S &W 686 Best Revolver?

[FluTac]

Which is the better magnum revolver? The S&W 686 or the Colt Python?

View: https://youtu.be/rjB9fxlAOAs

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[MikeInOr]

I vote for a Dan Wesson model 715 as the best 357 revolver!

 

[Mike_M57]

No-dash S&W 586 = Best Revolver.

The current version of S&W revolver is like a beautiful woman with saggy boobs. It just ain't quite right.

 

[Tony617]

I have a S&W 686-1 which I like very much. They only change was changed the wood grip to a rubber Pachmayer grip since was easier on my hands when I was shooting.357 magnum loads.

 

[ron]

I have an older and a new 686. My new one shoots great as good as my older one. I wanted not to
like the newer 686 with MIM parts and lawyer lock but I love how it shoots.
Picture of my 686 PC Offhand double action shooting 14 rounds of full power 125 JHP at 15'.

I don't know who is comparing revolvers in the video? But Uncle Jerry is a world champion revolver shooter. He has
been shooting revolvers for many years in competition.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cbVl3cDMTY&list=PLuJSw7W9Xj7_8tj5Qj2vLuQJEmme_DlGl&index=20&t=10s

 

[Spitpatch]

With consideration to accuracy, durability, strength, reliability, and carry size, the very best is the Ruger Security Six.

Shooting Times did an evaluation (1974?) of 6" .357's shortly after the Ruger was introduced, and for accuracy it beat the Python and Smith going away. So I bought one.

Much later, a 686 came into my hands. It just HAD to be more accurate. I was willing to relinquish the Ruger if it got beat in my tests, but it was the 686 that went down the road.

I have never personally compared accuracy to a Python (a bit rich for my blood), but I own two Troopers. The Ruger remains undefeated. As to the ability to continually digest full-house big game loads without shooting loose, the Ruger's reputation is untarnished. It's carry size is favorable when compared as well.

The "best" may not always be at the high price point, and more and more often it is rarely found in conjunction with "new".

 

[JRuby]

Can't speak for others but I choose the S&W model 28. To me thier are few as strong and reliable. Biggest problem is weight and size

 

[Bobbygun]

Someone will need to send me a Python to compare (and @Spitpatch can send me his Security Six also). I'll send them back when I'm good and ready. I swear. Ask @oremike. I returned every one of the guns he loaned me to shoot. Of course, he's a big dude and was standing right there, so...

I do have a no-lock S&W 686 plus and love it. Of course, it's only as accurate as I am. But I do get SEVEN shots! I know, I know. Y'all saying I need 'em (or more).

 

[oremike]

All I know for sure is best is subjective to personal fit and preference. The last Colt I had was a 1917 S&W 45 acp. But no modern gun experience. All of the modern S&W revolvers I've shot or even just handled all felt like the grips weren't right for me. Too small, wrong angle or something. What is the goldielocks grip for me on double action revolvers is the Houge rubber grip on the Ruger GP-100 and Redhawk.

 

[Tinman357]

I have ahe 686+ and consider it to be the best that I have. I also have a GP100 and a S&W 60, as well as a Colt KC that has broken 2 trigger return spring.

The 686 is a 3" and is as accurate as the 6" GP.

For me.

 

[TTSX]

Best revolver for what? Best means a lot of different things to a lot of different people

 

[CountryGent]

Best revolver for what? Best means a lot of different things to a lot of different people

Exactly. Best for what and the answer is going to change dramatically.

I have a S&W 686+, 7-shot, with 6" barrel:

It works, it is plenty accurate, and I like it fine. But best? Probably not. Besides, it ain't a .44.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Ruger's last forever, S&W's last a good bit between re-timing and don't bother with a Colt.

View: https://youtu.be/1cbVl3cDMTY?feature=shared

 

[Spitpatch]

I vote for a Dan Wesson model 715 as the best 357 revolver!

