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Smith Wesson (for gun folk)

B

Brad Buchanan

Member
Hey everyone.

I have been looking about a year for a second handgun with a bit more accuracy and knockdown power than my Model 60 (pictured).

I should explain that I am not the most knowledgeable person in the area of guns. I had to qualify at work and was a pretty reliable 280+ out of 300 shooter with a revolver. I can shoot a 5 inch group at 75 yards with the model 60.

I have a friend who was a former co-worker and now works in a fairly large gun shop and he suggested that I try some guns out by establishing a shooting grip and with eyes closed bring the gun into firing position.

I tried quite a few guns and the one that felt the most natural was a S&W 686 Plus .357/.38 stainless.

I am looking for opinions about this gun and other suggestions.

This gun is a big purchase (at least for me) at about $850.00.

As always comments pro or con are welcomed.

Thankis in advance,

Brad
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i will stick with my model 19 with the 2 1/2 inch barrel as it has served me well since 1967 , it has a few scratches on it from use and has been used several times . And i prefer the 158 grain hollow points .
 
The Model 681 S&W is a 4" ss revolver. Quite a few were made and used by various police departments in the U.S. They got carried a lot but didn't fired much at all. Most are in very good shape. I bought 4 at a gun show a few years ago for 169.00 each. One of these might be more in your price range. Hope this helps. Ellis
 
Kinda depends on what your use will be..........after carrying a 686 around for awhile, you will be walking with a list! :)
 
I have one and really like it. Is very accurate and the weight makes it easy to hold when firing. Have had mine over 20 years now with no problems. Does get a little heavy when carring for a long time.
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If you can shoot a 5" group at 75 yards with a 2" model 60, why would you consider changing anything?

I have had several different S&Ws in a machine rest, and very few would do that, even with the human variable removed.
 
I'm with RG on this. If you can hit a pie plate at 225 feet, with a snubnose, it is hard to improve upon. There is a guy in my town who was on an Olympic shooting team in the 60's? Tokyo? I forgot what he said, but he can barely hit anything at 25 yards without his top of the line Austrian whatever they call it. You don't need to spend anymore money unless you want to. Shot placement trumps 'knock down power'. To me, that's just sales pitch.
 
Brad, I'm like you. Limited knowledge on most fire arms, but saying Most We have is for hedging on inflation. This S/W 629 CLASSIC (44 magnum)is quite a remarkable well made pistol. We do reloads for almost all of out pistols/rifles to help cut down on expensive shells. Might give this type(629 CLASSIC) a try. Hope this limited information Helps. LOU.
P.S. Our 22 convertable revolver hasn't came in today, called the gunshop to check, and he said the calls and customers today are overwhelming.
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I have a 6" 586, and it's a really nice shooter. However, the longer barrel makes it front end heavy after a bunch of rounds in one session. I bought a .44 Special Taurus 5 shot stainless revolver for a second choice, and I found it fit my medium sized hands quite well, and it's very well balanced. Not front end heavy like a 6" heavy barrel like the 586, and not so snubby that you lose accuracy. It's not like a .44 special kicks a lot either, and the smaller grips are just about the same size as the L-frame Smiths.
 
I have a 686 love it, had it for at least 20 years. I carry a Bersa Thunder 380 now, that S&W is too heavey for this old man now.
 
I have an older model 60 stainless it's reall good at scaring people but couldn't hit the side of a barn from inside.
Walt
 
(quoted from post at 13:19:38 12/18/12) If you can shoot a 5" group at 75 yards with a 2" model 60, why would you consider changing anything?

I have had several different S&Ws in a machine rest, and very few would do that, even with the human variable removed.
Click to expand...

GOOD QUESTION!
 
My 586 with a four inch barrel is one of the best shooting revolvers I have ever seen. I don"t see how you could go wrong with one.
 
I carried a 681 for several years on the job. I believe it's the fixed sight version of the 686. I never had a problem with mine and put a gazillion rounds through it. Made a few astounding shots with it too like a coyote dead between the eyes at 50ish yards. The price you stated seems terribly high to me though. However, I'm still stuck at late 80's/early 90's pricing in my head! :roll:
 
Brad,
I am assuming you are not going to carry this gun, at least not every day all day. The 686 is a L-frame. The L-frame is big and heavy. This is great when shooting, especially the .357 load, it is a complete pain when carrying all day.
I have shot the 686 in .357 and .38, I liked the way it handled as I have big hands. Havent heard or seen one bad thing about the 686. It just wouldnt be my first choice for carrying.

I carry a Ruger LCP .380, its so light you sometimes forget its there, also carry a Kahr P40, little heavier at 16oz, still comfortable.

Rick
 
Hey guys,

I really didn't intend to infer that I am an exceptional marksman, which I am not.

I never picked up a handgun before I learned at the academy 'bout 30 years ago.

