Which Would You Rather Have?

S

saf11

Inactive
Had you rather have an S&W 686 (7 shot) revolver with 5" bbl., or an S&W 627 (8 shot) with a 4" bbl., and why? The 686 is L frame and the 627 is N frame (not cut for moon clips).
 
What are you using it for? If bullseye and defense, I'd go for the longer barrel. Can't really go wrong with either one. I have a 627 v-comp and it's a great gun.
 
I had the same quandary three years ago. After handling both several times side by side, I went with the 5'' 686+. Felt better in my hand for $150 less. I have 2 other 686s, one a -4, 4'' and a -5 6''. I have two other N-Frames a 5'' 629 and a PC 629 Magnum Hunter. For .357, one cannot really beat the L-Frame. Like I did, I suggest you handle both side by side if possible before making your choice. In the long run tho, either is a good choice.
 
Thanks, guys. It is a hard choice.:) I can get a speedloader for the 7 shot 686, and I'm not certain they make one for the 8 shot 627.
 
I own the 627 pc and a couple of 686, a 4 + and a 6" 6 shot. The 627 I own uses moon clips so a speed loader is not needed. All are great revolvers. Given a choice of one or the other I would take the 627 over the 686.
 
I have pondered this specific question many times and my answer goes outside of the choices. I would buy the pre-lock 686, probably a no-dash through a daash-3 or dash-4.

I don't hate the idea of more capacity than six, but I truly do not like the idea of less cylinder meat to make that happen. If .38 Special was all I ever wanted to run from either then my answer is likely different.

I love my six-inch, 6-shot 686, but I can admit that I tire of it a bit after 100 rounds because there's a heap of weight hanging way out front. A four-inch would be better, but to my tastes -- it doesn't look nearly as attractive when it's a four-inch with the full-lug. It looks stubby to me.

Give me a K-frame heavy barreled .38 like my 10 or 64 and I can happily send 300+ down range with no fatigue.

And when I am in the mood to drop bombs, the 686 can handle it without too much punishment on my hands, but my six-inch N-frame Model 28 handles it even better. Full-bore .357 Magnum from either my four-inch or even six-inch K-frame just imparts too much shock to my shooting hands. Not after 6 rounds, but before I get to 50rds it sure does.

I had just a short little dance with a revolver running moon clips and it was not the joy I had envisioned, so I feel like it was a "thing" I had to chase and experience and now I am over it. Never say never... but I have no desire for a moon-clipped revolver ever again. But if I did... (:p) it would surely be .45 Auto and not a .357. It seems to me that a big part of the advantage of the whole moon-clip idea is the fat, short and stubby .45 round. It's quicker in and quicker out and needs precious little help in alignment. That part is blurred when using a long and skinny cartridge.
 
Oh man that's a hard one...

I think I'd get a 686+, as there are speedloaders for it. I know 5-star makes an 8-shot .357 speedloader, but I don't know how well it does. The HKS loaders always seem to work, and are offered in 7-shot .357/.38. I'm not a fan of moon clips for a defensive revolver. Plus its more compact and I believe lighter, and I doubt the extra shot would really be a huge benefit.
 
Moon clips work great in my 627 no problem loading the longer rounds more rounds makes it easier to index and line up. 8 rounds beats 6 too. Best of all You can also use it without moon clips and shoot .38 spl. if you want shorter rounds.
 
DARNED if I see how it really matters one way or the tuther in any way, shape , or form.
WHY not buy both and then tell us ?
Hmmmmm...
 
For a carry gun or woods gun, I've always thought any D/A revolver with a barrel longer than 4" should have a hacksaw included in the box, With some exclusions for some classics I suppose.
 
Disregarding barrel length, I think the S&W Model 586s I have are the best DA .357 Magnum revolvers to come down the pike.

The longer cylinder of the L-Frame gun will take heavy bullet handloads that will tie up the N-Framed gun.

Bob Wright
 
Hmmm, between the 686 and the 627, I would find .... a nice, excellent condition Model 27 or 28 Highway Patrolman. Tough act to follow.
 
I have a 686-1. I have no plans to replace it with either of the other choices; although they are both nice choices.
 
Rumor has it that the 7 shot cylinders on the 686 are stronger then the 6 shot due to the alignment of the cylinder stop detentes on the cylinder.
 
Well, that is an interesting rumor... but in the most simple terms possible -- both of those cylinders start out life as the same exact hunk of metal and where the rubber meets the road, the 7-shot cylinder has a HOLE lot less metal left over.

(get it? "Hole" ?! :p)
But really...
If Smith & Wesson is willing to build and ship them, they have been proof-tested for normal loads.
 
686

I have 686 6" & 586 4" I love both only for close target I do not consider either combat type defense guns just love them for the beauty.
 
My 627 is my favorite shooter, strong as a tank, very accurate and just a joy to shoot. I did put lighter springs in it from Wolf and the trigger is just super sweet. I've had it for a couple years now and put about 3000 rounds through it and it never lets me down. If I could only have one pistol it wold be a tough choice between the 627 and my M57 no dash I've had for 35 years.
 
I have a 686+ 5". It feels front heavy. 4" would be a better length for balance.
I do not remember shooting a 627.
I think I would go for the 627 8 shot 4".
 
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