I ordered a 3", 7 shot M-686 from my local dealer. I have posted it previously to ask what you thought. It was supposed to have a fluted cylinder according to the product number. When my gun arrived, it had an unfluted cylinder and I am not sure that I like it. The SKU number is for a gun with a fluted cylinder, yet mine is an unfluted model.

I have a 3" with flutes that I will trade you and pay for shipping both ways. I have shot less then 50 rounds through it. Here is a picture of it. (38 specials only)

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May God Bless The USA

I would sell the un-fluted one to me and I would put some real nice wood grips on it and then shoot the living **** out of it.

Just Kidding!!!! Keep it and enjoy it. I personally like these non-fluted guns with nice wood grips. But I have never nor do I think I will ever purchase a new gun from S&W, just dont like the "MAN" telling me I'm not responcible enough and I need a lock on the gun so I am more safe. Just my couple of cents worth.

My take on it is you have a no charged for added bonus. I much prefer the look of the non flutes, or the so called.....cool factor.

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Where we go one, we go all

Keep it and love it.

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NRA Lifetime Member

Keep it!! The look will grow on you.

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V/R
Roger / SG

What I would do really doesn't matter as it's your gun. My impression is, you don't like it, so I would recommend selling it and buying a new one that is the way you want.

p.s. I don't think you would have any problem selling it on the Forum.

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Centennial Every Day

You gotta love this place.

I also personally like the unfluted cylinder, and have it on a 2.5" 629.

But , it's not my 686. Luckily it sounds like if you want out of yours Revolver_King can make it right for you, and easily.

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JD 500

No flutes does not bother me, in fact I think it's pretty cool. What does bother me is the lock and it would keep me from buying it. That's just MHO.

It'll sell in a heartbeat on this forum, if that's what you wish to do. From a technical POV, it just adds weight to the gun and not much in the way of additional pressure tolerance. Some people like the more unconventional look, some don't.

I own a few non-fluted guns and they're OK, but it's not my "thing". As you can see from the offers to buy you've already received, it definately IS some other people's "thing". If it's not yours, maybe you'd want to fulfill someone else's dubious needs. At the right price of course.

You need to get a letter on it a week ago. You need to get a letter from the dealer that it came that way and anyone else that saw it at the shop. Then take that and send for a letter on it. Then and only then will you have something no one else has. Then the gun will be worth twice what you paid for it. If you ask Lee real nice he may help you on your letter . He can tell you what you would need better than me. Good LUCK

It would be nice to know how many of these are floating around out there. We know of two for sure.
DWood send me an e-mail with your S/N, I would like to see how close it is to mine.
[email protected]

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May God Bless The USA

Don't let the "it's got a lock, I wouldn't touch it" comments bother you. It's a very interesting gun and, maybe, unique. It's certainly not something that Smith has in its catalogue. I'd love to know how it came to have an unfluted cylinder. If I were you I'd keep it and, if it really bothers you, I'd buy a fluted replacement. I'd also pay the $50 to get a letter from Mr. Jinks at Smith documenting the gun's history. I suspect that you'll have absolutely no problem selling it, probably for more than you paid for the gun, if that's what you ultimately decide to do.

I wonder how many of you are sitting here like me, checkbook in hand, praying...

Does that answer your question?

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uhlawpup
Gentle Soul

There are others out there with the unfluted cylinder that members have posted pictures of, so it's not a uniqe, "one of" mistake. Revolver King actually received a tip from someone answering my other post and was able to buy one just like mine.

e-mail sent RK.

I bought the 686-6 as a 7 shot carry .357. I'm waiting on a Milt Sparks OWB holster and until it arrives I'm leaving the gun NIB. Not worried about the lock or the seemingly obligatory anti- lock comments that seem to always get thrown in when they aren't even part of the question.

Thanks to all for the input. I'm leaning toward just keeping it.

Keep it, if you like it. Sell it, if you don't. It seems you have quite a few offers already. I like the look of it and would keep it. If the unfluted cylinder is going to bother you, every time you look at it, sell it and get what you originally wanted.

My vote is keep it.
It's unique, looks fantastic and rare. All qualities I looked for in a wife!

If it was mine I'd keep it; it's a little unique. I've one un-fluted, a 686-5 plus in 3''.

Sorry, didn't mean to dredge up an old post. OP I hope you still have it.

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Isaiah 41:10

I prefer the Fluted Cylinder Models, but the 3" 686, un-fluted is good looking.

If you can, and you have the funds, get a 3" fluted model as well, and your current gun will have a half-brother.

I wouldn't care if it were rare and valuable as I'm not a collector, but a shooter. I wouldn't want all of my revolvers to be unfluted but I'd like to have one because they look cool.

Not all guns look good unfluted, but THAT ONE does.

I voted to insist that you get it replaced but that's really ONLY if you cannot stand it and just want what you ordered and that's that. Otherwise, I'd keep it, enjoy it, and not worry another moment about the cylinder or anything else. it's a cool gun!

***GRJ***

PS:

I have one, an older one, fluted cylinder, from some years back - it's a wonderful revolver! It sleeps next to me every night!

PPS:

No, don't ask, I know what you're thinking.....

Not sure what a lot of guys are talking about being rare. This is a current production 3 inch 686 not a pre-lock. Also, I have seen tons of the current 3 inch 686's with unfluted cylinders. Yes yours product code is supposed to be for unfluted cylinder. I do not think that makes it rare or uncommon, on a current production Smith Wesson, just my 2 cents. Enjoy the gun and shoot it or trade another member for a fluted one if that's what floats your boat.

Eric

I prefer the fluted ones -- you can load them blind-folded by indexing off the flutes.

If it was a mistake by S&W they'll fix it, pay the shipping both ways, install a fluted cylinder, and it won't cost you a nickel. It might even come back a better gun since it will be getting a little personal TLC from the factory.

However, because of the rarity of the unfluted cylinder you'd likely come out ahead, financially, by selling it for a premium and buying a new fluted gun at retail. You might come out $100-$200 ahead. I can't see it going much higher than that. We all know there's some added value there.

The only unfluted M686-6 I've seen recently was a 5" in 2013. It was a 7-shot and had wood stocks. I'ts product code was 150854.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Lipsey has an unfluted 3" on their web site as a "Talo Exclusive".

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

After some more consideration, I say keep the up unfluted cylinder... I know I really like it on the 686PC.

Why keep a gun you don't like? "I may hate it, but at least it's rare" just doesn't make any sense to me.

I didn't vote because what I would do doesn't matter. Given your stated position, take Revolver King up on his offer and be done with it.

ETA-Should you call S&W, you might get further if "demanding" isn't your default setting.

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Where's my dad's America?

My vote is to keep it! But then again I'm biased

Keep it. I kept mine:

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Kevin
NRA Benefactor Member

Here's one for sale <wink>SW 686+ 3 inch