Holy Grail 686-4+ 3” PC Mag Comp Found Locally

Nathan510 · #1 02-24-2020, 11:18 AM

Hi All!!

For quite some time now, I’ve been searching high and low for any pre-lock 3” 686. I’ve owned many 686’s, from 2 1/2” to 8 3/8ths” barrels and anything in between. Till recently my favorite 686 has been my 686-5+ 4” Mountain Gun. The tapered 4” barrel is really sweet, and who doesn’t like a 7-shot L Frame! But...she does have mim parts, Soo kinda always was like she is really nice, but man if she was pre-mim that would be the bee’s knees.

Well, around 2 years ago I came into contact with a gentleman who has a 686-5 3” who offered to sell to me for a reasonable price. However when I tried to arrange the purchase, he hemmed and hawed and string-bet me along a few hundred more. “My gun guy says these are rare, and I would get X amount at Auction”. Anyways long story short, he decides he is not ready to sell after all. Sooo there went that 3” 686.

Just two weeks ago, a ad in a local firearms forum popped up with a number of several handguns for sale, and one of them... a Smith 686-3 3” Carry Comp. I did a second take, no way! That can’t be right. He probably has a 686-6+ 3” and is misreading the model number etc. Well sure enough he was slightly off, as it is a 686-4 not 686-3, which I am grateful for! Also it is the Mag Comp, not the Carry Comp, difference being the Carry Comp has an Unfluted cylinder, and a few other subtle differences.

I was aware of both the Carry Comp and Mag Comp’s existence, but I had really no hopes of ever finding one, especially given that I live in California. They also seem to command a particularly high premium.

The price was very reasonable, although it did take several hours of driving on both parties to meet halfway. The seller was extremely friendly, and quite an interesting fellow. Would be happy to do more business together in the future or shoot some smiths at the range.

I took her home after the grueling 10-day waiting period here in Comniforia, and cleaned her up, put on my favorite pair of Stunning Culina Walnut Grips, and took some Glamour Shots!

If I am not mistaken this is 1 of a very limited run of 300. So to find one in California, for a reasonable price...Boy! I’m ecstatic!!! Pre-lock Performance Center 3” Snubs are just too cool!!

Anyways, enough rambling on, here are the pics:

Enjoy!

Nathan510 · #2 02-24-2020, 11:21 AM

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Justin T · #3 02-24-2020, 12:39 PM

Congratulations on your good fortune!

gumpys · #4 02-24-2020, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan510

Hi All!!

For quite some time now, I’ve been searching high and low for any pre-lock 3” 686. I’ve owned many 686’s, from 2 1/2” to 8 3/8ths” barrels and anything in between. Till recently my favorite 686 has been my 686-5+ 4” Mountain Gun. The tapered 4” barrel is really sweet, and who doesn’t like a 7-shot L Frame! But...she does have mim parts, Soo kinda always was like she is really nice, but man if she was pre-mim that would be the bee’s knees.

Well, around 2 years ago I came into contact with a gentleman who has a 686-5 3” who offered to sell to me for a reasonable price. However when I tried to arrange the purchase, he hemmed and hawed and string-bet me along a few hundred more. “My gun guy says these are rare, and I would get X amount at Auction”. Anyways long story short, he decides he is not ready to sell after all. Sooo there went that 3” 686.

Just two weeks ago, a ad in a local firearms forum popped up with a number of several handguns for sale, and one of them... a Smith 686-3 3” Carry Comp. I did a second take, no way! That can’t be right. He probably has a 686-6+ 3” and is misreading the model number etc. Well sure enough he was slightly off, as it is a 686-4 not 686-3, which I am grateful for! Also it is the Mag Comp, not the Carry Comp, difference being the Carry Comp has an Unfluted cylinder, and a few other subtle differences.

I was aware of both the Carry Comp and Mag Comp’s existence, but I had really no hopes of ever finding one, especially given that I live in California. They also seem to command a particularly high premium.

