686 No Dash - New Side Plate screws and Cyl Release slotted nut (Stainless)

[SW CQB 45]

When I started in 1989 at a PD, we were issued SW 686 no dash 4".

The one they issued me was beat up. I later bought a dept issued but given to the police academy 686 that I sent to Bob Jones for competition. (it too was rough)

The other day and friend ask me to sell a few guns for him and one was a dept issued 686.

Its the cleanest issued dept gun from our dept I have ever seen. Its an M stamped and its no where near what I observed in our line up. The officer who bought it ended up selling it to my friend's uncle in the 90s.

My friend ended up with it when his uncle passed. Since he was never issued a 686 when he started with us, he said it has no sentimental value and wants to push it.

I examined the revo and timing and lockup is perfect. My guess, this was a Admin gun that was issued to an officer and around 92 and 93, we swapped out to G21s.

The only issue with this gun is the side plate screws and cylinder release nut are dinked up. We had an armorer back then or someone tightened them with the wrong screwdriver.

I would like to replace them with a clean set of original screws/nut.

Any idea where to purchase factory correct side plate screws and cyl release nut?

pics in a few

 

[GerSan69]

All sorts of places....
Ebay
Midway
Numrich
Brownells
Jack First
USA Guns and Gear
and maybe even GunBroker.
USA is my favorite, because they have clean parts and their prices aren't bad.

 

[Alk8944]

I am aware this may be surprising to you, but those parts are all available from Smith & Wesson., Usually at lower price than any of the above recommended sources. Call Customer Service at 800-331-0852 and tell them what you need, there is a good chance they will send them at no charge and no shipping!

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks for the info. I re examined the revolver and while it still appears to have the original stainless shine, there are fine scuffs and small marks if you hold in the light a certain way. Still, one of the cleanest from our dept I have seen. No telling what was used to wipe them down and the holsters were Bianchi Hurricanes.

the grips are stamped 1985 and the serial number prefix is AHYxxx. M stamp visible when you swing open the cylinder.

We were not allowed to change to rubber grips. Everyone had Targets except for one Lt who had a Smython, Pachmyr grips and Bianchi Judge holster. We loaded from loops, we were not allowed to carry speedloaders. Uniformity over performance. I carried speed strips in my pockets.

Our ammo was Federal .38 158+P Lead Hollow Point.

 

[schutz5]

Very clean and with police dept stamp! That alone sets off those particular collectors.
There is a thread in this forum that describes how to smooth out a stainless finish with a grey color 3M pad or something like that.
Congrats!!!

 

[ken158]

Don't forget the yoke screw is a fitted part and will need to be filed appropriately.

 

[MajorD]

I understand wanting the gun to look nicer, as those screws are pretty buggered. But another perspective is they are part of the guns character and history and as long as the gun functions properly, leaving them alone is also a reasonable consideration.

 

[notsofast]

Stainless screws that are buggered up like those, I take and rub the heads on 320 grit sandpaper and them buff them a bit with scotchbrite pads. It's easy, doesn't take much time and takes off most of the ugly.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Part of me wanted to take a small ball peen hammer and just lightly tap to see if the raised areas would push in but then thought the slot would be jagged and I might hammer in the dome.

Whoever this gun goes to will get the original screws.

I hope to sell it to a retired VPD officer that packed a 686 and did not get the chance to buy theirs.

 

[Drm50]

Just last month I got thumb nut, springs and detent from S&W. No problem, in fact no charge. I did want a hand and they didn't have one for 686 no dash. Last year bought a hammer for 29-10 direct from S&W, got it fast and price as good or better than anywhere else. They no longer support some of the older models with parts. This forces you to deal with the parts charlatans.

 

[SW CQB 45]

here is my 1989 issue. It was ruff but days off and flitz watching TV. My dad re oiled the stocks.

here is the rear sight setting. HA, its not me.

here is the second one I bought from the police academy as a trade in. this one was sent to Bob Jones

the center pin hole was like a football. I had to have a bushing installed. Cylinder and Slide did the install and I waited two years for it to be done. thankfully, they had a program where you put your info down (basically a wait list) and they originally told me a year but that turned into two years. When I got the call, I sent my gun in and had it back within a month.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

I can attest to the grey 3m scotchbrite pad. I did it on my no dash and just a light application does wonders!

 

[jbtrucker]

Order direct or eBay

 

[rbmac52]

I'm in favor of replacing those "buggered" screws. They are a sign of careless handling of the gun and there is no good reason to keep them in it, since the rest of the gun appears to be in very good condition.