My local store is slowly selling off these various neglected, probably police evidence surplus guns. I’m getting a 2.5” 686-3; semi-patiently waiting on the background check that is running slow today in Colorado.

Other members have posted the gems they’ve picked up from Sportsman’s.

The action feels really nice with very good timing. There is a bit of “character” to it but I’m going to have it beadblasted. I need to find a replacement rear sight assembly but for $549 plus tax I’m ok with that.

Pics after I get it in my grubby hands lol.

Ok, here are 2 quickie pics. Interesting that it still has the original inspection stickers on the left side of the grip frame lol. The bore and chambers are in really nice shape too. There is some light rust on the top strap but I'm feeling optimistic this will clean up very nicely.

The rubber grips it had on were in really bad shape so I let the store toss them haha. Looking at the sticker on the box they've had this one in inventory since July of 2020!

The serial starts with BDD and I see the -3 2.5" came out in 1990 with the -4 in 1993. After lunch I'll start on it with the Flitz and will talk to my favorite gunsmith on Monday about a beadblast refinish and perhaps replacing the rear sight assembly, possibly more if he finds something I'm not noticing.

Looks pretty decent.
Might be surprised with what a little elbow grease with light sanding, scotch brite pads etc in cleaning up getting back to original finish.

Not much of a turn line.

Maybe a robbery without a shot fired.

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Sure you did

Yeah there isn't really much evidence of it being shot a lot. About to start the initial clean up. Hopefully can get over to the smith on Monday or Tuesday afternoon.

The 4" no dash 686 I inherited when my dad passed had been beadblasted when he had some trigger work done it. It'd be fun to have this match that one.

Well here it is about 90 minutes later of just going over the surface of the gun with Flitz and Miracle Cloth plus a good scrubbing of the barrel/cylinders. I'm very pleased with it especially for under $600.

I'm still leaning towards a beadblast but will wait until the smith gives it a going through and shoot it before that.

I have a set of Pachmayr Compacts (cover the backstrap) I'll slap on it. I still want to have my gunsmith tear it down and give a thorough cleaning/check up-I'm not comfortable tearing it down so I'll let a pro handle it. Hopefully I can give it a run through next weekend.

If anyone is still following thanks very much. Some new pics:

I always appreciate it when somebody takes the time to “resurrect” an abused gun! Good job and nice find! Oh, why does the rear sight need to be replaced?

Very cool! Unless there are evidence numbers scratched into it everywhere, its a retired Policia de Puerto Rico duty gun. That’s gonna turn out nice.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I can't get the front screw out of the sight and want to put a white outline rear on there. It has a fair amount of rust on it that looks much worse than the photos show.

You might try a soda blaster as the soda will not alter the finish.

What he said! 👍
No bead blasting! 😡

Got to the range today. Ran 50 rounds of Norma 158gr fmj flat point. There is a noticeable “hitch in its giddy up” during double action-the only way I shoot da revolvers. Regardless it was still a fun time. I left it with the gunsmith to smooth out, clean and properly lube.





He recommended a red Scothbrite pad to clean up the appearance. I’ll tackle that when I get it back.

First 6 rounds at 10 yards


next 18-same distance, all were doubles shot with the target facing for 3 seconds then turning away


I'll report back when it returns and I've attempted the clean up with the red pad

That’s a great pick up and some very nice shooting my friend!

Thanks buddy! It was a fun time!

A nice gun, and looking prettier and prettier.

I tried this and it really works.


I cleaned years of cylinder front buildup on a Colt Diamondback that I bought from an estate.


It was like magic and no pad required.

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Chris S.
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Unless you never, ever, in a million years sell guns, do not bead blast it. It doesn’t look that bad after your initial cleaning and bead blasting will only detract from the value.
Otherwise you made a great deal on a nice gun.
Congrats are in order

Everyone does as they wish with there finds - your revolver cleaned up SOOO nice! Were it mine, it would stay as is, carried and trained with proudly and plenty! WTG S&W Fan!

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Mike
VFW Life

Thanks all. At this point I’m going just with the gunsmith’s smoothing out the trigger and giving it a complete detail strip/clean/lube.

I’ll try the pad on the grip frame and decide from there whether to do the rest. Already have a Sparks PMK on order

Smoothing the action is something you could likely do yourself but the investment in a gunsmith is a lifetime investment. As for the refinish, I've done a good 1/2 dozen SS revolvers with scotch bright. It does a really good job as long as you go slow and try to stay with the grain. I usually use Maroon or Dark Grey but have gone as fine as white depending on the finish I want on a particular gun.

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Dave

I was raised to “measure twice, cut once” so going slow with the pad fits right in lol. I’m more comfortable letting the smith take care of the internals, known him for over 30 years and he’s very good.

Keep updated pics coming!

Is it just my jaded, snub J-frame eyes, or does the 2.5" 6-shot 686 look better than the other barrel lengths? Now that I think of it, very few snub 686s (read that 'none') around for purchase. Guess those that haves them, keeps them.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Great find, especially for less than $600 bones.
I have three 2.5" 686s and will never part with em, especially the dash 4+

no dash Lew Horton
dash 3
dash 4+

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213th FBINA

Nice revolver and real nice shooting.