question about the S&W model 686

[mg357]

Dear Smith and Wesson forum, I have a question about the S&W model 686. Was the S&W model 686 ever issued to police officers? sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, these were very popular issued weapons just prior to the mass conversion to 9 mm semi-auto pistols. I'd bet there are many here who carried (carry?) them, one example being the CS-1 for the US Customs Service.

 

[JohnnieB]

I have a 686 No Dash (with M) police trade-in that was carried daily by the officers of a nearby small town's PD for 33 years and judging by smooth trigger and tight action, it was well used, but never abused. The holster wear could be polished out, but it gives it character, so it is going to stay as is as long as I own it.

 

[handgunner356]

The Iowa State patrol carried the the 686 till the early '90s' before going to 40s'.

 

[kennyb]

yes indeed...many police agencies issued the 686 and 586

 

[luis]

Peoria PD still issues them as well as 10 other departments in Illinois.

 

[JohnnieB]

I have a 686 No Dash (with M) police trade-in that was carried daily by the officers of a nearby small town's PD for 33 years.........

Oooops. That should have been 24 years.
These old eyes jumped a line on the spreadsheet and I erroneously used the dates for a 19-3 police trade-in.

FWIW-1, The 19-3 had some mechanical issues, but after a trip to S&W, it's more or less a new gun except for holster wear.

FWIW-2, My oldest police trade-in is a 15-3 with 37 years of service. In addition to holster wear, it has the name of the police department hand engraved on both sides of the frame. Like the 686, it has a smooth trigger and tight action and is also an excellent shooter.

 

[.357magger]

Just a thought but for every department that issued them, I'll wager there were 5 or more that authorized them. As way of example, the "rules" for my former PD were, "any Colt or Smith & Wesson revolver, chambered in .357 magnum with either 4" or 6" barrel (2" permitted for plain clothes carry)."

The L frames made quite a splash when intro'd, even with agencies requiring .38 Special +p usage (which were most). Definate appeal to those who wanted a revolver that was "overbuilt" for the load (.38) but did not want the size/weight of the N frames which had been around forever.

They were VERY popular. Still are in certain circles.

 

[sw44spl]

our sheriffs office carried them up in the 90s before they went to the DAO sw 40.

 

[JayBird686]

My father carried a 4 inch 686 for most if his 23 years with New Mexico State Police. They made the switch to 357 Sig towards the end of his career.

I know a Leo who still carries a, I think model 19.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

My local dept carried them until about 1992, then switched to the 1076. Here's a no-dash that was a former Police gun:



I haven't been able to pin down which PD issued it for certain, but I saw a photo of a CHP revolver with almost identical markings (same location and font), so my best guess at this time is that it was from the California State Police before they merged with the CHP (I originally thought it was from Colorado, but apparently they issued Colts). Just can't bring myself to spend $50 on a letter to find out for certain.