686-4 info request (edit- pics)

[bags533]

Just picked up my first 686. It's a -4, 4" barrel with 7 round cylinder. Serial is CCKxxx does that make it a 1997 manufacture?

Round or square butt (I know I can take off the grips to see, but I figured y'all would know)?

Also, what's the best way to remove the fouling from the forcing cone and topstrap? Would mother's mag polish do the trick, or should I continue to look for some Flitz?

Thanks,
Pics will be up once the camera returns from vacation.

Edit to add pics:
After some Mother's Polish:

 

[valkyriekl]

Should be a round-butt grip frame--my general rule of thumb is that if the top-strap is factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount (you can see this if you look at the underside of the top strap; there will be three holes there, one of which is being used by the rear sight leaf), then the grip frame is a round-butt. The 686-4 was factory drilled and tapped.

I don't have my copy of the SCSW with me, so I can't give you a date of manufacture, but 1997 sounds about right.

Removing fouling from the (inside of the) forcing cone: use a Lewis Lead Remover--basically a brass screen, fitted around a rubber cone, that can rub off fouling gently without scratching the forcing cone.

Removing fouling from the top-strap: I use a bent paperclip like a dental pick to get at the stubborn bits of lead buildup (the paperclip is softer than the steel of the gun, and so doesn't scratch it) and Shooter's Choice or Hoppes No. 9 solvents to loosen it up. Whatever I can't get off, I don't worry about.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[kean57]

686-4

Hello,

I have to respectfully disagree...I have two 686-4s (both with 4" barrels) and both are definitely square-butts. Smith didn't switch all 686s to round-butt configuration until the '-5' model; but the '-4s' were the first to be factory drilled for scope mounts, and the last to have non-MIM hammers and triggers.

Jim (kean57)

 

[valkyriekl]

Hello,

I have to respectfully disagree...I have two 686-4s (both with 4" barrels) and both are definitely square-butts. Smith didn't switch all 686s to round-butt configuration until the '-5' model; but the '-4s' were the first to be factory drilled for scope mounts, and the last to have non-MIM hammers and triggers.

Jim (kean57)

Right, sorry...I was thinking MIM == Round Butt. MIM definitely == D&Ted frame (for adjustable sight models, anyways).

One way to be sure is to take the grips off and see:

 

[tgwillard]

Date of Manufacture

According to my copy of SCSW a serial number beginning with CCK was manufactured in Jan 1998.

 

[bags533]

Thanks guys!

 

[Shorty4T]

The 686-4 was a mix of square and round butt pistols. I have 3 686-4s from 2.5" to 6", all of which have round butts, granted the 2.5" & 3" only came in round even in previous revisions. I do know that the -4s did have both frames.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[bags533]

update: pics in OP

 

[Bullseye Smith]

the one in the picture is a round butt .

 

[valkyriekl]

the one in the picture is a round butt .

How can you tell? The MIM trigger? the 7-shot cylinder? the MIM thumbpiece?

OP, an easier way to tell is to take a picture of the backstrap. You don't even have to take the grip off the gun--if the exposed metal 'stops' halfway down, it's a round-butt. If it goes all the way down, it's a square-butt.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Have you ever seen that grip made that way for a square butt? Alway has that ugly extra piece of rubber on the right hand side.

 

[bags533]

I forgot about the round v square question in the OP. You guys are correct, it is round- and the pics are after I put new grips on it.

 

[cire]

Just want to make sure, would all 686-3 & 4 with 2.5" barrel have a round frame? Thanks