Smith & Wesson 686 Plus .357 in 3" or 6"?

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Looking to get my first revolver and have decided on the S&W 686 Plus, but can't decide between the 3" and 6" barrel. Yes, the 4" seems to be the sweet spot, but those are harder to find. The 3" and 6" are available near me currently.

Would be a range gun mostly, sometime worn OWB when at a friend's ranch, sometimes taken with me car camping...but to be honest it may not even be used for anything other than the range. I just want a nice, classic revolver to add to the rotation.

I have a few other handguns (M9A1, G17, XD9) and this would be my first revolver and I've become attracted to the look/aesthetics of the S&W revolvers lately.

I've been looking at the following and what's available to me locally (all new, none are older, vintage, etc.):

686 Plus 3"



686 Plus Deluxe 3" (only difference between this and the Plus above are the grips and fluted cylinder)


686 Plus Deluxe 6"


686 Plus Deluxe 7" (this is getting on the verge of being ridiculous with the 7" barrel and prefer the look of the fluted cylinder compared to unfluted)

[tsmithson]

[Garbcollector]

I think sportsman's warehouse had the 3" deluxe model in stock the other day

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I think sportsman's warehouse had the 3" deluxe model in stock the other day

Yep, they still do, both 3" versions, the Plus and the Plus Deluxe. They had the 6" version for a while, but it's out of stock now. They do have the 7" version currently, and there's a 4" version for sale in the classifieds about 1-1.5 hour drive from me.

[Bull Elk]

I own a number of Smiths, so maybe my opinion is slightly jaded. If you're intent is to have a target gun only, then the six inch barrel is likely going to be more accurate than the four and three inch barrels, but it's too heavy and long to be a carry gun. But, if you decide you want a carry gun that can also function as a range gun, then you may want to consider the four inch barrel or possibly the three inch barrel (my preferred choice). However, due to the weight of the 686, I do not consider the three, four or six inch barrel revolvers to be effective carry guns. There are much better options available such as my favorite - a S&W model 60 .357 in a three inch barrel. Light weight with enough fire power.

For what its worth, the three inch barrel in the 686 or likely most any revolvers in three inch are far more rare than a common four or six inch barreled revolver. Maybe not in your area, but generally its much harder to find three inch revolver. Three inch revolvers kind of meet the "sweet spot" amongst revolver aficionados. It can be a good and effective carry gun, home protection gun and can with some limitations be an accurate gun at the range. Some, like myself don't like the limitations of a snub nose (2 inches or less) but see the benefits of a longer barrel, including the three and four inch.

[FNGGlock]

Get all 4, I wish I could. I ended up with the 6” as I liked the way it looked the best.
Don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, though I think the 6 or 7 ones may be a bit better if you are shooting further distances. The 6” is not too heavy for me, so I doubt the 7” will be bad either. Though they will likely get taxing for a long day of shooting.

[Sure Shot 45]

Get all 4

This is the correct answer.
And get a 617!

[Motor Man]

[QUOTE=FNGGlock;25821218]Get all 4

This is the correct answer.
And get a 617!

I will second this.

[Hairball]

7" (this is getting on the verge of being ridiculous with the 7" barrel!)

Hey now, nothing wrong with a longer barrel revolver.

[phod330]

The 3" and 7" with the unfluted cylinders look damn good! My very first revolver was a regular 3" 686 plus and it's a great all around gun. Nicely balanced and easy to shoot. My next revolver will be that 7"...so I would just pick anyone of those because you'll end up getting all of them anyway.

[beretta929mm]

6" for your 1st revolver, 3" is a waste of unburned powder

[ACfixer]

What's that stupid little hole right above the cylinder release?

[Jwalt]

If it's just for the range and to have a gorgeous high quality revolver, I'd go six inch.

The three inch has the advantage of being CCW capable (if bulky), but other than that I'd go with the 6 all day.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

What's that stupid little hole right above the cylinder release?

Don't want the thread to get derailed, but was surprised it took someone this long to go there. Doesn't bother me.

[elSquid]

Get the 3 inch, a mount...

https://www.jackweigand.com/Smith-Wesson-Revolver-Mini-Mount.html

...toss a mini red dot on top and you should be GTG.



-- Michael