686-4 How to tell if it's a rb or sb?

[wellthought1]

I have a 686-4 4" .357 magnum. How do I tell if it's a square butt or a round butt?

 

[bipe215]

Round Butt vs. Square Butt (Revolvers That Is) - The K-Var Armory

 

[wellthought1]

bipe215, thanks for the information!

 

[murphydog]

Square butt frames flare out wider at the bottom, and round butts become smaller at the bottom than the upper part of the grip frame.

 

[wellthought1]

My 686-4 is wearing the original Hogue grips. Would I have to remove the grips in order to make the determination? I have only removed grips on a S&W revolver once and it was kinda difficult to put the grips back on.

 

[S&W Fan]

As long as the back of the grip frame is visible it’s very easy to tell. Feel free to put up a photo of that area and you’ll have an answer in very short order.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Maybe this will help you determine...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Johnny Diamond]

Look at the butt [emoji1787], seriously the above diagram is very obvious and correct one of the first things I did when wife brought our first and so far only Smith home.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[OLDSTER]

My 686-4 round butt.

 

[wellthought1]

From the looks of it I have a 686-4 with a round butt.

Am I correct?

Thanks!

 

[contender85]

Yes, you are