Unfluted L Frame Cylinder?

Register to hide this ad
The local gun shop / range I frequent has a nice looking 686 with an unfluted cylinder sitting in the case. Don't quote me on this, but I believe its a 6" barrel, and a dash 3. I know its no later then a dash 4 as it has no lock and a hammer-mounted firing pin. There are no special marks (such as Classic Hunter) on the barrel or frame. Nice looking gun. If I wasn't already pretty stocked up on L frames, and mostly interested in accumulating the no-dash models, I'd give it some serious thought.
 
I've owned 2 Classic Hunter's and neither one said "Classic Hunter" on it anywhere.

This is the 29-5 Classic Hunter that I sold to another forum member a year and a half ago. No marks that said so though-
100_0006.jpg

100_0081.jpg
 
I have a 686-3 that has been converted to a PPC gun that sports an unfluted cylinder. The guy I bought it from had the new barrel and sight rib put on, but I understand it was a 6 inch barrel with unfluted cylinder originally.
 
They made a 300 run of 5" unfluted for Southern Sports a couple years ago. I had one but could not get used to feel of L frame and sold it still unfired to a friend. The grip size just doesn't work for me on K/L frame guns. I should have just stuck it in the gun safe and saved it for the grandson.
 
Thanks for the info guys but let me add this, did they make one in a 6 shot .40? The reason I'm asking is I have a 646 I re-chambered to 10mm and with full power loads the cylinder locks up to the point where you need a rubber mallet to get it open. I'm not really diggin' that so from everything I can find out I need to replace the Ti cylinder with a stainless one. I can re-chamber a .357 if that's the only one they made but it's a lot more work. Or, a really neat suggestion on fixing the Ti cylinder, I've polished the crap out of it with no improvement. I've been told S&W coated the Ti cylinders for that reason but I can't find out what the coating is.
 
OK where can I get one

The Birdsong coated Green & Black Performance Center 681 (3" barrel) has an unfluted cylinder...a seven shot one to boot!

Who would have one of these or a pic and what was the Birdsong finish?
I believe this is the mystery (to me) gun that I seek. anyone got some info????
 
I recently purchased a like-new 6" 686-3 with an unfluted cylinder. Before bidding on it, I called S&W with the SKU from the gun's box and was told that three were made with that same SKU.

After buying the gun for what I considered a fair price, I emailed Roy Jinks and asked exactly how many 686s in all were made with unfluted cylinders. His reply was that while there were only three 6" 686-3s with my gun's SKU made, there were 7,540 unfluted 686s of all the possible barrel length, barrel type, grip and sight combinations made.

Ed
 
Who would have one of these or a pic and what was the Birdsong finish?
I believe this is the mystery (to me) gun that I seek. anyone got some info????

Here you go...here's mine albeit a tired so-so quality pic. It is a great gun...not everyone's taste but a great gun just the same.

I was wondering...for those who have this model & removed the coating...what is the best method for a clean professional job? Will S&W do it?
 

Attachments

  • swletter5.jpg
    swletter5.jpg
    79.1 KB · Views: 38
686 unfluted

Interesting reading all the info on unfluted 686's. I won a 6"unfluted 686 at a Ducks Unlimited banquet sometime in the early 80's wish I could post a picture. Its a very fine shooting gun but Im not sure about it being a Classic Hunter model. If anyone can give approximate born date I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks in advance. B DA2882 MOD 686-3
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Back
Top