S&W 686 questions

Steveo830

Steveo830

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I seem to have acquired a serious itch to own a .357 wheelgun. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a 686. After a bunch of research, it seems to me that the 686-4 is the cream of the crop (no lock, hammer mounted firing pin, no MIM parts etc...). My question is this: did they make any -4's with the 4.2 inch barrel? or maybe the 5 inch. I really don't want a 6 inch.
If I happened to find the perfect gun but with the wrong barrel length, is it cost prohibitive to have it re-barreled to 4.2 inch?
 
I have the -6, and from my understanding that is the first with a 4.2" barrel. I know what you mean about the proper machined trigger, hammer and without the lock... much more attractive. Expect to find only the 5" choice. I'd be interested to know if anyone has bought the -6 model and swapped in the machined stainless parts and removed the lock... Either way, S&W revolvers, even the -6 have very nice action and trigger pull.
 
I am not too sure why you would want a 4.2 " 686 over a 6" model. A 6" model has higher velocities, and less recoil for those 357 loads. I had a 4" version many years ago that I strictly used for training purposes and ONLY with 38 spl loads. I chose the 686 over a regular 38 spl revolver as it had such a sweet action. I have owned several 686 in the past and my favourite was a six inch 686-2 which had a sweet trigger and shot groups like you wouldn't believe. I did end up selling it to a club member which I kind of regret. I have seen a 686 4.2 " not that long ago in the EE. I would personally recommend a 6" model, but if you are set with a 4.2", I would recommend hanging on and waiting until one becomes available.
 
Well maybe it will be 6 inch. Either that or find one in a 12(6) length and have it re-barreled to 4.2 inch. Probably a hassle but what the hell, I like a challenge.
 
Have you considered a 66 K frame? I have one of the new ones with 4.25 inch barrel? Handles those heavy. 357 loads pretty well. I also have a 4.2 inch 686. Both are awesome and you can't go wrong with either.
 
I had the 4.25, 5 and 6 in my hands a few times at my LGS before deciding on the 4.25 which was better balanced in my hands. The 6 was quite 'barrel heavy'.
Probably should have gotten the 5 for the longer sight radius and a bit better accuracy (perhaps) but WTF, it is a very nice wheel gun regardless. Recoil is OK shooting .357 with the short barrel.

It is the new -6 version. The MIM parts don't bother me. I bought a Lock Plug from a guy in the USA for 40 bucks and will be removing the Hillary lock at some point and putting in the filler piece.
 
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