I really like K frame .357's and will not part with my 66 no dash, BUT the K frame magnums had a weakness that cannot be ignored, which is why the L frame was born. Straight from S&W's mouth is "Only shoot 158 grain .357 in the K frame, and limit your use of those to familiarization and duty use". I have been told this on numerous occasions. Even Bill Jordan, the creator of the 19, advised light .357 use in the gun Now, some will chime in that their 19 has 10,000 125 grain rounds through it, but others will say their forcing cone cracked with only a few light mags through it. Since S&W does not make them anymore, and they only warranty guns made after 1989, if you crack a forcing cone, you're SOL. Why take the chance on a gun that can't be replaced? My 686 is a fine gun. Points differently than the K frame, but it's not different enough to disregard it. As a matter of fact, my 686 sits in the safe with a speedloader next to it, and is the gun my wife will grab if she ever needs one. The 66 is in a different safe unloaded, waiting for it's next day at the range, where it will shoot .38's, with the occasional 158 grain .357 thrown in for giggles.
Should I get a Smith & Wesson Model 19 or a 686?
- Thread starter Anferny
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riomedinamike
New member
A lot of folks have commented that you should use a 38+P rather than a 357 because of the noise factor.
Make no mistake - any gun shot inside a home is going to be very high on the decibel scale.
But since you indicated the pistol will be used for home defense, my advice is to keep a pair of Peltor ear protectors (with the stereo microphones) right next to the handgun. This will eliminate any noise factor in your decision.
Additionally, you should practice a lot with the 357 - since the Model 19 is lighter in weight (as Bill Jordan designed it to be), hence it will recoil more, and you need to learn or be able handle the increased recoil over 38's used for practice.
Although one poster (with lots of posts) said the 686 is an abomination - it may be for him, and that is just his opinion - but factually, the 686 is sturdier and built to take a more steady diet of 357 loads.
I personally don't have a dog in the fight - I own plenty of S&W Revolvers in all the frame sizes, including 19's, 66's, 586's and 686's, and I love em all (no-lock guns), and even though this is the revolver forum, for my personal setup I use a Rem 870 with a surefire light attached to the forend, and/or a Glock 21 3rd gen with a light also attached.
Finally, I don't know if you are new to revolvers or not, but you can easily change the grips to fit your hand better. The bottom line is go with your gut and decide on what feels better to you.
Make no mistake - any gun shot inside a home is going to be very high on the decibel scale.
But since you indicated the pistol will be used for home defense, my advice is to keep a pair of Peltor ear protectors (with the stereo microphones) right next to the handgun. This will eliminate any noise factor in your decision.
Additionally, you should practice a lot with the 357 - since the Model 19 is lighter in weight (as Bill Jordan designed it to be), hence it will recoil more, and you need to learn or be able handle the increased recoil over 38's used for practice.
Although one poster (with lots of posts) said the 686 is an abomination - it may be for him, and that is just his opinion - but factually, the 686 is sturdier and built to take a more steady diet of 357 loads.
I personally don't have a dog in the fight - I own plenty of S&W Revolvers in all the frame sizes, including 19's, 66's, 586's and 686's, and I love em all (no-lock guns), and even though this is the revolver forum, for my personal setup I use a Rem 870 with a surefire light attached to the forend, and/or a Glock 21 3rd gen with a light also attached.
Finally, I don't know if you are new to revolvers or not, but you can easily change the grips to fit your hand better. The bottom line is go with your gut and decide on what feels better to you.
The 686 is an abomination.
Hal, I'm curious what you base your statement on. I’ve owned a 586 the carbon steel twin of the 686 about a year and I’ve been very pleased with the way it shoots and handles. in fact it has replaced my M-19 as one of my go to home defense revolvers.
Hal, I'm curious what you base your statement on. I’ve owned a 586 the carbon steel twin of the 686 about a year and I’ve been very pleased with the way it shoots and handles. in fact it has replaced my M-19 as one of my go to home defense revolvers.
Picking one up and holding it.
Actually - picking up several L frames and holding them and trying like heck to make myself like them.
The K frame is just so perfectly balanced and has such graceful curved lines it's a true work of perfection.
The L frame just feels so "wrong".
The abomination part comes from the fact that S&W chose to use the K frame grip on the L.
Then there's the matter of the 686 being made of something other than carbon steel....
Yes - I know - stainless is so much more practical.,,
So is "tupperware"...
Neither of those materials have much soul.
I don't recall anyone ever posting about how they could gaze into the brushed satin finish of stainless steel and get lost in it's depths.
The 586 @ least get's a pass on that aspect...