Actually, I had a hard time shooting well with this gun before I got the Pachmayr grips.

Brad
 
Kel Tec .380- about 7 ounces- kicks a little, but so what? I can consistently hit a body-size target at 25 feet- works for me.
 
Have a 686 that is a dream to shoot, the weight is perfect for controlling recoil without tiring your arms out.

But it isn't a carry gun by any means.

Depending on what your planning doing with the the gun can make a big difference in the recommendations....
 
Hey Chevy.

I really am not planning to carry the 686 (at least not much).

I plan on doing a lot more shooting and I think a heavier gun will take the use a bit better.

Brad
 
Hi Mike,

My wife is interested in getting a pistol permit.

We looked at a 5-shot .38 revolver made out of I think Titanium. Incredibly light but I kinda thought it might kick more than she would like.

Brad
 
Brad,

I believe you are thinking of the 340 Airlite. Its a j-frame and its titanium alloy. Very light, 11-12 oz. if I recall. I have 3 friends that carry them as their backup guns, they all carry .38 +P, in them not .357. At the range you only take a few shots with .357, to say its hurts in an understatement. Definitely not a range gun. It kicks pretty good with plain 38s.

For the wife you may want to think about the aluminum frame or the steel frame. They are both a little heavier, but they still pack a pretty good punch. I dont think you can shoot .357s in the aluminum frames, just +P. Steel frame you can shoot .357s.

I keep looking for a used Airlite at the gunshop, so far no luck.

Rick
 
Hey Bret.

I defintely agree on the pricing but in the state of things now I could see todays price being a bargain in a few years.

Brad
 
Brad, best suggestion I can give to you, is to take the wife to a local gun shop that has a range,and have her test out a few different models,to see what fits her hands and what she prefers.As for the picture I showed of my 629,this weapon met my criteria for deer season,here in Wi. No need for me to carry a big bore caliber rifle, as I practice with the 629 and became somewhat proficient.I never took a shot I wasn't sure of.That has been several years back,before my hands and legs gave up.The holster for the 629 works wonders,just something to think on.
LOU
 
Hey Ron,

The 686 I am lookin" at is a 4". I imagine that a 6" revolver is great on the range but it would seem to be pretty awkward to carry concealed.

Brad
 
I've had a Smiuth & Wesson model 28, N frame, .357 since long before they came out with the L frame and it's my "go to' gun.
Absolutely reliable and very accurate, but even a bit heavier than the L frame. If you're not carrying it all day it should be just fine for you. If you can keep a 5" group with a model 60, you can cut a ragged hole with an L frame.
 
Hey Lou, That is indeed a beautiful firearm.

I have thought that it might be a good thing to be able to reload but know very little about the subject.

Probably best left to the experts.

Brad
 
Hey Tony.

I totally agree about shot placement and for that my model 60 does the trick.

I do plan on doing a lot more shooting on the range and perhaps a bit of big game huntin' and thought a bit bigger revolver might be nice.

Thanks for the input,

Brad
 
Hi RG.

As stated I am no expert nor even a frequent shooter.

I was trained on 4" revolvers and the instructors said that if you got sight alignment, trigger and breath control down it made little difference the length of the barrel.

Thanks for the reply,

Brad
 
Five inch group at 75 yards with a short barrel model 60? That is awfully good shooting! And a whole lot better than I could ever do. As I age, I I have gotten shakier and shakier, and my grouping gets worse and worse. Sigh...nothing I can do about that.

Are you shooting double action or single action? And from what position? Standing offhand or with a rest of some kind?

I always liked my model 60 3" real well, but I could shoot my model 15-III 4" the best of any wheel gun I ever had. Smooth and dependable. I wish I had kept it.
 
(quoted from post at 22:27:48 12/18/12)
... called the gunshop to check, and he said the calls and customers today are overwhelming. [/img]
Click to expand...

"They" said it was going to happen, it's here now. Elections have consequences.
 
(quoted from post at 20:48:55 12/18/12) Hi Mike,

My wife is interested in getting a pistol permit.

We looked at a 5-shot .38 revolver made out of I think Titanium. Incredibly light but I kinda thought it might kick more than she would like.

Brad
Click to expand...

My carry gun is a smith 360PD. 11.4oz loaded up with .357's. It isn't that fun to shoot but its a dream to carry and I have no trouble holding 5 shot groups (pictured is 15~18 yard group). It fits in a pocket or on the hip, weights next to nothing so it doesn't pull your pants down or make you walk with a list, also doesn't regular anything special to keep it concealed. What I've found is that if the gun is too heavy or bulky that I find myself leaving it at home. And if its at home it doesn't do me a lick of good. With regular .38's it isn't too bad and even .38+P's aren't too bad if you want less kick.

If I'm going shooting I will a few through it and then shoot the rest of the afternoon out of something more wrist friendly.

dscn3597.jpg

360pdgroup.jpg
 
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