A gun has come up for sale that I had not really considered to be on the wish list. It is a Smith & Wesson Model 686 in .357 mag with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. I don't have any experience with anything longer then a 6" revolver, SO I am on the fence. I have not seen it yet, but I am told it is in good shape at a good price. What are your thoughts on the 8 3/8? Have you had experience with it? Good or bad? I am going to try and add a picture of a similar 686. I appreciate all input

i've shot the .44 magnum version of the 8 3/8" S&W and i personally did not like it.. it's not practical for anything other than range use or hunting handgun..

 

i think it's awkward to shoot and loses it's appeal pretty quickly..

 

in a revolver, i personally like 4" or smaller... i'm not a huge fan of the 6" ..

 

i just passed on a Ruger GP100 6" for $400 (still for sale if you are interested), for a GP100 3" Wiley Clapp, for DOUBLE the price!!! lol.. but this is personal preference...

I have a ruger with a 9.5" barrel i really like to shoot it . i enjoy it more than the shorter barrel guns . longer site radis' heavier less kick . if you like to shoot it let me know. Bob

A gun has come up for sale that I had not really considered to be on the wish list. It is a Smith & Wesson Model 686 in .357 mag with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. I don't have any experience with anything longer then a 6" revolver, SO I am on the fence. I have not seen it yet, but I am told it is in good shape at a good price. What are your thoughts on the 8 3/8? Have you had experience with it? Good or bad? I am going to try and add a picture of a similar 686. I appreciate all input

 

I've owned and shot my S&W Model 29 in 8 3/8" since 1980, so that's 32 years of satisfied ownership. Don't listen to those that only like short tubes! You can do almost anything with a long barrel, including USPSA, as it just depends upon what you're used to I guess: From an Uncle Mike's codura nylon holster, with a surrender-start, utilizing the USPSA target at 7 yards(?) I was able to score 5 hits (3-Alfa's, 2-Charlie's and 1-Delta) in 2.68 seconds utilizing Magtech .44 Spl. 240 grain Cowboy Action round-nose flat-point ammo (which by the way makes Major PF of 182+). Sure I take a lot of "ribbing" for using that monster, but I'm not out to win a Cadillac, just be competitve. I've placed in the middle of the pack at Indoor Action Matches where others are using .38 Super Race Guns. So it all comes down to technique and muscle memory. I'm there only to have fun and BS with other friends. Sometimes there's a real horse race when another shooter shows-up with a wheelgun, and we laugh, joke and help each other too!

 

Since you're getting a .357 with the "full barrel lug" your recoil will be reduced to the point of reaching-out and touching targets in the 50-100 yard range won't be difficult after some good practice, especially if you already own wheelguns, lol!

 

If you get it "for a good price" and decide to sell it later, you could get everything back out of it that you've paid for it, so why not buy it NOW?

 

BTW I also own a K-.22 Masterpiece w/ 8 3/8" tube--nice trainer!

 

Have fun and enjoy yourself!

 

Dave

I have a ruger with a 9.5" barrel i really like to shoot it . i enjoy it more than the shorter barrel guns . longer site radis' heavier less kick . if you like to shoot it let me know. Bob

 

I've shot it - it's FUN

Thanks guys. I guess I just needed a little push. You sold me Dave, a good price, and I could always get out without losing too much.This all started when I shot my Pal's stainless Colt Python in 6". I decided then that I had been missing out and needed one of those over priced big guns. Then while looking around for a 6", a 66 no dash 3" came available, then a 4" Colt Trooper, now an 8 3/8 686 and I still don't have that 6" that I had to have. I swear there should be a 12 step program for gun nuts!!!!

I have a ruger with a 9.5" barrel i really like to shoot it . i enjoy it more than the shorter barrel guns . longer site radis' heavier less kick . if you like to shoot it let me know. Bob

 

Thanks Bob. What caliber is the Ruger 9.5? Remeber that movie Johnny Dangerously, with the guy with the 88 magnum???

i've shot the .44 magnum version of the 8 3/8" S&W and i personally did not like it.. it's not practical for anything other than range use or hunting handgun..

 

i think it's awkward to shoot and loses it's appeal pretty quickly..

 

in a revolver, i personally like 4" or smaller... i'm not a huge fan of the 6" ..

 

i just passed on a Ruger GP100 6" for $400 (still for sale if you are interested), for a GP100 3" Wiley Clapp, for DOUBLE the price!!! lol.. but this is personal preference...

 

this

The only thing I can think of when I see people at the range with 6-8" barrel revolvers....

Get it. That thing is awesome!

Thanks guys. I guess I just needed a little push. You sold me Dave, a good price, and I could always get out without losing too much.This all started when I shot my Pal's stainless Colt Python in 6". I decided then that I had been missing out and needed one of those over priced big guns. Then while looking around for a 6", a 66 no dash 3" came available, then a 4" Colt Trooper, now an 8 3/8 686 and I still don't have that 6" that I had to have. I swear there should be a 12 step program for gun nuts!!!!

 

I only own one 6" revolver and that's a custom job dressed-out for PPC: bobbed hammer, trigger stop, action job smooth as glass DAO with a heavy piece of stainless bar stock underneath and a set of Witchita Sights on the top. My others are 4" Combat Models and the 8 3/8" tubes mentioned already. You'll LOVE the long sight radius, especially when your eyes get older like mine, lol!

 

Have fun!

 

Dave

Thanks Bob. What caliber is the Ruger 9.5? Remeber that movie Johnny Dangerously, with the guy with the 88 magnum???

 

 

its a ruger super redhawk 44 mag it will eat anything you wish to feed it.

its a ruger super redhawk 44 mag it will eat anything you wish to feed it.

 

Damn fun to shoot also..