Got my First 686 Today and.....

[Vettepartz]

I just picked up my first model 686 to go with my 66 no dash and 66-2. I really like the feel of this gun. BTW, a 4 incher. I have 2 questions; it appears to be an early one, no dash, serial ABW6566; anyone know the year? Also it has black rubber grips that look like Pachmyers, but there is no emblem of any kind; are these original? Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[Vettepartz]

I just picked up my first model 686 to go with my 66 no dash and 66-2. I really like the feel of this gun. BTW, a 4 incher. I have 2 questions; it appears to be an early one, no dash, serial ABW6566; anyone know the year? Also it has black rubber grips that look like Pachmyers, but there is no emblem of any kind; are these original? Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Check to see if the frame is marked M or M2 for the firing pin & bushing recall..
I hear S&W still does these free of charge BTW..
Also is there CS-1 stamped in the crane
Is it Round or Square Butt, Matte finsh or brushed?
My CS-1/686 3" Round Butt came with Pachmayr Compact grips factory & have a viewing window at the bottom so you can see the serial #
These were U.S. Customs service revolvers also available in a 4"..
Gary/Hk

 

[jbouwens]

1983

The book says it came with checkered goncalo alves target stocks with speed loader cutouts and the medallions.

That is what I was thinking of getting next. I want a 4" to carry and to shoot steel with. Lucky dog!

 

[Rich S]

looks like early eighties and i think the grips (aka Stocks)were all wood from the factory back then. good luck with it i had an early 586 4" that shot like a rifle. i always wanted a stainless one and wound up selling it to finance the purchase of a 66-2 3" then when i had the chance i bought a 686-4 that if anything shoots better than the 586. the point of this is to say you will likely find it to be your best shooter and if you ever sell it, it will haunt you, becoming ever more accurate in your memory until you buy another, it is the curse of the L frame.
welcome to the addiction.
Regards,
Rich

 

[Vettepartz]

Thanks for that info. It does not have a M or M2 or CS1 on the crane. Just the serial and mod 686. Under it in the swing out portion is "A18" ans S and the production/run number. What is the A18?

Luckily, I have an extra set of checkered targets with medalions and the larger speed loader cutout. It is a square butt with brushed satin finish.

I got it from a good friend who was the original owner and couldn't remember if he changed grips. He didn't have the original box, but did have a wooden presentation case for a 6 inch N frame which he threw in. Also had 2 speedloaders and Bianchi lined holster. Since I have been helping him tune his Z06 Vette, he was a good guy and let me have it all for $350. Yes, I am a lucky dog.

Will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[pred]

SHould look like this one, right?

Peter

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

$350!! You Stole it!! Congrats!!
Love those Headknocker Grips pred..SWEET!
Gary/HK

 

[Vettepartz]

I am a little confused here. jbouwens said the book says it should have the target stocks with the speedloader relief, but the picture that pred has posted shows the earlier stocks with the football relief. Maybe I am confused on the terminology of stocks.

 

[sumo61]

I bought my 686 a couple of years ago and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. Even with a four inch barrel it's a tack driver. I got mine from OMB Police Supply during a visit to get some duty gear. They had just gotten some in on a department tradein for new Glocks. They had 586's for $250 or 686's for $275. I bought one and had it shipped to mt buddies FFL. When he found out what I did he tried to call them and get some but they were gone. I wish I would have bought them all when I was there but hindsight is 20/20.

 

[SuperTroll]

Very wise purchase and a great price.

I predict it will be a favorite. I love mine and I'm in the process of finding another L frame.....only problem is, I've got a line on a beautiful nickel-plated 19 six-inch.

So many guns, so little time (and money).

 

[Vettepartz]

OK - Here are some pictures of my new baby with what I believe to be the correct grips that I put on. Someone let me know if these are incorrect.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

Awesome new piece, Vette. I'm a big fan of the 686 series, and own a 686-6 SSR. They're also dead accurate compared to most of the semiautos of all calibers I've fired. You have yourself a "hitting things" gun.

 

[pred]

The "Headknocker" grips I put on the gun, When I found it, It was wearing rubbers.
I believe the cut out ones are correct!
Peter.

 

[Rich S]

looks right to me.
one big problem i have is that for me what looks right and what shoots right are two different things. i had similar grips to those on my 586 and it shot o.k. i never realized the potential of the Me/gun combination until i put a set of hogue grips on it. same with my 686, i shoot it better with pachmayers than with factory and even better with hogues than with pachmayers.
i just think they don't look good on the gun
i'd be interested in weather you have a similar experience
Regards,
Rich

 

[kennyb]

peter....like the 686 you illustrate here my 686 is also a p.d.tradein and is stamped like yours (mine is clayton co.) mine is a 686 no dash and with the M indicating is was updated by smith..about a year ago i gave a buddy of mine $225.00 for it and it does shoot well!as my ccw i carry a 686 snub and love that one as well....this christmas i gave my son a 686 6" the wooden grips sold him on it in a second!guess we have the bases covered here on that model !
now for that new model 632 41 mag.3"hmmmm....

 

[Vettepartz]

This is a nice crowd here. Lotsa good info. I called S&W today to ask about the recall since I don't have a "M" stamp. I talked to a really grouchy guy who said he would send me a shipping label to send the gun back to them for the mod. He was real reluctant about the whole thing and I really had to dig to get ANY info out of him. He said very few words and wouldn't volunteer what the mod was about or how long it takes or anything. I am not sure if I even want to send it to them. I guess I will shoot it first then decide.

 

[fyimo]

I bought a 686 new (first handgun) in the mid 1980's and sold it to a friend in the 90's. I missed that gun so much I bought another just a few months ago.

 

[LWilson]

I must lucky. I too have a 686-2 and emailed the factory this morning and it wasn't two hours later I got a email reply from a Kate Fredette in Customer Support. It had an Attachment on it explaining the recall was on 686-2 and 686-3 models. It had the address where to ship it and a their FED-X number.
If you would like I can scan the letter and sent it to you.

 

[Vettepartz]

Yes, LWilson, I would like to see the info in that letter. If it is in email form, you could just forward it to my email address that is listed in my profile. Thank You