I think I screwed up, what should I do?

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Aim1

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So, I had the chance to buy a Smith & Wesson 686, .357 with a 4" barrel or one with a 6" Power Ported barrel. Both are pre-lock revolvers and both from the same seller, a friend of mine. Both are legal to hunt with where I am. Also, I can only afford 1, so buying both is not an option.

I ended up going with the 6" Power Ported one because I assumed that the extra 2" inches in barrel length would be better for accuracy (deer hunting), and that the extra 2" inches and Power Port would tame the recoil from the heavier deer loads. I want this gun for 2 things, fun plinking and deer hunting.

After talking to people on here it seems that the 4" barreled gun might be the same in the recoil department and the only difference would be whether the extra 2" inches really helps with accuracy or not. It also seems that many folks thing the 2" inches in barrel length would be negligible in the accuracy department. So in their opinion the 4" barreled gun would be the better choice.

I may have a chance to exchange the 6" for the 4" and am wondering if I should do that.

*** I haven't noticed any flash from the Power Port but I shoot in the daylight. I assume if I'm hunting I probably have 1 shot on a whitetail so I'm not too worried about the flash.


Would you exchange the 6" gun for the 4" gun if you were only going to use it for plinking and deer hunting once a year?


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*** I added this post to the General section rather than just the revolver section to attempt to get a more opinions.
 
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I don’t care for the balance of a 4” L frame. The weight out front seems to be more stable and shootable. I don’t care for porting one way or the other. On a .357 I can’t see it being of significance until you approach nuclear level loads.

So, look at the trade offs...
cons of each...
A couple ounces heavier for the 6”
More recoil in the 4” (debateable)
Less accuracy in the 4” (debatable)
Louder in the ported 6” (you should have protection anyways, get over it)

So for a hunting gun, the accuracy is a factor so the 6” should be a preference. For practicing the recoil could be an issue in the 4” helping to develop a flinch so again the 6” should be a preference. The only thing the 4” has going for it is a slight weight reduction, but again that plays into recoil, so I call that an even trade off. Personally I think you did right with the 6”.

Is it a standard barrel that has been ported, or is it a “jug ported” barrel”?
 
While the benefits are not linear, 6 is of course, 50% longer than 4. Not merely a two inch difference. 8-10 and 10-12 is also a two inch difference.

The sight radius is longer even if queered a bit by the port.

I've hunted quite a little bit and never had anything under 6 inches and in fact prefer 8 but that's almost entirely subjective on my part.

I'd stick with what you have and now concentrate on finding the right hunting load and holster that suits you best.

Hell, I'd probably end up cutting off the ported portion of the barrel and re-crowning anyhow. Make everyone whoever ends up owning wonder just a bit.:evil:

Todd.
 
I think you got the right one for your intended use. I know I like my 6” barrels. The 4” might not be legal to hunt with in many states and the 6” will give better velocity and better sighting radius. I would love to have the one you picked. Wear your earmuffs.

To be clear, I absolutely would not change to the 4”.
 
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A longer sight radius is a bit easier to shoot accurately, and adds a little more velocity, so for a hunting handgun, it should give a slight edge.

Neither is a bad choice, and both is an even better choice if you can swing it.
 
I have 686s in 4", 5" and the 6" Power Port. The 6" is the most accurate and is the one most folks will go back to shoot the second time around when we are at the range. For target shooting and deer hunting you cannot go wrong with the 6". I do not find the Power Port that much louder than the others, but I always wear ear protection when shooting any handgun.
 
If you're not going to mount an optic, I'd keep the 6" barrel. The distance between the sights is just one factor.

The other is an equal width front sight that is 1.75" further from the rear sight will give a bit more light on each side of the front sight when squared up in the rear sight. The older I get, the more I need that extra light on both sides of the rear sight. Especially in less than ideal lighting conditions.
 
It's all mostly been said but I'll chime in that you'll likely appreciate the extra weight out in front when bringing it on target and the longer sight radius. I just don't see that there are a lot of arguments that favor a 4" model for your intended purpose except if there are condition/wear issues with the two examples at hand. It has been my personal experience that plinking with a good 6" revolver is a joy when you discover just how far out you can hit a soda can.
 
I say stick with the 6" barrel. If you ever decided that you didn't want the port , a 5 1/2" barrel would be pretty cool. You would lose no sight radius , maybe lessen the report a bit.
5 1/2" ... I like the sound of that.
 
castile said:
I would not hunt with a hand gun. For carry the 4 is much better.IMO
Click to expand...


I've killed them with everything else so I'm looking for a new challenge.

I ordered some .44 mag and .357 mag Underwood ammo so that should work.
 
I’m not sure porting is strictly necessary on a 357. They have never jumped that bad for me.

Even still, if I was hunting with it then I would want the 6” barrel. it is not necessarily more accurate. It is easier to aim accurately with the open sights though
 
The 6“ is the better hunting gun. The longer barrel increases your sight radius which makes shooting accurately easier. And yes, the longer barrel does recoil less than the shorter barrel - I honestly cannot believe that there are people who think otherwise. Add to that, the porting will reduce muzzle climb. Finally, you we’ll get a bit more muzzle velocity.
 
I’ll state what the others said; if I was taking my Dan Wesson 15-2 hunting I wouldn’t put the 4” barrel on, I’d take the 6” or 8” one. It gives you a better sight radius, seems to kick less and boosts velocity more than the shorter barrels.

Keep the one you have. The 4” is a better carry option but the 6” is the better hunting option.

I have a PP 629 in .44, and it’s no louder than my 4” 629 .44 to my (covered) ears. Don’t worry about the porting... in fact if you start shooting 180 gr bullets over a hefty charge of H-110 you’ll come to appreciate it. :thumbup:

Happy hunting, and stay safe.
 
wagonburner said:
...the longer barrel does recoil less than the shorter barrel - I honestly cannot believe that there are people who think otherwise...
Click to expand...
Does it? The pistol with the shorter barrel is lighter. Less weight increases free recoil. However, a shorter barrel usually lowers velocity. Less velocity reduces free recoil. Now which one has less free recoil?

Aim1, the most important question has not been asked or answered- how does your new handgun shoot for you?
 
For hunting I’d definitely use the 6” to get all possible velocity I could. Personally I use a 7.5” SRH in 44 mag. Plus the advantage of the longer sight radius, I’ll take every advantage I can when handgun hunting.
 
6” for me. When a deer in infront of you noise won’t bother you. Also check state law on length cause here it must be 5” or larger.
 
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