[Ridgerunner665]

;D ;D ;D

Another "which gun to get" thread (the last one was fun)

I've never been big on revolvers...no particular reason behind that...its just the way it turned out. I had a Ruger SP101 for a while, and I liked it but I sold it at a gun show (I often take something with me that I might sell...and price it accordingly )...I also have a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt, but thats a whole nuther monster (hunting gun)

I think I want a S&W...they seem to be the cream of the crop as far as revolvers go and the ones I've checked out lately at the gun store certainly do seem better made than most of the others. The Rossi's had loose cylinders (even with the hammer cocked), same for Taurus, the Rugers were better...but still not as tight as the S&W's...

357 Magnum...because it can fire the 38 Specials too!

I like the 686's...but I'm not sure if I want a 2.5" barrel or a 4". This will not be a carry gun, its just a toy for the most part but it will be loaded and stored in a "hideaway" in the living room (a High Standard 22 resides there...for now)....how is the balance of the 4" barrels? I couldn't find one in a local gun shop...they all had the shorty's.

Then there are those Talo exclusives with the 3" barrels and unfluted cylinders...I like these, but haven't checked the prices yet , I'm figuring they are not gonna be cheap.

EDIT: I checked the Talo 3" 686 on GB...$720 I figured they would be higher than that.

 

[Charlie98]

I have a 686 with a 4" barrel, it is one of the most handiest pistols I've ever handled. I'm not a 2" barrel fan... just too short for me, particular with .357's And, alternately, the 6" are nice, but not something I would want to carry around.

My particular pistol is a retired Westerville, OH police issue weapon, I picked it out of a box of about 25. You have heard the saying about the one bad apple? I think I got the one GOOD apple out of the barrel... the pistol was very well taken care of. I think he did an action job on it, and it was polished up well. A very accurate pistol, too.

If there ever was a General Purpose pistol, the 4" 686 would be it.

The beautiful Hogue grips are gone now, replaced with more pratical (if not very attractive) Grippers...

 

[jpickar]

I too think the 686 4" gun is one of the best all around guns there is.

John

 

[Snapping Twig]

I believe you're on to something. Additionally, the 4" balances the best IMO and is relatively easy to find. I had a 2.5" special edition - they're Lew Horton's - that I bought new and it was handy, but the ejector rod is too short on the 2.5" version and does NOT kick out the brass. The 3" is better in this regard, they're typically the CS-1 version made for the Customs Service and rare. They typically have a bead blasted finish.

I also had a 6", but the muzzle weight felt off to me, but that's subjective and a personal preference.

Here's another thought, how 'bout a blued version - the 586.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Hah!

Shows what I know about revolvers...I didn't even know there was a 586 like that, LOL!

The only 586 on S&W's website is a ported 3"...3" works for me...but I don't care for ported barrels.

 

[MontanaMan]

Ridge I had a 4 inch 586 for a while that I shot IPSC with part of the time just for fun when I wanted a change from my 1911. These guns are well balanced, very good quality and reasonably priced, it's a great choice. I sold the 586 and currently own a 6 inch 686 that I will never part with, it's that good. The 586's seem to be just a bit smoother for some reason but the 686 in the six inch gun is just right for me. Personal preference I know, but still, that's where it stands, both are extremely accurate.

MM

 

[findrichard]

Ah, the Ruger SP101. The 3" barrel version is the gun my wife decided on for her and she really likes it. Funny thing is I am growing fond of that little gun as well. It is 10 ounces lighter than my Colt Commander (25 oz. vs. 35oz.) which makes me think it would be a nice carry gun. It gets your attention with personal defense load but quite manageable (on the shooter's end). The more I shoot it, the more I like it. The wheel gun simplicity is also growing on me - only one lever to operate - the trigger.

 

[planeflyer21]

I carried the .327 SP101 around to try it out.

It seems to be lighter than a spare magazine for the XD. Size it nice too.

Jon

 

[Ridgerunner665]

This isn't about a carry gun...its about a range toy. Weight is a long way down my list of concerns, because the medium frame S&W would have to go on a serious diet to be lighter than a Glock 36.

Oh I might carry it around the farm there at home or something...but thats about it. The 686's appear to be heavy enough to shoot all day long, especially the 4" models...and with 38 Special loads, the wife may enjoy it too.

