Purchased used 686 Combat Magnum

[kingcobra07]

Hi all, Hope everyone has a great 4th of july weekend. Just put money down on a used S&W 686 SST 4" from LGS. I stopped in just to look as I was celebrating My first paycheck earned at new job. I feel fortunate that I was able to find a new job after 6 months of being laid off. Did'nt see much until I asked to look at this 686, the trigger is so smooth it put My new GP100 to shame. OK here's My question to you people, ser. # is AVV9676, someone please tell the date of manufacture. Thanks to all. Stay safe and healthy, kingcobra07 Finally got pix of 686-1 SS with 4" bbl also got it a roommate 1980 586 blued with 6" bbl. Stay safe and healthy, kingcobra07

 

[murphydog]

Hi, late 1987 production, and congrats on the new gun and job. Have a happy 4th of July!

 

[Centenniel]

The L-Frame revolvers are my favorite 357 magnums. Congrats on your purchase. BTW, that's Distinguished Combat Magnum.

 

[kingcobra07]

686 Combat Magnum

Thanks Murphydog, can't beat this forum when it comes to answers and information. Will post pix when I have gun in hand. Stay safe and healthy, kingcobra07

 

[624 Fan]

I have 686 AVW05xxx and it letters (favorite handgun I own so I had to get a letter) to mid March 1987, so I would guess yours is Feb/March 1987. Your gun is less than a thousand before mine in #. It should be a dash 1 variant. There was a recall back then to change out the firing pin for shooters who fired a lot of 125 grain loads or carried for self defense. If your gun has had the recall upgrade the gun will have an "M" (for modified) stamped in the yoke cutout when the cylinder is open by/above the serial number. I posted the original S&W recall advertisement in the FAQ section. Best gun I own with a lot of great memories!

Here's a link to the FAQ page.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/75502-faqs.html

 

[stmry]

congratulations on the job front. Have a nice Independence Day,
Steve

 

[kingcobra07]

Hi Centenniel, please explain why You say Distinguished Combat Magnum. Thank You in advance Your explaination of this. kingcobra07 Stay safe and healthy

 

[slowburninsteve]

Glad to hear you are back at work! Hopefully I'll be right behind you, but it's slow going. Must be that "Change" I keep hearing about......
Steve

 

[kingcobra07]

686

Thanks 624fan for Your informative comment. kingcobra07

 

[cp1969]

Hi Centenniel, please explain why You say Distinguished Combat Magnum. Thank You in advance Your explaination of this. kingcobra07 Stay safe and healthy

That was the name S&W gave them when they were introduced.

 

[Gary7]

Congrats. You may want to ask one of the admins to move this thread to the L-Frame forum.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I have a 7" 686-5 made in 2000. I got the letter. It was part of a special order that totaled 60 7" 686's Some were 6 shot fluted and others were non fluted 7 shot.

Here is mine:

 

[624 Fan]

The models 19/66 were called the Combat Magnum from the 1950s. When the 586/686 came out in the early 80s they added the "Distinguished" for those models.

 

[kingcobra07]

Thanks to all

Thanks for all the info on My new purchase, will post pix soon. slowburninsteve hang in there something good will come to You. Stay safe and healthy. kingcobra07

 

[kingcobra07]

S&W 686

Check out pictures of My 686 4" bbl and 586 6" bbl

 

[murphydog]

Nice guns. The 580/680 series were aimed (no pun intended) for use in Distinguished Revolver matches, hence the name. Here is a link to the NRA with details:

Distinguished Program

 

[Skeeziks]

I noticed the hammer & trigger are not case hardened, but it's hard to tell from the pics if it has a bead blast finish or not (looks too shiny to be bead blasted.)

The CS-1's had the bead blast but they also have a pinned front sight, which yours does not.
Does anyone know why this 686 doesn't have a case hardened hammer & trigger?

 

[roaddog28]

The models 19/66 were called the Combat Magnum from the 1950s. When the 586/686 came out in the early 80s they added the "Distinguished" for those models.

Hello,

The combat series S&W started in the early fifties with the Combat masterpiece 38 special. Shortly after came the Combat Magnum. And around 1980 came the Distinguished Combat Magnum. I have had or have all samples of the combat series S&Ws. They are by far one of my favorites of all S&W revolvers. I also have a great love for S&W 27/28. A lot of memories for me of the model 28.


roaddog28

 

[boykinlp]

Nice guns and I also like the speed loaders.