I am in the market for a 4" S&W revolver, and my local gun shop has three specimens that I really like, but as I lack experience with S&W products I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. It will be a range gun only, and will be fed a steady diet of .38 with the occational box of .357 thrown into the mix. Collectability is a factor to me as well. The contenders are:
A model 66 no dash: Original wooden grips and stainless steel rear sight. I really like the original look and feel of this gun, but the guy in the store gave me a stern warning to be very careful when feeding it .357, which makes me wonder if the gun is robust enough for my needs. 99% condition.
A model 586-4: I like that the fireing pin is on the hammer (it looks better to me), and that there is no lock, but I am not fond of the factory rubber grips, which I will probably change for a pair of walnut grips to match the beautiful blued finish. 99% condition.
A model 686-4 Performance Center Security Special: Nice trigger, and I like the rounded grip frame. Also probably the most collectable gun of the lot because it is a PC gun. The bead-blasted finish has a lot of lines and flat spots in it, which annoys me, and the gun is also about 50% more expensive than either of the other two. Probably around 95% condition.
Given these options, which gun would you get?
A model 66 no dash: Original wooden grips and stainless steel rear sight. I really like the original look and feel of this gun, but the guy in the store gave me a stern warning to be very careful when feeding it .357, which makes me wonder if the gun is robust enough for my needs. 99% condition.
A model 586-4: I like that the fireing pin is on the hammer (it looks better to me), and that there is no lock, but I am not fond of the factory rubber grips, which I will probably change for a pair of walnut grips to match the beautiful blued finish. 99% condition.
A model 686-4 Performance Center Security Special: Nice trigger, and I like the rounded grip frame. Also probably the most collectable gun of the lot because it is a PC gun. The bead-blasted finish has a lot of lines and flat spots in it, which annoys me, and the gun is also about 50% more expensive than either of the other two. Probably around 95% condition.
Given these options, which gun would you get?