What Use 686 6"?

It would work well as a home defense gun, but mostly target type shooting. I had one and it was extremely accurate, but I found it not very versatile. I traded it for a four inch 686 and love it. But, I still sometimes miss having the six inch to play around with. For the life of me I can't remember why I wanted the six incher to start with. I'm sure, whatever the reason was, it sounded good at the time. :p Who knows, if a really good deal would come my way on one, I might get another.
 
Revolvers of that size also make good truck guns, as well as for the house and range fun. Mine is a 6" Python.
 
It will just about anything you need a hand gun to do. It is THE jack of all trades, master of none in the hand gun world. Home defense, target, hunting, it's certainly not a great choice for CCW. I personally prefer 4" but that's just me.
 
There was an interesting article in one of the gun rags a while back which explored the six-inch .357 and the favor it found with the lawmen of times past. It was THE ticket for many. The longer sight radius helped with accuracy and garnered more energy v. the shorter-tubes.

The transition to the four-inch .357 was not an easy one for some LEOs according to the article. Many continued to carry the six-inch tubed wheelie until retirement or being forced to change due to department policy/etc.

The article explored how they managed (holsters, etc.) the long-tubed wheelie while sitting in their vehicles and addressed how the four-inch tube made that easier (of course).

The ballistic advantage of the longer tube is a given. I also agree that they are best for the range and hunting smaller game. I'd be more inclined to use my .44 magnum for hunting, however.
 
so it's settled then. i need to trade /sell it(with its s&w upgrades)for a more usable handgun. any suggestions?
 
686-6"

I would use it for target and hunting......

I have seen a few hunting whitetail deer with 6" revolvers.....

In shotgun only areas (Michigan) you can use this firearm........
 
In April of 2001, I bought a NIB S&W 6" 686 (six-shot) to use in
postal pistol match'es. Since then, the PPA has folded and I use
it for testing various handloads; as well as target shooting. :D

Best Wishes,
 
I picked up a 686+ 6" as my first handgun because I thought it would be the only one I would be able to justify on our family budget and wanted an all-around tool. It is light and short enough to carry (probably not concealed) and has a long enough barrel to make it good for marksmanship. It was my first IPSC and ICORE competition gun. I started competiton only 8 mos after purchase and while still green and began with full house .357 magnums in competition. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Photo is my first match, .357 magnums.

I haven't shot for some time so took it down to the range today. I am a very mediocre shooter so my jaw dropped when the holes insisted on piling on the X at 15 yds, shooting offhand. Someday I've got to try shooting from a rest.

I collected a 4" M66 off a match prize table and am having all sorts of fun with it, but the 686+ 6" is beside my bed at night.
 

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It was my first pistol. Got it because someone I knew was selling it for a fair price, it had great versatilty for power, it shot dead on, and it handled good. It is on the long side, but I have carried it concealed on a few occasions. Not my first choice, but it does make me eye up the 2" every time I see one. Very nice pistol.

Randy
 
i have a 28-2 and a 15-2 and really like both. since i can't manage an effective way to cut 2" off the 686, i guess i'm trying to find an excuse to get another gun(my contract somewhat requires i get rid of one before i get another) :o
 
My first handgun. I used a 6" 686 for years to shoot PPC league matches, but its gone now. I no longer compete. Now my main use for the larger revolvers is hunting and I've over to .44's whole hog.
 
eka

points out that it would be good for home defense. I agree. My 586 6" out performed my 586 4" by more than 100fps with 125gr. JHP's. Better insurance that the HP will properly expand. The underlug on the 4" dampens recoil well--on the 6" even better. Of course, if I had to pack it around, I'd prefer the 4".
 
I forgot to add in my previous post that the 6" .357 revolver is INTIMIDATING as all get-out!!!
 
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Why dont YOU tell us what you want from it?

For anything besides CCW its a fine gun... just a bit large for CCW. I love mine though... wont get rid of it just add a few siblings to the group every year :D :cool:
 
I have a 6" 7-shot 686. I have even carried it in an OWB DeSantis Holtster. It's doable w/ the proper attire but I mostly use mine for range use. I have a 3" GP100 and a Kimber Ultra CDP for my main carry.
 
I've got quite a few revolvers from 1 7/8" up to a 6" 686. I like the 6"er, it's a very fine, accurate, well-made revolver.... but it is my least used and least preferred revolver for anything except longer range precision bullseye target shooting and hunting (neither of which I spend much if any time doing!). When I practice with my revolvers, I most often fire fairly rapid double action style at short distances... that's my primary focus for handgun use... defense-style shooting. And I think the 6" is a poor choice in that application.

My preference is for 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4". Six inchers are cool and all, but for me, they're just too long and unbalanced... basically just don't feel as good in the hand as the shorter models and are far less maneuverable in close quarters and under duress. I'd give up my last 6"er long before giving up my last 3" er. ;) But for now, it's a keeper which I rarely shoot!
 
Quote: But for now, it's a keeper which I rarely shoot!

my 686 came from the performance center in '93, so with enhancements, it is extremely accurate. however, i'm losing my passion for safe queens, and am looking for ideas for a transition to an other handgun. suggestions appreciated. even thinking about an auto.
 
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