Hi all! This is my first post but I often find myself here when I search for most anything gun related.
My local dealer has a used (but unfired) black/blue? stainless 686. Limited to 2500 pieces. The price is just about what he gets for a standard 686.
A few questions....
can anyone date this?
is it collectable? worth?
If I buy it is it destined to the safe or can I fire/use it?
I didn't ask about box, accessories, cert. of auth. If they
aren't with it, will the price suffer?
Thanks! Koz

There were a set of those (NIB) for sale in California about a year ago. I recall the package price being kind of high, and they stayed on the market for ever. When I researched that limited model, though, it sounded like that finish was quite poor and would come off with even moderate use. Probably the reason Smith abandoned that treatment and never looked back.

It sounds like that black finish is a far cry from the modern nitro black treatments and duty treatments which truly change the surface of the gun at a molecular level.

But undoubtedly, there are members here who own one of those and can tell you the real story, first hand.

Welcome to the forum, kozmic. That's a very interesting revolver you're describing. I'm hangin' around for the answers to your questions.....

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

I researched these about a year ago when the California guns were on their popular forum.

From what I've read the numbers you quote are accurate.

The finishes are terribly weak and flake off - this is all hearsay to take it as such.

From looking at sold prices, they don't seem to be collectable.

Personally, I decided to steer clear and glad I did as I think they are a bad investment IMO.

Often S&W stops making or selling items that are not well received and it makes them popular as a result. In the case of the "Midnight Black Stainless" 686s, I think they stopped making them because the finish was a failure and the lack of demand that followed confirmed their decision.

It's a gun you might ending up being stuck with should you ever need or want to sell it.

These were done in 1988. I paid $650 for a 4 inch black 686-3 a few months ago. No box or docs. Very nice revolver.

The black finish is much more durable than I read of on the internet. I shoot mine. You should too! Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI

Here is a link with pics to one for sale on a local gun trader forum for $850: Spokane Gun Trader • View topic - WTS WTT S&W 686-3
Im not that impressed with this one and think its about $250 overpriced.

I bought one NIB when they first came out. Shipped to me from RSR Wholesalers and it had some loss of blackened finish by the time I got it. Sent it back to S&W for refinishing and they sent me a new regular 686 as a replacement..They soon dropped the black stainless.

Hi, I know that this was not the question, but here it goes..... What about a 586? There are some beauties out there! I know, I recently made a trade for one. They shoot well! I would like to have a 6" 686 as well. (traditional stainless) L's are nice! Good luck on your quest! Bob

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. They were very helpful and informative. This dealer is looking for $ 850 so I'm inclined to pass. I don't need anything that isn't durable enough to shoot when the desire strikes me especially at that kind of cash.
So, the quest goes on! Dare I say "maybe a SP101 4" in .357"?
Peace! Koz