The price was very reasonable, although it did take several hours of driving on both parties to meet halfway. The seller was extremely friendly, and quite an interesting fellow. Would be happy to do more business together in the future or shoot some smiths at the range.

I took her home after the grueling 10-day waiting period here in Comniforia, and cleaned her up, put on my favorite pair of Stunning Culina Walnut Grips, and took some Glamour Shots!

If I am not mistaken this is 1 of a very limited run of 300. So to find one in California, for a reasonable price...Boy! I’m ecstatic!!! Pre-lock Performance Center 3” Snubs are just too cool!!

Anyways, enough rambling on, here are the pics:

Enjoy!

Very nice score Nathan. I believe yours is the dash 4 fluted carry comp it is 1 of 326 made and serial prefix should be TPC and be 7 shot. The dash 3 mag comps were serial prefix PCG 300 made and 6 shot and the unfluted dash 4 carry comps were 1 of 56 made and serial prefix LHP and 7 shot as well.

Eric

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The_Truth · #5 02-24-2020, 06:30 PM

Stunning piece. Everything about it. Those combat grips are insane.

BAMac · #6 02-24-2020, 07:37 PM

Nice! I really like how the grain on the grips seems to follow the line of the grip frame.

fishwishin · #7 02-24-2020, 08:01 PM

Happy for ya bud!

Nathan510 · #8 02-24-2020, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the info! Yes mine has a TPC prefix and is a 7-shot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumpys

Very nice score Nathan. I believe yours is the dash 4 fluted carry comp it is 1 of 326 made and serial prefix should be TPC and be 7 shot. The dash 3 mag comps were serial prefix PCG 300 made and 6 shot and the unfluted dash 4 carry comps were 1 of 56 made and serial prefix LHP and 7 shot as well.

Eric

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Candrews86 · #9 02-24-2020, 09:20 PM

Very nice Nathan, always a great day putting a grail gun in the safe! Congrats

stu1ritter · #10 02-25-2020, 08:03 AM

I've had the same thoughts about the 3" 686 for years but never able to find something when I had the large pile of $100's required. Just couldn't seem to get the two together at the same time. Finally decided to just make one. Bought a 6.5" and when the barrel was done sent it to S&W for the 7 shot cylinder. Square butt, 7-shot 3"barreled 686-3's aren't too common :~)

Stu

75Vette · #11 02-25-2020, 10:06 AM

Man oh man you done good! That is a rare find, especially in Cal. Good choice on the Culina combats too, they really make the whole package pop!

Nathan510 · #12 02-25-2020, 11:57 AM

Thank you sir! Culinas grips never fail to make even the simplest/ plain Jane smith pop!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75Vette

Man oh man you done good! That is a rare find, especially in Cal. Good choice on the Culina combats too, they really make the whole package pop!

colt_saa · #13 02-25-2020, 12:21 PM

Congratulations

That is a beautiful piece

A Wonderful addition to any Smith & Wesson collection

Lou_the_welder · #14 02-25-2020, 01:42 PM

I would have remembered seeing that one on Calguns. What a great find! You certainly have the knack for finding these rare ones, Nathan.
I'm super jelly! And congrats!

fds5116 · #15 02-29-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu1ritter

I've had the same thoughts about the 3" 686 for years but never able to find something when I had the large pile of $100's required. Just couldn't seem to get the two together at the same time. Finally decided to just make one. Bought a 6.5" and when the barrel was done sent it to S&W for the 7 shot cylinder. Square butt, 7-shot 3"barreled 686-3's aren't too common :~)

Stu

Hi Stu, did you shorten the barrel yourself, or have someone do it? I've been considering doing something similar.
Thanks

stu1ritter · #16 02-29-2020, 10:37 AM

I had it done by a gunsmith in Trinidad, CO. He cut the barrel, reset the barrel/cylinder clearance and milled the barrel for the Weigand front sight.

Stu