In another thread some seemed to indicate that in a given barrel length say 3" that the 686 would be more accurate than the smaller 60. Would that be a true statement? Would the heavier thicker gun on avg be more accurate? Not talking longevity, just .357 out of box same length barrel accuracy with similar sights?
S&W M60 vs M686 accuracy?
- Thread starter coop2564
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carguychris
New member
Assuming the barrel length is equal, I'm going to say "no" and "no" as far as absolute physical accuracy is concerned.
That said, the M686 should have a slight edge in practical accuracy due to:
- Slightly longer sight radius
- Smoother DA trigger pull
- Grip size that's generally a better fit for folks with average to large hands
- More recoil-absorbing weight = less flinching with high-powered loads
Dragline45
New member
I had a 3" model 60 for a couple years, although it was more accurate than a 2" model 60, it is not even close to how accurate my 686 is. It is great gun but it did not fill any particular need I had. It was not a range gun and it was not the best choice for concealed carry IMO so I sold it.
Went to gun range and rented a 686 pro series 4'' today...gun felt great in hands and action very smooth, but it shot poorly and just after 20rds my face was stinging from splatter and powder from gun. Groups were decent at close range 7yds but at 15 and 25 even from sand bags poor. I had pretty much decided to get this gun but wanted to shoot one 1st at near $1k I'm glad I did. Also rented the M60 pro 3'' it shot better and no splatter back in my face but it did not shoot any better than my Charter arms 4" target .357 although the DA trigger was somewhat better. So i think i will just stick with what I have. Neither gun wowed me. 
Any S&W that splatters your face is not properly timed, and needs to be adjusted.
Mechanical accuracy, from a machine rest, will be very close if not the same.
Practical accuracy, in your hands, depends on many things, mostly the grips. You can put big grips on a small frame gun, but that defeats the intent of concealed carry.
Mechanical accuracy, from a machine rest, will be very close if not the same.
Practical accuracy, in your hands, depends on many things, mostly the grips. You can put big grips on a small frame gun, but that defeats the intent of concealed carry.
HighValleyRanch
New member
You can't judge all Smith 686's by one rental gun!
I have a 3" square butt Model 36 that shoots very well, but it can't compete with my 686 for the reasons already discussed. But comparing the two is like saying that a dump truck doesn't handle as well as a sports car, or complaining that a load of coal gets the sports car dirty. We need to recognize that they are different guns, for different purposes.
Jim
Jim
the357plan
New member
The last two brand new S&W 686s I have purchased readily pepper my face with unburnt powder (feels like splatter). 125s loaded hot seem to do this a lot. 158s having more inertia to overcome, will get the powder ignited better before crossing the cylinder gap. Consequently this peppering happens less with heavier bullets. And of course, 38 Special +P doesn't seem to pepper at all. None of my Colts, Rugers, J Frames or old 686s do this, just the new 686s. I think that sometime is the last 10 years or so S&W might have changed the chamber/throat/forcing cone/barrel geometry in someway to cause this. However, the new 686s seem to chronograph higher velocities than Colts and etc..
P.S. This is just my observation with some speculation.
the357plan
New member
I haven't found a S&W 686 that I couldn't shoot well. They just fit my hand. I have found some ammo that shot poorly through my S&W 686s. But the same ammo didn't shoot any better in anything else.
I had the opinion (from my experience) that J Frames didn't shoot as good as the 686s. L Frames were heavier and had better sights (at least for me). However, one of my latest, a S&W 60 Pro, has changed my mind.
I had the opinion (from my experience) that J Frames didn't shoot as good as the 686s. L Frames were heavier and had better sights (at least for me). However, one of my latest, a S&W 60 Pro, has changed my mind.
You'd have to lock them in a Ransom Rest to tell any discernible difference in their mechanical accuracy, which is apparently what is asked here. In the end, I believe two things would come to light.
One, that the 60 shoots better than the vast majority of people think it will.
Two, that you have simply examined a single example of each and no meaningful conclusion can be drawn from such a small sample.
Of one thing I am certain. A well made snub will invariably shoot better than most people can hold it, even from rested positions.
One, that the 60 shoots better than the vast majority of people think it will.
Two, that you have simply examined a single example of each and no meaningful conclusion can be drawn from such a small sample.
Of one thing I am certain. A well made snub will invariably shoot better than most people can hold it, even from rested positions.