686 picture thread

[one eye joe]

That bit in the book about the 2.5" barrel, Lew Horton models aside, not being introduced until 1990 is incorrect. Product code 104231 is a factory 2.5" model available in 1987. I have one of these, a -1, the serial AWT5XXX dating it to 1987.

one eye joe's gun, with a prefix ALV-, dates to '85-'86, according to the book. That would be later than a LH model.

From what I understand, the best way (serials alone aren't definitive) to determine a LH 686 2.5" is whether or not the gun has a white outline rear sight. The LHs had this while regular production models available shortly after did not.

-db-, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ! ! ! Ol' one eye had a senior moment. When I posed the DOB question on this forum, Revolver King advised me that ALV- was of 1986 vintage. It DOES NOT have a white outline rear sight, so it is NOT an LH. I confused this snubby no dash with my 8 3/8" no dash which WAS manufactured in 1984............

 

[photoman]

That bit in the book about the 2.5" barrel, Lew Horton models aside, not being introduced until 1990 is incorrect. Product code 104231 is a factory 2.5" model available in 1987. I have one of these, a -1, the serial AWT5XXX dating it to 1987.

one eye joe's gun, with a prefix ALV-, dates to '85-'86, according to the book. That would be later than a LH model.

From what I understand, the best way (serials alone aren't definitive) to determine a LH 686 2.5" is whether or not the gun has a white outline rear sight. The LHs had this while regular production models available shortly after did not.

I was wondering about those other 2.5" product codes. Unfortunately, in a moment of idiocy, I threw away all of my old S&W catalogs a few years back so I can't check and confirm.

My gun dates to November 1984 and does ~not~ have the white outline rear sight blade. Unfortunately, my gun didn't come with the factory box.

Did all of the no dash 2.5" guns come with wood combat grips?

 

[photoman]

2.5" 686 Product Code FYI:

104212 1984 Lew Horton
104231 1987 to 2001
104192 1996 to 1998 seven shot
164192 2002 to current, internal lock, seven shot
164231 2002 to current, internal lock, six shot

686 (1980)
686-1 (1986)
686-2 (1987)
686-3 (1988)
686-4 (1993)
686-5 (1997)
686-6 (2001)

 

[-db-]

I was wondering about those other 2.5" product codes. Unfortunately, in a moment of idiocy, I threw away all of my old S&W catalogs a few years back so I can't check and confirm.

My gun dates to November 1984 and does ~not~ have the white outline rear sight blade. Unfortunately, my gun didn't come with the factory box.

Did all of the no dash 2.5" guns come with wood combat grips?

Every Lew Horton 2.5" 686 I've seen has had combats on it but I don't know if every one S&W made sold with them.

As for the white outline sight, I'd have to look again but I'm pretty sure the book specifies WO for the 1984 LH guns.

 

[photoman]

The book does list the white outline rear blade. Serial number AFB0195 was the sample for the book. My gun is AFAxxxx and does not have the white outline blade but does have the red ramp insert.

 

[southernpride]

Here is my 686-3 and my 586 no dash.

 

[one eye joe]

I was wondering about those other 2.5" product codes. Unfortunately, in a moment of idiocy, I threw away all of my old S&W catalogs a few years back so I can't check and confirm.

My gun dates to November 1984 and does ~not~ have the white outline rear sight blade. Unfortunately, my gun didn't come with the factory box.

Did all of the no dash 2.5" guns come with Combats ?

Mine did, Photoman. I love their tacticool appearance, but no brand of finger grooves have ever fit my hand. I sold the ones that came on my 686 (pictured below) and replaced them with Magna PC grips and a Tyler-T adapter. This works better for me. While the no dash was away for the M recall, I had S&W swap the cylinder for a 7 shot. IMHO, it's a great carry weapon now...
.

 

[photoman]

Mine did, Photoman. I love their tacticool appearance, but no brand of finger grooves have ever fit my hand. I sold the ones that came on my 686 (pictured below) and replaced them with Magna PC grips and a Tyler-T adapter. This works better for me. While the no dash was away for the M recall, I had S&W swap the cylinder for a 7 shot. It's a great carry weapon now...
.

Very nice. I put some magnas on mine for the time being. Didn't want to beat up the factory combats any worse than they already are. I think I have a Tyler around here that will fit a round butt K frame...

 

[one eye joe]

Thanks, Photoman.......

 

[Reddog]

6"

Here's my 686, no dash. It's with my grandson in Kennewick, WA, now!
Dick

 

[one eye joe]

Here's my 686, no dash. It's with my grandson in Kennewick, WA, now!
Dick

Did you swap the Red Ramp for the Patridge, or did it come that way ? ? I have never seen a 686 w/ a Patridge from the factory.....

 

[butchkent]

Love the 686 and that is a great box!!

 

[kcode]

Way late for the party, but, both are 686-3's. The 6" has been good for one deer and numerous ground hogs. The 4" was polished up, was not much of a shooter, so it became trading fodder. Bought the 6" new in the mid eighties, so its the keeper.

 

[Reddog]

Joe,
I may have painted that? The gun is with my grandson in Washington state now, so I can't look at it. I'll try to remember to ask him.
Dick

 

[bilkay]

I just saw both versions of the 3" Talo locally. I'm leaning toward the one with the unfluted cylinder.

 

[gordie57]

686+

First of what I hope to be many.

 

[jebo125]

New to me 686-1 M-Mfg 1988

Just traded for this one, sweet!


"Always Keep The Sun at your Back!"
jebo125

 

[jebo125]

686-1 4" Value?

What do you the value on the 686-1 M 4" would, Ijust got one in trade!
jeb0125

'

Way late for the party, but, both are 686-3's. The 6" has been good for one deer and numerous ground hogs. The 4" was polished up, was not much of a shooter, so it became trading fodder. Bought the 6" new in the mid eighties, so its the keeper.

 

[Zebulon]

You're all probably sick to death of this one....Wanted to add it to a 686 specific thread for the newer guys here....Zebulon

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Some one say something about a "L" Frame: