686-4 5inch 7 shot?

[Choyt]

What I think I know = 686-4, 375 mag, 5 inch, yellow ramp sight
Serial #CAT6876, combat hammer/trigger
I added the Hougue monogrip. Not sure if that is more original or not. Came with what seem to be cheap made small J frame CCW TYPE stocks. Can be seen sort of (in one picture with serial number) before I switched grips.

What I don’t know = when it was made generally. Thinking 1986? And super curious if the 7 shot is original or someone installed afterwards.

Also any other cool things to know?

This is my first S&W. I have other revolvers but they were purchased new. I just got this used one a month ago.

Thanks for anyone’s input or thoughts.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This one is unusual for a few reasons.

The 5" barrel was not a standard length, and the small "S & W .357 Magnum" on the left side is not typical. Is the right barrel stamped "Smith & Wesson" in the same letter size? Later guns (-6) used this stamping format but in much larger lettering.

The stocks are of the correct style for the -4 but my guess on the production year would be 1996.

Perhaps someone else here has a similar gun, but if it is factory original it may have been one of a special run for a distributor or something similar. If so a letter of authenticity may give more information, presuming you do not have the original box with end label.

Letter Process - Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

 

[Choyt]

Thanks!

Thank you very much for responding. No unusual marking on right side. That was interesting about the stamping. I have used a lot of google without much success. I’m definitely curious enough to work towards a letter, just to know what may or may not be factory. It’s a fun process regardless. I definitely will plan to do so. Oh yes, unfortunately no box BTW.

Yes if any other thoughts please feel free. Anyone and everyone.
Sincerely,
Choyt

 

[CH4]

“…no unusual markings on the right side.”
Don’t see any of the usual markings on the left side either.

As mentioned by murphydog, “S&W 357 Magnum” is usually stamped on the right side, Smith & Wesson on the left. Odd indeed.

 

[Mr. Goodwrench]

I have a 686+ with a 5" barrel that I bought new in 2002. The blue box label described it as a "stocking dealer exclusive". A quick Google search found an advertising flyer showing the gun and a product code of 164284. Welcome to the owners club!

 

[scooter123]

It's probably a Lew Horton special, a stocking dealer who commonly offered S&W revolvers with non typical barrel lengths. I'm not certain of this but a vague memory is that the 3 inch 686 originated as a Lew Horton gun. Yours is either late 1980's or early 1990's revolver because it's a pin on hammer instead of having the firing pin in the frame. In addition your gun does not have the Hillary Hole seen so often on S&W revolvers of today. These features means that the value of your revolver went up by about 3-500 dollars because collectors love the early 686 feature set. So take care of it and treat it well. BTW, my tuning recipe for these models is to remove 0.015 inch (use digital calipers or micrometer) and install a 14 lbs. rebound spring. This will result in a 3 lbs. single action trigger and a 8-9 lbs double action trigger.

 

[oink]

A very nice gun. I like it a lot. Not a fan of the stocks you put on it though. Hogue makes nice wood too.

 

[racer19j]

Not sure when they went to pined replaceable front sights. All of the -4 barrels I’ve looked at had solid front sights. All of the -5’s have replaceable front sights. They might of transitioned to the replaceable sight at the end of the -4’s. Yours is from 1996 which is close to the end of the -4’s.

 

[wproct]

Congratulations, that is a very fine specimen. The -4 series is just about as get as it gets, IMO. I'm also a huge fan of 5 inch bbl revolvers.

 

[DuneShoot]

I found a -5 4" 7-shot. Didn't know they made a 7-shot before the -6 models.