S&W 686-3

[snubbiefan]

All you gain with the -3 over the previous examples was the introduction of the "new" yoke retention system, which I happen to prefer, if for no other reason being that the screw is bigger. You cannot screw it in too deep so as to bind the yoke. The next step in the -4 added the drill-n-tapped holes for scope mounts. Then.....in the opinion of lots of folks....it went down hill from there.

I have a 681-3, which was the last production model for that gun. The 681 was resurrected in some "special" configurations. It looks rather nice in my 4-inch family.

You have a nice quality piece and I could only hope for some of the prices I am hearing. 686 NL's fetch $700 and better where I live.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I hope you choose to get your 4" 686. I have never heard anyone saying they were unhappy or disappointed with one.

They might have decided that the gun is too heavy for everyday carry but that says nothing about the merits of this fine revolver.

I checked my records and see that I paid $700.00 out the door for mine at a local gun shop in February of 2013. That include the 8% sales tax, $5.00 state fee and about $40.00 for the paperwork etc. Prices have generally gone up since then.

If you think you might like to carry it concealed once in awhile that is possible with winter clothing but much more tricky otherwise. If you want to carry more often then you would want to consider the snub nosed version. But you can't possibly go wrong with a 686-3 686.

Good luck.

 

[snubbiefan]

Like most other folks....I have a drawer full of useless and uncomfortable holsters, but I found one that will work with the L-Frame for concealment. The Bianchi #5 Black Widow rides high on the waist above the belt-line and I can cover my 4-inch L-Frames with a shirt-tail using this particular holster.

 

[rwsmith]

It's not important......

It's not important how much you pay for it. What's important is that you GET IT.

Seriously 6" barrels aren't the most popular combination but I have one and I like it. Usually the 4" jobs go for a premium.

As you can probably tell, I'm a 686 fan.

 

[JayHutch]

The grips are from Thailand how do I kno .......I foolishly let that gun slip thru my hands in a moment of weakness and traded the gun to a dealer at medina

Oh no Browns Fan! Sorry, just seeing this. I have a set of those Thailand grips on a 2.5" 686 I have. They are actually pretty nice grips. Very well made, but have oddly too rich coloration. I've since found some period correct target grips. Thanks for mentioning it. I'm glad you let it go and I hope you LOVE what you traded for.

- hutch

 

[Browns fan]

I traded even up for a 4 inch 27-2.5 recessed but not pinned so I was ok with the deal about 2 months ago I found another 4 inch 686-3 right here on the forum so I'm happy enyoy the gun bring it to medina some day !!!!!

 

[depcooke]

I just purchased a 686-3 from an individual (Florida) for $325 included was an Uncle Mike's holster and 25 rounds of +P

 

[Erion929]

In California, not so cheap.

Jan. 2015, my 4" unfired 686-3 cost me $800. You can't find any 686 prelocks, in general....maybe a used 6" one, here and there.

It is what it is

 

[ma96782]

LOL....I often wondered about getting a 686 4" to add with my 686 2-1/2" and 686 6".

Last month, I thought that I remembered buying one about a year ago and looked through my gun room. I found a 66 4" got side Tracked. Oh well, maybe I was mistaken.

So last night, I happend to be looking for a semi auto and ran across a revolver. OMG! It's a 686 with a 4" bbl. I guess I did buy it afterall.

It's a 686-3 4". Sorry, I don't have the original grips. But, it's a Crimson Trace Lasergrip. IIRC....I paid less than $600 for the gun w/grips.

Aloha, Mark

 

[loeman]

My neighbor was moving out of state and was selling some of his guns including a 4 inch 686-3 that he had shot one time. Came with box, papers, factory targets and Pachys. Cost was $325 in 1998. I thought it was a good deal at the time. I have never fired it and I wouldn't sell it for double what I paid. I'm sure I will shoot it one day, but I'm having too much fun right now with some of my other guns.

 

[BRAH]

Blued 686?

I picked up blued 686 from a buddy that came from a Police Dept. At first we thought it was a 586, but when I got it I noticed that it was stamped 686-3. I've searched around on line for blued 686's but I haven't come up with anything. Anyone know any history on these handguns?

 

[B.C.]

It looks like an Australian model. It would be right side up down there.

 

[snubbiefan]

I've never seen a blued one, but anything is possible I suppose. Could it be stamped as a 686 in error? Other coatings and treatment can be applied to "blacken" it, but I don't think stainless can truly be blued.

Now...watch somebody come along and prove me wrong, but I think this is a rare piece.

 

[woodsltc]

I picked up blued 686 from a buddy that came from a Police Dept. At first we thought it was a 586, but when I got it I noticed that it was stamped 686-3. I've searched around on line for blued 686's but I haven't come up with anything. Anyone know any history on these handguns?

It's a black finish on a stainless 686. It was called a Midnight Black finish. These were in the 1989 catalog but were discontinued after that year due to poor sales and the black finish was not durable.

Don

 

[joedegs]

Midnight 686-3

Product code 104250, 1559 believed to be manufactured.

 

[BRAH]

Thank you for the information. I purchase a lot of used guns because I like the history that they carry with them. I'm not as interested in value rather than the story they could tell. Even though this wasn't a desirable pistol due to the issues with the coating, it makes it even more interesting to me and adds a little more value to the story of my collection. Thanks again!

 

[Marto]

I too just bought a 686-3 midnight but this one is unfired (bought from a collector) and it is about the story, just like BRAH

 

[Brasky]

A 686 like that would sell quite fast for $600 in my area. I would easily pay up to $650 for one without the original target grips (more with the grips)

I'm glad I don't live where 686s are sub $500 as I would go broke. People are selling Taurus revolvers for that much

 

[PatriotX]

The original post was from 2010, folks.

 

[4D5]

In my neighborhood, $600 would be considered a good deal.

 

[RonPagan]

yay! posting in a 6 year old thread, Im a contributor! my 686 quickly became my favorite. Got it at a show in 2009 for 450. It was actually in a house fire earlier this year, found it in a puddle of black, ashy water in a half open drawer. took it out, rinsed it off, oiled it up, checked the barrel and shot it. Not as pretty as it once was was still my most accurate pistol. The trigger still feels great too.

 

[Targets Guy]

Must watch those dates.

 

[Browns fan]

the 686-3 is TIMELESS

 

[Browns fan]

8 year old thread the 686-3 is still in my eyes the finast version picked up a 6 inch -3 in november box papers ect fof 700

 

[Browns fan]

Let's move this timeless thread to the top s&w 686-3 if some one could post a picture for me ( bought another last month)

 

[wproct]

These older Smith & Wesson revolvers are really special!

 

[bananaman]

Now, my 686-6 5" Pro Series replaces my gone 686-3, 6". Am very happy with it. Saw it at the gun show, and had to have it! Still have my 3" 586 no dash. Bob

 

[Browns fan]

picked up a 4 inch dash 3 yesterday at a local gun show in flawless condition great grips lots of striping 900 a little high but it was a -3 my weakness

 

[Browns fan]

Anyone purchase a -3 lately or seen one in your travels

 

[ISCS Yoda]

You have to love a 13-year-old resurrected thread........so, no real comments, all great guns, enjoy the pictures.....

686+ 3" - 8 - it's way past -3

686+ 2.5" -5 I believe - I haven't dug it out of the safe in a very long time.

686+ 4" -6