Smith & Wesson Model 686 Revolver

[VA_Dinger]

I have been considering buying a revolver for many years. Now I'm considering a S&W 686. What can you guys tell me about them? What barrel length should I buy?

[mark5pt56]

Get it! and one with a 4" barrel. Very nice, accurate 100 yard shots on steel are fun and easy.

M4arc would like one, but he's recoil sensititive, I told him I would hook him up with some light .38 wadcutters.


Mark

[Ross]

Probably the best overall revovler you can buy. If you want only one wheelgun, the 686 is a fine choice. The 6" will give you a longer sight radius and less muzzle flip, and more weight and length. The 6" really drives tacks, but the 4" is probably the best overall length offered. 4" is PLENTY accurate and it's just easier to tote around. Hunting/bullseye=6". Everyday use/working gun/tool=4".

[VA_Dinger]

Thanks guys, I have another question though. I have noticed some 4" 686's listed as "L" frames. What does this mean? I could not find any reference to it on S&W's website.

[mark5pt56]

That's the frame size, I think the N frame is the next bigger one. Also, get the Safariland speedloaders, the ones that trip the rounds out when it hits the cylinder and the rounds won't fall out like the HKS ones.

Mark

[Boom]

All 686 (Stainless) and 586 (Blued) guns are built on the L frame. They make them in a six shot and seven shot models. For GP use I would choose the 4" gun.

There great guns.

[cohiba]

Dinger,
The L frame was S&Ws response to some complaining that the K frame (M19/66) .357s were not up to continued use of hot rounds. The 586/686 are very stout and excellent revolvers. I had a 6" 686 that was a great shooter.

My favorite S&W .357 is actually the N frame M27 but it is pretty beefy if you are thinking of carrying it on occasion. I have a 5" FBI model that is very sweet.

If you want one just to shoot, go with the 586/686. If you are thinking of carrying it, I never blew up a M19 and God knows I tried. Excellent size v. power.

Of course, my favorite wheelgun is a full blown Colt custom shop 4" Python but I don't want to torture you with that.

[DrMark]

If I had no general purpose .357 mag, I'd get a 4" S&W 686.

The only reason I don't have one is because my retired pastor sold me a 4" S&W Model 66 (K-frame; stainless steel analog to the Model 19). For the price, the deal was quite a blessing.

[Josh-L]

I love the 4 inch 686's. I always tell people I wouldn't have any problem carrying it on duty I have so much faith in it.

[DevilDog]

My first handgun was my 586, 6" - bought in 1982. I've never regretted getting it and with the right loads it is a shooter, and most hot/max handloads I've put through it shoot darn near as tight as any wadcutter loads I've tried. I've got about 10k rounds through it, most of those shot in the 1980's.

If I were going to own one revolver, it would probably be a 4" 686.