S&W 686 .357 Revolver. The best magnum revolver on the market??? - Page 3

**4V50 Gary** · December 31, 2024, 11:05 AM

Korth! I saw a cutaway at Shot and what Korth did to make their trigger so smooth is to install a roller on the sear.

PzGren · December 31, 2024, 02:30 PM

Yeah,
the Korth is better finished on the inside than some guns on the outside.

**4V50 Gary** · December 31, 2024, 09:43 PM

OK, roller on the trigger tail. Thanks for the image.

PzGren · January 1, 2025, 08:04 AM

Yes, the rollers work in double action and early Korths had a total of five rollers. The diameter determined the amount of stacking.

While I consider it futile to discuss which .357 Magnum revolver is the best, my favorite is an old 5 round Korth. Does it shoot better than my S&W 19, Python, or the MR73? No, they are all great guns.

jetinteriorguy · January 3, 2025, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PzGren

Yes, the rollers work in double action and early Korths had a total of five rollers. The diameter determined the amount of stacking.

While I consider it futile to discuss which .357 Magnum revolver is the best, my favorite is an old 5 round Korth. Does it shoot better than my S&W 19, Python, or the MR73? No, they are all great guns.

Very well put, the Korth is certainly an admirable piece of engineering and quality but a nice older S&W doesn’t leave much on the table when it comes to accuracy. The same can be said of other brands as well. As with most things it’s more about regular practice and proper discipline to be accurate.

Recycled bullet · January 4, 2025, 03:43 PM

Thank you all you guys who showed amazing pictures of beautiful revolvers.

I like to shoot my 686. It eats everything and it's always hungry.

rodfac · January 5, 2025, 09:17 PM

Any .357 revolver with a full under lug is too heavy for all day carry, IMHO, YMMv. While I do enjoy range shooting with my 686, I holster an ancient M-66 when out and about on the farm.

It's heavy bbl. absorbs full house loads, when necessary...but makes it a pussycat with "FBI" (158's at 900 fps). No need for that extraneous lug.

Here's a pic of my #2 son with his holstered in some leather I made up for his Christmas two years ago. Either would be my all time favorite for "Best .357". The 2nd pic shows my own M-66 with Mikulek stocks, 2nd one from the bottom.

Best regards, Rod

BILLG · January 6, 2025, 09:54 AM

jetinteriorguy · January 6, 2025, 08:26 PM

I’d snag that 66 in a heart beat. Aesthetically almost as beautiful as the Model 27 but a little more practical.

rodfac · January 6, 2025, 09:23 PM

Jetinterior....I'd could agree on the M27, especially the 5" bbl'd one, (2nd one down from the top in my post #57)....but only if I didn't have to carry it all day on OWB/Gunbelt. Skelton loved a 5" M27, but I often wondered if he carried it much on duty with his LEO normal load out.

The M27 pictured, is arguably my most accurate .357, but the M19 with the 6" tube above it would give it a run for the money...as would the Ruger Anniversary model BH with the short 4-5/8" bbl. in this post. Given time for an accurate hold, (read: grip the hell out of it), this Ruger is a real bell ringer.

It took me several decades to discover that getting all four fingers on a single action grip gave me better consistency shot to shot than my former "pinkie under" style. Best regards, Rod

jetinteriorguy · January 7, 2025, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodfac

Jetinterior....I'd could agree on the M27, especially the 5" bbl'd one, (2nd one down from the top in my post #57)....but only if I didn't have to carry it all day on OWB/Gunbelt. Skelton loved a 5" M27, but I often wondered if he carried it much on duty with his LEO normal load out.

The M27 pictured, is arguably my most accurate .357, but the M19 with the 6" tube above it would give it a run for the money...as would the Ruger Anniversary model BH with the short 4-5/8" bbl. in this post. Given time for an accurate hold, (read: grip the hell out of it), this Ruger is a real bell ringer.

It took me several decades to discover that getting all four fingers on a single action grip gave me better consistency shot to shot than my former "pinkie under" style. Best regards, Rod

A 4” model 27 is my grail gun, the closest I have is my 4” model 57. They are substantial to carry. About 25 years ago when I still hunted deer I used to carry my 6” model 57 all day on my belt. I would shoulder my rifle while flushing in heavy brush and just deploy the pistol and if necessary use it for a coup degrace on a wounded animal. Back then I never gave the weight of it a thought, I was a lot tougher in those days. I eventually quit carrying it because it really wasn’t necessary for the reasons I previously thought it would be useful. Anyway, nice lineup you have there.

Recycled bullet · January 7, 2025, 07:58 AM

Nice flat top

pete2 · January 7, 2025, 09:58 AM

586/686 very good design if you get a good one instead of a S&W goof.

105kw · January 7, 2025, 03:32 PM

Skelton was in Law Enforcement in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
He probably had what revolver he carried, and he was fond of the Model 27, maybe 18rds of ammo, a handcuffs and case. And maybe a flashlight.
For most of his career there were no portable radios, and probably no body armor.
It was before a lot of technology we take for granted.

radom · January 9, 2025, 03:40 AM

I like the one under the 66 in the picture. Looks like a 3 inch model 60 sheriffs target model 357 in 3 inch. That I can deal with all day with the under lug vs a N K or L frame gun. Here though most the time weight is not that huge off a issue it is the long tubes jamming in car or atv seats that puts the target hammers in my back. Latest one I am adjusting to and really liking is a L frame 69 in .44 mag that does well with .44 special warm loads. And I will add I really like the grips on the 4 inch 27 there too.

rodfac · January 11, 2025, 09:36 PM

Quote:

I like the one under the 66 in the picture. Looks like a 3 inch model 60 sheriffs target model 357 in 3 inch. That I can deal with all day with the under lug vs a N K or L frame gun. Here though most the time weight is not that huge off a issue it is the long tubes jamming in car or atv seats that puts the target hammers in my back. Latest one I am adjusting to and really liking is a L frame 69 in .44 mag that does well with .44 special warm loads. And I will add I really like the grips on the 4 inch 27 there too.

