New to me 686 Plus 3" Performance Center?

bczrx · Aug 12, 2022

Hello,

I found a 686-4 Plus 3" Performance Center, made in April of 1996, at my LGS that I took the plunge on.

I can see the port on the barrel and the overtravel screw.

The trigger feels nice, but not as nice as my 586 [less than 10 years old] or my K-38 from the mid-'50s.

I am confident I can make it smoother and lighter- as I've done that to my 10-6 and a slew of other items.

From what I understand, the ignition parts are forged, instead of the normal process then and instead of MIM manufacturing now.

Is that correct?

Are there any other differences with a performance center revolver from 1996 than what I listed?

Thanks for any insight. I'd also appreciate a scan of a manual from that era- as the current manuals are current.

bczrx · Aug 17, 2022

Upon more investigating, this is a 686-4 Plus 3" made through the Performance Center in April of 1996 and appears to be one of the Lew Horton special editions. I've heard it referred to as a Carry Comp.

Can't wait until next week to take it home.

I ordered some new altamont grips for it, as I didn't care for the rubber ones- but I'll save the rubber as that is how it shipped.

DGNY · Aug 17, 2022

Congratulations on that excellent find. A close friend recently acquired a current 3”:686+; and it is certainly a dandy. For its relatively compact size, its handling, its accuracy and resistance to the elements.

Please try to give us a little range report when yours is in your hands. May it serve you well for years to come!

SmithNut · Aug 17, 2022

bczrx said:
Upon more investigating, this is a 686-4 Plus 3" made through the Performance Center in April of 1996 and appears to be one of the Lew Horton special editions. I've heard it referred to as a Carry Comp.

Can't wait until next week to take it home.

I ordered some new altamont grips for it, as I didn't care for the rubber ones- but I'll save the rubber as that is how it shipped.

The early 3" M686's in this configuration were called the MagComp if I recall correctly (the 6 shot versions anyway).

Here's a later one showing the 7 shot version, but no "name" is shown...

bczrx · Aug 22, 2022

SmithNut said:
The early 3" M686's in this configuration were called the MagComp if I recall correctly (the 6 shot versions anyway).

Here's a later one showing the 7 shot version, but no "name" is shown...

I think it is interesting that the first image has Mag Comp in bold in the picture section, but the actual text box refers to it as a Carry Comp in multiple sections of text.

Weird!

Also, from this thread from this forum back in 2015, I see that mine has the same production code [170074] as the Lew Horton series, as per the letter shown from Lew Horton: 686-4 3 inch Lew Horton

Mine is a 7-shot. Honestly, I wouldn't have bought it if it were 6 shot.

I already have a few DA/SA 6-shot .357s already, and can't really carry due to my profession and living where I do [california]. One of those .357s is a 2013 S&W 586 that is just as slick as can be. It is sooooo nice!

I would like a 6" 686 Plus, but I picked up this one as I just knew it was more than met the eye.

The LGS just had it listed as a 3" 686 Plus. They had no other markings on it to indicate anything special. It was part of a group of guns they are processing for an estate sale.

sheppard · Aug 22, 2022

Don't knock the rubber grips, they may be ugly, but they make shooting much more comfortable. Based on the ads you've posted they are probably the original factory grips.

bczrx · Aug 22, 2022

sheppard said:
Don't knock the rubber grips, they may be ugly, but they make shooting much more comfortable. Based on the ads you've posted they are probably the original factory grips.

I have no doubt that they probably tame the recoil well, esp with a 3" barrel.

However, I like the look of wood a bit better.

So- I decided to split the difference and ordered these from Altamont:

I will have to do a comparison shoot off and swap grips!

New to me 686 Plus 3" Performance Center?

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