Jdomin
Member
Did S&W manufacture the model 686 no dash with a 4 position front sight on a 6 inch barrel?
Did S&W manufature the 686 with 6 inch adjustable front sight?
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diamonback68
US Veteran
I believe they did, product code 104225 from about 1987 on. They would probably be dash ones though.
civil1977
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I have a S&W catalog from 1991 and that 6" model you're asking about is featured prominently on a two page spread. According to the catalog they were offering the four position adjustable front sight option on the 6" and 8 3/8" barrel 686s.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Yes, they did. Pictured below is my 686-3 with 6.0 inch barrel and 4 position, adjustable front sight. I purchased it used, set up with the Leupold scope, no box, no documents, no tools or paperwork, or rear sight. It is extremely accurate and one of my favorites.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
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snowman
Member
Sir,
I believe the adjustments are for elevation only. And you're correct that it is designed for long range work.
Andy
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Andy is correct, the front sight is adjustable (see the "wheel" under the front sight) for elevation only. There are 4 positions on the "wheel" to dial in the elevation. Though popular with hunters, my understanding is that this particular design feature of the Model 686 was to try to get in on the metal silouhette craze.
Regards,
Dave
Circa 1989, I was a member of a LEO Pistol Team. We traveled and shot regularly competing with other LEO PD's and SO's. This was still before auto-loaders completely took over and you still had a revolver class.
The LEO pistol matches required the pistol to be of the service type, no custom guns, and a max barrel length of 6”. The course of fire was double-action only. The new 6” 686 with the adjustable front sight was the “got to have” with some of the members.
The members that had that special 686 would often fail the pistol inspection by the officials. The officials said that it was a custom gun. I remember the guys having to carry a new Smith and Wesson catalog with them to prove to the officials that that 686 was an “over the counter” item and available from Smith.
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories!
The LEO pistol matches required the pistol to be of the service type, no custom guns, and a max barrel length of 6”. The course of fire was double-action only. The new 6” 686 with the adjustable front sight was the “got to have” with some of the members.
The members that had that special 686 would often fail the pistol inspection by the officials. The officials said that it was a custom gun. I remember the guys having to carry a new Smith and Wesson catalog with them to prove to the officials that that 686 was an “over the counter” item and available from Smith.
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories!
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1sgret
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686 with adjustable front sight
Jdomin
I have a 686 (no dash), 6" with the four position adjustable front sight. I purchased it new in June of 1986. It was manufactured in 1986 with a product code of 104215. I paid $290 for it then. So your 686 more than likely has the original front sight.
The front sight is a four position elevation only adjustable one. We have ours (it is my wife's revolver so I use the "we" loosely) adjusted in at 10, 15, 25 & 50 yards. It is dead on every time.
Ours is also mag-na-ported which really helps with the muzzle flip when using healthy loads. It was sent out for mag-na-porting right after it was purchased & before any rounds were fired. I know someone will say that the porting reduces the value, but we don't care & some say that it does nothing for recoil, but it does.
You will not be disappointed if you get one.
John
Jdomin
I have a 686 (no dash), 6" with the four position adjustable front sight. I purchased it new in June of 1986. It was manufactured in 1986 with a product code of 104215. I paid $290 for it then. So your 686 more than likely has the original front sight.
The front sight is a four position elevation only adjustable one. We have ours (it is my wife's revolver so I use the "we" loosely) adjusted in at 10, 15, 25 & 50 yards. It is dead on every time.
Ours is also mag-na-ported which really helps with the muzzle flip when using healthy loads. It was sent out for mag-na-porting right after it was purchased & before any rounds were fired. I know someone will say that the porting reduces the value, but we don't care & some say that it does nothing for recoil, but it does.
You will not be disappointed if you get one.
John
I saw one a couple years ago in a shop, It had an 8" tube and the four position sight and I believe it was a no dash. With the full underlug I thought it was to heavy thats the justification I used to pass on it. Guess what haven't see one since. I have to tell myself on a regular basis that I can't have them all!!!
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