I believe that this .357 dates to 2001. I wonder if it was a limited edition run with the recessed patridge front sight and factory magna-ported barrel. I don't have the original box. Any thoughts?

What you have there is a 686 Power Port. S&W also produced 629, and some 657 Power Ports as well.

I had a Power Port 6 inch 686. I bought it new in about 1998, and I think it was a dash 4. I don't remember what sights it had. I didn't learn about that until after I sold it in 2001. I decided I didn't prefer a 6 inch barrel and didn't want the port. I sold it to finance a camera lens for a trip I was planning.
The sight is pinned on, so it could have been changed. On the other hand, I think S&W has a tendency to put the Patridge on 6 inch barrels.

Best,
Rick

I also have a 629 Powerport and can't recall if it was truly "Magnaported", which would surprise me because Magnaport is proprietary porting that usually resembles small ovals or trapezoids that are EDM'd into the front of the barrel that do not add any length to the original barrel. I always believed this was factory ported but don't have the spec sheet to be sure.

S&W actually did use actual Magnaporting on many guns that were PC limited runs.

Funny though that I had the Powerported gun below customized by Magnaport International with triggerjob and finish, but no Magnaports since it already had porting.

Powerport on 629


Magnaports on my PC Hunter

Thanks for the info fellows, it is much appreciated.
Rick rfo1