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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 05-24-2011, 12:52 AM
afultz075 afultz075 is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Default What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?

Found a nice 686-4 at a local shop that i'm thinking about picking up since they seem to be climbing in price. However, it's missing the rear sight and has a weaver base installed. The missing sight doesn't bug me at all as i've been wanting a 686 with a scope. However, what will be the deal killer for me is if the drilled and tapped mount holes aren't from the factory. I know S&W has been D&T'ing 686's for the last several revisions, but what revision did they start?
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Old 05-24-2011, 01:21 AM
k22fan k22fan is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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For model 686s the dash number increased to 4 when S&W started installing the modern sights with 3 holes underneath. If the price is agreeable it sounds like you've found what you want. All the S&W .38 specials and .357s of all vintages that I've owned have been very accurate so I expect you'll be happy.

Best Regards,
Gil
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Old 05-24-2011, 07:01 AM
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Gil is right even the 2 1/2" and 3" -4's are drilled, there's a thought, anyone scoped their snubby yet?
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Old 05-24-2011, 06:37 PM
afultz075 afultz075 is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Well, I decided to pick it up today. At $470 I don't think I got a steal of the century by any means considering it didn't have the original rear sight, but it's exactly the revision number i've been looking for. I've passed up more than a few 686's due to either having the lock (didn't want to cave an get an IL one as none of my other revolvers have it) or being too early to be factory tapped for a scope mount.
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Old 05-24-2011, 07:28 PM
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by afultz075 View Post
Well, I decided to pick it up today. At $470 I don't think I got a steal of the century by any means considering it didn't have the original rear sight, but it's exactly the revision number i've been looking for.
IMHO, you did well................
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Old 05-24-2011, 10:25 PM
357 shooter 357 shooter is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Nice 686 you have there!

I've scoped my six inch 686-4 on a few occasions. The "benchrest" accuracy with scope can be impressive. Like you I like the fact that the drill and tap frame is from the factory.
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Old 05-24-2011, 11:00 PM
afultz075 afultz075 is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 357 shooter View Post
Nice 686 you have there!

I've scoped my six inch 686-4 on a few occasions. The "benchrest" accuracy with scope can be impressive. Like you I like the fact that the drill and tap frame is from the factory.
Thank you! Any recommendations for a scope? I'm more of an iron sight shooter, between 16 handguns and 14 rifles the only one I currently have scoped is my Marlin 60, so needless to say I know nothing about quality scopes. Not looking to spend more than $100 ideally.
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Old 05-25-2011, 12:49 AM
k22fan k22fan is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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afultz075,

I've been watching 686-4 prices for about a year and I think you got a great price. For the first half of that year there was a lot of chatter on this forum from members who think the dash 4 is the most desireable dash because dash 4s have the new drilled and tapped holes for a scope but still retain forged parts. From what I've seen 90% of used 686s sell in the $400 to $600 range. Since you were going to buy a scope mout if you chose a gun without one then when you compare gun prices you can deduct the price of a mount from the price S&W charges you for a replacement sight. You got the dash number that's most in demand for a price in the middle of that range.

My suggestion for buying a scope on a tight budget is to buy a used fixed power low magnafication scope from the best manufacturer you can afford. I've learned the hard way that buying a high magnafication scope with adjustable magnafication on a budget just gets you a scope you can't adjust to a clear image and other problems. Buying used is safe because the better makers repair their products for free even if you weren't the original purchaser. Leupold has repaired damaged scopes that I bought used, and changed the parralax range focus on others all for free. They've earned my repeat business. Leupold recently aquired the old Redfield scope brand name which they are using on their not so fancy scopes. I'd go with one of their scopes even if you have to put off the purchase until you can spend the $125-$150 price for a used one.

One other point you should consider buying a handgun scope is that they vary quite a bit in how far you can hold them away from your face. Some work well only one handed while others work well two handed which positions them closer to your eye.

Last edited by k22fan; 05-25-2011 at 12:53 AM.
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Old 05-25-2011, 01:07 AM
afultz075 afultz075 is offline
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What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope? What revision of the 686 did S&W factory tap for a scope?  
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Thanks for the advice! From what I can tell, this gun was shot very sparingly, tight lockup on all cylinders, perfect timing, light cylinder ring and the front of the cylinder is not blackened from firing. Either the previous owner was very diligent in cleaning or the gun was hardly fired.
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686, lock, redfield, s&w, scope, snubby, weaver

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