The 686 That Got Away

[BobR1]

Well I had a different 686-6 located on Gun Broker, and it got away.

This one was A 686-6 with a 3" Barrel, Red Ramp front Sight, White Outline Rear Sight, Rubber Grips, 6 Shot Cylinder, and Chambered in 38 Special +P.

If you are up on the 686-6 it would seem all current 3" guns are offered in the 686 Plus 7 shot configuration only, No 3" Six Shooters. I could find no references to a 38 Special +P version either.

This gun was listed in Used, but in As New condition with no Box or Papers. Picture a standard 686-6 with a 2-1/2" Barrel. This one looked just like the 2-1/2" barrel, Rubber Grip, 6 shooter, only with a 3" barrel that was marked 38 Special +P.

I have no idea what this gun was. I would speculate a Guard Gun over-run, or an over-run Export Model. I attempted to find out a little about it from a collector of such guns. The person I contacted did not return my e-mail for whatever reason.

Me not winning the bid may have been for the best anyway. This is probably a collectors gun, and should be saved as a Safe Queen. I planned on trying to wear it out if I had ended up with it.

Why I wanted it was for an all purpose carry gun. The 3" 686 should be about as shootable a revolver as one could practically conceal carry. It being a 6 shooter would let me use Safariland Comp III Speedloaders when shooting it in Defensive Pistol Matches. The 3" 686 has a Full Length Ejector Rod for positive ejection. As I shoot almost no 357 Magnum ammo in my 357 chambered revolvers, this one being a 38 Special was not a bad thing at all for me. Did I mention 38 Shotshells for snakes? Another good thing about carrying a 38/357 in the Summer time.

I quit at $700 which was more than I could order a new Rubber Grip 686 Plus, 3" Barrel, 7 shot for with Shipping Costs calculated in. This was ALL it was worth to me. It was worth more to another bidder however. With some luck the new owner will be posting pictures in a week or so when he gets his hands on it. Maby then we will find out the history on this Different Bird.

Bob

[Hannibal Barca]

I know in the past there used to be some 586, 686 or even models 19s in .38 Special caliber only made for special order for a South American or other part of the world police department.

On these days S&W still make models 686 in .38 Special Only but just for Military and Law enforcement: http://blueheroncomm.com/Blue_Heron_...E_Military.pdf

And I allways had wondered why to sell those 686 .38 special only just for militay and law enforcerments, why no to sell them to civilians?

The caliber marked ".38 S&W SPL. +P" sounds like modern revolver to me, no he ones that was made for Sout America Police Departments in the past.

[MarkDozier]

I can not any 686-6 being a collectors gun

[Flattops]

QUOTE " This is probably a collectors gun, and should be saved as a Safe Queen. I planned on trying to wear it out if I had ended up with it."
I wouldnt worry bout it...... its a current production, mass produced, built in a factory firearm. They were built to be used. They're nice, but their not art.

[BJoe]

I look/buy a lot from G-brok. Sometimes I buy knowing what it will be worth next year. Example model 60? NO increase. ANY of the 3" K or N frame guns, will go up.