Lack of Quality Control?

[handgunner356]

Just down to one of my distributors looking for S&W odds and ends, one of them being this latest run of 38 only 686s'. Checking out one of the 2.5" models, nice finish, Hogue Bantam grips, factory box number matching and all. One problem that I thought they might catch is it has a 6" barrel on it! Oh well, they always say the barrel is the easist part to conceal.

[stantheman86]

A 6" 686 chambered for .38 Special?

You may call it a lack of QC, some others might call it collectable.

[handgunner356]

S&W has recently ran a batch of 38 only 686s' in 2.5", 4" and 6" barrels. I always thought the 6" with the patridge sight would make a good Bullseye gun.

[Maximumbob54]

I may have to go see if I can find one. I would love a 686 with a Partridge sight. I'm not a fan of ramps at all. And I mainly shoot .38's in my .357's and that would make clean up that much more easy. Veeeerrry interesting....

[handgunner356]

Well if you want a 6" with a compact grip and box marked 2 1/2" let me know.

[stantheman86]

The reason for a 686 chambered for .38 Special, in current production?

It's not like there's any LE demand for this kind of revolver anymore. Still a neat gun, I like full-size .357 revolvers chambered in .38, and have lots of Ruger Six and GP100 revolvers in .38 Special.

I would love a 4" .38 686, if only I could scrape the cash together.

[murphydog]

Originally Posted by stantheman86

The reason for a 686 chambered for .38 Special, in current production?

My guess would be leftover cylinders from an old contract, like the .38 Special model 13s and 19s from years past.

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by murphydog

My guess would be leftover cylinders from an old contract, like the .38 Special model 13s and 19s from years past.

I doubt this is correct as K frame cylinders will not fit L frame revolvers. The more likely reason is that 38 special L frames have been sold for years in countries where that caliber is allowed to the exclusion of other caliber due to laws or regulations perhaps.

I believe that one or more countries in South America have received such shipments in the past, and there have been overruns sold here in the U.S.

[KEN L]

You just repeated what murphydog just said.

[stantheman86]

I get it, and I do recall something about South American countries not allowing citizens to own anything "Magnum" but .38's are OK......kind of assinine, like people are gonna overthrow the govt. with .357 and .44 Magnum revolvers, but they can't do it with .38's.......

I read this about Brazil, with recent export models of S&W's being sent down there, and I asked "Well why would a country that makes all those good Taurus revolvers need to import S&W's?" I guess all the "questionable quality" revolvers from Brazil get sold here to us Americans who want cheap things that go bang, while S&W is sending export wheelguns to Brazil......