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Took my "new" 686 to the range today along with the GP100 and S&W 65-4. Overall, the 686 shot very well and was quite accurate firing 158gr LSWC w/4.5 gr Universal. It wasn't bad with .357 magnum loads but tended to fire low (as expected) with the sights adjusted for the .38 special. Very capable of tight groups at 15 yards. I was somewhat disappointed with the DA trigger pull. Seemed a bit heavy when I started shooting.

On a first range day I'd have to rate the 686 behind the GP100 and 65-4 for overall ease of shooting. I've had a lot more practice with the GP100 and more with the 65 than I have with the 686. That may make a difference. Overall, a pretty good revolver, but I'd have to rate the GP100 as having the better trigger and better ease of shooting.

If I were to take only one to shoot, right now the GP100 would go before the 686.

May not have been the best day to judge. I spent two hours at the gun show waiting for my favorite reloading guy (the only one with bullets) to get his computer working. Went to the range and stopped back buy the show to buy bullets.

My only K frame Smiths are a 17 and a couple of 617s. I do have a 686SSR and a stainless GP-100. All are capable of terrific double action triggers. The Smiths are probably capable of slightly better single action triggers, compared to the GP-100. If your 686 doesn't have as good a double action trigger as the GP-100, it just needs a little more work smoothing the internals. Easy enough to do.

That said, my favorite .357 is my 627PC. It is a stainless N frame with a 5" barrel with a beautiful trigger that shoots great. It also weighs 46 oz. and that helps to dampen recoil with heavy loads.

Took my "new" 686 to the range today along with the GP100

I also have a 686-6", and I love shooting it. I shot my friends GP100 about 4 months ago, so it's hard to remember enough to compare. I always hear good things about the GP100, and not much negative. I think my next revolver will be the "Stampede Marshall" in 45colt or 357mag.
Question: My 686 is a 357mag, would you buy the 45colt or the 35y Stampede Marshall? (I reload 38sp)
haka

I have Blackhawks in .357 and .45 colt. I like the .45 colt round in them better and the .38 special or .357. I've seen the Beretta and most of the reviews I've read have been good.

Keeping all your revolver reloading one caliber makes life a lot simpler and possibly a bit less expensive. If I didn't reload .45 colt, I couldn't afford to shoot it, even if I could find the ammo. Reloading brings it down to about the same price as .45 ACP, although the price of brass has jumped from ~$23/100 to $31/100 over the last 6 months.