Rarity question 686+ 3" barrel

[opscwo]

I had never seen or heard of a 686+ with a 3" barrel. Saw one at the pawn shop the other day and bought it on the spot. Just how rare is this model?

Thanks,

Dean

 

[TAROMAN]

They're not exactly rare, but not too common, either.
Found mine at a LGS last year. It had just come in and as I was examining it, another customer said "if he puts it down, I want it". So it came home with me. The product code on it isn't listed in SCSW, FWIW.

Just added a red dot sight for my club's defender handgun matches:

 

[BAMac]

I have one as well, just puchased in December. I think it's a nice portable length. I haven't seen them all the time, but they are around some.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I had never seen or heard of a 686+ with a 3" barrel. Saw one at the pawn shop the other day and bought it on the spot. Just how rare is this model?

Thanks,

Dean

I believe it is a regular production item with S&W and is in their catalog. Based upon that, it does not seem like it would be rare at all.

 

[robvious]

I believe the 3 inch in a 686+ (7 shot) is a current catalog item... the "rare" 3 inch version is the U S Customs Service 686 (6 shot) special order that made it to the civilian market.. marked "CS-1"... many destroyed by Clinton bunch in charge... some 4 inch versions out there but I personally have never seen one..

 

[k22fan]

I believe the 3 inch in a 686+ (7 shot) is a current catalog item... the "rare" 3 inch version is the U S Customs Service 686 (6 shot) special order that made it to the civilian market.. marked "CS-1"... many destroyed by Clinton bunch in charge... some 4 inch versions out there but I personally have never seen one..

Neither the 4" or 3" CS-1 are scarce. It just takes patience to find one. A few years ago there was a lot of praise for them in threads here which increased demand for them. S&W continued production of both barrel lengths for civilians after CS-1s sold to the government received favorable press. The majority of CS-1 marked 686s were sold on the civilian market. In their day the 4" CS-1 was the only factory round butt 4" 686 which made them special and other 3" 686s were scarce or non existent, I forget which.

There were times in the 1990s when runs of 3" 686s were snapped up quickly and dry periods when those who didn't buy when they could have couldn't find any.

Last spring and summer most of the local gun shops had new 3" 686 plus revolvers with the lock. I don't object to the lock as much as some other members so they were tempting. The problem was they weren't giving them away. I saved a couple hundred dollars by buying an unfired since the factory 6 shot 2 ½" 686-3. It was one of the last revolvers to leave S&W with combats which makes it more pleasing to look at. Besides, the majority of matches in my area have rules that prohibit loading more than 6 cartridges in any gun to make them "revolver friendly." Aligning the empty 7th chamber with the barrel slows your reload.

 

[Garybock]

686+

I have a 686+ with 3 inch barrel and it is my favorite. I have a 4 inch 686 and am looking to pick up the 2 1/2 inch version. My wife suggested I purchase another. Any wonder why she has been my wife for 34 years.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

The recent 3" 686+ is a Talo edition. They released a small number back in 2010 and the demand was strong so they decided to continue production as long as there was demand. But from what I've been told it's been in the several thousand number. Really not as much as people believe it to be. You probably don't come across them very often either because those who own them love them and probably won't like letting them go. That's how I feel about mine. It's the perfect size, conceals well, and can't go wrong with 7 shots.

Hickok45 on YouTube gives one of the best reviews I've seen on this model. Check it out here. 686+ Review

 

[RobC2]

I would like to come across one without the lock. I think with some slight modifications, it may be the perfect carry revolver.

 

[Infidel]

I have one that I installed Meprolight tritium sights on. It makes a fine carry gun.

 

[papajohn428]

I first heard of this model as a rumor a couple years ago, and placed an order on the spot, I think it was the Talo version. Six months later it arrived, and has been a favorite ever since. It had some issues with the trigger return so it went back to the factory for a little tweaking, and when it came back it was slicker than owl poop. I love my other Smiths, but this one is in a class by itself! It gets a LOT of range time.

 

[Invictus357]

The 3" 686+ is in current production.

I bought the Talo edition last year.

It is the finest, sweetest, best shooting revolver I've ever shot.

 

[mag318]

I think the 3" barrels are the perfect size for all around practical applications.

 

[opscwo]

Thanks gents...

 

[ben1]

Thanks papajohn428. I love dirty guns. That is what they were made for. To shoot ,use and get dirty. Shows somebody had a good time. I also love my 686-4 2 1/2 inch. It gets dirty too.

 

[Rio Vista Slim]

After a "divorce-induced" hiatus from handguns, I was able to order this S&W 686-6 Plus from a local gunshop in 2007. Upon receipt of the revolver, it has some firing pin issues which were quickly fixed by Frank Smith at LSG Manufacturing in Comanche, TX.

The photograph (above) shows the results of my first few shots at twenty yards, off-hand, upon returning home.

Having joined this forum shortly after that, I quickly learned how desireable the 3 inch barrel is.

A quest for the perfect stocks (for ME) was also undertaken, and the Pachmayrs in the bottom photograph are my current choice.

This revolver will NEVER be sold or traded as long as I'm still breathing.

 

[holo]

this is great after looking at all the pictures now I need one.