My 686-4 Gosh I really like it

[Vistula]

It's a 6" and it has become not just my favorite revolver, but certainly
one of my favorite handguns.
It says a lot about S&W.

I am interested in it's birth date and I'm hoping someone can help me out. It's a -4 and I believe they started making them around 1993. The serial number is BPR63XX.

Again, if anyone can help me out, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Where are the pictures! We need z pictures otherwise it ain't real.

 

[Pizza Bob]

"BPK" is the last prefix listed in the SCSW of those that start with "BP". BPK is listed as Dec 93. I would imagine yours is from about the same time frame as Jan 94 starts with BDY.

If you have the box, check the label and note the Special Order number. The first digit is the year and the last three are the day in Julian format.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[loeman]

You have what may be the most desirable 686, a dash 4 model! It has all the perceived positive changes and none of the perceived negative changes that came after the -4s. Do you have the original factory target stocks and the box etc? Congratulations and I'm not surprised it has become one of your favorite handguns.

 

[ben1]

I have a 2 1/2 inch 686-4 and it is a great gun. Congratulations and enjoy it I do.

 

[hittman77]

People are sorely in need of the SCSW!

My 686-4 is a fine shooter too!

 

[Vistula]

"BPK" is the last prefix listed in the SCSW of those that start with "BP". BPK is listed as Dec 93. I would imagine yours is from about the same time frame as Jan 94 starts with BDY.

If you have the box, check the label and note the Special Order number. The first digit is the year and the last three are the day in Julian format.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Thanks Pizza Bob,
The special order number is 4131.
I appreciate your help. It's interesting to know the little things and I love the history story.
Interestingly, the manual is dated 6/93.
Bob

 

[Vistula]

You have what may be the most desirable 686, a dash 4 model! It has all the perceived positive changes and none of the perceived negative changes that came after the -4s. Do you have the original factory target stocks and the box etc? Congratulations and I'm not surprised it has become one of your favorite handguns.

I do have the box and all the docs, but the original grips were gone when I bought it. I would love to find a nice looking pair, but some of the prices are awfully high. I've had my eyes open over the past year, maybe I'll get lucky.
Thanks loeman!
Bob

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Didn't the standard 6-inch -4 ship with Hogue (some early ones with Pachmayr) rubber grips? Does the box say "TS" or "PM"?

 

[bananaman]

I do have the box and all the docs, but the original grips were gone when I bought it. I would love to find a nice looking pair, but some of the prices are awfully high. I've had my eyes open over the past year, maybe I'll get lucky.
Thanks loeman!
Bob

Congratulations! I have the same thing in a -3. Ebay is a good place to find nice grips. Sort through the junk & crazy prices. Look at pics, and read descriptions. I have gotten nice target grips as low as $15. Bob
586 no dash & 686-3

 

[329]

686 is a classic. I have a 686-1 4" that was a 6" before Magnaport cut, crowned and brazed on a really nice sight. The action was tuned by a local gunsmith that builds a lot of PPC guns….the action is perfect. This gun will be partnered with a new range bag, cleaning kit and about 800 rounds of ammo as a gift to my son. I could not think of a better gift for him.

 

[lhump1961]

I can't speak for your 686-4 but my 586-4 (a little older) came with rubber Hogues and RB while my 586 no dash came with wood and SB. Funny thing is the box for the dash 4 says SB but it most certainly is not...probably made around the time they switched to RB and Smith didn't update the label printer.

Some like the 4" better but I'm with you on the 6". I don't find it to be muzzle heavy and it tames those magnums so you can shoot all day! That's not to say I don't like a snubbie...the only 686 I have is a 2 1/2" dash 1 and I won't be parting with it either. I have a 3" 586 but I don't remember the last time I shot that one. I thought I had a pic of the 4" but I can't seem to find it.

If you're like most of us this won't be your only L frame Smith! Congrats and enjoy...don't forget pics!

 

[KEN L]

Gosh, I really like mine too! Bought it new in 1980. It was the last duty revolver I carried before we went to 3rd generation Smiths in the late 80's.

686 no dash, no M. Serial #AAB50xx

 

[vytoland]

my S&W 686-4PP came with Hogue grips..

 

[one eye joe]

THE 686 MAY ARGUABLY BE, THE BEST ALL AROUND GUN TO EVER COME OUT OF S&W. IF I HAD TO PARE MY S&W COLLECTION DOWN TO ONLY ONE GUN, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE MY 686+ MOUNTAIN GUN. MY DECISION WOULD BE BASED ON IT'S VERSATILITY. THE 4" BARREL CAN BE CONCEALED IN A HOLSTER. I ALSO HAVE 2 NO-DASH MODELS, A 2 1/2 INCHER, CONVERTED @ S&W TO A 7 SHOOTER FOR CARRY, AND AN 8 3/8 INCHER THAT SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE. HARD AS IT WOULD BE, I WOULD RELUCTANTLY HAVE TO LET THEM GO IF I COULD ONLY KEEP A SINGLE GUN. LET'S HOPE THAT IT NEVER COMES TO THAT………….

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Ken L,

Does that -0 have a stainless rear sight? From the picture it kinda looks like it does.

 

[KEN L]

I wondered if anyone would notice. You win the prize! I installed the white outline blued blade, years ago, for obvious reasons. And yes, it came from the factory that way, though I can't prove it. Back in those days I didn't know any different, cause I wasn't "in" to Smiths back then. I just knew that rear sight blade wasn't working, so I changed it to a working sight.

Here's the box end label.

 

[Vistula]

Didn't the standard 6-inch -4 ship with Hogue (some early ones with Pachmayr) rubber grips? Does the box say "TS" or "PM"?

Help Kernel,
Actually, the box label has " SB" . So it's just indicating square butt. Under the features, it has CT - RR - WO. So, that's combat trigger, red ramp, and white outline, but nothing about the actual type of grip.
Bob

 

[ns66]

sorry I am a noob in regards to S&W revolvers, what does the "-4" mean? 4th generation or something?

thank you

btw I am very interested in getting a 686 2.5" or 627...
I don't have any revolver I am thinking to add one to my collection

 

[rwsmith]

It's a 6" and it has become not just my favorite revolver, but certainly
one of my favorite handguns.

Well, that puts you in with me and a whole slew of other people, too.