 

[IN1894SS]

The balance with the 4" barrel is fine on the 686's. Once you get to 6" I don't like it at all, sounds like you have a winner.

 

[Charlie98]

...and with 38 Special loads, the wife may enjoy it too.

I'm not a big fan of .38's in a .357 chamber... too hard to clean the cylinder! I use .357 cases with a moderate load of Unique under a 158grn SWC.

 

[Barenjager]

I don't think you could make a finer choice in a .357 revolver than a 4" 586 or 686. Other posters have already given good insight into why...I'll only mention that there are plenty available on the used market with forged internals and without the IL, if you're a "purist"

Roe

 

[preacher]

My first .357 was a S&W Highway Patrolman, 6" barrel. Shot like a rifle! I don't think you can go wrong with a Smith! I like the Model 66/19 for woods bumming, but the K frames are a bit tender for full time magnum use. I say go handle both a 4" and a six" and get what you like. You can always get your wife a K frame 38 special.

 

[Charlie98]

You can always get your wife a K frame 38 special.

Yes, you can!

I bought the model 10 specifically for light .38SPC target shooting and plinking... which it excels at.

 

[jmarriott]

There is another option. You might just run into a pony. My 586 is nice but the python is better.

 

[keyston44]

There is another option. You might just run into a pony. My 586 is nice but the python is better.

At 2 to 3 times the price of a Smith, that's an expensive "range toy".


I personaly prefer the Ruger GP100 over the Smiths from the experiences I've had with the 686's, they won't take a steady diet of full power loads like the Ruger will. But that's just me.
Key

 

[oscarflytyer]

I'm not a big fan of .38's in a .357 chamber... too hard to clean the cylinder! I use .357 cases with a moderate load of Unique under a 158grn SWC.

What 158 grn SWC are you using? Looking for a 2 cav mold for 357. Want it to be 158-160, but not Lee TL. All i can find unless I go with the more expensive Lyman. And not something I am going to cast/shoot a lot, just mess with. Dont want to spend much (and yes, I am cheap!).

 

[oscarflytyer]

OK - think you guys have convinced ME, anyway. Have a very old Taurus M66 4" 357. Was my Dad's. I MUCH prefer my 1911 or Ruger BH 44 Spc tho. Contemplated trading/selling the 357, but it shoots well and the bluing is old school deep smooth Smith quality. Had to send it back to fix a timing issue, but factory fixed it for free. So old, they didn't even recognize the serial # format, but fixed it anyway.

After reading all the positives about a 4" 357, i will most likely keep this one. Has the wide trigger and hammer. Really looks/feels more like the old Smith it was copied from, and almost looks like some Smith parts from early Taurus...

 

[jmarriott]

Re: Thinking about a wheel gun...

At 2 to 3 times the price of a Smith, that's an expensive "range toy".


I personally prefer the Ruger GP100 over the Smiths from the experiences I've had with the 686's, they won't take a steady diet of full power loads like the Ruger will. But that's just me.
Key

Yes it is retired to the safe and the 586 and model 29 get most of the play time now. I have been offered a nice sum of money for the pony. I also have a trooper III 357 mag also semi retired. I was mainly commenting about all the comments about the 686/586 being the best 357 mag revolver. The smith comes close to perfect, but the python is perfect. To bad they can't seem to make the ponies in revolvers anymore even if they did not hand fit them and polish them up so well.

I am sure there are shooter pythons out and about somewhere that have seen lots of range time and have carry scars and rust/wear on the bluing. I would pay a smith price for one of those for the double action trigger pull alone.

Nothing at all wrong with a good smith.

 

[Charlie98]

Re: Thinking about a wheel gun...

I also have a trooper III 357 mag also semi retired. I was mainly commenting about all the comments about the 686/586 being the best 357 mag revolver. The smith comes close to perfect, but the python is perfect.

I feel the 686/586 is one of the best .357's, for General Duty. There is a trade off between cost and utility. I would be upset if I dropped or hit my 686 on something, but it's a work gun, so to speak. I would be a bit more anxious carrying a Python, in much the same way my Kimber is a working gun vs one of those sweet Colt 1911 repros. Oh, I would shoot it, but it would be a range queen.

I would agree that the Trooper would be a good equivalent of the K/L-frame Smiths... but even those have gone up in value since Colt bailed on the revolvers.