S&W Revolvers

[Litespeeds]

I have never shot a revolver before and have been told that everyone should own at least one revolver. So being the newbie that I am, I went out and bought a 4" Python. This gun feels perfect in my hand in terms of grip and balance. I haven't taken her out to shoot because I haven't bought any ammo yet.

Then last month I was thinking that I'll pick up a S&W 686 6" as a shooter so I can preserve my Python and only take her out on special occasions. So off I went to a gun store so I can handle a 686 and I was disappointed that the grip was too small and the balance weight of the gun was so nose heavy. I know the nose heavy weight is probably a good thin for recoil but I can see myself getting tired holding that thing up.

Gave up on the idea of getting another revolver until yesterday when I renewed my interest with the idea of getting a S&W 929 Performance Center 9mm 8 rounder. I haven't had the chance to hold one but for those who have, will it feel very similar to the 686 or totally different? I know the 929 has moonclips but that is something I will learn to get use to if I like the gun.

Also for those who have both 686 and 929 and or a Python, please share your thoughts. Thanks.

[Garv]

I just have a 686+ in 6".
I have the rubber Houge type grips and it feels good on my larger hands.
You get used to the weight, but I think the 4" looks more proportionate aesthetically.

The 929 is not a lightweight gun either, looked like it was about halfway between the 686 in 4 and 6 inches, depending on the model.

Tagged for responses on the 929.

(Buy enough moon clips for an average trip to the range and pre-load them.)

[optimus-primer]

Post some pics of that colt please!

[this_copy]

The good thing about Revolvers is that several different styles and sizes of aftermarket grips are available for a lot of the current/discontinued popular models. If you don't like what the weapons manufacturer provides, you can experiment.

[trigger945]

Hopefully this helps a bit.

The 929 is a bit front heavy as well. It feels like a 6" 686, only in N frame with a tapered lug that reduces the front weight a bit. I don't have one but a good friend does and I get to shoot it. I like it but not enough to get one.

I had a 6" 586 - two of them in fact on different occasions - and I gave up on them and sold them both. Just too front heavy for me. I think 4" K/L frame Smiths balance better and I have a few. Maybe look into Model 19's and 66's as you may like them. A 6" Model 19 is not front heavy because it does not have a full lug like the 586/686 does. It is actually the underlug, not the barrel, that makes a 6" 586/686 front heavy.

I think the balance has a lot to do with the grips. I also have a 6" Python and think that it balances well. It does not feel front heavy to me. Of course the grips on those are different than the Smith's grips. The 586/686 is supposedly the counterpart of the Python, but they feel different in 6" configuration, at least to me.

If you are looking for a 6" shooter in 357 magnum, a 6" Model 19, although not as common as the 4" version, is probably a good bet. If you are okay limiting yourself to 38 spl, a Model 14 is one fine gun.

If you are looking for a 4" shooter in 357 magnum, K frames and L frames are fine specimens. I used to be strictly an L frame lover, until I discovered the beauty of K frames. I shoot them more now than my L frames. And I went crazy and acquired a bunch of different K frames lately, mostly 4" ones...

As far as 4" K frames in 357 magnum, Models 19, 66, 13, 65 and some 10's are worthy of your consideration. If you haven't yet, check out S&W forum to find out more about them. You will also see a lot of following for K frames...

FWIW, I held a 7" 686 with a full lug at a gun store. It did not feel front heavy. Then I realized that the grips were not the "standard" grips that come with the 6" versions. It made quite a difference in feel.

Good luck!

[ynotmule]

My two cents...
If you get a 686, go with the plus model (7 rounds). I have three of them (4, 5 & 6 inch). My favorite is the 5 inch Talo version w/unfluted cylinder, but tough to find, so I'll compare the 4 and 6.

Shooting full power .357 is easier on the hands with the 6 inch, but kinda boring with .38 special. .357 out of the 4 inch produces a cool fireball of still burning powder and obviously, more felt recoil.

I personally hate the Hogue round butt grips that come on 686's and have replaced all of them with Hogue square butt conversion grips. The square butt grips have much better finger grooves and fill your hands, making it easier to handle .357.

I also have (and love shooting) a 986 (7 shot 9mm w/5 inch barrel). I chose it over the 929 'cause I prefer the 5 inch barrel. It's cheaper to shoot than both .38 and .357 and I always have more 9mm on hand.

Check out the speed loaders from 5starfirearms.com and the moon clip loader from bmtequipped.com. Both highly recommended.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hermosabeach]

From a different approach, if you do not reload, the 9mm would be an excellent choice as 9mm is less than 1/2 the cost of .357

It is also much cheaper than 38 special



The 4" 38/357 balances better than the 6" but the 6" gives a bit better velocity and is softer to shoot.



So buy 3
4"&6" .357
And the 9mm version



You can also look for used / for LEO smith revolvers in .38.... They are fairly cheap if you can find on for sale.....

[movie zombie]

,,,,,,,

So buy 3
4"&6" .357
And the 9mm version



You can also look for used / for LEO smith revolvers in .38.... They are fairly cheap if you can find on for sale.....

good advice!

[E92335i]

Love my 6 inch revolver. Did change the Hogue round to Hogue square. Big difference.

[Wordupmybrotha]

S&W Model 547 9mm Revolver doesn't need moon clips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHd3D1GqNJA

[hambam105]

1st revolver is a Colt Python.

I can sure identify with that choice. Reminds me of my 1st car I bought, a Porsche Carrera.

I didn't want to get road dirt on it so I bought a beater yellow Dodge Dart, used from Key Driving training. They were running special on them that week ya see. The Dodge never did handle as well, didn't go as fast, never looked as good, never attracted the girls I was trying to impress, seats weren't as comfortable. But it got great gas mileage and the Porsche remains safe in garage under a dusty tarp. Some day I'll take it out and drive it.

[ynotmule]

From a different approach, if you do not reload, the 9mm would be an excellent choice as 9mm is less than 1/2 the cost of .357

It is also much cheaper than 38 special



The 4" 38/357 balances better than the 6" but the 6" gives a bit better velocity and is softer to shoot.



So buy 3
4"&6" .357
And the 9mm version



You can also look for used / for LEO smith revolvers in .38.... They are fairly cheap if you can find on for sale.....

Exactly!
Plus 9mm is more fun to shoot than .38. The titanium cylinder on the 986/929 makes the gun lighter than a 686, giving you a manageable but more satisfying range day. I haven't phased out .38 special (yet), but find myself shooting more .357 out of my 686's and opting for the 986 if I want to "ammo dump".

[nephrodoc]

One hell of a first revolver. Preserve that python, not sure who would even work on them these days. Rumor has it thet even the people who built them at colt have retired.

But I agree, with the others here, the 686+ is awesome.

[Barbarosa]

Personally I would look around for an older S&W model 14 K-38 - maybe a model 19 with target trigger and hammer. Old school S&W are going to come much closer in fit/finish to your Python than the newer Smiths. You ruined (in a good way) yourself getting a Python as your first revolver - not much else will come close.

[hambam105]

You don't even want to compare the workmanship of performance senter S&W with a 1960s or early 1970s S&W. No Sir, don't do it, don't do it.

S&W wants to keep that cash cow going while keeping the 60's results a mystery.