Smith Wesson 686 vs 627

liv4spd · February 12, 2024, 05:26 PM

I'm torn between the SW 686 SSR 6-shot or the 627 Pro (8-shot).

Can anyone who owns both shed some light on which one is better?

74A95 · February 12, 2024, 05:35 PM

Define what you think better means. Better for what purpose?

liv4spd · February 12, 2024, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74A95

Define what you think better means. Better for what purpose?

50% range fun and 50% home defense.

wild cat mccane · February 12, 2024, 06:54 PM

If you like that profile, this won't be productive.

But a 7 shot Plus and S&W custom work for $160 gets you all the same upgrades but the recessed crown:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/custome...on-gunsmithing

Is that 627 with moon clips? Not a fan at all.

74A95 · February 12, 2024, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liv4spd

50% range fun and 50% home defense.

Range fun? Which do you think would be more fun? Only you can answer this part.

For defense, 8 shots is better than 6.

74A95 · February 12, 2024, 07:11 PM

Moon clips are optional, not mandatory in a gun cut for moonclips.

Niner4Tango · February 12, 2024, 08:24 PM

You're talking about the difference between an L frame and an N frame. The N frame is going to be a little easier to shoot. The L frame is going to be a little easier to carry. Go handle one of each, L and N, and the decision will be easy to make.

jetinteriorguy · February 13, 2024, 05:40 AM

My 627 was a marvelous pistol, one of my all time favorites until I screwed up and blew the top off. I’d get another one if I could ever find one.

Pumpkin · February 13, 2024, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

My 627 was a marvelous pistol, one of my all time favorites until I screwed up and blew the top off. I’d get another one if I could ever find one.

How did you blowup M27?

1972RedNeck · February 13, 2024, 01:16 PM

Quote:

I'm torn between the SW 686 SSR 6-shot or the 627 Pro (8-shot).

Can anyone who owns both shed some light on which one is better?

I don't have a 686 but I do have a 4" L Frame (619) and a 5" 627. The 627 is my nightstand gun. It just has the perfect balance and feel for me. And it holds 8 rounds. If I could only have one 357, it would be my 627. The trigger is probably the worst of all my Smiths, but it's still far better than my Rugers. Not bad at all, just has a little more take up in single action for some reason. Double action is on par with the rest, and I can shoot it double action the best of all of my revolvers due to the weight and subsequent lack of recoil.

jetinteriorguy · February 13, 2024, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

How did you blowup M27?

Accidental double charge of Titegroup that was already loaded to the max recommended level. I’d like to blame it on a malfunctioning Loadmaster but it also involved a bit of stupidity on my part as well. It took me over 30 years of hand loading to make this happen, carelessness can happen anytime no matter how long you’ve been doing this. It wasn’t a M27, it was a 627.

Hanshi · February 13, 2024, 03:36 PM

I bought a 6" 686 back in the mid 1980s and absolutely love it. I've killed quite a few deer with it and shot the center bull out of targets with .38 spl wc handloads. It's my "forever" revolver.

44caliberkid · February 13, 2024, 08:02 PM

I prefer a no dash or dash2 586.

gnappi · February 14, 2024, 08:53 AM

If you have an auto and load it +1 , then for home defense why 6 shot? Go with the plus 686.

The 627 is bigger, and bulkier and between the 2 putting home defense in the mix I'd pick my 686+ any day.

603Country · February 14, 2024, 09:13 AM

The 686 I have is really a 686+, though I don’t know that 7 shots is better than 6 shots for my plinking. What I do know, for sure, is that a 6 shot speed loader isn’t what you need for a 7 shot revolver. How, you ask, would I know that? Guess.

liv4spd · February 14, 2024, 02:42 PM

Am I the only one who find it weird to have odd number of rounds in a revolver?

rock185 · February 20, 2024, 07:41 PM

liv4spd, My N-frames have all been the 6-shot variety, but I've had several L-frames both 6 and 7-shot, one an SSR. Much as I like the N-frames, the 686s have become my favorite .357s. I think N and L-Frames are both excellent revolvers, just get the one that appeals most to you; don't think you can go wrong..

Forgot to add, no I don't think an odd number of shots is.....wierd. I have one L-Frame that is a 6-shot .357, with a 7-shot cylinder converted to 9mm.

liv4spd · February 20, 2024, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock185

liv4spd, My N-frames have all been the 6-shot variety, but I've had several L-frames both 6 and 7-shot, one an SSR. Much as I like the N-frames, the 686s have become my favorite .357s. I think N and L-Frames are both excellent revolvers, just get the one that appeals most to you; don't think you can go wrong..

Forgot to add, no I don't think an odd number of shots is.....wierd. I have one L-Frame that is a 6-shot .357, with a 7-shot cylinder converted to 9mm.

