Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden

Pinned sights became standard on all M686's with the -5 in 1997. Prior to that most M686's had an stainless blade with a red insert that was integral with the base (it was all one piece). The front sight blade could not be replaced.

A small number of early M686's did have a pinned sight, ussually a Patridge. In my estimate, this comprised less than 5% of total production, so they are far less common. H Richard has one. They are mostly seen on a 6-inch gun, and were standard on the 6-inch PowerPort guns. A 4-inch M686 with a pinned sight from this era is so uncommon you could almost call it "rare".

There are also guns with a Silhouette front sight, and the Interchangeable front sight. On the IFS the front sight is held in place by a spring loaded device inside the base and the blade can be removed by hand. When you buy the gun I believe you get six blades, all different. One in the gun, and an assortment of five replacements.

Certain M686's from the Performance Center were made with a conventional dovetail front sight.