686 Snubby. Anybody got one or shot one? I'm lookin at one.

[Dee]

I have been thinking hard about going entirely wheel gun. I have a Model 60 Smith I carry every day, but every now and then I want something bigger, for a change. I am thinking about getting rid of my Glock, and going back to another wheel gun like the ole days when I was a rookie cop. I like the looks of the 686 2 1/2" snubby I looked at today, it reminded me of my ole  Model 66 2 1/2 inch.
Any body got one, or shot one, and wadddaya think?

[Skunk]

That's the one I'd get Dee. I'd put some nice Pau Ferro or Coco Bolo mono grips on it and she'd be good to go. Love the little Snub Nose Revolver.






Coco Bolo

[Mikey]

Dee:  That sounds and looks like a upgraded M19 with a 2.5" bbl and if I could ever find one of those I would own it.  Talk about being able to dong the gong at the 100 meter mark - no contest with adjustable sights........

[Graybeard]

The 686 can hardly be called a "little revolver" even with a short barrel. To me the weight and bulk are a bit much for concealed carry. I've held but never shot them. I have however shot the M66 snub nose tho never owned one of them. My childhood best friend and I found each other a few years back and he dropped by for a visit and brought his M66 2.5" and we shot it on my range. It was the first and likely the last time he ever shot it. Even it was a tad bulky to me for a ccw but to each his own.

For that much size and weight I'd carry my Glock 27 I think. I too like the simplicity of a revolver and often carry one but chose lighter and smaller when I do. Should you go for it don't over look the CTC laser grips expensive but I sure do like that laser sight option.

[Oldshooter]

Whats up with that Dee? Nostalgia, what soured your heart on Glocks?

Now that snubbie does looks good! but I am a little surprised at your decision!  

[Skunk]

The 686 can hardly be called a "little revolver" even with a short barrel. To me the weight and bulk are a bit much for concealed carry.

Was just looking at the weight of the 686 with a 2 1/2" barrel, and you're right GB. According to the S&W website, it weighs in at 35 oz. I was thinking it was more the size of a SP101 with a 2 1/2" inch barrel, but the SP weighs in at 26 oz. and some might consider it even too big to carry concealed. The 686 appears to be in the same league as the 3" GP100 which weighs 36 oz. Doesn't seem like much, but knowing how bulky a GP100 is (even the 3"), I can just about guess that the 686 would be also be a hog leg too, given its weight.

Well Dee, guess I have to take the above back, although I wouldn't protest or complain about owning the 686, I'd rather have a stainless steel S&W that's about the size of a SP101.

[Dee]

Whats up with that Dee? Nostalgia, what soured your heart on Glocks?

Now that snubbie does looks good! but I am a little surprised at your decision!  

Oldshooter, it really has nothing to do with nostalgia, it is more along the lines of want, and even that is suspect with me. As a rookie my first duty gun was actually a Colt Diamondback 4 ", and then I was turned on to one of the best (in my opinion) duty weapons ever designed by Colt OR Smith. The Model 19 Smith. I wore two out on the range, and owned a dozen over the years, plus the Model 66 2 1/2 inch.
I think my problem is I'm getting lazy in my old age, and don't want to work at concealment. With the Glocks you have to make an effort to conceal it. With the Model 60 Smith, it just hides well.
I have used both the 357 magnum, and the 45acp seperately in the two confrontations I had, as an officer, and both did their job, but the 357 magnum, is just more versatile. My fighting days are over (I hope) and my attitude is if I can avoid a fight I will, but if I have to, it's gonna be up real close, and I know I can, and will, use the power of the 357 mag.
I guess I'm thinking more about the field with the 686. I haven't made up my mind, but I don't want any more guns, so I would sell the Glock and buy the Smith. I don't want or need another handgun laying around at my age. I just want, what I use. Decisions Decisions.

[45-70.gov]

I have been thinking hard about going entirely wheel gun. I have a Model 60 Smith I carry every day, but every now and then I want something bigger, for a change. I am thinking about getting rid of my Glock, and going back to another wheel gun like the ole days when I was a rookie cop. I like the looks of the 686 2 1/2" snubby I looked at today, it reminded me of my ole  Model 66 2 1/2 inch.
Any body got one, or shot one, and wadddaya think?

YOU  ALREADY  HaVE  THE   M60  TO CARRY
if  you want  more  may as well  add  a little barrel and velocity  too

i  carry  a  642  357  similar  to  you

when  i want  an extra  or a little  more i take  the  619  4 inch  along  [7 shooter]
i  take it when i travel.....rest of the time  it is conveneintly located/loaded  at  home 

you  know more than  most here  and are bigger than   i am
so  you can  conceal a bigger gun

i  really like  my  3 inch  44mag  629
but  the  619 has  ammo  compatability with  my  CARRY gun

[Dee]

No argument there 45-70. This is a maybe deal here. When it really boils right down to it, I don't REALLY need a second gun at all. None of us do. It is a "I want" issue. Maybe.

[45-70.gov]

i  know what you  mean

i  like  2 when i travel  incase one get  lost or taken  or breaks
in  this  case   my  4  may  be to big  to fill the void in my pocket  tho
i carry in the  pocket , hard to  reach  driving......extra  one  is  more  accessable

also  my  hand  is  small  tho  very  thick and  hardened

a  357  j frame  just  fits it  great

you  are much  bigger  handed  i assume  so  this frame size might  fit  you better

the  L frame  is  supose to be  much  more solid  than the  k  and j frames

[Dee]

I carried a couple of 686s in four inch that I had slicked up back in the late 80s, and they carried good. I never had to use either, but I was confident with them. This is something I haven't made my mind up on, but the 2 1/2 inch I looked at, I could see after I slicked the action, and put some grips I already have on it as being a good fightin gun, but also a good utility gun also. I'm still kickin it around.

[shotgunner]

Dee

One of my carry guns is a 686. I bought one that was called a "customs service over-run", it is round but with a 3" barrel, and I love it. The 3" barrel seems a lot longer then the 2 1/2" when you shoot it. I once made a shot on a woodchuck that was further then you would believe if I told you. I use Spegal boot grips, and while it is a little heaver then a J frame, it is easier to shoot with heavy loads. I think the 3" barrel is available, look into it. Shotgunner

[Dee]

I opted and bought the 686 2 1/2". I slicked the action, and put a traditionaly S&W wood grips on the round butt, along with a Tyler T-Grip. It shoots really nice, and the difference in full power loads in compared to the 60 is total comfort.
For winter carry with my size it is not a problem, nor is it inside the waist band carry.

[Woodsman1]

Dee, Ive had 1 for 4 years now. I bought mine for bedside and woods carry. Ive not fired mine yet, but i did a post here about accuracy, and heard alot of great things about them. I just love the way the gun balances in my hand, and if or when i carry it into the woods, itll be worn outside on my hip. I dont do cc, so the extra weight is a plus for me as far as recoil goes, Im sure your going to hear alot of great things about it.

[Dee]

Well like I said in an earlier post. I have owned and carried two 686s in 4", and am full aware of their accuracy. I had just never did the 2 1/2" barrel. This one shoot very well and carries very well also.