Hi all, new here but been lurking for awhile and looks like a good place to get good info. I'm shopping for a new 686 and want a 4" with sq butt and wood grips. Doesn't look like Smith offers this combination. Can I just order the grips separate from Smith? I want the fit and finish to look factory. Don't care for finger grooves and I like the checkering (just like original with medallion). I'm aware of the aftermarkets and the Altamonts look nice but really want a factory fit. Any help would be appreciated.
686 4" with wood
- Thread starter longshanx
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686-4
If you wanted a factory new 686 you would have to settle for a round butt with rubber grips. You can buy wood grips that are round to square conversion. If you want a true square butt you would have to purchase a used revolver, 686-4 or earlier. The square butt was delete from the 686 in 1996. Also the -4 and earlier had a serrated back/front straps, which really adds to the look of the revolver. And they still had the firing pin mounted on the hammer, another feature I prefer. The next question is, do you want a 6-shot or 7-shot? To my knowledge there were no 4" 7-shot square butts produced, so you would have to settle for a 4" 6-shot. You can find 4" square butts with factory wood target grips. Or purchase the pair you like best.
Joe
If you wanted a factory new 686 you would have to settle for a round butt with rubber grips. You can buy wood grips that are round to square conversion. If you want a true square butt you would have to purchase a used revolver, 686-4 or earlier. The square butt was delete from the 686 in 1996. Also the -4 and earlier had a serrated back/front straps, which really adds to the look of the revolver. And they still had the firing pin mounted on the hammer, another feature I prefer. The next question is, do you want a 6-shot or 7-shot? To my knowledge there were no 4" 7-shot square butts produced, so you would have to settle for a 4" 6-shot. You can find 4" square butts with factory wood target grips. Or purchase the pair you like best.
Joe
Redlegvzv
Member
My 686+ with wood grips. Think this is about what the OP is talking about (?) Round to square butt conversion grip.
revolver686
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A round-to-square conversion grip will give you the look of a square butt.
Smith outsources the manufacturing of their wood grips to other companies.
These conversion grips come from Altamont but have been equiped as OEM on several Smith revolvers.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Smith outsources the manufacturing of their wood grips to other companies.
These conversion grips come from Altamont but have been equiped as OEM on several Smith revolvers.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Thanks guys I didn't realize that Smith doesn't offer a sg butt with a 4" barrel. That explains some things. Was it available on the earlier versions? Only concern going with conversion would be fit. Would like for the straps to show but not liking the idea of a plug.
Joe, sorry I see in your post now that they were available on earlier versions. This may have to be the direction I go to get a true sg butt. Redleg and revolver that is the look I'm liking are you guys happy with the end result with fit going with the conversion?
AveragEd
Member
I think what he wants is the real factory McCoy, checkered target stocks like those on my 686-3s. S&W put really nice ones on some of their guns back in the day.
To be able to use those stocks, you have to buy a square-butt gun so as Joe said, you'll have to find a very early 686-4 or an older dash number gun.
Ed
To be able to use those stocks, you have to buy a square-butt gun so as Joe said, you'll have to find a very early 686-4 or an older dash number gun.
Ed
sammynomas
Member
AveragEd
Member
Whatever they are selling for today will likely seem like a good deal in the future. Quality guns seldom depreciate much and no-lock S&W revolvers are no exception.
Ed
Joe Hohmann
Member
My 20 year-old 686 has a square butt frame, but I think the new frames are rounded. BEWARE that the S&W "rounded to square" replacement grips will leave you with the rounded metal curving into the wood, and leaving a gap. If you do not like this "unfinished" look, you can order Ahrends grips from "gripseller" on eBay. However, they will not have S&W metal logos. I don't think checkering is available, either.
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TNZ71
Member
Mine
97thSignalman
Member
bananaman
Member
The wood stocks used on new S&W's are Altamont. They have a decent variety on their site. Bob
bananaman
Member
Nice looking Smith. I have a 686-3, but 6" Bob
Attachments
Learned a lot about this particular revolver in the last couple of days thanks to you guys. Looks like i'm going to have to go old stock (Pre-4?) to get what I want. I actually have a chance at a No Dash and seem to remember reading in another thread about a recall? Should I be looking for an M stamp? Looking at some of your pics makes me wish i'd done this a long time ago.
I'd like to confirm that sq butt 586 with a 4" barrel. May be the next.
AveragEd
Member
Yes, the recall on the early 586s and 686s included stamping the frame with an "M".
Ed
Ed
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