It appeared to be a 586...

[18DAI]

Went to the local fake sword and jerky show today. I was looking for a 4" 586.

There was an abundance of Taurus and Tupperware, but very few nice S&W pre lock sixguns there. Being short of cash I had an HK USP 45 to trade. I saw what appeared to be a used 586 with what appeared to be a worn finish. Slight holster wear. Dull finish on the sideplate and barrel. Slightly more.......polished...finish on the frame and cylinder. Very similar to my PC 586-5 L-comp revolvers finish. It was wearing a set of Combat grips with medallions.

I gave the owner and his partner the USP to examine and checked out their used L-frame. It was a 686-3. I recalled a few of these being made with 4" and 6" barrels. This one was a 4" with no signs of having been shot at all. Clean bore with no marks on the recoil shield. A hint of a turn line.

Those fellas giggled like school girls when I said I'd trade them even.

I think I came out OK on that swap. The SCSW says 1500 and change 4 inch versions made in 1989. Anyone know what grips these blackened stainless 4" 686-3 shipped with?

Now to get it to the range! Regards 18DAI

 

[M29since14]

I can't help you with your questions but have to say I am envious, if I am thinking of the same gun you got.

I remember when those guns came out and I wanted one, but had other things to do with my money at that time. I had a perfectly good 19 and 586, so the Midnight Black gun, or whatever they called them, just had to be something I could do without. Is that what you bought? I think I have seen a total of one of them for sale since then. It was a 6-incher, at a predictably high price, and I passed on it. I do recall the box was marked in some way specifying the blackened finish, but that's all.

Anyway, congratulations on your find. Let us know how you get along with the gun. I am curious about how durable the finish turns out to be. I have never been able to get much intelligence on that subject.

 

[murphydog]

The book says Hogue grips starting in 1993, so regular target stocks or the Combats seem likely. The finish has been reported to be somewhat "fragile" by some, but other posts stated they had no problems. It may depend on if you treat it like an uncoated stainless gun.

 

[Stevie]

That's how I found my 4" 16-4....it sure looked like a 586 in the gun-store showcase...but pick it up and look..something ain't right!

 

[Dave T]

I would trade an H&K for a S&W any day. Finding one that is not common would be that much better. Congratulations!

Dave

 

[kbm6893]

Wow! I really like S&W's, but an H&K semi auto is top of the line, too. Since the two rubes were so happy with the trade, maybe you could have gotten the gun for the H&K plus some cash to you. Aren't H&K mags like $65 a pop to begin with?

 

[S&W Fan]

I bought a 4" when they first came out, new in the box, it came with target grips, "midnight black" on end label. Unfortunately I traded it to a friend of mine for a stainless Walther PPK/S, wish I could undo that trade. I only ran a couple hundred rounds through it but didn't notice any finish wear-it was a range gun, not holstered so can't say how the finish would've worn.

 

[18DAI]

HK's are fine pistols and the only tupperware guns I own. This particular piece was a high mileage LEO trade in, that I had very little money in. Yes the mags usually run around $60....thats why I only gave them one.

I'll shoot this 686-3 next weekend and let y'all know how it is. I cleaned it last night. It had alot of dried gun oil in and on it. Looks pretty nice now.

The finish appears to be identical to that on my PC 586-5 L-comp. Not the most durable but wears most on the cylinder and frame. The barrel and side plate on both revolvers shows very little wear at all. Regards 18DAI.

 

[MoPoPo]

Sounds like you came out pretty good on that trade! Enjoy it.

 

[kshock]

My 6 inch came with the standard target grips. If you use it much, the finish will wear. I bought mine to shoot and I shoot it alot, and the finish is wearing considerably, but it sure shoots good.

 

[squidsix]

There's not an H&K product, ever, of any type, worthy of a pre-lock S&W revolver.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
In 1990-1991 era I worked with a Officer that used one in 6" for a service revolver.
I started to get one as I liked blue better than stainless. Gee if I had and kept it for 20 plus years I would have a "Rare Collectors" weapon.
Oh well, Jimmy strikes out (Again).

 

[18DAI]

I'm a shooter/end user/accumulator. This 686-3 is going to be shot and enjoyed.

The finish is already marked and rubbed in a couple of places. I have an extensive collection of scarce S&W pre lock revolvers.......a couple or three rare ones.......a collector will probably get them someday. But till then I'm going to shoot em! Regards 18DAI

 

[PMRet]

I'm a shooter/end user/accumulator. I have an extensive collection of scarce S&W pre lock revolvers.......a couple or three rare ones.......a collector will probably get them someday. But till then I'm going to shoot em! Regards 18DAI

I've seen somebody on here use the term "shooting collector", and that's how I describe myself.

 

[44wheelman]

"HK's are fine pistols and the only tupperware guns I own.".....

I second that.

I bought a USP.40 new, and would have a tough time trading it for any 686, but a well used LE trade in would be gone in a heart beat. Good move.