Picked this up today for 600 OTD. Tight gun mostly holster wear. No RWO but has the grips as a Lew Horton. Box and papers.. Is the gun correct and or grips???? Just saw that huge gap at the base of the backstrap... Product code 104231 matches gun.. Also how would you clean up the Stainless finish regarding scratches??? Thanks to all....

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Nice gun
Grips are correct and so is gap at grip bottom,
$600 OTD seems really good to me, I just found one in Ex+ condition no box or docs for $500 OTD so about the same deal when adjusted ?

You dont see 686 snubs pop up for sale too often and when you do IIRC they are closer to $900

there are threads on refinishing SS Smiths if you do a search..

I have the Same Gun Box & all I purchased new in the mid 80's Yours looks correct when compared with Mine.

Nice gun. I gave slightly less for mine a few months ago. I didn't get the box or the proper stocks. Those stocks will set you back $100+ if you can find them. I shoot mine better than any revolver I own. Good buy on a great gun. Congrats and enjoy.

As far as cleaning up scratches in stainless I have used two products that work about the same. Mothers Mag Polish, and Flitz. I prefer the Flitz, but both will give you the same result. Use a little at a time and go slow. The gun will polish up really nice.

Sad to say those grips aren't original, and frankly look pretty hideous on the gun. Your 686 shipped from the factory with a set of chewed up Pachmyrs with one medallion missing. Fortunately I have a spare set lying around and will trade you straight up if you cover shipping.



I'd say you made a fine purchase, friend.

As advised, Mothers Mag or Flitz will clean up the handling marks provided they don't run too deep. Do know that they will move the finish toward a more mirrored polish -- perfect if that's what you prefer. If however you want something closer to the factory brushed look, Norton sanding pads in a variety of grits are suggested.

Or, simply enjoy its history as evinced through the finish and shoot your fine new piece.

Just was wondering why the Standard Catalog mentions that the 2-1/2 barrel became regular production in 1990. I beleive this gun was made between 1986 and 1987. Also the manual that came with the gun does not refer to the 2-1/2 barrel length. Only the 4, 6, and 8-3/8. Check out the pic.

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So, how come you posted in the 1961-1980 Forum? (LOL) Just giving you a hard time. No offense intended.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

How to address the scratches?
Remove the grips and drag it down a gravel road.
Then, it will match the factory brushed finish.

Just kidding. I'm not a big fan of Smith's brushed stainless finish.
It looks like it was done by brain-dead monkeys on crack.
I'd have preferred they be bead blasted.
But, that's just my opinion. My opinion is worth even less than you paid for it.

Nice L-snub.
I think I'd put some Pachmayr (or Hogue, if you prefer them) galoshes on it and test fire it a lot. And I mean a LOT.

It would look great with a high polish, but that wouldn't be original and would adversely affect the whole concealment thing.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Those 686 snubs are down right mean looking. Nice find.

Just testing a person like you Dave....

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Sounds like you decided to be offended after all. Too bad. It wasn't meant that way.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Dave I know it was a joke. It was supposed to be a joke back to you. I'm not offended at all. No worries it's all good here.

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I've heard of using Scotchbrite pads to restore the brushed finish.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

From personal experience -- Norton sanding pads are excellent for this purpose.

Scotchbrite or Norton works for me. What grit would you start and finish with???? I have used Flitz before and turned the gun into a great polished finish. That's not what I want. Just trying to restore the original finish.
Thanks to who respond. I felt a little lucky finding this one so I want to make it look as good as possible.

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Good info here, and in the links herein:

How to polish stainless WITHOUT losing matte finish?

I brought back a very rough stainless finish by starting with some 200 grit wet-or-dry, moving to 400, then a green, red and gray Norton sanding pad, in that order.

I completely disassembled the revolver, took my time, and avoided all critical dimensions and angles.

Advice, of course, is to start gentle and only escalate as needed. Based on your pictures, I'd actually start with a gray Norton and see how that works, and only go coarser as needed based on polishing out the scratches, then gently work my way back to gray.

The 2 1/2" became a catalog item in 1990. The earliest production of this barrel length was for Lew Horton in 1984 (2500 produced). It started as a production model in 1987, probably for distributors. Thank you SCSW.

Love that 2 1/2" 686. Yours was completed January 19, 1987 according to the Julian date on the box.