My first revolver

[Zend0r]

Hey Guys and Girls,


Bought my first revolver ever this week Always liked Smith & Wesson due the iconic nature and renown of the brand.

Besides that, I just like the look of these guns, they breathe craftsmanship and authority and remind us of "a simpler time".

Being the n00b that I am I am really not very familiar with what I bought. It's a 686 with 4-inch barrel in .357 magnum, that I know, but I'm unfamiliar with any real details of the gun like the series, age or history.

Any information you can provide (including an estimate on it's value) is appreciated.

Pictures including. Number on the gun is BPY****. I was unable to find anything on the BPY prefix so far...

 

[minconrevo]

A 4" L frame is a great first revolver. L frames are particularly robust. The front sight may be a SDM replacement; I've run those on competition revolvers. Several similar 3 letter prefixes shipped in 1993.

 

[squirrelnest]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia....nice first revolver!

 

[Zend0r]

A 4" L frame is a great first revolver. L frames are particularly robust. The front sight may be a SDM replacement; I've run those on competition revolvers. Several similar 3 letter prefixes shipped in 1993.

Where did you find the info on those prefixes? I've search far an wide without result XD

As for the front sight, I liked it the moment I saw it. It may ruin the classic look a bit, but my god that's a nice clear frontpost. My eyes aren't perfect, so it really helps me out.

 

[Zend0r]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia....nice first revolver!

Thanks you sir!

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the forum from CT. A great place to find friendly fellow enthusiasts and lots of knowledge. A great choice for first revolver. Around here value would be in the $700-$800 range.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! Based on the pictures, you have an excellent condition Model 686. If you open the cylinder and look at the frame cutout for the cylinder crane, you will find the serial number and exact model number. Based on what I see, yours is a Model 586-3 or earlier, so it would have been made in the 1981 to 1992 time frame. The front sight is not original, it is a replacement. For a first S&W revolver, it's hard to go wrong with an L-frame.

 

[zwartepiet]

Welcome to the forum ZendOr!

Great first Smith and Wesson revolver! One of the best for balance and feel in the hands IMHO!

Here is my no dash 686.

 

[Zend0r]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! Based on the pictures, you have an excellent condition Model 686. If you open the cylinder and look at the frame cutout for the cylinder crane, you will find the serial number and exact model number. Based on what I see, yours is a Model 586-3 or earlier, so it would have been made in the 1981 to 1992 time frame. The front sight is not original, it is a replacement. For a first S&W revolver, it's hard to go wrong with an L-frame.

It should be a 686, or at least that is how the gunstore listed / sold it and how It has been documented in the papers needed for the license.

I don't actually have the revolver here as I first need to arrange some paperwork, otherwise I would have looked at the suggested places to find more information. Unfortunately, in the Netherlands that process can take as much as 3 months at the time of writing.

 

[Zend0r]

Welcome to the forum from CT. A great place to find friendly fellow enthusiasts and lots of knowledge. A great choice for first revolver. Around here value would be in the $700-$800 range.

I did good than, paid quite a bit less than that

 

[Zend0r]

Welcome to the forum ZendOr!

Great first Smith and Wesson revolver! One of the best for balance and feel in the hands IMHO!

Here is my no dash 686.

I liked the balance to, quite a bit better than the 6 inch actually I like your revolver allot, very beautiful!

 

[mtgianni]

ZendOr, 686 designated stainless steel, 586 designated blued steel. The same holds true for the 1990's and later era guns, 6xx is ss. 6x is also stainless for the 2 digit models.

 

[Zend0r]

Super silly question btw (yes I am this new to revolvers).

What is use / reason behind the gap / identation behind the cylinder.

 

[swagmeister]

Build up your bank account. The sickness begins!!!! It won't be the last one. Great first choice. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[Heinz]

Welcome Zendor, from South Carolina. My Father was born a bit north of you in Wilhelmshaven
The notch you are asking about if a sloping "ramp" that gently depresses the cylinder pin when you are closing the cylinder. The spring cylinder pin is one of the primary locking points for the revolver.. That is why you should always gently close the cylinder with your hand. Flipping the cylinder shut can cause unnecessary wear.

 

[Zend0r]

Welcome Zendor, from South Carolina. My Father was born a bit north of you in Wilhelmshaven
The notch you are asking about if a sloping "ramp" that gently depresses the cylinder pin when you are closing the cylinder. The spring cylinder pin is one of the primary locking points for the revolver.. That is why you should always gently close the cylinder with your hand. Flipping the cylinder shut can cause unnecessary wear.

This makes so much sense I'm ashamed I didn't figure it out on myself XD. Thanks for that clarification!

 

[Zend0r]

Build up your bank account. The sickness begins!!!! It won't be the last one. Great first choice. Enjoy it in good health.

Thanks for the kind words! I fear you may be right, this probably won't be the last xD

 

[davmor19]

Excellent choice!!!! Love it! Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wproct]

Congrats on your new to you revolver! It is an excellent choice and you will get years of enjoyment out of it. I'm sure this will not be your last revolver purchase.

 

[robvious]

Just in case nobody told you, the 686 is chambered in 357 magnum, but also functions with 38 special... be sure to clean the chambers when you switch between the two.. a carbon ring can form and if you push in the longer cartridge it could scrape up some of the ring and cause an over pressure condition... bring a bore brush, cleaning is easy & quick.