Which would you choose? 2.5" 686-plus (7 .357 Mag) or 3" 696 (5 .44 Spl)

[SnubbyMan]

Which would you choose for a primary civilian CCW? I would feel equally confident with either, but I thought it would be fun to see what everyone else thought.

They are both roughly the same size (L-frame snubs), but on the one hand you get 7 rounds of .357 Mag/.38 Spl, and on the other hand 5 rounds of .44 Special.

Seems like this poll would bring into consideration a few of the age-old debates like capacity, slow/heavy vs. fast/light, cost of ammo vs. amount of practice, etc.

It's a slow day at work today...

 

[Smurfslayer]

magnums...of course.

Even if you miss, muzzle blast will provide a serious secondary "negative reinforcement" to any further hostilities.

 

[chaim]

I think I'd go with the 696. My main bedside gun (and when in CCW state, carry gun) is a 5 shot .38spl Taurus 85CH so I'm OK with 5 shots, though 7 in the same size package would be nice. I am a big .38 and .357 fan as well, but also appreciate larger, slower, low pressure rounds (.44spl will give great performance without as much "fuss" as the magnums or even .38+P). Really, both have advantages and disadvantages that almost even out for me, but I am a huge fan of the medium framed 3" revolver and would take that over the 2.5" any day. If the 7 shot .357mag was the 3" and the .44spl the 2.5" I'd go with the 686, but the .44spl is the 3" so that would be my pick. Now, if both were in the same barrel size it would either come down to a coin toss or my particular mood that day, if I didn't already have a similar gun (in my case, since I do have the 3" S&W 65LS in .357 I would still go with the .44spl since it would add something I don't already have).

 

[ewayte]

I'll take the .44 Special. I find 7 shooters just "wrong."

 

[thebucket]

I choose .44 Special as well. I like those big fat bullets they spit.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Personally, I think both are a tad heavy but maybe it's different for men, but...I have two 686+ revolvers: one 4" and one 2" - both work for me.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I like the .44 special and would snatch up in a heartbeat a 696 priced comparably to a 686 (I have two 6 shooters, BTW and love 'em both). 696 are bringing collector prices right now. I really wish S&W would make another run of them.

 

[Marshall]

.44 special

 

[Moonclip]

There has been discussion on this at www.smith-wessonforum.com. Personally while a 44 fan for most people and most uses the 357mag version would be cheaper to shoot and more versatile esp. if you are not a reloader.

 

[Fatelvis]

Bigger bullets = more pain!

 

[71Commander]

I have the 386PD, which is the 686 in an Airweight frame. Loaded up with full throttle .357's, I wish it were a 6 rounder. I also have a 3" 629. Same as the 624, just a mag round as opposed to the spl. Same size gun though. The N frame is, IMHO, way bigger than the L frame. The L is closer to the K.

 

[DragonFire]

While I like the .44 I think it may be a tad much for CCW and practice can get expensive.


I've just purchased a 386, a 7 shot .357 airweight, so of course I'd have to side with the .357 anyway.

 

[L-Frame]

7 rounds of .357 (or .38+p+) or 5 rounds of .44 spec. No contest, .357/.38

 

[71Commander]

Well i'll be dipped in ?????

Just doing some research on the 696. I owe this thread an apology. When did S&W come out with a .44 spl. "L" frame? I thought they were ALL "N" frames.

Disregard my earlier post.

 

[jdkelly]

I have two 686s and and two 629s. A 3" 696 would be a addition.


Respectfully,

jkelly

 

[SnubbyMan]

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll. I actually put a deposit down on a 2.5" 686+ today. I've been wanting one for awhile now. Their deviancy from the normal 6 round capacity has always intrigued me.

I already have a 696-0, but as others have stated above, practicing gets quite expensive, because I do not yet reload. Plus, none of the gun shops around me stock .44 Specials regularly (none ever carry the 200 gr. GDHPs), and local ordinances prevent me from buying over the Internet or via mail-order.

My favorite SD revolver currently is a 2" Model 64. I like it because the Pachmayr Compac Professional grips I have on them fit me like a glove. I am hoping since the K & L frames share the same grip size, I may have an equally natural pointing revolver, with the added benefits of being able to step up to .357 Mag when desired, and the availability of one more round at my disposal.

 

[Colt46]

go for the .44

bigger holes, less muzzle blast, bigger intimidator when viewed from the business end, less chance of over penetration. Besides, I already have a 686 and am looking for an excuse to buy a .44 spl.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I hit the bull's eye at 75ft with my 686. Perfect shooter really, excellent choice.

 

[Stainz]

For CCW, I'll go 2.5" .44 Special - my 296 Al/Ti Airweight loaded with GA Arms or Blazer 200gr GDJHP's. It hits coincident POI/POA at 12-15yd. My 696 is just too much fun as a plinker. I can hit 12" plates at 110yd with my homebrew .44 Russians and Specials with it.

About 696 prices, I found a 'deal' last month in the local 'pusher's' used case - a 696 no dash, in like new condition with box, for $350. I called a friend who had fallen in love with my -1 and told him... he got it for $300 OTD! They are out there... priced right... keep looking. I still think that a better choice for .44 Specials & Russians (and Magnums) is the 629 Mountain Gun, currently available new once again. An extra inch in the barrel and four more ounces of mass aren't that much... add the new .500 Magnum/X-frame Hogue backstrap enclosing grips, available from S&W for $35, and it handles .44 Magnums quite well. It's new price of ~$600 beats the heck out of some of the used 696 prices, too. That friend put a set of those X-frame grips on that 696, a bit of overkill to me.

Stainz

 

[9mmepiphany]

my choice has been a M-696 loaded with 5 rounds of blazer 200gr GDHP. i've found the softer blast/muzzle flip allows faster followup shots and it also seems to be more accurate.

a 7 shot six shooter just seems wrong to me too

 

[DHart]

Got 'em both, even a 3" 686+. I'd take the 686+ over the 696 anytime. More power, more flexibility, more capacity... how could that be a difficult choice?

 

[dawei]

Which would you choose? 2.5" 686-plus (7 .357 Mag) or 3" 696 (5 .44 Spl)

I'd go with the 686+, more power, more rounds, ubiquitious, same size.

 

[mikewilczynski]

both

both are excellent. If I did not reload, I would stick with the 357 because practice would be cheaper

 

[Euclidean]

I love .357 Magnum. Don't get me wrong.

But for a carry gun it's not my first choice.

Go fire one in the dark or in low light conditions sometime. Yes it's true the .44 Special will have noticeable flash as well but when I did it there was no comparison. The .357 flash was blinding even with a light. The .44 Special was bearable.

 

[jc2]

It's not calibre that causes the flash, Euclidean, it's the powder with which the round is loaded that causes the flash. Try some different ammo.