2.5" 686-3 frame size difference

[nyeti]

First, I am not a novice by any stretch, and know how to install grips, just to get that out of the way.

I bought an overseas police trade in 686-3 2.5" gun today. Sort of a beater, but good potential. It had some Pachmayr compacts on it that were a very poor fit. So I get it home and grabe some round butt k frame Hogues from the grip box....don't fit right at the top. Try another set, same issue. Take a set of Uncle Mikes off a Performance Center 681 RB...no go. The back strap at the top of the 686 is essentially "shorter" front to rear. Altamont boot grips, same story. The Pachmayr Presentation Compacs that were on it originally fit near perfect on my 2.5" 66.

Back in 1987 I had an identical Horton gun with the factory combats. Does anyone know if the frames on these things were some kind of conversion from Square Butts, or what the issue may be. I need to get grips on this thing, but am hitting a wall.
Any help from the real experts would be great.

 

[scott1970]

Does your revolver happen to be one of the countless Puerto Rican guns brought up here by GTs?

 

[nyeti]

Does your revolver happen to be one of the countless Puerto Rican guns brought up here by GTs?

Yep. As soon as I saw a 2.5" 686 and a 3" 10-5 I grabbed both. I have really fallen in love with the 10, but the 686 is frustrating the heck out of me. I tried some of the N combats off my Lew Horton 629 with no luck either.

 

[loeman]

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you nyeti, but I find your dilemma very interesting (but frustrating for you). I have a 686-3 (4") and a 686 no dash (2.5 inch) and they take every grip I've ever tried on them. Scott1970 mentioned Puerto Rican guns. Is it possible that the grips on these guns were slightly modified for this contract? I sure don't know but hopefully someone who does will chime in soon.

 

[nyeti]

It appears totally dead stock. It just has a dimensionally different grip area. Looks like a RB K, but the RB K's don't but against the top if the frame (gap) and the angle of the grip is just a hair different. I am hoping it just is fit to the S&W old Combats. I could not see Smith changing the frame for an export. I get the feeling this one was not a general issue gun, but something g that ended up there. I looks like every Lew Horton I have ever had.

 

[nyeti]

Well, I figured it out. The grip frame is probably bent a little towards the trigger guard. It is essentially straighter up and down and about an 1/8" forward at the base from a typical RB K frame. Because its closer, any of the grips that fill behind the trigger guard just don't fit right. The initial solution will be some nice RB Magna's and probably some custom G-10 Godzilla grips. I have a feeling that some miscreant in Puerto Rico got pistol whipped with this thing with the rear base of the grip hitting a skull. There is no physical indication at all of an issue or scars.
On the positive side. The gun has a GREAT "duty" action. Buttery smooth. It also shoots good although the sights need some adjustment (they were cranked all the way down, so it shot low). Also, the 3" Model 10-3 is a lifetime keeper. It is that good.