I have been looking at lots of photos trying to figure out why the earlier 686 hammers and triggers look very nice and silver (686-0 thru 686-3) but then start looking all dingy (686-4 and on). Everybody says that the -4 model is the one to have, with forged hammer and trigger, but the finish and look of those parts are typically black/brown/grey and not at all uniform...almost like a rusty color in some cases. Is this normal? Can it be polished to be more uniform looking? When did the MIM parts come into play, and do they look the same as forged parts? What were the older silver parts made of? Thanks in advance for your replies...B

The hammer and trigger on stainless guns were stainless for a brief period of time (think early model 60), then "flash chromed" forged steel to match the color of the rest of the gun (later model 60, early model 66 to 686-3). Next, they were the standard color casehardened parts of the blued guns (these are the ones you see on a 686-4). They are currently MIM but still casehardened; the colors on these are less bright than on forged parts. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

That is from the case hardening process. A lot of people think it's beautiful, I think it is as ugly as a baboon's backside. Looks like a paint job that needs two more coats to me......

The silver triggers and hammers are hard chrome finish and I love those.

Make that two!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies!!! B

That makes 3 Pretty ugly indeed