Black stainless 686 ????????

Hyperbiker · Jun 18, 2009

A local shop has a used 686 in black stainless. I thought (i'm a newby) it was a blued model which I was pretty sure didn"t exsist and was told it was a 1 of 1500 black stainless 686s. I asked if it might be a 586 and he said he verified it and call S+W to get info also. He said he was first confused also due to the 6 model # (stainless)He said it was from apx 1982. Is this a possible true story and if so whats the deal with it . rare,whats it worth, he's got a $850 price on it. I'm thinking it would look good next to my black 386 and stainless 686 but don't want to get ripped off. I was wanting a BLUED revolver and this could be the better of both worlds , blue in apperance and 686 strong and shootable

SmithNut · Jun 18, 2009

Here you go....

5000 made, not 1500. Both 4" and 6" barrel versions made.
This was the first attempt of using blackened finish on stainless guns (later followed by Melonite), and it somewhat fragile, meaning that it wears about like blue, high points can wear off and shiney stainless base color can show through.

Hyperbiker · Jun 18, 2009

Value

Is it worth the $850 asking price or should I avoid it due to the fragile surface. I'm gonna want to shoot it. I'm i better off holding out for a model 19 in blue (like the one I passed up 2 weeks ago for$349)

SmithNut · Jun 18, 2009

cough....cough....cough....

Sorry for the coughing fit, for a second there I thought you said $850...

Only you can decide if it's worth that, but I wouldn't pay that much. The gun is certainly interesting, unique and desireable from a collector standpoint, but not $850 desireable.
5000 is a good number, there are more out there. I'd say that a clean, NIB version would command a premium over a standard M686, something in the $600 range would be on the higher end, IMO.

But I'm not in the market for one of these, so my opinion could be a little dated from a value perspective.

mtb1bkr · Jun 18, 2009

HB,
A close friend of mine, who works for S&W, has one of these. I tried to get him to sell it to me, well, my wife because he likes her better and she shot it real well. He said to get a 686 or a 585 because the black wears real fast with any use. His was still minty because he didn't pull it out very often. If you are looking for a shooter, then look elsewhere, especially for that price. You should go back and get that 19 if it's still around.

Bill

Crazy K38 · Jun 18, 2009

I would listen to smith nut he really knows his stuff so when he chooses to speak I choose to listen

Hyperbiker · Jun 18, 2009

Thanks for your input, thats what makes this forum great. I thought it sounded high considering I paid $500 for my almost new stainless, and now seeing there were 5000 and the msrp was $455 I think i'd rather consider one of the new CLASSICS. Which of those are good shooters in a med.or large frame

Crazy K38 · Jun 18, 2009

well I have a Model 15-2 K38 Combat Masterpiece, it has a 4" barrel and I love it to death. Go for one of them, can't go wrong, and they are going on gun broker for about 540-560 range in great condition

Hyperbiker · Jun 18, 2009

mtb1bkr said:
HB,
A close friend of mine, who works for S&W, has one of these. I tried to get him to sell it to me, well, my wife because he likes her better and she shot it real well. He said to get a 686 or a 585 because the black wears real fast with any use. His was still minty because he didn't pull it out very often. If you are looking for a shooter, then look elsewhere, especially for that price. You should go back and get that 19 if it's still around.

Bill

It was gone by the time I got back there. I got on the forum to see of any problems to look for since it was at a Gander mountain for sale ,the price seemed a bit low for them so I thought it might have problems

Hyperbiker · Jun 18, 2009

Crazy K38 said:
well I have a Model 15-2 K38 Combat Masterpiece, it has a 4" barrel and I love it to death. Go for one of them, can't go wrong, and they are going on gun broker for about 540-560 range in great condition

If only us folks in New York could buy on gun broker, I guess I should feel lucky , I could live in California

Sverre · Jun 18, 2009

As I recall, these were brought out in the late 80's. S&W had just entered what was later termed The Gun of The Week period, a trend that continued for several years . They made up LOTS of "rare" types of production guns in limited runs to appeal to the shooter who wanted something a little different. Some were for Lew Horton, and some they marketed themselves.

