Just saw these on Smiths website. They don't mention no lock so assume ILS.
7 shot unfluted cylinder, 5"

Product: Model 686 3-5-7 Magnum® Series

7 shot, unfluted cylinder, 3"

Product: Model 686 3-5-7 Magnum® Series

7 shot, fluted 6"

Product: Model 686 Deluxe 6in. Barrel Textured Wood Grips

7 shot, fluted 3"

Product: Model 686 Deluxe 3in. Barrel Textured Wood Grip

7 shot, unfluted, 7"

Product: Model 686 3-5-7 Magnum® Series

CD, thinking about a new 3" model

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De Oppresso Liber

One unfluted in 3" would be cool. Thanks for the info.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

I second that....I still wince a little bit when I think about the special run that S&W had with unfluted cylinders and 5" barrels -- Budsgunshop had them on closeout for a while at ~$500 or so...shoulda bought one then!

--Neill

An interesting selection. However, I don't see the point of unfluted cylinders and that extra bit of weight will cause more wear to the cylinder stop and the stop notches in rapid fire shooting. Personally, my choice would be the 3 inch fluted 7 shooter.

Notice all the photos show the right side and not the side with the IL. You know it's there. Still, those are some fine looking revolvers-especially the unfluted 3-inch and the Talo wooden grips on the standard 3-Inch. I've seen both of these at auction sites so they're not new and both have the IL, unfortunately.

+1 on the unfluted 3" -- I like it too.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I just got one of the fluted 3" models, and like it a lot. The grips sit back a little too far for my hand though. I think they are the Altamonte J frame boot grips, adapted for the larger frame, so they are a bit small.
I added a Big Dot Tritium front sight from XS Sights, and called Cylinder & Slide and asked if they would sell one of their Extreme Duty rear sights that Smith is putting on their Night Guard series. { A U channel to match the Big Dot} They sold me one, and now I think that I have one of the quickest sighting systems available. I really like it.
I did have to shim the rear sight a bit to get the proper line-up, but it was worth the effort.
Best Wishes, everyone,
Tom

I have the 6" DLX and yep...it definately has the ILS. I was rather dissappointed, it had a bad muzzle crown that had to be recut and the barrel was turned onto the frame too far. The front sight leaned to the left so bad that the gun could not be zeroed. Sounds "Deluxe" to me!!! Only thing Deluxe about it was the price.

Would this be the fault of Talo?

How about the warranty?

I'm hot for this gun. I was hoping not to find anything negative.

It's the fault of S&W, Michele. They DO take care of things like that under the warranty. BTW, welcome to the Forum.

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

That 5" would be a must have for me if not for the unfluted cylinder. Just don't care for them. Wonder how practical to get one and have the cylinder fluted? Probably make for a too expensive range piece.

Bishopm14, the unfluted cylinders are coveted by many. I would think you would be able to swap with someone without a problem. Cylinders can also be bought on GB and on this Forum. I even have one listed for sale, so they're available.

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

How do I tell my wife of 33 years that I have a new girlfriend? Love that spunky three inch deluxe. I might even keep the wood grips and forgo my beloved T-grips.

Break it to her gently, JC4013......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Wow! I just ordered a 627 2 5/8" last week, but I would have definitely considered one of these in a 3" had I known.

I just purchased a fluted 629 Talo 3" deluxe from Davidsons.
It has the IL. I love the wood Talo grips on it. Guess I'll have to get the "plug" and install it. That's the only beef I have on the 629 Talo.

-Bearman

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ..."ERIN GO BRAGH"

A 3" 686 would be great in a 6 shot. Not a fan of the 7 shot.

Why Cap? I have my own ideas, but may be just biased by tradition.

Given the profile of the sideplates in the picture, I would also assume that they have the ILS.

They still look good, though...

beautiful guns...all of them!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

One eye, thanks for your response.

Now I'm really turned off by S & W. Did you ever read any of this:


The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson

or:

Smith and Wesson Quality control - TheFiringLine Forums


It appears I'll be looking elsewhere.

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in anything Chuck Hawks has to say about most anything...personally.

They're all very cool, especially the unfluted ones. However, 7-shot is a major flaw.

3" Talo Exclusive. Got it 2 weeks ago.

I second this, don't listen to two DA's where there is so many here to say the truth. You don't believe that the ruger forum is looking for a few DA's .

Please explain.

That was partially a joke and a lot of personal preference - revolvers were just meant to be 6-shooters.

There is a practical reason, too. To be competitive in IDPA it really needs to be a six-gun.

Wasn't Smiths first revolver the Number 1 a 7 shooter? Colts first revolving pistol was a 5 shooter (Paterson). By only having 6 rounds does that mean that autos should only have 7 as the M1911?

CD

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De Oppresso Liber

OK, So what is an IL and what is the difference of fluted and non fluted? Also what is the issue with the Talo models? I see them for sale at an armory store here and they cost mre that the standard 686. Help me b4 I buy the wrong gun

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Reason is not automatic!

IL=Internal lock
A fluted cylinder has the notches in it-non fluted is just round (see pics in the original post).
I dont know about issues with the Talo models. They just have different options than a plain jane model.

Ok, so why do some on here dislike an internal lock? Is the lock there in case a kid gets ahold of the gun? Does it have ay affect on how the gun operates? Or is it just a cosmetic issue with some members on here?

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Reason is not automatic!

Yes to prevent the gun from being used by someone without the key if it is locked.

Some dont like the look of the lock, there are some rare reports of the lock engaging on its own during firing.

It is possible to disable the lock if you wanted to.

Might want to read the sticky post "cant get past the hole" here -> LOCK- ..can't get past "the hole".

What does 'TALO' mean? I had a 3" fluted cylinder piece in my hands and loved it. Priced at over a grand it went back in the dealers case because it wasn't what I was looking for, but I've wondered what the significance of the TALO designation is.

TALO Distributors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The flutes allow the shooter to find the bores in the dark for reloading when duking it out with some bad guys. No flutes may look cool but will be an impediment in a shoot out IMNSHO.

BUT, that is what makes owning and collecting firearms so very much fun. Each individual can have firearms that reflect his or her very personal tastes.

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

Thanks for the info bud it's appreciate it

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Reason is not automatic!

Talo is a distributer. They contract with Smith and Wesson (and other gun makers) to build guns with features they think they can sell. There is not anything really "special" about the guns outside of the features. There are other ddistributors that do the same - Lew Horton springs to mind but there are others.

Personally, I like the 3" 686 with flutes!

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Proud anachronism

I have a Talo 3-5-7, 3"-----LOVE IT!
I also have a 3" standard 686---VERY nice gun!

I have a used 5 inch unfluted TALO on layaway now. It looked too good to pass up. I can't wait to bring it home.

cant wait for mine and the chance to shoot it, found some ammo online, not much out there though

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Reason is not automatic!

I've been shooting a 686 3" Talo edition for the last 3 months. Love this revolver. However, I shoot mostly .38 since the wood grips chew up my hand when shooting .357. The grips look great, but not too easy on my hands. Maybe it's me. Started shooting a 627 performance center and the rubber grips made a huge difference along with the heaver frame.