IMHO, the Smith & Wesson 686 is the classic revolver. It’s a heavy old thing, built like a brick sh*thouse. Loaded with six .38-caliber cartridges, it’s a soft-shooting pussycat – that’ll leave a big mark on any bad guy. With .357s on board, the 686 is something of a handful – accurate follow-up shots take a cool head and a little extra time. But the terminal ballistics are fearsome. The Smith revolver . . .
also looks more like a gun than any other gun I can name. When licensed open cary comes to Texas, when I want to make a gun rights statement, the 686 will enjoy pride of place on my hip. In short, the 686 is a firearm you can purchase without any possibility of buyer’s remorse. What other handguns answer to that description?