View attachment 1953093

I have never owned a DW .357, but I shot one that belonged to a former boss, and it impressed me as to accuracy. Later, I acquired a DW 44 Magnum for Silhouette competition, and it will outshoot my Ruger .44 Carbine at 100 yards.

 

[CountryGent]

A late uncle had a late-70s/early-80s vintage Dan Wesson in .357 Magnum. It came in a case with a variety of barrels, ranging from very short to very long. That revolver was truly a work of art and incredibly accurate.

 

[Sporting Systems]

2 part question.

The best = I have a couple of Korth Mongoose and NSX 357 magnums. The NSX is insanely beautiful, flawless action and trigger, and is more accurate than I will ever be. However, they are not cheap. I have not shot a better revolver. The Dan Wesson 715s are very nice, the Manurhin is probably the 2nd best I've ever owned. But it's a runaway win for the Korth.

The GP100 Match is also a great revolver and I prefer the grip angles over the S&W 686/Pythons.
The S&W 327 TRR8 is a really awesome revolver too.

Part 2, 686 vs Python. I'd hazard a bet, in blind test (not advisable), 99% of shooters wouldn't be able to tell the difference on the same size guns. I have a dozen or so PC 586/686 and Pythons. That said, I really really like the 6" Python.

So, Korth and Python.

 

[orygun]

I have a 686 4". It's a nice gun and I shoot it well enough. There are two issues I have with it. I have not found a grip that I am really comfortable with. Yet. My hands are not small or weak, but I prefer a slimmer grip than I've been able to find so far. I have Altamont grips on it now. Very nice grips and a lot trimmer than what is shown in the pic, but still not quite right. The second issue is weight. It's kind of a tank.
The Ruger Security Six has always been highly regarded, which makes finding one difficult, and I've never had an opportunity to sample one.
So far, my favorite revolver is my 3" Model 60 in 357. I think the grip on it is nearly perfect and it's a fairly lightweight thing to pack around.

 

[mpmax]

Allow me to pile on….
I looked at the new pythons, for a $1500 pistol everybody recommends replacing the rear sight, the single action is worse than the double action, and they were prone to light hammer strikes, all for $1500.
So I bought this.
Dan Wesson 715, 357mag.

 

[gmerkt]

I've owned two Colt Pythons, both six inch but both over 30 years ago so I don't recall much of the experience. Both very well made guns, finished better than typical Smith & Wessons, but Colt cost more initially. I liked the weight of the barrel underlug when shooting.

Only one Smith & Wesson Model 586 has come my way, an older factory nickel job w/ 4 in. bbl. I didn't have it long, for some reason but not due to any fault of the gun. Again, it had the bbl. underlug. I've also had a couple of Smith & Wesson Model 16-4's, .32 H&R Mag, both 4 in. bbl., these have a bbl. underlug. Those were a joy to shoot. I've decided I like bbl. underlugs.

Re. the Ruger Police Service Six that I had recently, it's gone now. Previously, I'd owned a stainless Security Six which I had pretty fair memories of. However, I discovered that I didn't like the throw of the hammer. Since I shoot this kind of revolver almost exclusively single action, that was a down-side. I also discovered that this particular revolver had a point of aim problem; with fixed sights I didn't want to remedy it so my solution to both issues was to find a new owner for it.

Another problem that I had with the Ruger was, I couldn't hold onto it well firing magnum loads. Due to physical problems with my hands. Which I well may not now with my Smith & Wesson Model 28, but I haven't fired it in years to find out. So maybe I'll take it out this weekend to see if I can still shoot it.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have never owned a DW .357, but I shot one that belonged to a former boss, and it impressed me as to accuracy. Later, I acquired a DW 44 Magnum for Silhouette competition, and it will outshoot my Ruger .44 Carbine at 100 yards.

My friend has a 715 that I have shot many times and I love that gun. I don't actually own any 357's. My Dan Wesson 744 is by far my favorite revolver though.




The EWK brake can be used on any of the barrels.


My 744 has been very accurate with an excellent trigger.

Some day the right 715 (357) will come along and I will own one.