Been noticing over on GunBrokers as well as here, where there are several 686s, mostly 6 plus inch barrels that have scopes on them. There appears to be a Stainless Rail affixed to the top of the gun which the scope is mounted onto. How is this "Rail" mounted to the 686 ? Do you need to actually drill new threaded holes into the gun, or are they using the existing rear-sight hole ? When you blast off a .357 it seems like the scope & the mount may get a real "jarring". That Rail has got to be really affixed to the gun. Any comments or pics would be greatly appreciated.

There are several mfg.'s who make scope mounts for S&W's. The rear sight is removed, and the mount fits with a shoulder against the rear sight cut out. This withstands the most of the recoil. With lesser calibers, the older frames which were not drilled for scope mounts can use mounts such as B Square sells but heavy recoiling guns such as the .357 and .41 mag and .44 mag really need multiple screw down points. I'm not sure just when S&W began putting the scope mount holes in the top straps but it has been quite a few years. Finding a 686 with pre-drilled holes shouldn't be difficult.

Of course you can always have a good gunsmith drill & tap holes to install a scope mount. Collector value of the gun may be affected, but it is of no difference with a shooting gun.

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H Richard
SWCA1967

Since '93 Smith&Wesson has been drilling most K, L, N frames for mounts. The holes are hidden under the rear sight, but you can open the cylinder and look at the bottom of the top strap to see if your's is drilled. Prior to '93 models can be drilled and tapped by a gunsmith. There are a couple of mounts that do not require the mount holes. These either pinch the top strap or use a barrel clamp or band. They are bulky and unstable. I tried them, then had my 686 no dash drilled and tapped. I am much more pleased with the results. This is the base I used made by Weigand.

Right. Remove the rear sight and the holes will be obvious. Use a little blue loctite on the screws.

I've put one on my 627, and it works very well.

Any 686-4 or later is pre drilled and tapped. Weaver sells a scope base for around $5 or 10 it is number 401S or 401B

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May God Bless The USA

I use a Nikon Red Dot instead of a scope. My mount uses three screws to attach it to the frame. The mount also has my original rear sight mounted on it with a blade front sight so you can use it without the Red Dot and without removing the mount. And, yes there is a lot of jarring but Blue Permatex helps.

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Lobo, that is one good looking piece. Are you doing much shooting with it or are you mostly a collector & who made your mount ? For the other guys who "educated me" on the Rail Mounts, i did not know about S&W predrilling the 686s. Thank you for your info. My 4 inch 686-1 does not have the holes, however my 2 1/2 inch snubbie 686-6 does.

I shot it today as a matter of fact. I usually shoot it when I can get a decent selection of .357 Magnums. My wife actually accuses me of being a collector but I'm not ~ LOL. I shoot everything I own, and this PC M627 is no exception. I bought the mount right off the S&W web site. It was a little pricey but I wanted one that would allow me to co-mount my original iron sights.

Eventually I'll try a scope but for now I'm happy with the Red Dot. It seems to take the recoil beating okay. I use the Burris FastFire II on my Beretta and that works great.

I just got a no dash 686 without the modification and am waiting for the shipping label to arrive from S&W. I plan on having it drilled and tapped while at the factory for the mod. I figure better let the factory do the drill and tap and get it done right. I have a red dot that I would like to mount on my 686. Will check on getting the weaver mount mentioned in this thread.

Lobo,

went looking over on the S&W website & they seem to have a bunch of mounts. Which one did you get ?

exfebee...hopefully this link will work. This is the mount I bought:
Product: Warne Silver Finish Base for S&W K, L, N & X Frame Revolvers

If all else fails, it has a reference number of: 19223000

Last time I scoped my 686 I used a Millett mount , very low profile and relatively inexpensive.

I have a 4"686+P I have quick detachable Weaver lever lock rings installed on a Leupold 2x scope and a Bushnell R/G Dot scope.This set up works well for me.Scope outdoors,Dot indoors.

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Retired Plumber

I got a BSA red dot that will not mount with 401S weaver base what do i do to get this mounted and working

Here is a fine mount for the Smith revolvers. Further, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Available in both blued and silver:

Smith Wesson scope mount KLN frame

These mount bases use the sight cut out as a recoil lug and you should have NO fears of problems. I've got a bunch of revolvers with scopes and Red Dot sights on them, so have a bit of experience in this area.

FWIW
Dale53

I don't like the piccatiny or weaver rails on the revolvers, I htink they look too large and don't fit it well, plus, a pinched chamfer is not as strong as a dual dovetail design. So I prefer the leupold dual dovetail mount. It also has the step in the back and a shaped bottom to conform to the revolver frame, so the screws do not take most of the recoil, they just hold the base down. They hold up to my 460 Magnum just fine and come in blued or nickel.

1-Piece Dual-Dovetail Pistol Scope Base S&W K L N Frame (Pre-Drilled Tapped) Silver

1-Piece Dual-Dovetail Pistol Scope Base S&W K L N Frame (Pre-Drilled Tapped) Gloss

It is definitely not a quick detach though.