3" L Frame

[Jeffkframe]

I think I already know the answer but was the 586 L comp the only 3" L frame?

 

[scruffy]

I think I already know the answer but was the 586 L comp the only 3" L frame?

No. I bought a new 686+ with 3" barrel a few months ago. Feels great in my hands, (put rubber Hogue Bantams on it). To me, perfect balance for a 686.

 

[STCM(SW)]

M696 is an "L" frame.

 

[SmithNut]

Going from memory, there were several 3" L frames.

M686, standard production, Performance Center and the US Customs model - CS-1 and CS-3
M696 - 44 Special, several models.

M586, standard production (RSR very limited production), Performance Center (L-Comp)

Model 681 - Quad port Performance Center model.

Some pics below:

A couple CS-1 models:

A couple of the PC M681's (Lew Horton model)

M686 PC Mag Comp/Carry Comp (they made two versions, 6 and 7 shot configs):

M586 PC L-Comp:

Model 686 CS-3 (later production of the Customs Service CS-1)

M696 44 Special

M586 RSR special production

And another M681, this one for Camfour

 

[Realgunner]

There were large numbers of three inch 686's made for U.S. Customs in the late 1980's. The model was CS-1. Four inch versions were also made. They were all round butt and had some special features that were different from regular commercial 686's of that era. All CS-1's are of interest to collectors.

EDIT: SmithNut posted on CS-1's while I was typing.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

There was also a 3-inch 7-shot M681-4 made for Lew Horton in 1996. They had a Quad Port (four Mag-Na-Port trapezoidal ports). Product code 170080, trigger stop, flash chromed trigger & hammer, matte stainless finish, and Combat Stocks. Shipped in a Performance Center padded case. The only two I've ever seen, still in the box, had "LHB" s/n prefixes.

LHB000X ……… June 29, 96 (M681-4 3") QP PC CS FM TP 7s LH ZM 170080 pd 6178​

 

[jjbrewst1]

There was also a 3-inch 7-shot M681-4 made for Lew Horton in 1996. They had a Quad Port (four Mag-Na-Port trapezoidal ports). Product code 170080, trigger stop, flash chromed trigger & hammer, matte stainless finish, and Combat Stocks. Shipped in a Performance Center padded case. The only two I've ever seen, still in the box, had "LHB" s/n prefixes.

LHB000X ……… June 29, 96 (M681-4 3") QP PC CS FM TP 7s LH ZM 170080 pd 6178​

Kernel

Shipped with Rubber.

I have serial Number 1 out of Lew Hortons personal stash!!

I added the Combats.

 

[SmithNut]

I have serial Number 1 out of Lew Hortons personal stash!!

Really cool....

My pair are so far down the line from #1, I'm almost embarrassed to show them (#13 and #14)

Very cool........

Lew Horton had his #1 guns for sale on his website for quite some time, there were some pretty special guns there, for some reason it took quite awhile to sell them all, congrats on #1.....!!!!!!

 

[Jaymo]

Notice, I "liked" the posts that had 696s in them.
.44 Spl is my favorite handgun round.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Kernel

Shipped with Rubber.

Hogue or Uncle Mike? Boot or banana?

It can be confusing at times. In later years, S&W would put the "CS" feature code on labels to indicate ANY grip with finger grooves. Even rubber ones. To collectors and aficionados, "Combat Stocks", are a very specific thing. To S&W it meant a lot of things. Thanks for helping to clear it up.

 

[jjbrewst1]

3" L Frame

The 2 I have had came with Uncle Mikes and Hogue slip on rubber. Dual speed loader boot.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Looking more closely at the ports on the Quad Port, they don't look like typical Mag-Na-Port ports. They're more like elongated ovals, and not trapezoids at all. Curious.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Notice, I "liked" the posts that had 696s in them.
.44 Spl is my favorite handgun round.

.

Well, it's 1/2" short of a full 3", but it's a "L" frame 44 Spcl.

.

.

 

[jjbrewst1]

3" L Frame

Looking more closely at the ports on the Quad Port, they don't look like typical Mag-Na-Port ports. They're more like elongated ovals, and not trapezoids at all. Curious.

My 686-4 7 Shot Quadra Port is the same way. Stocking Dealer Special.

These were definitely MagnaPort. They all come with this style porting. Maybe that's why they call it "Quadra". No idea. But Factory nonetheless

The 66-4 Super K has different factory porting too. But Also MagnaPort