1982 686 with port

[topround]

Hi
New to forum, new to the smith and wesson world.
I'm looking at a 686 from 1982 to buy, it has a 4 inch barrel and a port on the front of the barrel, two slits on the side of the barrel.
Also has night sights, which don't work.
Did Smith and Wesson do this at the factory in 1982? Or was it modded by previous owner?
Tried to look up serial numbers but that seems impossible without the smith and wesson book.


Thanks in advance


Mike

 

[Nightowl]

I'm pretty sure that Smith did not do any produce any ported guns until much later than 1982. My first memory, not entirely unfillable, you understand, was guns with a big port in front of the sight and a short barrel. I would assume that it is aftermarket, unless and until, I could get confirmation on shipping information.
Night sights do fade with time.

 

[Tom_R]

It would not be factory ported.

There are tone of clean 686's out there. Keep looking.

 

[topround]

Thanks so much.
I am looking to buy a nice gun to eventually leave my kids.
Something we could shoot together, have fun, but eventually be something of some sort of value.
I guess the aftermarket porting kills the value of the gun?
Thanks
Mike