Any Reason to Choose S&W 67 over 686?

[Martowski]

I'm looking into getting another revolver, and have been looking at the S&W 67 and the 686.

I already have a 686 6", but am looking to a 4" wheelgun. I love the 686, but am considering a 67 for nostalgia purposes (my father had one, and it was the first handgun I ever shot). However, nostalgia aside, is there any practical reason to choose a 67 over a 686? I know, of course, one is .38 K frame and the other is .357 L frame (with a full underlug). However, is the 67 any more accurate with .38 loads than a 686? Also, the internals (trigger, etc.) are the same, correct (if both are hammer mounted firing pin models with no locks)? Can the 67 shoot +P rated ammo?

Just wondering, from a practical standpoint, if a 67 has any noticeable performance advantages with .38 loads over a 686. Thanks.

[croyance]

In my hands, a K-frame (especially with the 4" barrel) balance much better than any L-frame. So I get it on target faster and I am more accurate. Also, I get less fatigue. If you are in a CCW state, it will also be easier to carry.
The down side is that you will have more recoil.

[dave0520]

Croyance a .38 k frame will not have more recoil than an L frame .357 mag.

[Martowski]

One other option is a Model 66. Of course, still K frame like the 67, but in .357. However, part of me feels that if I'm going to get a .357, it may as well be a 686.

[Sir William]

I have a M15. Excellent revolver. Accurate, tuned/smoothed action and an absolute classic that will never be produced again. I would choose the M67 for the same reasons. 686s are common.

[SJshooter]

My own personal opinion is that in a four-inch gun, you want balance to be key. Aside from the frame size, you also have the half-lug on the 66/67 vs. full lug on 686 (unless you go Dealer Stocking Special 5" half-lug 686).

66, 67 or 686 for you sounds like it's going to be a case of which one feels best in your hand. My guess is that if you can find a shop with all three, one will stand out above the others for balance, grip and overall feel. When you handle them all in a row, you'll probably find the decision being made for you by your hand. I had a similar dilemma with a 586 (blue 686)... four inch or six, four or six... lots of pros/cons both ways. Then I held them and the six-inch felt real good but the four felt like it was a part of my hand. The decision was easy.

Let us know what you pick, and post photos!

[croyance]

Croyance a .38 k frame will not have more recoil than an L frame .357 mag.

It will, however, have more recoil than a Buckmark with .22LR's.
I was assuming he could compare apples to apples.

[SmokinTom]

If you already have a 686 by all means get the M-67.As long as the price is OK. The 67 is a masterpiece in itself and a joy to shoot. Good luck.

[RON in PA]

If you only need to shoot .38s the model 67 is the way to go. As far as accuracy there is enough gun-to-gun variation that it is a crap-shoot as to whether or not any individual 67 is more or less accurate than an individual 686.
One minor advantage of the 67 is that you won't build up a crud ring shooting .38s in a .357 chamber. It's minor, as, if you clean your guns well this is no problem really. You will get approx. 25-50 fps greater velocity shooting .38s in a .38 chambered gun compared to shooting them in a .357.

The 4" model 67 is lighter and has a different feel than the 4" full-lugged 686. Not much of a difference with a two handed hold, but noticeable with a one handed, bullseye stance. There is a suptle difference in the DA trigger, the 586/686 DA trigger was optimized when Smith and Wesson designed the gun back in the late 70s, early 80s. If you shoot primarily single-action there should be no difference.

If it was me I'd get the model 67, if for no other reason than nostalgia.

[Tacoma]

I've got both. Both are nice. Still, The 67 excells at ballance, weight and being "right sized". A nice 67 will also be about 30-40% cheaper than a comparable 686. ( Seems everybody has magnumitus in revolvers these days).

Drawbacks ? Different sized speedloaders. Not quite the durability of the L frame but plenty enough for most 38 work.

[k in AR]

In my case I prefer a K frame (Mod 13 PC) for carry, and the 686 (-3 !!) for "sport". My wife is a 586 girl, she loves the blues <L>. Personally I can't find a lot of difference between shooting the K & the L, but wife won't hardly shoot a K with a 357 load,.. i.e recoil is a personal thing. Durable?? YES K,L,N etc, just follow the "rules". So bottom line, 67 or 686?, if you like it, it feels good, hits the mark, why not go for it and enjoy it.

[croyance]

Well another thought is that there are new L-frames being made. Not so for K-frames. So if this isn't his last gun, buy the harder to replace one when he finds it.

[XavierBreath]

This Model 67-1, which I almost did not buy, has become one of my favorite shooters. I'd get the Model 67.

[Martowski]

Thanks for the thoughts and input, everyone. I think it will all come down to what feels best in my hands when I go to make my purchase. Xavier... nice 67 (and, by the way, nice collection... I took a look at some of your possessions through the link on your post).