686 or M19? Which one to keep?

[Cerberus]

As much as I love the Model 19, and have lusted after a non-snubby version since I was a youngster, I will have to admit that the 686 is a mighty nice revolver. Even if they are stainless. I'm a shooter, my collector days are well behind me now, so the shooter would stay with me and the other would go bye-bye.

 

[Hookeye]

Don't like stainless? Get a 586. Still see a few float around once in a while.

 

[oldpink]

Since you're talking about a gun intended to be used and not as some kind of investment or collector's item, the answer is obvious: stick with the 686
You'll definitely have no problem finding a buyer for the M19.
There will be two people very pleased once it's all said and done.

 

[Six Forty-Two]

Another thought for the 19, since you have other K frames, the same accessories. Like the stag furnishings, speed loaders, or holsters.

 

[Cerberus]

Don't like stainless? Get a 586. Still see a few float around once in a while.

Oh one of those is on my list, someday. They are now a part of the Classics line and available new, albeit with the IL.

 

[Cowboy1629]

686

 

[Snapdragon]

Update: So far, I have kept both. But I have decided to let a few of my .38 spl's go. The 6" M14 is not as practical, and why get rid of a .357 when I have three M10's?

 

[SSGSAD]

I'm going to be "thinning the herd", and I've decided to only keep one of my Smith .357's.

If YOU could only keep one... which one?

For ME, I would keep the 19, hands down !!!!!

 

[Mrmonte]

Ive been contemplating virtually the same thing, except the 686 w/lock and 19 are 2.5" that ive been debating between. I decided its time to sell the 686(one of these days, lol) , Its the only Smith I have with a lock, + I have a 4" 586 that goes to the range with me most of the time anyway. It wasn't an easy choice for me either.

 

[STEEL CORE]

686

 

[bgcatty]

You will soon deeply regret (did I say seriously regret) selling either handgun. They are both some of the finest examples of the wheel gun perfection; why get rid of either? Keep them both!

 

[in625shooter]

You will soon deeply regret (did I say seriously regret) selling either handgun. They are both some of the finest examples of the wheel gun perfection; why get rid of either? Keep them both!

^&This^^ True statement. Out of the few handguns I have sold a couple S&W tevolvers are the ones I regret.

 

[Snapdragon]

Agreed, bgcatty. So far I've hung onto them both, but a member PMed me an offer on the 686. I really think I might as well hang onto the .357's, and if I have to thin the herd, let a couple of .38's go.

 

[Liberty Sanders]

My vote would be for the 19 but I admit that I'm biased.

I hearken back to the days of Smiths with two digit model numbers, or NO model numbers. When I was a young cop the wheelgun that we all lusted after was the Model 66 with 2.5 inch barrel. They were utterly impossible to acquire due to the fact that all of Smith's production was earmarked for the US Secret Service.

We had to settle for the blue steel 19. I bought mine forty years ago and it was my off-duty and undercover assignment piece until we went to self-loaders. We saw quite a bit of action together.

It retired when I did and now has a cushy job resting in a discreet location guarding one of the doors to my home.

BTW, it is sheer hell to shoot if you feed it .357 fighting ammo.

 

[Snapdragon]

My vote would be for the 19 but I admit that I'm biased.

I hearken back to the days of Smiths with two digit model numbers, or NO model numbers. When I was a young cop the wheelgun that we all lusted after was the Model 66 with 2.5 inch barrel. They were utterly impossible to acquire due to the fact that all of Smith's production was earmarked for the US Secret Service.

We had to settle for the blue steel 19. I bought mine forty years ago and it was my off-duty and undercover assignment piece until we went to self-loaders. We saw quite a bit of action together.

It retired when I did and now has a cushy job resting in a discreet location guarding one of the doors to my home.

BTW, it is sheer hell to shoot if you feed it .357 fighting ammo.

Agreed. I don't load mine with .357 SD ammo-- just .38+P at the most. I think I have a couple of boxes of .357 hollowpoints for SHTF, but they won't be used unless, well, SHTF.

 

[patience0830]

Just couldn't let all this smith talk go without breaking it up with some class.

Which kind of class would that be?



Low?

 

[rhino]

BTW, it is sheer hell to shoot if you feed it .357 fighting ammo.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I acquired a Ruger Speed Six with the factory grips that expose the front and back straps. I loaded some peppy 158 gr SJHP loads and after I fired the first, I couldn't believe how much it hurt. So I fired a second to make sure. Still couldn't believe it, so I fired a third. I was convinced, and handed it to my buddy G so he could experience the pain too. He took it from me, casually ejected the three live rounds and three empty cases, and dropped six .38 spl rounds into it and fired it. All he said was, "Not my first rodeo."

 

[indiucky]

For what it's worth...

They are still making the 686....Classic model 19's? Not so much...I have a rule that if I have to get rid of a gun it's one I can still get...

IMHO...

 

[Snapdragon]

For what it's worth...

They are still making the 686....Classic model 19's? Not so much...I have a rule that if I have to get rid of a gun it's one I can still get...

IMHO...

Yeah, that was my rationale the first time I got rid of the 686, and then I was fortunate enough to get it back. Don't know if I can part with it again.

 

[indiucky]

Yeah, that was my rationale the first time I got rid of the 686, and then I was fortunate enough to get it back. Don't know if I can part with it again.

Well...Realize that quote is from a man who has only gotten rid of ONE 6 inch 686 (but it was for a K 22 variant!) and would NEVER give up his 686 four inch...(I didn't say I was consistent did I?)