I want something capable of handling 357 loads. Not the model 19 or 66. Thanks for the help!

686 is an L-frame.
Larger than the K framed 19 and 66, smaller than the N-framed 27 and 28.
Never owned an L frame, but given that they chamber some of them with 5-shot .44 Magnum cylinders, I’d think it’d stand up to a regular diet of normal .357’s. Like any pistol, running it hotter than hell day in/day out will accelerate wear.

I've owned two 686's. They're plenty strong. They have full under lug barrels. I like that feature, even on a short barrel. Plenty of steel in the forcing cone. Frame mounted FP's to withstand primer flow in heavy loads.

I think S&W still makes the model 27 chambered for 357 built on the N Frame. For reasons that illude me, the bigger frame always seems to be smoother in DA..

The Ruger GP 100 may also be a choice. It's reputation for strength and durability are deserved IME..

have shot the 19, 66 and 28. I had along time a 586 that I smoothed up, the best of the four, suspect the 686 would be my current favorite.

Currently am shooting the 28 and a GP100 That Ruger is a nice gun.

I think you've read some exaggerations about the K frames but if you want tough, I would suggest the Ruger GP-100. Great revolvers.

Find one of the seven shot Models 520 or 620. I have a 19, 27 (x2), a 66, a 520, and a 620. The 620 is my favorite .357 handgun as it fits my hand better than the N-frames and is smoother than the K-frames. Sort of like the Mama Bear's bed of S&W .357 Mag revolvers, not too big/heavy and not too small/light, just right, at least for me.

I think that Skeeter Skelton wrote that the bigger/heavier cylinder of the S&W 27 gave it more momentum when shooting it double action and that contributed to it being smoother.

Thanks!!

An L frame S&W is your huckleberry, it was designed for the .357. Unless you go with something like a Ruger GP100, Taurus (not sure what they are). I would take a look at the new Kimber K6 depending on your needs. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did once I held one.

All this being said - my favorite and last revolver that I will own is my 1992 S&W model 686-3 4" stainless .357 mag.

Recently I had the opportunity to play with a 4" Ruger GP100 for a while. It was their Match Champion version. For many years (decades really) I have preferred S&Ws but the GP100, and specifically the Match Champion is really an exceptionally nice revolver.

If I were in the market for a new .357, that would definitely be the model I would be looking at. In fact if I was relegated to just one .357 mag, I would pick up one of those and call it good.

Again thanks for the information.

If you somehow manage to wear a S&W 686 out, good on you. Because that's an accomplishment not many shooters have the opportunity to do.

I bought a like-new 620 for $350 about twenty years ago. Some have fussed about the two-piece barrel (same as the .500!), but as you say, I find it to be an excellent balance of size, power, and capacity. The half-lug barrel is an excellent feature. They still make other 7-shot L-frames, but I didn’t see any with the half-lug. Right now I have a set of the polymer Jordan grips on it, with a bit of grip tape here and there. Also have a Milt Sparks black horsehide IWB holster and a Simply Rugged pancake. Carries pretty well in a good holster.

What are you going to use it for? 66s, 686, and GP 100s I’ve owned them all. I would take a 686 over a GP100 however the GP100s are accurate and strong.

Colt.

Your welcome