Anybody know if S&W made an L framed gun with an unfluted cylinder? Thanks

The 686 Classic Hunter series for one. They have 6" or longer barrels usually (though not always). See this thread.-

Non flutted 686 and 629

The Birdsong coated Green & Black Performance Center 681 (3" barrel) has an unfluted cylinder...a seven shot one to boot!

The local gun shop / range I frequent has a nice looking 686 with an unfluted cylinder sitting in the case. Don't quote me on this, but I believe its a 6" barrel, and a dash 3. I know its no later then a dash 4 as it has no lock and a hammer-mounted firing pin. There are no special marks (such as Classic Hunter) on the barrel or frame. Nice looking gun. If I wasn't already pretty stocked up on L frames, and mostly interested in accumulating the no-dash models, I'd give it some serious thought.

I've owned 2 Classic Hunter's and neither one said "Classic Hunter" on it anywhere.

This is the 29-5 Classic Hunter that I sold to another forum member a year and a half ago. No marks that said so though-

I have a 686-3 with a 5" barrel and an unfluted cylinder.

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195th Session FBINA

I have a 686-3 that has been converted to a PPC gun that sports an unfluted cylinder. The guy I bought it from had the new barrel and sight rib put on, but I understand it was a 6 inch barrel with unfluted cylinder originally.

They made a 300 run of 5" unfluted for Southern Sports a couple years ago. I had one but could not get used to feel of L frame and sold it still unfired to a friend. The grip size just doesn't work for me on K/L frame guns. I should have just stuck it in the gun safe and saved it for the grandson.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

I have this 586 L Comp with an unfluted cylinder:

Yes they did.

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May God Bless The USA

Thanks for the info guys but let me add this, did they make one in a 6 shot .40? The reason I'm asking is I have a 646 I re-chambered to 10mm and with full power loads the cylinder locks up to the point where you need a rubber mallet to get it open. I'm not really diggin' that so from everything I can find out I need to replace the Ti cylinder with a stainless one. I can re-chamber a .357 if that's the only one they made but it's a lot more work. Or, a really neat suggestion on fixing the Ti cylinder, I've polished the **** out of it with no improvement. I've been told S&W coated the Ti cylinders for that reason but I can't find out what the coating is.

posted in wrong thread

I have a 686 unfluted cylinder 7 inch barrel 7 shot

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Always look for the Blue Box

Better hold on to it, not that may made, 300 was the last number I got. I have one to, NIB.

Who would have one of these or a pic and what was the Birdsong finish?
I believe this is the mystery (to me) gun that I seek. anyone got some info????

Unfluted 686 Cylinder .38 Super in NJ

I recently purchased a like-new 6" 686-3 with an unfluted cylinder. Before bidding on it, I called S&W with the SKU from the gun's box and was told that three were made with that same SKU.

After buying the gun for what I considered a fair price, I emailed Roy Jinks and asked exactly how many 686s in all were made with unfluted cylinders. His reply was that while there were only three 6" 686-3s with my gun's SKU made, there were 7,540 unfluted 686s of all the possible barrel length, barrel type, grip and sight combinations made.

Ed

Here's mine with the Birdsong coatings removed

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Dave Frost

Here you go...here's mine albeit a tired so-so quality pic. It is a great gun...not everyone's taste but a great gun just the same.

I was wondering...for those who have this model & removed the coating...what is the best method for a clean professional job? Will S&W do it?

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Interesting reading all the info on unfluted 686's. I won a 6"unfluted 686 at a Ducks Unlimited banquet sometime in the early 80's wish I could post a picture. Its a very fine shooting gun but Im not sure about it being a Classic Hunter model. If anyone can give approximate born date I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks in advance. B DA2882 MOD 686-3

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Glen Lemon

It was made from late 88 to early 89 and could very well be a hunter series model which has a product code of 104249 there were 5000 of them made.

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May God Bless The USA

I was wondering...for those who have this model & removed the coating...what is the best method for a clean professional job? Will S&W do it?

S&W did mine.

I guess that answer takes care of that question

I'm not sure what this is but I saw it one day and went back the next and couldn't find it again. Sure is sweet. It's a seven shot revolver whatever the model number.