686 Silhouette

[cherrypointmarine]

Anyone know how many were made ? Lady Luck was shining on me today . One of my range buddies was at an estate sale for a good friend . I couldn't make it so he texted some pic's of S&W's . I looked at one and I thought , oh just another 686 . When I enlarged the picture , it was a Silhouette . I had a 586 Silhouette that I sold to another member and I want another . I was looking at 29's just yesterday and today I found an even rarer one . Maybe I need to play the Lotto tonight .

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Finally picked it up . It's a -3 , with a product code of 104225 . The spec # is 8324 , which translates to Nov 20 , 1998 . I looked in the bible and there are 2 listings for the product code , not sure which one it is , they both list AF . The 686 is NIB , the tool bag even has the Allen wrench for the front sight . I'd post pictures , I've done it many times . But when I go to download it states it's an invalid file . Anyone with an apple computer that can help , let me know .

 

[Sevens]

If this is indeed a 686 dash THREE then I suspect you are off by a decade on the production date. A 686-3 should be 1988 to maybe 1992 or so, maybe 1993.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

You're right , I was looking at the 2nd product code which stated they were made 1996-98 . The first stated 1987-1995 . If they were made for so many years how come they don't show up ? Going to have to get a letter on this one .

 

[Sevens]

I think it was a great option feature, but a little gaudy looking. I ordered my 686 in late spring 1989 and it was nearly perfect — I only wish that I had gotten that ugly but neat adjustable front sight. I can only assume that many other buyers felt the same way.

Also FWIW, it’s seems a little mis-named as a silhouette, dubbing it PPC makes a lot more sense in my opinion. Silhouette was a great competition but .357 wasn’t king in that game. .44 Magnum or .357 Max was more prevalent.

The preset quick-adjust front sight idea was in heavy use by custom builders for PPC guns, which the 686 was well suited to.

 

[jaymoore]

....Also FWIW, it’s seems a little mis-named as a silhouette, dubbing it PPC makes a lot more sense in my opinion. Silhouette was a great competition but .357 wasn’t king in that game. .44 Magnum or .357 Max was more prevalent....

There's an IHMSA category called Field Pistol, for which the 686 with the adjustable front sight is very well suited. The critters are 1/2 size as well as the distances engaged: 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. .38 Spl. loads will work, if you can get one that isn't powder position sensitive.

You might check out The Seminole County Gun & Archery Association, 2390 Gun Range Rd, Geneva, FL 32732 or Hernando Sportsmans Club near Tampa to see if they still shoot silhouette. Hernando is only about two hours away from Oviedo. (I drive about an hour for one of my matches and 2 1/2 for the other!)

ETA link:
Seminole County Gun & Archery Association

From the IHMSA forum: "We shoot on the Sa****ay after the
first Sunday", regarding the SCGAA.

ETA: Interesting. You can't properly spell Saturnday without it being subject to censorship....

 

[VictorLouis]

Saw one today in cherry shape. I doubt it had the box, just the revolver. Dealer is still recovering from a fire, and had inventory in storage over a year. Didn't have prices on anything, as he "has to check GB and see what the market is", LOL.
If anyone is interested, PM me for the dealer info.

 

[CALREB]

I remember when the 586 version came out. I think they wanted to market it as a PPC/ Silhouette type revolver for police matches. It was never allowed for Police Distinguished so didnt catch on there. I had/have one but I changed the barrel out for a plain patridge front. Im sure it would probably work great for silhouette.
I wanted to add this is my hunting gun and while the front sight was great for the few times I shot at 100 yards or so. It was too difficult to pick out the plain black sight in deep woods or at dusk. Couldnt really replace the quad front sight so I changed barrels and put a Dawson F/O patridge front on it. I really like it for the woods. Any little light and it glows.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I might as well show the one my buddy bought six months ago (And yes I am trying to convince him to sell it to me)

 

[CHARLIE699]

I picked up this -1 (AUY prefix) a couple of years ago. Factory -fired only. First owner put factory combats from 648 6" on it and put it away. Luckily, he traded BOTH in same day. Even luckier, I I wandered in and shop owner was in good mood.

Still factory-fired only but I have another 1984 8 3/8" w/ 3-T's to shoot

 

[jeffrefrig]

Finally picked it up . It's a -3 , with a product code of 104225 . The spec # is 8324 , which translates to Nov 20 , 1998 . I looked in the bible and there are 2 listings for the product code , not sure which one it is , they both list AF . The 686 is NIB , the tool bag even has the Allen wrench for the front sight . I'd post pictures , I've done it many times . But when I go to download it states it's an invalid file . Anyone with an apple computer that can help , let me know .

That is exactly what my computer does, too. (MAC OS version 12.4) My older one, Mac os10 version 10.6.8, I have no problem with posting but I can't load pictures from my Stupid Phone 11 Pro Version 15.5. Go ahead: try talking to customer support! I basically hang up when I finally get through and can't understand a single word from "Andrew's" mouth.