S&W LEW HORTON 357 magnum

[bearhitman]

Hey all,I need help,did S&W make a Lew Horton 686-1 357magnum 6shot in a stainless with a 2 1/2 in barrel adjustable sights and rounded combat wood grip with finger grooves?
If Yes..
Are these just as collectable as the 44spl.& 44magnum units?Approximately what year were these made?1989maybe?
Also what's a good price range on one in 99%-98% clean like brand new conditon no box?
Thanks for any info/help

 

[bearhitman]

Here is a pic of one i found on Gunsamerica,would a Lew Horton look like this and have a special serial#?The one i saw had serial#AWU2xxx and 686-1

smith wesson model 686-1 357 mag Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Full Frame Revolver for sale, gun classifieds or gun auction from Cameron Gustafson. Buy or bid on this smith wesson model 686-1 357 mag in the category Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Full Frame

 

[rollin_hot]

686-1

Hey all,I need help,did S&W make a Lew Horton 686-1 357magnum 6shot in a stainless with a 2 1/2 in barrel adjustable sights and rounded combat wood grip with finger grooves?
If Yes..
Are these just as collectable as the 44spl.& 44magnum units?Approximately what year were these made?1989maybe?
Also what's a good price range on one in 99%-98% clean like brand new conditon no box?
Thanks for any info/help

That to me looks like a "garden variety" 686 Combat Magnum in 2.5", a very nice gun and very desirable but not extremly limited, unless I am missing something. And at that price, is a pretty good deal.

The 686 2.5" snub prelocks carry a premium these days and I have seen them sell for $650-$800 depending on grips, prelock, MIM parts, condition, box and papers.

Also, if this is a -1 you need to find out if it is "M" stamped. His ad says -1 but also says "no dash" below, so which is it?

Pics of mine...

 

[bearhitman]

Hey Rollinhot Thanks for the help,The S&W i'am asking about is not the one in the pic but it does look just like yours....Is your 357/pic a Lew Horton ?
The unit i looked at DID have a M stamped on it "yes" what does the M mean"?

 

[rollin_hot]

Lew Horton

Hey Rollinhot Thanks for the help,The S&W i'am asking about is not the one in the pic but it does look just like yours....Is your 357/pic a Lew Horton ?
The unit i looked at DID had a M stamped on it "yes" what does the M mean"?

Lew Horton is a Distributor, nothing more nothing less, like Sears or Walmart.

Mine is not Lew Horton that I know of and would'nt care if it was. What you have there is easily a $700 plus gun in my neck of the woods. The "M" stamp means that it was sent back to the factory for a modificatition. The older 686's would have issues with lead build up and fouling with heavier loads and the molten lead would get stuck in the firing pin chamber. I may be corrected, but that is my quick take on the "M" stamp.

 

[Rugskipper]

I think that a run of 2.5" 686's were made for Lew Horton. The most significant thing about them was that up until then, you couldn't get one like that. Later, they proved to be so popular that S&W put them in the lineup. I bought one for $300 many years back and it SHOOTS!

 

[bearhitman]

OK,I understand,,,The gunshop had it marked as a legit "Lew Horton" and i was trying to find out if it really was or if they are just blowing smoke...LOL..I'am like you,, it dont really matter ! I like 'em just the same...
Thanks a bunch!

 

[bearhitman]

Is it ok to use hoppe's#9 to clean the bore?
What do you guys recommend to clean one up after shooting a bunch?I have never owned a stainless firearm before...

 

[RedBerens]

Lew Horton is a Distributor, nothing more nothing less, like Sears or Walmart.

Mine is not Lew Horton that I know of and would'nt care if it was. What you have there is easily a $700 plus gun in my neck of the woods. The "M" stamp means that it was sent back to the factory for a modificatition. The older 686's would have issues with lead build up and fouling with heavier loads and the molten lead would get stuck in the firing pin chamber. I may be corrected, but that is my quick take on the "M" stamp.

Actually the primers were flowing back into the firing pin hole on magnum rounds, tying up the action.

 

[exfebee]

The one pictured is a "garden variety" 686 snubby. There is nothing wrong with the "garden variety" & it is a great shooter. I carried the 4" 686-1 for many years while as a LEO & it saved my butt a bunch of times. The "686-regardless" is a great gun. The "M" was an update to correct a possible problem as described above. The last 686- before the MIM parts went in was the 686-4. Even with MIMs it is still a great gun. Here is also a pic of my 686-4 snubby which i carry since retiring. Yes, it is fine to use Hoppes #9. All the best.
Carl

 

[bearhitman]

Thanks for shareing the pics ,you guys have some super nice 686 357 Magnum's!
SSWWWEEETTTT!!!

 

[ruhip]

Horton may have done a 3" model 686 to my faded memory

 

[rollin_hot]

686

Thanks for shareing the pics ,you guys have some super nice 686 357 Magnum's!
SSWWWEEETTTT!!!

Here is another 686 of mine. Not a LH but a Performance Center gun.

 

[bearhitman]

Very NICE,I didn't know the performance center guns ever came in that configuration...Will the performance center do any of there voo-doo on a reguler pet 686-1 and if yes,how much would it cost?I know the "smmooootthhh action" on those performance center's are as good as it gets!!!!
What weight or type bullet do you guys recommend for the little short barrel revolvers?125gr. or 158gr.????And will the 125's hit low if the sights are set for 158's?What range do you set the sight's for dead on P.O.I with a short barrel?25yrds. 'bout right?

 

[zombie44]

You could also email Lew Horton the serial # and they will tell you if it was one of theirs. I recently did just that with a 3" 29-3 round butt 44 mag, turned out it wasn't a LH. Not a problem for me since it wasn't advertised as one. I'd assume a premium would be charged for a LH however.

 

[COCONUTS]

You could also email Lew Horton the serial # and they will tell you if it was one of theirs. I recently did just that with a 3" 29-3 round butt 44 mag, turned out it wasn't a LH. Not a problem for me since it wasn't advertised as one. I'd assume a premium would be charged for a LH however.

Since you just got one and a nice one to boot....how about pointing me in the direction of a Nickel 3"_29 if you come across one.

I would be most grateful if you PMed me!

 

[bearhitman]

Here is a link to the current offering...The grips sure are different......Is the 686-1 frame called a N frame ?and the grip a round frame grip?The Square type grip's will not fit the frame right?don't laugh...just trying to learn..LOL


Revolvers - Smith & Wesson

 

[47D]

Is the 686-1 frame called a N frame ?and the grip a round frame grip?The Square type grip's will not fit the frame right?don't laugh...just trying to learn..LOL

The lettered frame designations refer to the size of the frame. J-Frames are the smallest and X-Frames are the biggest. All 686s are an L-Frame gun. L-Frames are bigger than K-Frames, but smaller than N-Frames.

Within each frame type, you can have various barrel lengths. You can also have either a rounded or square "butt." Typically the shorter barrel lengths for a particular model will feature the rounded butt because it is more concealable. The grips do not interchange between square or rounded butt guns.

Here are the two types of butts:

Here are some of the various frames (no X-Frames pictured):

Here is an X-Frame above an L-Frame: