If you could only keep one...

YankeeIronSights · July 12, 2019, 10:01 PM

Hi Everyone,

If you could only keep one, which of these two revolvers would you choose?

SW 686 2.5” Pre-lock or
Kimber K6s 2” w/hammer

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cslinger · July 12, 2019, 10:30 PM

686 all day everyday and twice on Sunday.

Not bashing the Kimber but they ain’t making that 686 anymore.

gbclarkson · July 12, 2019, 10:36 PM

If I could only keep one? You mean, I get to keep it? Well, then, I choose the Kimber.

If you get to keep it then pick the one you shoot most accurately.

balin · July 13, 2019, 12:09 AM

Depends on what you want it for. Shooting or investment the Smith. Carry then the Kimber.

AzShooter · July 13, 2019, 12:35 AM

I'd say the 686 and never look back. You can get an excellent trigger on the Smith and there are many gunsmiths that work on them. The Kimber is rare and not many gunsmiths that I know of.

**44 AMP** · July 13, 2019, 01:27 AM

of the two choices offered, "there can be only one"

SW 686 2.5” Pre-lock

shurshot · July 13, 2019, 05:55 AM

I would chose the SW 686, even if it had the lock (which can be easily removed and plugged).

P5 Guy · July 13, 2019, 06:56 AM

Smith&Wesson 686-4

CajunBass · July 13, 2019, 07:27 AM

686, but then I've never even held the Kimber.

Why bother when there are still Smith and Wesson's out there...

rclark · July 13, 2019, 08:38 AM

Neither.... I wouldn't have owned one in the first place, so no choice to make

. Why bother if there Colt and Ruger Single Actions around. Ha!

Hal · July 13, 2019, 08:46 AM

686 all day long.

It's a pre-lock so it's value is going to increase - IMHO - more than the Kimber will (if it does at all).

Plus - I just flat out don't like Kimber. (even though I have 2 of the 1911's and carry one of them on occasion)

223 shooter · July 13, 2019, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Smith&Wesson 686-4

The -4s are my favorites of the 686s - I have 2.5" seven shot and a 6".

Auto5 · July 13, 2019, 09:35 AM

Can I have the other one? :-)

mk70ss · July 13, 2019, 12:05 PM

686. No contest, and I like my Kimber K6s, but......

HighValleyRanch · July 13, 2019, 12:25 PM

I've already gone through this. Have owned 586, sw 19, ruger security six and speed six, LCR's and now I am going with the Kimber K6.
It shoots as wells as any of the others but is a much smaller, compact package for carry that feels like a swiss watch.
So my vote is Kimber K6. Would have gotten the hammered version if it was avaiable at the time, but no problems in accuracy with the original version.

Ben Dover · July 13, 2019, 12:37 PM

I'd trade them both for a 686 with 6 inch barrel.

YankeeIronSights · July 13, 2019, 07:46 PM

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YankeeIronSights · July 13, 2019, 07:49 PM

Size and weight is a practical factor, if one wants to conceal carry. The Kimber wins hands down for that purpose. For any other application, the 686 is perfect.

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Cheapshooter · July 13, 2019, 07:59 PM

I would never allow myself to get into that dismal of a situation in the first place.
But if I must play, the S&W with no contemplation.

FrankenMauser · July 13, 2019, 09:04 PM

686

thesmithiz · July 14, 2019, 05:58 AM

any 686 lock or not. I have a 3" with lock an i shoot that thing better than every gun i have, second to that one is my MP 9 2.0 full size. Those 2 guns would keep me very safe in my hands. All that said though i have looked and handle those Kimbers and would love to justify the expense sometime.

Super Sneaky Steve · July 14, 2019, 10:17 AM

Most people saying to keep the Smith don't own a Kimber K6.

I own both and I say keep the Kimber. It's a better carry gun.

cslinger · July 14, 2019, 11:34 AM

The Kimber is a very nice revolver with a nice, but odd feeling to me, trigger. More importantly the Kimber is a current production item.

The 686 is a revolver from a storied name from a time when we all look at through rose colored nostalgic glasses that they are not making anymore. (That hole in the side makes a difference if not mechanically, aesthetically and or politically. This makes the 686 the better choice overall IMO unless the choice comes down to PURELY tool for tool.

If this is simply a tool for tool choice. Pick the one you shoot better or addresses your problem better. Carry take the Kimber. Bedside/Jack of all trades take the 686.

Heck took for tool all value and emotion aside.....sell both and get a mid sized piece of tactical Tupperware.

All that said for me personally in that conundrum I still take the 686.

HighValleyRanch · July 14, 2019, 12:29 PM

It would be fun to see a photo of the Kimber next to the 686.
The smith would seem HUGE!

FrankenMauser · July 14, 2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

I own both and I say keep the Kimber. It's a better carry gun.

True. I don't own both.
But I also don't carry my 686. It's for shootin'. Other things are for stuffing down my pants.

