How would you put a "tactical" light on this?

[SmithNut]

Oh, I have a copy of that book right next to me on my desk. I tried finding this exact Performance Center gun in there, but could not. Maybe you will have better luck finding it in there.

Real Hawkeye,
Your gun is not a Performance Center gun, but it is from a Special Production run in 1989. These were made in both 4" and 6" barrel lengths. The unique part (at that time) was that these were made with the RB gripframe. The matte finish was also different from standard production guns of the time.
If you have the Standard Catalog 3rd edition, this gun is mentioned on the upper left side of page 250, product code 103591, 2500 were made in the 4" barrel length.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Real Hawkeye,
Your gun is not a Performance Center gun, but it is from a Special Production run in 1989. These were made in both 4" and 6" barrel lengths. The unique part (at that time) was that these were made with the RB gripframe. The matte finish was also different from standard production guns of the time.
If you have the Standard Catalog 3rd edition, this gun is mentioned on the upper left side of page 250, product code 103591, 2500 were made in the 4" barrel length.

The guy told me it was a Performance Center Gun with a Black T finish. Looks and feels like a Black T type finish to me, and the action is flawless. If it wasn't offered by the Performance Center, I think he must have sent it to the Performance Center for after-market custom work. He wasn't a lying type of person. Ex Marine, stand up sort of fellow.

 

[SmithNut]

The guy told me it was a Performance Center Gun with a Black T finish. Looks and feels like a Black T type finish to me, and the action is flawless. If it wasn't offered by the Performance Center, I think he must have sent it to the Performance Center for after-market custom work. He wasn't a lying type of person. Ex Marine, stand up sort of fellow.

So, maybe I should have asked what model it is, my assumption is that it was a M586. If it is, the PC never made one, to my knowledge, without a power port compensator. I could be very wrong, but if that is a M586 with a serial prefix BDT/BDY range, it's probably one of the 1989 models.

Can you provide more info? Model number, serial prefix, etc. It's a nice looking gun, but again if it's a M686 that's been Black T'd then I can't tell you anything about it. I'm not aware of any PC M686's with 4" barrel that didn't have a comp of some sort except some of the more recent slender slab models, but I don't think those are PC either.

Here is one of the M586 Special Production guns from 1989, looks a lot like yours....

Neat gun.....

Updated - I see you mention M586, does it have a dash number after the Model number? The Special run guns were no dash from my recollection and notes. Also, if the serial number prefix is as noted above, it very well might be the Special production gun mentioned. If I'm not mistaken, these may have been shown in the 1989 S&W annual product catalog, there were a lot of special guns made that year, including a M686 that was blackened.....

One last comment, if you call the factory (800-331-0852) and ask for Customer Service (select #7), they can tell you the product code for your revolver if you provide the serial number. With the product code, we can match with the SCSW list.

 

[Charles]

Good spot, Smithnut. You may be on to something?

I don't know why this gun intrigues me so, but it does. When my friend's wifed returned my SCSW to me today, it was the first thing I tried to find.

Just looking at it, it looks almost like blackened stainless, but that may be the silver lettering that's making me think that. Are you sure that little stamp says 5 and not 6? There was a run of 1559 4" black stainless 686's in 1988, as per p. 271, product code104250.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Smithnut, yep, that sure looks just like it. Boy, if it doesn't have a Black T finish, I've sure been careless with it all these years. Not a speck of oil, or any other preservative, to prevent rust after handling. Didn't figure it needed it, thinking it had the Black T finish on. Not a speck of rust, so I guess I've been extremely lucky all these years.

 

[Elmer]

I've often wondered if Crimson Trace wasn't missing a bet not going with a high intensity LED emitter feature for their laser grips? You can find the rails and kit's in the Brownell's catalog.

They've had it suggested to them.....

It would be a simple matter to install one of the newer LED's instead of the laser emitter. It might not be as bright as some of the newer tac lights for autos, but it would work for home defense. It would make a clean install of a light for revolvers. I've been thinking of trying to get someone to do a custom modification.