686 3"

[desertdweller]

Being relatively new to this addiction of collecting S&W revolvers I am calling on the experts for advice/help. I have ran across a 686 with a 3" barrel for sale that is marked CS just above the model #.
I asked the guy are you sure it isn't CS-1 because I read about the ones manufactured for the US Customs in 1988. He said no just CS and it is a dull bead blasted finish.
He thinks the CS stands for custom shop and thus the reason for my thread.
Who can tell me which this might be? He has no photos but I am making arrangements to meet him tomorrow.
Being an amateur at this, I don't want to get stung to bad so what would be a fair price in 98% condition.
Thanks for any information you might provide.

 

[cobra44]

Hello
I did some research, and I cannot find anything on this. Could possibly be a CS-1 that the 1 did not stamp properly.
When you look at it, see if it has a dash number after the 686 (-1, -2 , ETC,)
If the end shake (back and fourth movement of the cylinder, and also side to side movement) is pretty tight, then it is probably good.
If it is a CS-1 in good shape, it should be around the 700.00 to 900.00 price range. If it is not a CS-1, then I would say that it is in the 500.00 to 700.00 range. Of course, that is a guess without seeing the revolver in person.
Hope this helps.

 

[desertdweller]

Thanks a bunch! I can't believe I only got one response though.

 

[DavidB]

"Thanks a bunch! I can't believe I only got one response though."
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
(It's almost Easter, three day weekend for a lot of people.)

 

[Ronald617]

cs-1

If it's a CS-1, you better snatch it up.

 

[ENGINE18]

The CS-1 or a non-internal lock 686, 3" is on my "grail list", so I would buy it!

 

[handgunner356]

You didn't say what the price was but any correct pre-lock 3" 686 should be in the $500-600 range minimum.

 

[Marshal Tom]

If it is a CS-1 in 98% $700 -$900 wouold be the norm from what I have observed over the years of owning and watching them. I had two at the same time and sold one to a forum member to offset the price of keeping the other. Very hard to find and one that you should get if possible IMO.

Tom

 

[desertdweller]

MORE help[please]

I need a sanity check. I am going to see this 686 3" this week and the more I read the more confused I am!
The guy tells me it is a 686 no dash, but reading in the Standard Catalog of S&W's it says the US Custom 686 3" was manufactured in 1988, so should it be a 686-3??
He also says it has CS stamped above the model number but again the Standard Catalong of S&W's says it was stamped CS-1. Also "the book" says it has a production code of 104228 IF he has the original box, would it be stamped on the box?
Thanks again for any/all pertinent information!

 

[black1970]

Look at the front sight. If it is black with no red ramp and thinner than the red ramp 686 sight it is correct for a CS-1. Product code is 104228. I have one LNIB that I bought in 05 for 499. Good luck.

 

[tocohillsguy]

The boxes I've seen have the product code for the CS-1 but list the model as 686. I can't recall seeing a dash indication on the box, but I could be mistaken. The revolver itself is marked CS-1 with no reference to 686. I recall thinking it odd that the model number on the gun didn't match the box. That could be the source of confusion. Also many but not all of them came with Pach Compacs. Others came with Grippers.

Update...

I took another look at my CS-1 and CPTDCO is correct the 686 is marked low in the yoke cut-out with CS 1 above that. The 686 does not include a dash number.

 

[cptdco]

I just checked both of mine and both have 686 down low in the yoke cut-out with CS 1 above that. I noticed that was a pretty good space between the CS and the 1, sort of like: CS-----1.
Is it possible that the gun the original poster was looking at had the CS 1 marking struck a little too far to the right and the 1 didn't get on there? Who knows? But I agree that the front sight type and thickness is a give-away and any 3" 686 in good shape is a great gun.

 

[black1970]

Some CS-1's also came with the S & W small wood grips. I have been told that the ones that came with Pachs did not have the logo on them. The boxes did not have CS-! on the end flap-only 686. I saw where a 4 in. sold on a forum yesterday for 650 I think.