Favorite 686 barrel length?
- Thread starter Mastrogiacomo
- Start date
larryf1952
New member
4 .357's in my safe, all in the 6" length. I just like it...longer sighting radius, slightly higher velocities than the shorter barrels for my reloads ( I don't shoot .38's out of my magnums 
), better balance in my hand, enough muzzle weight to help tame the recoil a bit.
), better balance in my hand, enough muzzle weight to help tame the recoil a bit.SouthpawShootr
New member
Although I think the 2.5 inch 686 is really good looking. I prefer the 4 inch for a do-everything gun.
Just got my CHL the other week, so I'm still experimenting with carry methods.
On a whim, I bought a shoulder holster for my 4" 686. Until today, I've just been carrying my J frame snubby. Had to run an errand today where I would not have to remove my jacket, figured, why carry a 2 inch .38 when I can go for 4 inches worth of .357?
I have to say, after carrying 'just' a snubby, packing that mass of Magnum powered stainless steel was a different experience. A good one. I'll have to do that more often. I was also impressed how little it 'printed' and how comfortable it was in the shoulder holster.
Of course, if I had to wear it all day, and after the novelty wore off, it might get old, but for now, I like it.
On a whim, I bought a shoulder holster for my 4" 686. Until today, I've just been carrying my J frame snubby. Had to run an errand today where I would not have to remove my jacket, figured, why carry a 2 inch .38 when I can go for 4 inches worth of .357?
I have to say, after carrying 'just' a snubby, packing that mass of Magnum powered stainless steel was a different experience. A good one. I'll have to do that more often. I was also impressed how little it 'printed' and how comfortable it was in the shoulder holster.
Of course, if I had to wear it all day, and after the novelty wore off, it might get old, but for now, I like it.
While I voted for the 4" as the best overall length and I own three 4" .357 magnums I like th look and feel of the 6" models. I own three of those. There's just something about the way the 6" looks. Be it a 686, M28, Security - Six, GP 100. I just like the look and feel. But for practical purposes I have to say 4".