Re: the "strength" issue..
The 19 is more than up to the task of countless thousands of rounds of .38spl +P.
The idea that the .357mag is the ultimate is nonsense.
Just about anything the .357mag can do @ it's upper limits, the .44 mag can beat with fairly mild loads.
I've pointed this out numerous times.
This dead horse has been beaten so many times over in the S&W vs Ruger threads,,,
Why on Earth anyone would want to punish both themself and the guns is beyond me.
There's only a couple "fire breathing" .357 mag loads I can think of off the top of my head that I'd have to crack into .44magnum territoy to beat.
Just about everything else in the "fire breathing .357mag" catagory is just a warm .44spl.
In summary, the L-frame S&W's are an "abomination" because while it's true that they will hold up better to the abuse that full-bore .357 Magnum cartridges will lay down on K-frame revolvers, nobody really needs to use or own .357 Magnum revolver cartridges simply because the .44 Magnum eclipses what they can do anyhow.
Sheeeeeeesh. That's pretty pathetic.
Sheeeeeeesh. That's pretty pathetic.
Agreed. It's my favorite handgun platform.
Disagree. The K-Frame grip is a marvelous fit for most users, and going to a completely new grip frame would have alienated many. From a compatibility standpoint, it would have been a real hassle. The fact that it shares the original grip frame is part of the reason for the L-Frame's success.
While the L-Frames don't balance as well for me as their more elegant forbears, I don't consider them "abominations." They serve their purpose.
357 Python
New member
I have a 686 and it does everything I want it to do and does it very well. Sevens, using your logic why should anyone have a 44 Magnum when the 500 S&W Magnum surpasses any 44 Magnum load? Just because one caliber surpasses another does not mean the guns for the surpassed caliber are no good. BTW I do have a Ruger Vaquero in 44 Magnum and it is a great woods gun and fun to shoot. For everyday use I will take my 686 over my Vaquero any day.
Get the 19. Everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't. Use 158 grain 357's, keep it clean and free of lead build up in the forcing cone, and your grandchildren will enjoy that 19.
Only downside to getting the 19 is that all the revolvers you purchase in the future will pale in comparison. When you start at the pinnacle - its all down hill from there.
Regards 18DAI
Only downside to getting the 19 is that all the revolvers you purchase in the future will pale in comparison. When you start at the pinnacle - its all down hill from there.
Regards 18DAIAs I wrote in another thread, the shooter provides the soul. Whether it sings or cries is up to the shooter.
FWIW, I like the balance of K-frames. I shoot my K-38 & k-frame M66 fine when shooting at target tempo, but when it's time to speed up, I shoot & reload my L-frame better & faster. The 686 an abomination? Don't know, don't care. I'm just happy for the choices.
As to the OP, as others wrote, both are great guns. The 19 is the definition of class. But if I had to choose between the 2 for my only (non CCW) revolver, I'd likely go with the 686.
Yours Truly and my 686 at The IDPA World Shoot:
The K frame mags are great guns, but the 686 does something the K magnums never could: give you the option of shooting ANY .357 you want ANY time and not have to worry. K frame mags are more sensitive to this, and since S&W doesn't make them anymore (or even warranty revolvers made before 1989), if you crack a forcing cone on a K frame mag made in 1982, you are SOL.
For me, when I look at my 66, I see it says ".357 magnum" on the barrel. it DOESN'T say "158 grain .357, and make sure to clean the forcing cone extra well". I love my 66 and will not part with it. It does point better than my 686. But if I'm heading to the range with 2 boxes of .357, the 686 is going with me, not the 66.
For me, when I look at my 66, I see it says ".357 magnum" on the barrel. it DOESN'T say "158 grain .357, and make sure to clean the forcing cone extra well". I love my 66 and will not part with it. It does point better than my 686. But if I'm heading to the range with 2 boxes of .357, the 686 is going with me, not the 66.
357 Python
New member
Sevens, it does seem I owe you an apology. It appears that you were commenting on another post and I didn't catch that post. My apologies.
It's all good! Thanks.i pack this short 686 RB in all weather conditions,wet,heat, cold. in a inside the pants, belt and shoulder holsters and it takes the abuse its exposed too with out a bobble. if i need it the ranges will be very close to medium ranges and the short barrel fits the bill and the muzzle blast will not be of concern to me at that time. eastbank.
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IrishBluEyes51
New member
I don't believe it can be said enough. Inside the home/apt .357mag is too much, .45acp, .44spl and 38spl. practice at 7 paces and make a plan and your good to go. remember the KISS theory Keep It Simple Stupid.