raised his eyebrows after he shot it.
As for the barrel length, I went with the 4" so I could move the gun around easier. It fits better in drawers, I can wear it in a belt holster and still lay on the couch, fits in a glovebox in the truck, etc...
I do want a 6" revolver, but I'm going to make it a 629.
As for the barrel length, I went with the 4" so I could move the gun around easier. It fits better in drawers, I can wear it in a belt holster and still lay on the couch, fits in a glovebox in the truck, etc...
I do want a 6" revolver, but I'm going to make it a 629.
386 mountain lite vs. 686
I currently own a s&w 386 Mountain Lite and I can't say that Im unhappy with it. After sighting the gun in, I can group .357 loads anywhere from 0.5in to 1in around the bull's eye and up to 3 inches when I get tired at 33 feet. I can handle the recoil, but it takes me longer to recover from it for the next shot. I also shot a 686 and the groups were a bit tighter and my shots were more rapid. Should I give up the 386 and pick up the classic 686? Is the weight of the 686 that much more when it comes to carring the gun in the woods? What about just carring? Is the 686 strictly a target gun? Bottom line, any feedback at all for the 386 Mountain Lite vs. 686 (Plus)?
I currently own a s&w 386 Mountain Lite and I can't say that Im unhappy with it. After sighting the gun in, I can group .357 loads anywhere from 0.5in to 1in around the bull's eye and up to 3 inches when I get tired at 33 feet. I can handle the recoil, but it takes me longer to recover from it for the next shot. I also shot a 686 and the groups were a bit tighter and my shots were more rapid. Should I give up the 386 and pick up the classic 686? Is the weight of the 686 that much more when it comes to carring the gun in the woods? What about just carring? Is the 686 strictly a target gun? Bottom line, any feedback at all for the 386 Mountain Lite vs. 686 (Plus)?
Guy B. Meredith
Member
jad0110 has good comments. The 6" barrel gives a good aiming radius where accuracy is key, but the 4" barrel moves like part of your arm where rapid movement and target acquisition it preferred.
Zebulon
Member
How about this one? My Wifes recently built Mag-Na-Port Snubby.......Purty Huh? Zebulon
Black Knight
Member
The only problem I see with the six incher is that the longer the barrel the more leverage the BG has should he(she) grab the gun. I have a 4" 686, a 4" Python, and a 6" Python; of the three I would choose either of the 4" for home defense. If you plan on staying in one room and waiting for police to arrive the 6" would be fine but if you must move around the 4" is much better. The accuracy over a practical range is about 99.9% the same. Also if you are married or have your lady over, if she had to use it a 6" might be too heavy for her. My wife didn't like the weight of any of my guns except the 2 1/2" S&W 66 so that is her gun when she needs.
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