Smith and Wesson revolvers are great and, I think, the prettiest wheel guns around, the lines just flow, and they are sweet shooters!, I miss my model 19, and my model 15
I've owned 686s for about 15 years, I have had zero problems. I think that 686 is Smith & Wesson's flagship. I currently own 8 and have an offer in for 2 more and would gladly trade some of my other guns for 686s. I personally have nothing bad to say about S&W 686, I think that it is everything a DA/SA revolver should be.
Back to the praise party, the 686 is the finest 357 ever produced- preferred, in my opinion, even over Smith n-framed 357s. The question is really what platform you want to use it in. For general all around carry/hunting/target use, 4" is the way to go. For carry only, 3". For dedicated hunting 4" or 6".
I've never been around a 686 that wasn't laser accurate. It handles stout full house loads incredibly well. Trigger pull is superb.
You can get them in your choice of 6 or 7 round. Speedloaders abound for the 6 rounder (Safariland) while the 7 rounder leaves you with HKS only.
I will always have my 686s and plan to hand them down to my kids.
Nah, on second though, they can just buy their own
I have a 686-3 with the 4 inch barrel. Sweet shooter and easy to handle even with hot .357 loads. My wife likes to shoot .38 special out of it as she is recoil sensitive due to breaking her thumb years ago. Highly recommended.
I picked a 2.5in 686 plus a few months ago and it is a great shooter. It is really a great firearm and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a 357.
I think you are making the right decision, I have one and it is very accurate. If you get one and don't like, there are plenty of people that will take it off your hands.