3" vs 4" for range gun that I might want to carry some day

As was posted above - maybe consider a S&W Model 66-8 2.75"

That said, I have a 2" bbl Kimber K6s and LOVE IT!
Very accurate and so easy to stage the trigger even though it's a DAO.
Love the white dot sights too on a J-frame sized revolver.
 
4”. The OP never said he needed to conceal. I dearly wish Ruger made the LCrX with a 4” barrel as it makes a dandy field gun. An extra inch won’t make a lick of difference dropping it in the pocket of a field jacket on on your hip but the extra sight radius will make a difference to how many pine cones, tin cans etc will never live to threaten the great outdoors again.

I expect the 686 is a bit heavier which makes it a bit more shootable and a bit less hikeable but also a darned fine field pistol.
 
I have a 686-4 3in NO MIM - NO LOCK 7shot -4 last of the quality S&W very rare I will be auctioning at some point soon.

I like the 3in for a carry / IDPA type gun.

You can watch my auctions here = Auctions
 
Go for the Four-incher, if made as a .357Mag, use it with what ever load YOU are comfortable shooting.

I prefer standard pressure .38SPL, for faster recovery from recoil, but your choice. then.357 fro hunting for woods walking. Decide between speed-load strips or the cylinder style.
 
If you want to win on occasion as you stated and shoot more accurately, go with a 6" 686. It WILL outperform the 3" and the 4" for most folks. Recreational shooters usually do better with a 6". Later, if and when you decide to carry, you will probably want something lighter. As a rough guess, on many forums, I think that only 20% or so of the folks who do not have to carry for a living, carry something as heavy as a 686. The greater majority will usually be carrying something considerably lighter.

At times though many of us do enjoy carrying something full size but for many, the weight does aggravate older folks and younger ones with disc problems or nerves that sometimes act up or arthritis in the hips.

I find myself carrying much lighter but wishing I had the accuracy of something heavier. Only you can decide which category you will fall into.

Most folks who enjoy shooting with family and friends or at club events will usually have more than one handgun. Now if you truly know in your heart that this purchase may be your only handgun for both worlds, as much as I love the 3" over the 4", I'd say the 4" might outperform t he 3", but I'd have to go with 3" just because I don't care for a really high ride holster and that one inch will just be a little less noticeable when you are reaching for a wallet or your keys in a front pocket. You see the same issue when discussing 2" vs 3".
 
My favorite 3" revolver is my factory DAO GP-100 in 357mag.
GP100Tucker2.jpg


My favorite 4" revolver is my custom 4" Redhawk in .41mag. I usually carry it in a cross chest holster. I have carried it in an IWB holster several times without problem,
4INCHREDHAWK.jpg
 
For pure fun at the range, a gun that the majority of people can handle with no trouble, and a certain amount of "flair" I highly recommend the Smith and Wesson, Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece," in 38 Special.

enhance


It's a K-frame Smith and Wesson, with a 4" slightly tapered barrel, with adjustable sights, in 38 Special. This one also has the optional target hammer and trigger, highly recommended if you have a choice, as are the target stocks. They are a joy to shoot, Smith and Wesson didn't call them "Masterpiece" for no reason.

They're light enough to carry if you really wanted to. I don't but I'm lazy, preferring a modern plastic semi for that job. But for something most everyone , men, women, boys and girls of all ages can and will enjoy shooting...it's hard to beat a Model 15.
 
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For a mostly carry revolver (as opposed to a mostly range revolver), the relatively new Colt King Cobra, a s/s revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and having a 3" long barrel, would be a good choice. This gun has also an excellent da trigger pull.
 
I was set on 4" but:
At least one person whose post I have read opined that 4" was a bit long for carrying in/drawing from a belt holster.
Jerry Miculek won the IDPA Nationals Overall one year with a 3" barrel.
Click to expand...

Yes, quite true but you need what works for you. General range use and training grandchildren I prefer the 4" or longer barreled revolvers. I am not Jerry Miculek so tend to go with what works for me and not someone else. While I carry a semi-auto if I were to carry a revolver my choice would be my 2" S&W Model 10.

Worst case if I only had one it would be a 4" which I could adjust myself for carry. While I do not have a 686 I do have a 586 but with a 5.5" barrel, hardly a carry gun. The 586 or 686 is an excellent revolver.

Ron
 
For pure fun at the range, a gun that the majority of people can handle with no trouble, and a certain amount of "flair" I highly recommend the Smith and Wesson, Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece," in 38 Special.


It's a K-frame Smith and Wesson, with a 4" slightly tapered barrel, with adjustable sights, in 38 Special. This one also has the optional target hammer and trigger, highly recommended if you have a choice, as are the target stocks. They are a joy to shoot, Smith and Wesson didn't call them "Masterpiece" for no reason

They're light enough to carry if you really wanted to. I don't but I'm lazy, preferring a modern plastic semi for that job. But for something most everyone , men, women, boys and girls of all ages can and will enjoy shooting...it's hard to beat a Model 15..
Click to expand...

Gave a Model 15 to my son-in-law for Christmas several years ago.

S%20and%20W%20Model%2015%203.png


He really enjoys the gun as does my daughter. I think of the Model 15 as a Model 10 but with great adjustable sights. :)

Ron
 
PeteCress said:
Have not owned a gun since college days' ROTC pistol team a loooong time ago.

Shopping an S&W 686+, but not holding my breath until I find one.

Meanwhile, to while away the hours, I am obsessing over barrel length.

Intended use right now is range/social: grandson shoots, son-in-law shoots, family friend and her husband shoot...

But who knows? Maybe some day I will want to carry it. And, besides, smaller is generally more convenient.

OTOH, I would like at least the chance to outshoot the guy next to me once in a while.

I was set on 4" but:
  • At least one person whose post I have read opined that 4" was a bit long for carrying in/drawing from a belt holster.
  • Jerry Miculek won the IDPA Nationals Overall one year with a 3" barrel.

So: would I be foolish to go for a 3" 686+?
Click to expand...

I have a 4" revolver, a S&W 19-4. For what it is, a 6 shot medium power gun, it's huge.

For carry, go with 3".

Just my 2/ten-millionths of a bitcoin.
 
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