Ares S&W 686 4-Inch CO2 Revolver Review: The Compact Wheelgun Worth It?

If the 6-inch Ares S&W 686 is the target-shooter’s wheelgun, the 4-inch version is its more carry-friendly sibling. Shorter barrel, same silver swagger, and a price that undercuts the full-length model. We took the compact 686 to the range to see whether trimming two inches off the barrel costs it anything that matters on a UK skirmish site.

Performance

Like its longer sibling, the 4-inch 686 runs on a 12g CO2 capsule seated in the grip, and that gives it the same reassuring shot-to-shot consistency CO2 is known for. Treat any headline FPS figure as site-dependent — chrono it on arrival and pick your BB weight to suit your venue limit. The shorter barrel trades a little sight radius for a handier, faster-pointing package. The single-action trigger is crisp; double-action is deliberately heavier, true to the real revolver it apes.

The Good

The 4-inch barrel is the whole pitch: it makes the 686 noticeably easier to draw, holster and swing in tight CQB lanes than the 6-inch. The silver finish looks fantastic, the cylinder indexes cleanly, and the realistic shell-loading action is every bit as satisfying here. At a lower price than the full-length model, the compact 686 is the easier one to justify as a fun-gun or a characterful milsim backup.

The Bad

It’s still a revolver, so the same caveats apply: slow, shell-by-shell reloads make this a considered-shot sidearm rather than a spray-and-pray backup. The silver finish is anything but covert. And CO2 sidearms lose a little urgency in cold weather, so a mid-winter woodland game isn’t where the 4-inch 686 shines brightest.

Externals

The shorter barrel shifts the balance back into the hand, making the 4-inch 686 feel livelier and quicker to present than its big brother. Grips fill the palm nicely, the swing-out cylinder and thumb release are exactly where a revolver shooter reaches for them, and the silver-finished frame is the same eye-catching centrepiece. It’s a tidy, well-proportioned package that handles like the service-length revolver it’s modelled on.

Internals

Same analogue heart as the 6-inch: individual shells each carry a BB and load into the cylinder, with the grip-housed CO2 capsule driving each shot. There’s a pleasing simplicity to it — no battery, no gearbox, just a clean mechanical action. Keep the shells and cylinder clean and lightly oiled and the 686 keeps ticking.

Magazine & Gas Efficiency

The cylinder and its shells are the feed system, and a single 12g CO2 capsule will see you through a solid string of shots before a swap. As with the 6-inch, the smart move is pre-loading spare shells between games and keeping a couple of CO2 capsules on you for a full day’s skirmishing.

Parts & Compatibility

The 4-inch 686 uses the same shell format as its platform, so spare shells are the accessory to stock up on. If you want reach as well as carry convenience, the 6-inch version makes a natural companion piece in the same family.

Upgrade Possibilities

As with any wheelgun, the best ‘upgrade’ is preparation. A pouch of spare shells turns a slow reload into a quick cylinder swap, and a reliable supply of 12g CO2 capsules keeps the 686 fed all day. A drop of silicone oil on the seals now and then is all the maintenance most owners will ever need.

Final Thoughts

The Ares S&W 686 4-inch is the pick for players who want the wheelgun character in a handier, cheaper package — ideal for CQB role-play, collectors, and milsim sidearm duty where style beats fire rate. It asks you to slow down and shoot deliberately, and rewards you with presence no polymer pistol can match. If that’s your kind of sidearm, you can pick up the Ares S&W 686 4-inch at Airsoftdirect with fast UK dispatch.