Black Stainless

[ia1727]

Ran into a 686 at a gun show that was Black Stainless ? Looked it up in SCSW and see it was offered in 6" in 1988. Any one have any experience with the Black Stainless version ?

Was this a crash and burn trial by S&W that didn't pan out ? Does the finish hold up like stainless or require kid glove treatment ? What about value and collect-ability---pros and cons ---I'd like to hear them all. thank you.

Steve

 

[Centenniel]

I remember the 686 revolvers that were named "Midnight Black." I wanted one badly then, but couldn't afford another L-Frame on my LEO pay. IIRC, the finish was not very durable and the series didn't last long.

 

[woodsltc]

Was this a crash and burn trial by S&W that didn't pan out ? Does the finish hold up like stainless or require kid glove treatment ? What about value and collect-ability---pros and cons ---I'd like to hear them all. thank you.

Steve

They were produced originally in 1988 in both 4 inch and 6 inch. Couple thousand guns in both barrel lengths. They were mostly a bust as the finish was not durable and easily marred. Sales apparently was less than desired and production was not continued. As I understand it the values are comparable to a normal stainless gun. My guess would be that a collector would pay a bit more for an example to round out the collection.

I owned a 6 inch 686 Black Stainless several years ago..........I traded it off as I was leary of the fragile finish. As I recall it was part of a trade for a 5 inch 27-2 that I still have.

Don

 

[shawn mccarver]

The finish was called Midnight Black or Black Magic, and they made them in both 4 and 6 inch. The finish was rather fragile, but even if it rubbed off, you still had stainless steel.

 

[jughed440]

is "black stainless" finish the same thing as blued stainless???

....as in this ex CSP Model 66 that was offered for sale (wish i had saved the pics from the ad)

JoeSalter.com - Details for Smith & Wesson Model 66 Connecticut State Police Revolver

 

[MMA10mm]

There's another thread running on this exact model of 686. If you look nearby in this section you'll see it.

I have one of these in 4" that I carried as my duty gun for about 4-5 years. Now, because of that, maybe I don't have as high of expectations of the finish as a collector would, for example. I bought it specifically for duty, because I liked the look of blued guns, but the stainless seemed to make a lot of sense for a duty pistol. I'd grade my very-well-used one at about 90% with the backstrap being poorer - maybe 50-60% finish. I think the finish held up really well, considering I carried it daily on duty, practiced drawing every day, and in addition to shooting qualifications, shot it as my primary use revolver off-duty. I think the finish held up really well...

This is the revolver I shot two back-to-back perfect scores my first year at the Sheriff's Dept., as well as hitting a half-size body-shaped gong at 100 yards in the dark during "night qualifications" one spring. Also beat the pants off a buddy who thought there was no S&W that would shoot good enough to beat him with this revolver. Never had to pull the trigger with it, but it was out of the holster on some perps on a fair number of occasions.

So maybe my fond memories of this gun make me grade the finish a little higher... I wouldn't sell this revolver for any amount, regardless of condition-grading. Maybe I should get it out of the safe and take some pics, so everyone can see how the finish held up...

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

I picked up an unfired 4" 686 in Midnight Black and was told over and over that the wind could blow the finish off it was so inferior. So, like a dumbass, I listened and traded it off. I should have NEVER done that. It was perfect and I am learning it actually holds up quite well.

 

[BUFF]

The CSP Model 66's were another finish. Much more durable than the M-686 finish discussed here.

I think a truly durable black finish on stainless steel is an excellent idea for a duty pistol.

 

[Titan]

The CSP Model 66's were another finish. Much more durable than the M-686 finish discussed here.

I think a truly durable black finish on stainless steel is an excellent idea for a duty pistol.

I would have thought that S&W would have a line of stainless revolvers out with a melonite finish. It holds up really well on the M&P slide and looks fantastic!

 

[MMA10mm]

Melonite actually detracts from some of the Stainless Steel's inherent corrosion-resistance properties. There's a thread over in the Wish List forum that suggested such a beast, and I posted a link there to a post at another site by a retired engineer at S&W who tested it and found melonite and stainless are not the best combo - although it sounds good in theory...

 

[yaktamer]

How's this compare to the current production black stainless guns (e.g., model 67 F Comp)?

 

[KurtC]

Some of the recent/current scandium revolvers have blackened stainless cylinders, which I believe to be melonite.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Some of the recent/current scandium revolvers have blackened stainless cylinders, which I believe to be melonite.

I think S&W calls that finish something like "ion-bonded black", and it appears to be the same as on the aluminum frame of my 340PD.

Who can tell us for sure?

 

[Titan]

Melonite actually detracts from some of the Stainless Steel's inherent corrosion-resistance properties. There's a thread over in the Wish List forum that suggested such a beast, and I posted a link there to a post at another site by a retired engineer at S&W who tested it and found melonite and stainless are not the best combo - although it sounds good in theory...

What should I glean from that about the longevity of my M&P slides?

 

[Titan]

I think S&W calls that finish something like "ion-bonded black", and it appears to be the same as on the aluminum frame of my 340PD.

Who can tell us for sure?

My understanding is that all of the stainless cylinders DO have what is called an 'ion bond' finish. It is a different process from melonite.

Why the two different approaches by S&W, I couldn't tell you unless it relates to the comment that melonite diminishes some of the natural properties of stainless. Perhaps 'ion bond' is better?

 

[Sprefix]

Midnight 686

I had a six inch and loved it. I had to trade it for a carb., intake, and an electronic ignition in my only vehicle at the time ( a '65 Tuxedo Park MKIV Jeep). The wrench won't sell it back to me. I called Smith and asked about the finish and they said they will not duplicate it. They will, however, polish to bright stainless at no charge if/when it gets marred. Sprefix

 

[trailblazer02]

for pictures, currently there is a Black Stainless on GB.

Smith & Wesson 686-3, Midnight Black S.S., RARE! : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

trailblazer

 

[MMA10mm]

Holy SMOKES!! $950 starting bid for a used one in 97% condition with no box, and what looks like replaced stocks... I don't think that one will sell anywhere!

What do you guys think that should be priced at, realistically?

I'll get mine out of the safe and take some pics of it today and post them here later.

 

[retired 302]

66 4"

Ct State Police carried model 66 4 " back in th 80"s with black finish ,finish did wear after a while.

 

[MMA10mm]

My apologies fellas, it took me an extra day to get the pics made.

First off, here's a group shot. Can anyone tell me which one is the 586 and which one is the Midnight Black 686?

The silver revolver in the back is a 629-4, which is the traditional satin finish stainless steel.