Great, accurate revolver that will last a lifetime. Seven rounds of .38 0r 357. Unlike a pistol with a magazine - revolvers go BANG every time. Seven rounds is fine if you know how to shoot a gun. If my life is on the line, I want a revolver like this.

I bought my 686 with the 6 barrel in 1982 and have long ago lost track of how many rounds I have fired through it. It is a heavy piece and that helps a shooter handle .357 mags with ease. I was surprised to find the all of the women I have trained to shoot, preferred this revolver firing .38 specials. At first they complain about the weight but after shooing lighter weight weapons they all prefer shooting this one. When shooting .38 specials it is as gentle as a lamb. But what they like the most is that they can actually hit the bulls-eye with it. It is accurate, the sights are great ]red ramp rear notch[ and the mass keeps the barrel from jumping. I know many think it is expensive but when you realize that I paid under $275 for it in 1982 and could easily sell it for that today, it was actually free!

This is my third S&W 686 Plus, my first was duty size with a 4 inch barrel and the next two including the one I have now were 2.5 inch pre-frame lock models. They were all smooth, reliable and fun to shoot. I have taken this last one through several Sig Arms Academy courses and will go head to head with a single stack 9mm, .40, or .45 ACP on any day. As far as capacity, if you need more than seven rounds in a fight, you need a SWAT Team not a high-cap mag. For a carry weapon, I have a Bianchi #5 belt slide holster and a #3S inside the waist band holster and carry almost every day. I will admit it is a bit heavier than my Para-Ord Carry Companion C-7.45 but I know that it will never, ever jam no matter what it has been fed. I spend a lot of time outdoors on horseback, hiking and on snowshoes and having that warm stainless steel reliable weapon high on my hip is a true comfort in any condition. My wife also carries her 685 Plus “stubby’’ in her purse and likes the recoil absorption of the heavier gun. She had two “Lady Smith’s” and found them too light and too small to hold on to.