No one ever said that the "one" had to be used for concealed carry.

July 12, 2019, 10:01 PM	#1
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 217	If you could only keep one... Hi Everyone, If you could only keep one, which of these two revolvers would you choose? SW 686 2.5” Pre-lock or Kimber K6s 2” w/hammer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

July 12, 2019, 10:30 PM	#2
cslinger Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,810	686 all day everyday and twice on Sunday. Not bashing the Kimber but they ain’t making that 686 anymore. __________________ "Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"

July 13, 2019, 01:27 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 21,988	of the two choices offered, "there can be only one" SW 686 2.5” Pre-lock __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 13, 2019, 07:27 AM	#9
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,595	686, but then I've never even held the Kimber. Why bother when there are still Smith and Wesson's out there... __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

July 13, 2019, 08:38 AM	#10
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,315	Neither.... I wouldn't have owned one in the first place, so no choice to make . Why bother if there Colt and Ruger Single Actions around. Ha! __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

July 12, 2019, 10:36 PM	#3
gbclarkson Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: None of yer business, sonny Posts: 376	If I could only keep one? You mean, I get to keep it? Well, then, I choose the Kimber. If you get to keep it then pick the one you shoot most accurately.

July 13, 2019, 12:09 AM	#4
balin Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Location: Federal Way Posts: 112	Depends on what you want it for. Shooting or investment the Smith. Carry then the Kimber.

July 13, 2019, 12:35 AM	#5
AzShooter Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Surprise, Az. Posts: 592	I'd say the 686 and never look back. You can get an excellent trigger on the Smith and there are many gunsmiths that work on them. The Kimber is rare and not many gunsmiths that I know of.

July 13, 2019, 05:55 AM	#7
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,350	I would chose the SW 686, even if it had the lock (which can be easily removed and plugged).

July 13, 2019, 06:56 AM	#8
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Smith&Wesson 686-4

July 13, 2019, 08:46 AM	#11
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	686 all day long. It's a pre-lock so it's value is going to increase - IMHO - more than the Kimber will (if it does at all). Plus - I just flat out don't like Kimber. (even though I have 2 of the 1911's and carry one of them on occasion)

July 13, 2019, 09:35 AM	#13
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Can I have the other one? :-) __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

July 13, 2019, 12:05 PM	#14
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,255	686. No contest, and I like my Kimber K6s, but...... __________________ Say when.....

July 13, 2019, 12:25 PM	#15
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3,614	I've already gone through this. Have owned 586, sw 19, ruger security six and speed six, LCR's and now I am going with the Kimber K6. It shoots as wells as any of the others but is a much smaller, compact package for carry that feels like a swiss watch. So my vote is Kimber K6. Would have gotten the hammered version if it was avaiable at the time, but no problems in accuracy with the original version. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

July 13, 2019, 12:37 PM	#16
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 663	I'd trade them both for a 686 with 6 inch barrel. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

July 13, 2019, 07:46 PM	#17
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 217	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

July 13, 2019, 07:49 PM	#18
YankeeIronSights Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 217	Size and weight is a practical factor, if one wants to conceal carry. The Kimber wins hands down for that purpose. For any other application, the 686 is perfect. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

July 13, 2019, 07:59 PM	#19
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,284	I would never allow myself to get into that dismal of a situation in the first place. But if I must play, the S&W with no contemplation. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

July 13, 2019, 09:04 PM	#20
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Potatoes and Hops Posts: 12,446	686 __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 14, 2019, 05:58 AM	#21
thesmithiz Junior Member Join Date: March 24, 2019 Posts: 4	any 686 lock or not. I have a 3" with lock an i shoot that thing better than every gun i have, second to that one is my MP 9 2.0 full size. Those 2 guns would keep me very safe in my hands. All that said though i have looked and handle those Kimbers and would love to justify the expense sometime.

July 14, 2019, 10:17 AM	#22
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,060	Most people saying to keep the Smith don't own a Kimber K6. I own both and I say keep the Kimber. It's a better carry gun.

July 14, 2019, 11:34 AM	#23
cslinger Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,810	The Kimber is a very nice revolver with a nice, but odd feeling to me, trigger. More importantly the Kimber is a current production item. The 686 is a revolver from a storied name from a time when we all look at through rose colored nostalgic glasses that they are not making anymore. (That hole in the side makes a difference if not mechanically, aesthetically and or politically. This makes the 686 the better choice overall IMO unless the choice comes down to PURELY tool for tool. If this is simply a tool for tool choice. Pick the one you shoot better or addresses your problem better. Carry take the Kimber. Bedside/Jack of all trades take the 686. Heck took for tool all value and emotion aside.....sell both and get a mid sized piece of tactical Tupperware. All that said for me personally in that conundrum I still take the 686. __________________ "Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"

July 14, 2019, 12:29 PM	#24
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 3,614	It would be fun to see a photo of the Kimber next to the 686. The smith would seem HUGE! __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

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