I'd agree with your entire post, Radom. The 3" M60 is one of my regular CC guns...the other is a Sig 365, BTW. The M60 is easy to hide in an OWB, about twice as accurate as a 2" bbl'd model, and I don't mind the full lug on it one bit. My carry ammo is Speer's 135 gr +P .38 Special JHP. The shorter special brass plus the 3" bbl with full size ejector rod, makes for better, more positive ejection....too, the gun is inordinately accurate. I like it in a cross chest rig while fishing down in the Smokies...snake country and a lot of bears.

Your comments on barrel length are right on the mark as well. While I do manage to wear that 5" bbl'd M27 in a high riding OWB, it's the absolute limit in a truck, etc. My M69 with a 4.25" bbl. is comfortable in a high ride OWB as well. The pic below with my 686 and one of my holsters shows how high the belt loop is to prevent the gun diggin into my short ribs....Best regards, Rod

radom · January 12, 2025, 02:37 AM

Now that I am retired I do not have to carry a "approved" gun now and I do like the 60 target but now I am adjusting to a 69 2 3/4 inch 44 mag 5 shooter.

rodfac · January 13, 2025, 06:04 PM

Radom:

Quote:

Now that I am retired I do not have to carry a "approved" gun now and I do like the 60 target but now I am adjusting to a 69 2 3/4 inch 44 mag 5 shooter.

And a very good choice it is!...Skelton's old load would do nicely...7.5 gr of Unique backing a 240 gr LSWC for ~900 fps. Or that old Winchester Silver Tip 200 gr JHP.

Best regards, Rod

December 31, 2024, 11:05 AM	#51
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,128	Korth! I saw a cutaway at Shot and what Korth did to make their trigger so smooth is to install a roller on the sear. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

December 31, 2024, 09:43 PM	#53
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,128	OK, roller on the trigger tail. Thanks for the image. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 6, 2025, 09:23 PM	#60
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,645	Jetinterior....I'd could agree on the M27, especially the 5" bbl'd one, (2nd one down from the top in my post #57)....but only if I didn't have to carry it all day on OWB/Gunbelt. Skelton loved a 5" M27, but I often wondered if he carried it much on duty with his LEO normal load out. The M27 pictured, is arguably my most accurate .357, but the M19 with the 6" tube above it would give it a run for the money...as would the Ruger Anniversary model BH with the short 4-5/8" bbl. in this post. Given time for an accurate hold, (read: grip the hell out of it), this Ruger is a real bell ringer. It took me several decades to discover that getting all four fingers on a single action grip gave me better consistency shot to shot than my former "pinkie under" style. Best regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; January 6, 2025 at 09:31 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

December 31, 2024, 02:30 PM	#52
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,282	Yeah, the Korth is better finished on the inside than some guns on the outside.

January 1, 2025, 08:04 AM	#54
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,282	Yes, the rollers work in double action and early Korths had a total of five rollers. The diameter determined the amount of stacking. While I consider it futile to discuss which .357 Magnum revolver is the best, my favorite is an old 5 round Korth. Does it shoot better than my S&W 19, Python, or the MR73? No, they are all great guns.

January 4, 2025, 03:43 PM	#56
Recycled bullet Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2022 Posts: 446	Thank you all you guys who showed amazing pictures of beautiful revolvers. I like to shoot my 686. It eats everything and it's always hungry.

January 5, 2025, 09:17 PM	#57
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,645	Any .357 revolver with a full under lug is too heavy for all day carry, IMHO, YMMv. While I do enjoy range shooting with my 686, I holster an ancient M-66 when out and about on the farm. It's heavy bbl. absorbs full house loads, when necessary...but makes it a pussycat with "FBI" (158's at 900 fps). No need for that extraneous lug. Here's a pic of my #2 son with his holstered in some leather I made up for his Christmas two years ago. Either would be my all time favorite for "Best .357". The 2nd pic shows my own M-66 with Mikulek stocks, 2nd one from the bottom. Best regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

January 6, 2025, 09:54 AM	#58
BILLG Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 211

January 6, 2025, 08:26 PM	#59
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,389	I’d snag that 66 in a heart beat. Aesthetically almost as beautiful as the Model 27 but a little more practical.

January 7, 2025, 07:58 AM	#62
Recycled bullet Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2022 Posts: 446	Nice flat top

January 7, 2025, 09:58 AM	#63
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,585	586/686 very good design if you get a good one instead of a S&W goof.

January 7, 2025, 03:32 PM	#64
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 447	Skelton was in Law Enforcement in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. He probably had what revolver he carried, and he was fond of the Model 27, maybe 18rds of ammo, a handcuffs and case. And maybe a flashlight. For most of his career there were no portable radios, and probably no body armor. It was before a lot of technology we take for granted.

January 9, 2025, 03:40 AM	#65
radom Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 1,376	I like the one under the 66 in the picture. Looks like a 3 inch model 60 sheriffs target model 357 in 3 inch. That I can deal with all day with the under lug vs a N K or L frame gun. Here though most the time weight is not that huge off a issue it is the long tubes jamming in car or atv seats that puts the target hammers in my back. Latest one I am adjusting to and really liking is a L frame 69 in .44 mag that does well with .44 special warm loads. And I will add I really like the grips on the 4 inch 27 there too.

January 12, 2025, 02:37 AM	#67
radom Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 1,376	Now that I am retired I do not have to carry a "approved" gun now and I do like the 60 target but now I am adjusting to a 69 2 3/4 inch 44 mag 5 shooter.