The one I really came to appreciate was the Model 627-0 in 5 1/2" with unfluted cylinder and full lug barrel, AND with the sharp top rib checkering. An excellent shooter.

As the previous posters have said, the Melonite finish tends to wear off with holster wear. The finish was also appplied to several runs for various LE agencies.$ 850 is in my estimation too high for a standard production gun with an exotic finish.JMHO.

Cheers,

Sverre

SWCA # 1106

USAF385 · Jun 19, 2009

Here's what you do... pick up a cheaper 686 and a can of black spray paint.....

KurtC · Jun 19, 2009

"As the previous posters have said, the Melonite finish tends to wear off with holster wear."

I don't believe these are Melonite. These guns had an early attempt to blacken stainless. I know they tried Black-T for awhile, but I think these even pre-date the use of that finish.

Melonite is the current finish the factory uses to blacken stainless, and it is pretty durable.

Kevin G · Jun 19, 2009

Why not seek out a 586?
Kevin

bountyhunter · Jun 19, 2009

Hyperbiker said:
Is it worth the $850 asking price or should I avoid it due to the fragile surface. I'm gonna want to shoot it. I'm i better off holding out for a model 19 in blue (like the one I passed up 2 weeks ago for$349)

The whole concept of the gun is an odd duck. Stainless is used specifically because it does not need to be finished and still doesn't rust easily.... and along with that advantage, you accept the fact that stainless is not as hard or strong as carbon steel.

The drawback of carbon steel is it must be blued to keep it from rusting.......

So, take the stainless steel gun which doesn't need a finish and put on a finish which is not very durable......

I want an ounce of what the marketing guy was smoking when he came up with this one.

bountyhunter · Jun 19, 2009

USAF385 said:
Here's what you do... pick up a cheaper 686 and a can of black spray paint.....

+! At least then you will be able to touch up the dings.....

Nightowl · Jun 19, 2009

bountyhunter said:
I want an ounce of what the marketing guy was smoking when he came up with this one.

Consider the time frame. Law enforcement officers were being issued stainless steel guns. The Glock had not caught on yet and most departments still issued revolvers. Officers on the street were making an issue that the stainless guns reflected light and gave away their positions. Perhaps this was a response to that question.

Titan · Jun 20, 2009

KurtC said:
"As the previous posters have said, the Melonite finish tends to wear off with holster wear."

I don't believe these are Melonite. These guns had an early attempt to blacken stainless. I know they tried Black-T for awhile, but I think these even pre-date the use of that finish.

Melonite is the current finish the factory uses to blacken stainless, and it is pretty durable.

I'd really LOVE to see the factory come out with a 686 Plus with 3 inch or 5 inch barrel in Melonite.

I'd be all over it.
.

bountyhunter · Jun 20, 2009

Nightowl said:
Consider the time frame. Law enforcement officers were being issued stainless steel guns. The Glock had not caught on yet and most departments still issued revolvers. Officers on the street were making an issue that the stainless guns reflected light and gave away their positions. Perhaps this was a response to that question.

Maybe so, that might be why SIG makes their 226 line in black stainless.

Hyperbiker · Jun 21, 2009

SmithNut said:
5000 made, not 1500. Both 4" and 6" barrel versions made.
This was the first attempt of using blackened finish on stainless guns (later followed by Melonite), and it somewhat fragile, meaning that it wears about like blue, high points can wear off and shiney stainless base color can show through. Thanks for the info.I think i'll take the suggestion and hold out and find a 586. I currently have a 4" 686 and a 2 1/2" 386sc/s. How many variations are there of the 586. I'd like a 3" or 5" to fill the void although i wouldn't there away any model

Thanks for the info. I think i'll take the suggestion and look for a 586. How many variations are there. I have a 386sc/c in 2 1/2 and a 686 4" I'd love a 3" or a 5" to fill the void

Black stainless 686 ????????

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