S&W 686+ - 4 or 6 inch barrel?

i'm just way less familiar with revolvers and i'd like to make the right choice first time.
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The good news is, there's no "wrong" choice; just maybe a better choice for your own particular needs/wants. I'm with those who suggest a 4" barrel if you plan on carrying much; especially if carrying concealed and opting for the 6" model if most of your shooting will be at the range, shooting at targets. And I've never understood why the 5" revolver barrel length has never been really popular in America-maybe because what seems like the perfect compromise to some is neither fish nor fowl to others.

Good luck in making the "right choice". And welcome to The Firing Line!
 
..Most of what i do is target/plinking fun...
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As several have posted, albeit in different words, there is no "best" barrel length for all shooting. Unless you buy all the different barrel lengths, and use a barrel length that most exactly fits the purpose, A gun for all purposes it is always going to be a matter of compromise. For what you describe as your primary purpose ("target/plinking fun"), I would choose the six inch because of the longer sighting radius and the more weight-forward for a steady aim. However, if you anticipate carrying it in a holster for any length of time, four-inch would seem to fit the bill better (It would be faster to get out of a holster). For dedicated handgun hunting, six or even 8-3/8 may be better. For Silhouette long distance, again the 8-3/8. For pocket, concealed carry, 1-7/8 snubbies are in order. So, you have to take your pick (or as Bob does), buy one of each or consider your primary purpose, or make compromises...as in "concealed" carrying an 8-3/8 inside your waist-band... with the barrel inside your pants-leg almost to your knee.
 
Thanks, guys, i think unless the 'hand trial' screams otherwise, then i should probably go ahead and get the 6 inch.
 
I like the 6" for a good range gun and shooting targets/steel. The extra weight steadies my shots for 50 yard shooting and the sight radius is a longer as well.
 
None of the above. By FAR the coolest length is 2.5". Snub nose K & L frame guns are the most fun, hold the most value, and have all the versatility and flexibility of longer tubes. Don't worry about the velocity or the foot pounds of energy - there's plenty to go around in any length on a .357 Magnum. OK, if you must, 3". But that's it.
 
OOOOhhhhhhhh, that's a 681, and that's gorgeous.
Except for the grips, which I cannot stomach. (but please don't take that personally, my taste is in the Pachmayr SK-G and I'm quite certain many folks wanna vomit at the look of those also)
 
Went and held a 3 inch and a 5 inch Ruger GP100 tonight, unless the 6inch S&W is much heavier, i think it'l be fine, i didn't feel it was so heavy, very nice revolvers though.
 
I vote for 6" 686+, which is my primary revolver. I didn't buy it to carry concealed, I bought it for high performance fun and as a beautiful woods companion. A 4 inch version is a bit lighter in the hand of course, but I like the feel of holding a substantial revolver when firing hot rounds, and .357 gains very nicely going from 4" to 6" barrels. And that performance increase applies to .38 Special also.

Going to 8 3/8" would be fun, but at that point, it becomes almost strictly a novelty for the long range shots, whereas the 6" is still very versatile.
 
For target and plinking the 6 inch wins hands down.

As thats the stated purpose that would be the right choice.
 
Having felt the 5" weight of the Ruger, i think the S&W 6" should work perfectly.
Thanks for all the recommendations and thoughts :)
 
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