1911 or S&W 686

Para Ordnance 1911 or Smith and Wesson 686?

  • 1911

    Votes: 15 25.4%

  • 686

    Votes: 44 74.6%
  • Total voters
    59
You won't go wrong with either one, so I am not going to vote. The 686 will be a lot cheaper to shoot with .38's in it and you can get a thrill with the
.357's, but for me my 1911 is more fun to shoot.
 
what a choice

i have both... 1911 and a 686 with 6" barrel. If i couldn't have but one... i'd go with the 686... what a gun.... if you are going to use it as a c/c gun i recommend a shorter barrel lenght.. but if its for the fun of shooting.... man that 6" is nice. some other poster has already said it... you should have both.... and the nice thing about it... no mater what you choose... your going to be happy.
 
I'm totally biased being a revolver guy through and through. But, nothing, absolutely nothing, beats a 686! I don't know what it is about that gun but it makes even a mediocre shot like me look pretty good. And, to boot, it's extraordinarily versatile, handling rounds as meek as 38 special wadcutters and as hot as 125 gr. 357s without difficulty. Do that with a 1911:D
 
I tried to vote for "both" but the poll wouldn't let me. Both the 1911
and the 686 are fantastic handguns. I have three 1911s, and one
686-1.
The 686 is a tack-driver out as far as 50 yards (about as far as I've
shot it often) but the 1911s are good shooters also, and my personal
choice for CC. I'm sure the 686 would suffice in that department as
well, except for the fact that it has an 8 3/8 inch barrel.:D
So I guess it boils down to whether you are an "auto" lover,
or a "wheel" gunner. Either way, have fun.

Walter
 
I'm a 1911 guy so normally it would not be much of a decision for me, but you specifically mentioned the Para. From what I've seen in the Para forums, the Q/A has not been up to older standards of late. With that as a grain of salt, it nearly could have gone either way for me. Admittedly, I'm a Colt guy.

I have 4 1911s and one 686-4 and love them all. Obviously, if you had a choice of "get both", that's what I would have chosen.
 
I have a 586 with a six inch barrel and a 686 with a four inch barrel. both guns are a blast to shoot at the range. For home defence they both would be good. For ccw they would be to heavy.
 
You know I am actually kind of surprised at the responses. I wonder how many of those that fall in the 686 camp only due so because of the fact the 1911 is a Para?

I figured the 1911 answers would easily double the 686.
 
Depends on the caliber

if the 1911 is a .45 I'd avoid it. I'd go for it in 10mm or 9x19.
The 686 is a .357 Mag - fine with me.
 
I have two 1911s and a 4-inch 686+ ... I prefer the 1911s for SD, but the 686 is such a pleasure to shoot that I'd have to go with that; it's the one gun in my collection I will never sell. As for Para, not too familiar with them; I have a Springer Loaded and a Kimber Ultra Carry II, both have been flawless at the range. The Springer's my nightstand gun, the Kimber my cold-weather carry gun ...
 
Get em both!

Apples and oranges IMO you should have a quality revolver such as the 686 as well as a 1911, just decide which one you want first.
 
I'm a huge 1911 fan....I have some Kimbers and a couple of Dan Wesson's, but the 686 is close to my heart. It was the first gun I bought for myself when I lived in California and was going to photography school back in the late 80's. It is still my favorite gun.

This is an image I shot for a class (talk about people freaking out when I brought the gun to class:eek:).

Smith3571.jpg
 
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So are some of you saying you'd vote 1911 if it were not a Para?
Click to expand...

Yes. You put a top of the line revolver against a so-so 1911. A top of the line 1911 would certainly sway opinions. I own a Springfield TRP (actually on my hip right now) and a S&W 686 and both are great guns. They are difference guns certainly but I think everyone should own at least one great revolver and one great 1911.
 
Thanks for all your input guys! I think I'm going to go with the vote and pick up the 686. I've developed a special appreciation for revolvers this past year, and I'm certain I'll enjoy it. I still plan to pick myself up a nice 1911 later this year for my collection. And on your advice I think I'll take a look into a springer. Thanks again all.
 
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