Should I Convert 4” 686 to 2.5”?

[FrankB]

I rarely carry my 4” 686 Plus, but do carry my 2.5” model. A new 2.5” barrel would cost $140, and I would have Dave Olhasso install it (price not known). Based on Lucky Gunner’s testing, the 2” and 4” revolvers give similar results in ballistic gel. I know that’s not the ultimate test, but it’s something: https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/ Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[MK11]

Unless you carry the 2.5 exclusively over anything else and want a trainer for it, I vote no. While it's not a primary carry gun, the 4-inch has more versatility, it's a little more pleasant on the range and it's a wash in the house. Everybody should have a 4-inch .357.

Of course, I would consider converting a 4-inch to a 3-inch. Even though it would have bankrupted me at the time, I still kick myself for not buying one of those no-lock 3-inch 686s that used to be falling off the shelves of Sports Authority in the mid-90s.

[revchuck38]

Unless you carry the 2.5 exclusively over anything else and want a trainer for it, I vote no. While it's not a primary carry gun, the 4-inch has more versatility, it's a little more pleasant on the range and it's a wash in the house. Everybody should have a 4-inch .357.

Of course, I would consider converting a 4-inch to a 3-inch. Even though it would have bankrupted me at the time, I still kick myself for not buying one of those no-lock 3-inch 686s that used to be falling off the shelves of Sports Authority in the mid-90s.

+1 on both paragraphs.

[Norville]

Another “no” vote.

Ballistics are definitely improved, and depending on your holster it’s no harder to conceal IMO.

[FrankB]

Well, I bought a very comfortable shoulder holster for the 4”, but I still reach for the 2.5”. I have been carrying the 2.5” in a 3” OWB holster, and a 3” barrel costs the same as the 2.5”. I have a 4” Model 627, so I’d still have a longer barrel DA/SA. I dunno...

[03RN]

How much to cut the 4" barrel down to 3"?

Cant really use the luckygunner data for anything besides velocity data

[FrankB]

How much to cut the 4" barrel down to 3"?

I haven’t asked Dave for the install price, but a 3” barrel is $140 from Midwest Gunworks. I didn’t like the way the factory filed extractor looked (it was a bit slow timed as well), and Dave did a great job cutting a new one.

[Lon]

I think he meant actually cutting it. Not reinstalling a different barrel. I cut my 4” 67 down to a 3”. Added benefit of keeping the full length ejection rod.

[FrankB]

@03RN and @Lon I don’t know. I suppose the initial CHOP wouldn’t be difficult, but adding the sight might make it a wash.

ETA I’m more of a carry, rather than range gun guy. I do like to have duplicates of what I carry, and I do shoot regularly at the range. If Wu Flu wasn’t limiting supply, I’d just buy another snub 686.

[Stephanie B]

I rarely carry my 4” 686 Plus, but do carry my 2.5” model. A new 2.5” barrel would cost $140, and I would have Dave Olhasso install it (price not known). Based on Lucky Gunner’s testing, the 2” and 4” revolvers give similar results in ballistic gel. I know that’s not the ultimate test, but it’s something: https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/ Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I believe you'd also have to change the ejector rod, too. You wouldn't for a 3" barrel.

I have a 2.5" Model 19 and a 3" Model 65. The difference in carrying the two guns IWB is negligible. So I'd stick with a 3" barrel; it's a tad more effective and you get a full-length ejector rod.