A while ago I had a 4-inch S&W 686-1 that I fired a box of 38s through. Unfortunately the gun locked up on me a few times when reloading. The cylinder stop was running interference with the cylinder due to excessive play in the crane. I ended up returning the gun to the seller because I paid a hefty price for it and didn't want to go through S&W to repair the gun.
Fast forward to today and I ran across another 4-inch 686-1. The price is fair $549 for California (less than what I paid for the previous gun). It has the recall "M" stamp and comes with the original box and S&W wook checkered grips.
I have a few doubts and reasons I formulated when I saw this gun to tell myself so that I wouldn't buy it...Nonetheless, for some reason (probably a revolver addiction/fascination) I want it! Perhaps other members on this forum can convince me otherwise.
First, the 686 is a 4", so from a practicality standpoint, it is not my first choice as a carry or home defense gun as it is too large and heavy. I have better options for that at the moment. The longer barrel and full underlug just makes it unnecessarily heavy. Second, I also don't see it as a magnum friendly gun because it isn't heavy enough. I shot a cylinder of 357s from the 4" version and it wasn't very comfortable, at least compared to my GP100. I noticed that I flinched immediately with the 357s and could develop a bad habit of doing so. Now I'm fine with shooting 38s through it, but it just seems like a 357 should shoot 357s. Its like buying a V8 mustang and not driving full throttle. Lastly, asthetically, I'm not a big fan of the full underlug yet but it will probably grow on me. Perhaps I should lean more towards a model 66?
With that said, the 686 sure is a beautiful gun. where does this gun "fit" in your arsenal or collection?
Fast forward to today and I ran across another 4-inch 686-1. The price is fair $549 for California (less than what I paid for the previous gun). It has the recall "M" stamp and comes with the original box and S&W wook checkered grips.
I have a few doubts and reasons I formulated when I saw this gun to tell myself so that I wouldn't buy it...Nonetheless, for some reason (probably a revolver addiction/fascination) I want it! Perhaps other members on this forum can convince me otherwise.
First, the 686 is a 4", so from a practicality standpoint, it is not my first choice as a carry or home defense gun as it is too large and heavy. I have better options for that at the moment. The longer barrel and full underlug just makes it unnecessarily heavy. Second, I also don't see it as a magnum friendly gun because it isn't heavy enough. I shot a cylinder of 357s from the 4" version and it wasn't very comfortable, at least compared to my GP100. I noticed that I flinched immediately with the 357s and could develop a bad habit of doing so. Now I'm fine with shooting 38s through it, but it just seems like a 357 should shoot 357s. Its like buying a V8 mustang and not driving full throttle. Lastly, asthetically, I'm not a big fan of the full underlug yet but it will probably grow on me. Perhaps I should lean more towards a model 66?
With that said, the 686 sure is a beautiful gun. where does this gun "fit" in your arsenal or collection?
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