Many thanks for the advice. I opted for the 686 SSR in the end. I kind of feel like if magazine capacity were the most important factor, I would have opted for a semi-auto handgun instead.

gnappi · February 21, 2024, 06:50 AM

Both are great revolvers. I own a 627 and snubby 686+ and for me they're different guns for different purposes. Either will work for either purpose, with one better than the other depending on use.

The 627 for the range if you shoot a lot.
The 686+ for HD.

Dual purpose with 100% satisfaction for both uses? Dunno about that. If I needed a revolver on the nightstand I'd take the 686+

rock185 · February 21, 2024, 07:06 PM

liv4spd, Good choice, I think. Only thing I did not like about mine was the internal lock. But even though I didn't like the lock, the internal lock did not cause any issues. I did like the slab-sided barrel. Enjoy that new SSR.

TheFlash · April 19, 2024, 06:52 PM

I have both a 1980's era 686 bought new and a more recent 686+ bought new.
Love my old 686 and would never part with it, but the 686+ with the 4" bbl is certainly a viable option for both home defense and range.
Price point less than the OP's two options. I'd recommend the 686+...

February 12, 2024, 05:26 PM	#1
liv4spd Member Join Date: January 28, 2024 Posts: 93	Smith Wesson 686 vs 627 I'm torn between the SW 686 SSR 6-shot or the 627 Pro (8-shot). Can anyone who owns both shed some light on which one is better?

February 12, 2024, 06:54 PM	#4
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,629	If you like that profile, this won't be productive. But a 7 shot Plus and S&W custom work for $160 gets you all the same upgrades but the recessed crown: https://www.smith-wesson.com/custome...on-gunsmithing Is that 627 with moon clips? Not a fan at all. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

February 13, 2024, 03:36 PM	#12
Hanshi Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2017 Posts: 239	I bought a 6" 686 back in the mid 1980s and absolutely love it. I've killed quite a few deer with it and shot the center bull out of targets with .38 spl wc handloads. It's my "forever" revolver. __________________ Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

February 20, 2024, 07:41 PM	#17
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	liv4spd, My N-frames have all been the 6-shot variety, but I've had several L-frames both 6 and 7-shot, one an SSR. Much as I like the N-frames, the 686s have become my favorite .357s. I think N and L-Frames are both excellent revolvers, just get the one that appeals most to you; don't think you can go wrong.. Forgot to add, no I don't think an odd number of shots is.....wierd. I have one L-Frame that is a 6-shot .357, with a 7-shot cylinder converted to 9mm. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

February 21, 2024, 07:06 PM	#20
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	liv4spd, Good choice, I think. Only thing I did not like about mine was the internal lock. But even though I didn't like the lock, the internal lock did not cause any issues. I did like the slab-sided barrel. Enjoy that new SSR. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

February 12, 2024, 05:35 PM	#2
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,570	Define what you think better means. Better for what purpose?

February 12, 2024, 07:11 PM	#6
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,570	Moon clips are optional, not mandatory in a gun cut for moonclips.

February 12, 2024, 08:24 PM	#7
Niner4Tango Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 287	You're talking about the difference between an L frame and an N frame. The N frame is going to be a little easier to shoot. The L frame is going to be a little easier to carry. Go handle one of each, L and N, and the decision will be easy to make.

February 13, 2024, 05:40 AM	#8
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,184	My 627 was a marvelous pistol, one of my all time favorites until I screwed up and blew the top off. I’d get another one if I could ever find one.

February 13, 2024, 08:02 PM	#13
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,105	I prefer a no dash or dash2 586.

February 14, 2024, 08:53 AM	#14
gnappi Member Join Date: June 26, 2005 Posts: 65	If you have an auto and load it +1 , then for home defense why 6 shot? Go with the plus 686. The 627 is bigger, and bulkier and between the 2 putting home defense in the mix I'd pick my 686+ any day.

February 14, 2024, 09:13 AM	#15
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	The 686 I have is really a 686+, though I don’t know that 7 shots is better than 6 shots for my plinking. What I do know, for sure, is that a 6 shot speed loader isn’t what you need for a 7 shot revolver. How, you ask, would I know that? Guess.

February 14, 2024, 02:42 PM	#16
liv4spd Member Join Date: January 28, 2024 Posts: 93	Am I the only one who find it weird to have odd number of rounds in a revolver?

February 21, 2024, 06:50 AM	#19
gnappi Member Join Date: June 26, 2005 Posts: 65	Both are great revolvers. I own a 627 and snubby 686+ and for me they're different guns for different purposes. Either will work for either purpose, with one better than the other depending on use. The 627 for the range if you shoot a lot. The 686+ for HD. Dual purpose with 100% satisfaction for both uses? Dunno about that. If I needed a revolver on the nightstand I'd take the 686+

April 19, 2024, 06:52 PM	#21
TheFlash Member Join Date: October 9, 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73	I have both a 1980's era 686 bought new and a more recent 686+ bought new. Love my old 686 and would never part with it, but the 686+ with the 4" bbl is certainly a viable option for both home defense and range. Price point less than the OP's two options. I'd recommend the 686+...