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sight distance on S&W 686
- Thread starter ctjoe
- Start date
Hagar the Republican
New member
Not quite sure what you are asking. The sight radius is better the longer the barrel. However, so is the weight. The 4" is a better "all purpose" barrel, and easier to handle quickly, but you'll have to hold them both to find out what feels the best in your hand.
The 686 is a great selection. What are you using the gun for?
The 686 is a great selection. What are you using the gun for?
spacecoast
New member
The distance from the rear sight to the middle of the red ramp on my 6" 686 is 7-1/2".
For target shooting at anything over 15 yards the 6" will be easier and more accurate. It is a front-heavy gun for one-hand shooting, but also yields greater bullet velocities if you decide to hunt with it.
For target shooting at anything over 15 yards the 6" will be easier and more accurate. It is a front-heavy gun for one-hand shooting, but also yields greater bullet velocities if you decide to hunt with it.
I have both 4" and longer guns (6-1/2, 7-1/2, 8-3/8 and 9-1/2). While the sight radius makes a difference in accuracy (of the shooter, not the gun), those longer barreled ones are heavier. If the gun is a back up piece for hunting then go with the shorter barrel. My favorite for that purpose is my S&W 44 Mag Mountain Gun (same as the standard 629 with a 4" tapered barrel and shortened underlug to cut about 5 oz of weight). It's easy to carry, powerful enough for most problems, and very accurate. I also have an Alaskan in 454 Casull, with a 2-3/8" barrel; great for big bears but a bit trickier at distance.
If the revolver is your primary hunting piece then go with the longer barrels. I've two SRHs, one in 44Mag with 7-1/2" and the other in 480 Ruger with 9-1/2". Both superb hunters and light enough to pack. Both are also suitable for scopes but I've not (yet) gone that way.
Thus, regardless of the caliber a longer barrel is better (within reason) for hunting, and a shorter one for secondary or defensive weapons. Either are great on the range. I'm not a 357 guy, but if I were I'd buy the S&W Model 686P, 7-shot cylinder and 4" barrel. Fantastic design and it gets great reviews. I'm not voting against the 6" barrel, just that I already have 4 long barrel guns and a 357 is a carry piece. I'd also consider the Air-lite series if it's strictly a carry gun for felonious humans.
If the revolver is your primary hunting piece then go with the longer barrels. I've two SRHs, one in 44Mag with 7-1/2" and the other in 480 Ruger with 9-1/2". Both superb hunters and light enough to pack. Both are also suitable for scopes but I've not (yet) gone that way.
Thus, regardless of the caliber a longer barrel is better (within reason) for hunting, and a shorter one for secondary or defensive weapons. Either are great on the range. I'm not a 357 guy, but if I were I'd buy the S&W Model 686P, 7-shot cylinder and 4" barrel. Fantastic design and it gets great reviews. I'm not voting against the 6" barrel, just that I already have 4 long barrel guns and a 357 is a carry piece. I'd also consider the Air-lite series if it's strictly a carry gun for felonious humans.
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