It weighs in at 39.0 ounces, empty, a big chunk compared to the 21.16-ounce empty weight of my Gen 4 Glock 19. The 686P has a slim enough grip to allow a good hold on the gun, magnum rounds or not, and is rather hefty. 38 Special through this revolver, but why skimp on oomph? My baby is the 686+, a variant with a seven-round capacity and 4.125-inch barrel chambered in. Best Beginner Handguns (Yup, the 686+ is on the list and on the top)

There have been multiple iterations of the 686 – you’re going to hear them referred to as variants and dashes – featuring different barrel lengths and cylinder capacities. This model is built on an L frame, a size similar to the K only with a larger cylinder and a bit more heft in general. 357 Magnums that were, at the time, favored by a ton of law enforcement (I’m speaking of the Model 19 and Model 66). The 686 was created based on the older K-frame. 357 Magnum, a cartridge we have Elmer Keith to thank for designing. The Smith and Wesson Model 686P is chambered in. Smith and Wesson designed it to be a reliable, accurate gun that gets used, not a safe queen or casual pocket carry pistol.

It’s basically the stainless version of 1980’s blued Model 586. The 686 can trace its lineage back to 1981, making it not quite as elderly as other revolvers out there.

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