Black 686 ???

[Mastrogiacomo]

I never knew about black 686; my stainless 4" 686+ is my favorite gun...at least it was until I picked up a 4" 586 this afternoon...now I need another....

Laura

 

[Fishinfool]

S&W offered the blackened SS option for years prior to 1989. When I started with the CT State Police in 1980, the issue weapon was a blackened 4 inch model 66. The finishes did not seem as durable as blued steel, showing holster wear quicker. Rust, of course, was not nearly the concern it used to be when carrying your gun in a water logged holster all day. Back then, you could carry your own revolver if it was a S&W or Colt, and passed inspection by the armorer. I jumped on the first 586 to hit the market, as I liked the slightly muzzle heavy balance.

Larry

 

[pmhayden]

I had a 4 inch 686 in midnight black. The finish was so worn that it was about 75%. It looked pretty bad but functioned fine. The factory offered to do a refinish, but said it would not be durable. I was thinking of bead blasting it, leaving it a matte stainless, but some of the small parts did not seem to be stainless. I sent it off to APW and had it hard chromed. It is a great revolver. Matte chrome, chamfered chambers, perfect trigger.

Sorry for the ipad photos.

My gunsmith thought the hard chrome was sacrilege, but i needed to do something. If I were doing this today, I would look at a black Cerakote, which would replicate the original finish but probably be more accurate in appearance.

In addition, I do not think all the screws and small parts were stainless. I did some testing with cold blue, magnets, and they behaved differently.