BUTCHERS...

[Andy the Aussie]

I went to a show today looking for a new to me 686. I am after a pre MIM revolver. Found a used but nice no dash M stamped one (AFR prefix). All looked good, just a hint of flame cutting on the top strap, end shake was more than acceptable and timing seemed spot on. Usual nicks and scrapes you would expect on a 25 year old revolver.

Then I turned it over and saw the two most god awful tapped holes that had been drilled (misaligned to centre as well) in the under lug (probably for a barrel weight)....I was REALLY disappointed let me tell you.

It is still in the back of my mind as I have always wanted a 686 but with a model 66 profile barrel... hummmmmmmm

 

[rollin_hot]

Butchered

After having several guns stolen from him, my step dad engraved his social security number in the side plate of his nickel Model 29.

 

[410bore]

ouch on the 29....and too bad for the 686....

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Go back and buy it and we will tell you how to fix it .

 

[cjw3]

Today, I saw (again) a 5" M27 that has been lounging in a display case for many months, if not well over a year. The front sight is a wobbly blade with a chunk of some orange material more or less centered and at the top. It has been a long time since I looked at it and I may barely remember thinking that the barrel had been cut to 5". That, along with some other finish issues doesn't come near justifying the $450 price tag...at least not to me.

I also recently saw a 5" Model 29-2 that had been drilled and tapped for a scope mount and was missing the rear sight. The cylinder was dragging against the barrel at the top all the way around and there was a lot of wear to the finish. It was also $450, so I guess with about $250+ more to throw at it you would wind up with an OK shooter.

Some folks.........

 

[squidsix]

Just get a 620

It's the L-frame .357 like the 686, but with the "correct" barrel profile.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Go back and buy it and we will tell you how to fix it .

...don't worry I have thought about it. Next booth over had a like new take off 6 inch barrel (adjustable front sight) just sitting there.....I was doing the sums at one point. A new 686 will cost me $1K out the door here and to do thise deal (new barrel and old 686) about the same. Not sure there is a shop here I would trust to reprofile the drilled barrel for me so I would probably need to do the swap. I am looking at another in the morning but I suspect it is a later model than what I want.

Andy

 

[XTrooper]

After having several guns stolen from him, my step dad engraved his social security number in the side plate of his nickel Model 29.

Awesome idea. Now thieves can steal his firearm AND his identity in one fell swoop!

 

[blujax01]

Awesome idea. Now thieves can steal his firearm AND his identity in one fell swoop!

Back in the 60's Sears sold thousands of electric engraving pens for just this purpose. Not only guns but bicycles, automobile door posts, 8 track players - most anything that was made of metal or plastic and portable. Remember this was before computers and done on advice from LEO. After all, your SS was unique to you!

 

[XTrooper]

Back in the 60's Sears sold thousands of electric engraving pens for just this purpose. Not only guns but bicycles, automobile door posts, 8 track players - most anything that was made of metal or plastic and portable. Remember this was before computers and done on advice from LEO. After all, your SS was unique to you!

Yeah, I started my police career back then, but, as you point out, it's NOT the 60's anymore!

Leaving your SS # around for someone to find, in this day and age, is a decidedly bad idea.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

...don't worry I have thought about it. Next booth over had a like new take off 6 inch barrel (adjustable front sight) just sitting there.....I was doing the sums at one point. A new 686 will cost me $1K out the door here and to do thise deal (new barrel and old 686) about the same. Not sure there is a shop here I would trust to reprofile the drilled barrel for me so I would probably need to do the swap. I am looking at another in the morning but I suspect it is a later model than what I want.

Andy

Fill the holes with stainless screws and have a pipe welder tig weld them in and smooth out and the holes are gone.

 

[srgvaz]

turned it over and saw the two most god awful tapped holes that had been drilled (misaligned to centre as well) in the under lug

Mr. Bullseye Smith has it right it would be an simple fix. This should be a reason for the seller to give you a good price on it (nobody wants a damaged gun ). If the holes were under the rear sight then I'd be concerned.

After having several guns stolen from him, my step dad engraved his social security number in the side plate of his nickel Model 29.

GREAT idea now they can steal his identity after they take his gun. Can you say insult to injury only thing worse would be to get shot with your own gun.

 

[CALREB]

I had the underlug partially removed from 617 barrel,recontoured and bead blasted it was great ,I got the weight I wanted and it looked real sharp just be carefull cant go so far back to get into the locking bolt relief, if I remember right I went 1/4 " in front of the weep hole on the bottom and was ok (check yours) .Unfortunately my brother talked me out of the gun years ago ,What ya gonna do,he gets alot more use out of it in MO, than I would in CA.Always meant to do another one even bought the barrel just havent gotten another 617 yet. Good luck Bob

 

[ElToro]

cant help you aussie but to say good luck

my grandpa was a terror with his electric pencil. thankfully never to his guns but i remember bikes, tv's all kinds of stuff w/ his name and or drivers license # on it. have seen many older guns with ssn and dl # in them.

 

[Frank237]

Once knew a cop who thought himself to be quite the revolver Tuner...his toolbox consisted of a few screwdrivers, a pair of diagonal side cutter pliers and a DREMEL moto with a bunch of attachments. That guy was a one man epidemic of ruined sears and chopped rebound springs.

Though his real work of art was a six inch 686 , with the underlug removed by the dremel , then cleaned up with some crocus cloth. When I saw the word "Butcher" in the title...I immediately thought of him.

FN in MT

 

[phenson]

Common Sense

Back in the 60's Sears sold thousands of electric engraving pens for just this purpose. Not only guns but bicycles, automobile door posts, 8 track players - most anything that was made of metal or plastic and portable. Remember this was before computers and done on advice from LEO. After all, your SS was unique to you!

For years, the Army had what they called operation ID, where you were highly encouraged by your superiors to engrave your SSN on everything of value you possessed with one of those pens. They never stopped to think that all of these items already had a serial number that could have been recorded without defacing your property. I hate to talk about my former employer, but sometimes........

 

[GyMac]

Ouch! I saw a Mauser HsC that was perfect on one side but had a DL # scratched in on the other side. I also saw a Luger at the LGS a couple of years ago that had been drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

 

[Airedale]

My local P&G took a very nice 38/44 HD in on pawn recently. It has been tapped for a scope right in the sight groove.

dave

 

[tekarra]

I bought one of those electric engravers to mark all my tools, still have it. Never let it get close to a gun though.

 

[Phil W]

Reminds me of the small "duplicate" license a service organization would pass out for a donation here in Mi. You put it on your keychain, and if lost, the finder will KNOW what car to steal.