Ok folks, I have a S&W 686-4 (1994) with a 2.5" barrel. I am seriously considerring changing the barrel to a 4" or 6". I can get it done local for about $200 total. The reason I want to change the barrel is 1) reduce felt recoil, 2) increase accuracy. I need suggestions as to pros/cons of 4" vs. 6".

weight on 6" is obviously more, but will have less felt recoil than the 4"..

 

i personally think 4" is a good combo between heft, recoil and length.. (but thats just me from what i've seen)

 

note - i have very limited experience! heh

Some things I would consider if I were in your shoes. and a question.

A 2 1/2 inch 686 demands a higher price in the used market than a 4 inch barrel version simply because it's rarer and more desirable to some S&W collectors.why not sell it and just buy a 4 inch version perhaps pocketing some change and saving on the conversion?

Does the $200.00 you quoted include the 4 inch barrel? and if not then see above.

The conversion does include the barrel, $106.99 + shipping(midwayusa) for barrel and $90(Heritage Guild) for labor. I would sell it and buy a new one if it wasn't for the headache of getting a PPP. My local PD only does the permits 9am to 1pm once a month with no set day of week. You need to call them on Monday every week to see if they are doing permits that week.

The conversion does include the barrel, $106.99 + shipping(midwayusa) for barrel and $90(Heritage Guild) for labor. I would sell it and buy a new one if it wasn't for the headache of getting a PPP. My local PD only does the permits 9am to 1pm once a month with no set day of week. You need to call them on Monday every week to see if they are doing permits that week.

I understand. I guess I have a soft spot for the snubbys,with their balanced looks that I didn't want to see one go the route of such a common 4 inch configuration. Good luck.

Duppie has a good point. I paid a few hundred more for a pinned and recessed Model 19-4 in 2 1/2" configuration than the same model and condition would cost in 4".

In reality, the biggest problem I have is the sight radius. I don't know if it was a design flaw in that model but at 25 yards or closer, no matter how you adjust the rear sights the POI is always lower than the POA. This is the model with the integrated metal front sight, not the plastic one. If I can figure out how to fix that, I might reconsider.

In reality, the biggest problem I have is the sight radius. I don't know if it was a design flaw in that model but at 25 yards or closer, no matter how you adjust the rear sights the POI is always lower than the POA. This is the model with the integrated metal front sight, not the plastic one. If I can figure out how to fix that, I might reconsider.

 

Is that you or the gun? What size groups do you fire at 25yd? Have other people shot it? Where is their POI? If the rear sight is ...(corected to read) topped out... if you file down the front sight you will raise the POI. Just a bit at a time.

Even trying to boresight the gun, with the rear sight bottomed out (Sorry topped out), the laser is below the POA when I have the front sight and rear sights lined up horizontially. I will trying the filing trick to see if that works.

I have it with a 6 in and it is a tack driver at 25 yards .

4" here. Love it!!!

Or you could sell it to me and go buy one with a 4 inch barrel.

Seeing all the comments here I now starting to seriously think that I would be making a big mistake by changing the barrel. I will take it out to the range in a few weeks, maybe it's just a mis-understanding between me and the sights . It is a beautiful gun though.

Seeing all the comments here I now starting to seriously think that I would be making a big mistake by changing the barrel. I will take it out to the range in a few weeks, maybe it's just a mis-understanding between me and the sights . It is a beautiful gun though.

Such beautiful lines and balance....I wish you would reconsider.

That's a good looking Revolver, I think it'd make more sense if you sell it / keep it. And buy another one in the length of your choice. Personally I find that 5" barrel is the perfect compromise in weight and barrel length.

well what kind of accuracy are you looking to get from a 2.5 inch barrel? if its on a dinner plate at 10 yards rapid fire DA then its doing what it was designed to do. its not meant to be a tack driver its meant to conceal easily and hit center mass of an attacker.

 

and btw i still want it. even more now that you posted the picture.

Accuracy is not the problem, sight picture is. My POA has to be approx. 1" above my target at 10 yards. This is not so much a problem when I'm putting holes in paper, I can adjust. But in a real life situation, this could be a problem. I thought that by increasing the sight radius I would solve the problem. I read something online were the grip position on these models mught affect the barrel rise which would affect POI, the artical said that these models should be gripped high where the web between the thumb and trigger finger is on the flat part all the way at the top of the grip. I will try that next time I go to the range.

 

Sorry, i'm not selling it any time soon .

Your problem may be that the sights have been changed. Those are not stock S&W sights. While the bases of the sights (both front and rear) are stock someone has changed the blade in the rear sight and installed some kind of upward projecting insert in the front sight.

 

I, first would let someone else shoot the gun, just to confirm that it is the gun and not you - and if the results are the same, change out the sights to the stock arrangement or a more suitable aftermarket one.

 

I know that you have spoken with HG about the barrel change, but if it comes down to changing the sights, I'd let an experienced S&W smith handle that or make recommendations as to what sights (if other than stock) to change to. It will involve a bit of a ride for you, but cheaper than shipping. PM me if it comes to this alternative.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

I'll shoot it for you and tell you what I think. I'll even bring my rubber grips on my 686 to see if they help you. Just give me a pm so we can set it up.

 

In the meantime, remember to "bury" the front sight into the rear notch. No part of the front sight is supposed to be above the rear notch! This could be your little problem....

 

Dave

Your problem may be that the sights have been changed. Those are not stock S&W sights. While the bases of the sights (both front and rear) are stock someone has changed the blade in the rear sight and installed some kind of upward projecting insert in the front sight.

 

I, first would let someone else shoot the gun, just to confirm that it is the gun and not you - and if the results are the same, change out the sights to the stock arrangement or a more suitable aftermarket one.

 

I know that you have spoken with HG about the barrel change, but if it comes down to changing the sights, I'd let an experienced S&W smith handle that or make recommendations as to what sights (if other than stock) to change to. It will involve a bit of a ride for you, but cheaper than shipping. PM me if it comes to this alternative.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

Those are meprolight tritium sights, I had those installed. But I had the same issue with the original sights. I also tried hogue rubber grips. Again, I think it might be me, I am a lot better with semi-autos. Maybe I just need more experience with a revolver. But next time I go to the range I will definately have someone assist me.

It took me some time but I was finally able to make it out to the range yesterday. I would like to thank all of you for talking me out of changing the barrel. It wasn't the gun, it was me. Once I adjusted the rear sight correctly correctly and got used to the sight picture, I was shooting 5 inch groups at 15 yards, nothing to be proud of but a definite improvement.

It took me some time but I was finally able to make it out to the range yesterday. I would like to thank all of you for talking me out of changing the barrel. It wasn't the gun, it was me. Once I adjusted the rear sight correctly correctly and got used to the sight picture, I was shooting 5 inch groups at 15 yards, nothing to be proud of but a definite improvement.

Excellent...and so glad you decided to keep her as is....A beautiful gun.

Thank you for keeping her the way she was born. Gorgeous gun.

 

C