S&W 686 3" .38 Special Only - Just Picked Up

[QB Too]

As stated in another thread, I took the plunge and paid a premium (i.e. overpaid) for a NIB 686 3" in .38 special only. Probably a dumb thing but, darn it, I wanted this gun

Just picked it up from my FFL and will hopefully shoot it this weekend. I sure do like the feel of this gun and hope that she shoots as good as she looks!! I also have a couple of GP100 3" in .38 special only so I'll be able to compare them. I'm no expert with revolvers so maybe I won't be able to tell much difference in them but then again, I might. I love the GP100 thus far but like the styling of the 686 a little better.

Here's some quick pictures...I'll post a range report next week. On the right side under "Made in USA" it says MARCAS REGISTRADAS....do other revolvers have that marking? The fired casing date is 2-14-12......awwwww, Valentine's Day!!!

 

[fat tom]

On the right side under "Made in USA" it says MARCAS REGISTRADAS....do other revolvers have that marking?

Many millions of them.
f.t.

 

[sophie]

Nice gun and pictures. Congratulations.

 

[QB Too]

I didn't know what stampings were on their revolvers (I said this was my first S&W revolver but golly gee, I recently bought a 360j in .38 special....duh)!!!. Marcas Registradas seemed strange to me....now I know. Unfortunately I couldn't find any locally to look at, guess I need to look at my 360j (OK, just looked and it's markings are different) I'm sure there is lots for me to learn and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge.

 

[Retired W4]

I'm not seeing that product code listed anywhere in the book. I believe most of the .38 special L-Frames were made for export, but I may be off the mark. Beautiful gun!

 

[Invictus357]

Something I have never seen before and quite handsome too.

"Marcas Registradas" has been on Smiths for decades.

I believe it was to help combat counterfeit Smiths south of the border.

Also, very newly made revolvers now say "Made in the USA".

Not sure why they did that.

 

[59Lover]

I'm not seeing that product code listed anywhere in the book. I believe most of the .38 special L-Frames were made for export, but I may be off the mark. Beautiful gun!

There were some 4" 586's made for export in the mid 80's, some were sold domestically.

This is an obviously new gun based on "the hole", and other features. Not sure how many of these were made.

 

[nawilson]

Reportedly, some of the other 686s made in "38 Special only" will still chamber 357. Out of curiosity, will yours also chamber the magnums?

 

[QB Too]

I was told that these may be in the LE catalog? I don't have any 357 magnum but when I'm at the range I'll see if someone does and I'll see if they chamber and will report back. There was another thread that mentioned the model number of this gun and maybe that's the thread that mentioned the LE catalog or distributor, not sure.

I just can't wait to see how this shoots compared to my GP100 (which appears to be a "heftier" gun).

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Very nice 686. It's an interesting find. I remember seeing one of these for sale on gunbroker last fall, from a seller in Texas but it didn't have the new grips like yours. Are they priced the same as the .357 version?

 

[Wheel Fan]

I had no idea there was such a gun made. Now I do. I like it. Is it pretty rare? It's cool you also have the GP100 in .38 special as well.

 

[QB Too]

I don't know if they are considered "rare" or not. But they are hard to find, especially NIB. So were the Ruger GP100 3" in .38 special. I wanted adjustable rear sights and a 3" barrel and stainless which both the S&W and the Ruger are. So I'm happy.

As far as price.......I can't find a good price on a NIB 6 round 686 3" in .357mag....found a 7 round one for $750 opening bid on Gunbroker. You would think that being chambered only for .38 special that this one would have been cheaper (assuming most want the chamber for both .38SPL and 357 mag). But, just like the Ruger, seems the dealers who do have them want a premium price and there are people like me who will pay the price (smart or not!!). I'd say in general that they go for $100+ more than the .357mag models.

Unfortunately I'm in Texas and so was the dealer so I had to pay 8.25% sales tax. I wanted to then drive to go pick it up (about 1 1/2 hours) to save on shipping and FFL transfer fee (I have a TXCHL) but he said he would only ship it so that cost also. That was OK because I'd have to have it shipped anyway if from out of state but that darn sales tax was a killer.

I certainly hesitated to pay what I did but I did happen to have the funds and so I just took the plunge. It's the first one I've ever found NIB (actually, the first one I found, period!!!) so I didn't want to pass on it for just a $100 or so extra.

It seems the 3" barrel models are going for a premium to begin with. 3" is my favorite barrel length and all that I own other than my 360j.

I would think that certainly someone else on this forum has one of these because there have been some previous threads about the .38 special only models.

So, with my 686, GP100 and 360j, all in .38 special only, I think I'm done with my revolver purchases (yeah, right)

 

[59Lover]

If it's indeed not rare, and cannot shoot 357's, I would have no interest in it. An L frame 38 only would not interest me when much better guns exist out there, like the model 15.

 

[bigtubby]

If it's indeed not rare, and cannot shoot 357's, I would have no interest in it. An L frame 38 only would not interest me when much better guns exist out there, like the model 15.

Really? doesn't even sound like it is up for debate. Are you the last word on what is better or best?

 

[Chop]

I like it. Do not think I have ever seen a 686 marked .38 spec
Since I mainly shoot .38's, it would fit me just fine.

Chop

 

[Retired W4]

There were some 4" 586's made for export in the mid 80's, some were sold domestically.

This is an obviously new gun based on "the hole", and other features. Not sure how many of these were made.

Yep. Newer than the SCSW. Probably why it doesn't show up. The PC numbers are beyond the 164xxx mark, but I'm not sure if that means any thing.

 

[cometpx4]

686 .38

QB that is a sweet revolver. Rare or not it will be a lot of fun to shoot. I shoot mostly .38's out of my .357's anyway so I would jump on this revolver.
As for paying "too much", if it makes you feel any better I cannot tell you how many revolvers I paid a huge premium for just because I wanted a particular piece.
You only live once.

 

[Ranger514]

I hope it shoots as well as it looks. Have a great time at the range, QB.

 

[QB Too]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I may not get to the range until next weekend, bummer. About to bust just waiting to go shooting.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Colt used to make Pythons in .38 Special also