Lew Horton, 686-4, Performance Center Revolver

[Pete 45]

First off thanks for looking and any information you are able to supply me pertaining to this revolver will be appreciated.

Lew Horton 686-4, 6" barrel, 7 round cylinder, rounded grip frame, 38/357 caliber. Cylinder recessed for full moon clips. Serial number range LHW 00xx.

I'm interested in any information on this particular model I can find. The closest I come on the Internet is a Lew Horton 686-7.

Thanks again,

Pete

 

[colt_saa]

Pete,
Do you have the box? If so what is the 6 digit produce code? This is what tells us everything anyone could want to know about the firearm. OK, almost everything.

If not . . . post some pictures? Or maybe a description? What is the barrel length? What is the finish? Any special features?

The revolver model is a 686.

The -4 or -7 or -anything are engineering revisions, not part of the model number. They do not indicate anything about the configuration that the revolver shipped in.

 

[Pete 45]

I do not have the box. I do not have the revolver as yet so no photographs either. Barrel length is 6" (inches) in length and the barrel under lug shroud is triangulated in shape. I could be wrong but believe all 686 revolvers are stainless steel. The front sight is a partridge variety with a gold bead. The rear sight is a plain black S&W adjustable. The grip frame is rounded and sports a pair of smooth and highly polished reddish grained wood grips.

Does any of this additional information help in my quest for information? Thanks

 

[Pete 45]

It is also a "PreLock" model.

 

[ladder13]

Pete, it looks like it's called Model 686 Plus Profile Barrel. Made in 1988 , Product Code 170103. More details to come.

 

[ladder13]

Pete, this sounds like the gun:


Features a 7- shot fluted cylinder with chamfered charge holes, round butt L frame wirh Altamont wood grips, 6' tapered and contoured barrel drilled and tapped for scope mount, flash chromed .312" smooth combat trigger. Patridge gold bead front sight with micrometer click white outline rear sight. Machined to accept full-moon clips for speed loading and supplied with 3 clips. Stainless steel material with satin finish. Master trigger lock included. Weight 44oz for Lew Horton in 1988. Product code 170103. Suggested retail was $929.

 

[Pete 45]

Thanks Mike...

...think you hit the nail on the head. Will be getting it on Sunday and photos will follow.

Thanks to all that looked and assisted.

Pete

 

[Lbenf]

Hey Pete,

I don't mean to butt in on your thread but I just bought the same gun (my first btw) serial num LHW01XX. I don't have the box either but it is a great gun. I believe the folks here id'd it correctly as being from 1988 as part of a special Lew Horton run from the Performance Center. That is what the seller told me.

My question to the group is does this gun have any collectibility value? My intention is to enjoy this fine gun and shoot it frequently. I am new to shooting and don't consider myself as a collector (yet). Many thanks.

Ben

 

[Malew]

Another hijack

I also have this exact model. Bought it as a shooter about 10 years ago. And it sure is nice! Have the blue hardshell box but not the orig grips. Anyone have pics of what the orig grips should look like?

Any guidance on value, etc?

 

[Ignatz]

Just picked this up today. It weighs 3oz less than my 6" 586-7 7 shot.
I just could not leave the shop without it!

 

[Bullseye_GA]

Hey Pete,
I believe the folks here id'd it correctly as being from 1988 as part of a special Lew Horton run from the Performance Center.

I will go out on a limb here... I am definitely not an expert, however, I would place the release date at around 1998. Not 1988. The S&W Performance Center was formed in ~ 1991. I think that this would be a typo, which is common in the SC 3rd edition. The Authors did an awesome job gathering information, but there are a few typos!

For example, my 627-PC 1998 Lew Horton Special... Note: the Product Code of: 170102.

Your 686 Plus Profile is 170103

I am going with 1998

Very Nice find by the way and thanks for the Picture.

Cheers!

Michael

 

[Nightowl]

I'm with Bullseye on this one. I'm pretty sure that L frames were still square butt in 1988, and the profile barrel did no show up in my memory until the late 90s, in the 627, at least. The cylinder finish is different than the frame finish, as well. That is the same type of format as my 627 PC, made in the late 90s. Everything about it seems late 90s to me. By the way, I am envious! That is a great looking gun. I'm still looking for a 6 inch slab sided 627.