UPDATE Is a 686-4 still a good gun?

[Hawg Rider]

"The serial number starts with BRB. Does that denote a particular year of manufacture?

Can anyone tell me if I got a good one from the photos? I followed the video that DETROIT posted (thanks by the way!) and everything checked out except that I don't have a feeler gauge to check the gap (or is it the shake?). The cylinder feels super tight though."

Congratulations on your purchase Gudou! According to the "SCSW 5th Ed." the alpha-numeric s/n (BRBxxxx) of your 686-4 refers to a manufacture date of 1993. The overall condition of your revolver looks very good, and there's a good chance that the mechanical function is also very good. If the swirls in the SS finish bother you, a gentle application of Flitz Polish or Mother's Mag and Aluminum Wheel Polish with a microfiber cloth should remove most of the shallow swirls. Enjoy!

 

[AlHunt]

I love the 6" barrel on my 686-4 Plus. That little extra weight and length tames the recoil so well. I can hang it out at the end of one arm and shoot all afternoon.

Very nice buy.

 

[Yendor357]

Gud, on top of having great taste in revolvers, you have quite the talent for taking photos. I'll bet someone that is obviously pretty sharp such as yourself, could and will improve the finish on that revolver. I've had good luck with ink erasers. Experiment somewhere under the grips.

I had a scope on my six inch 686 for a while. That gun really shot really well with 180s. Old Smiths are great guns!

 

[got2hav1]

Good pick up. Those stocks are beautiful. Mother's mag polish and a soft microfiber will clean up the light markings. I did that on my 686-4. You did great on that 686. Have fun with it.

 

[raygixxer89]

I would buy a new 686 Plus revolver. I really like mine.

The downside to buying a used revolver is what did the previous owner do to it? Did he think he was a shade tree gunsmith or was a reloader that wanted to make his home made ammo more powerful?

The way the new S&W guns are turning out, I'd rather take my chances on an older one.

 

[raygixxer89]

$700 for the 686 and $800 for the 627.

For 700 bucks, I would have already been posting on here what a great deal I got on a classic Smith 686!
ETA:actually, I'd be posting about the great deal I got on a pair of classics!

 

[raygixxer89]

I had a 686-4 in 2-1/2" and it was one of the best revolvers I had. Great action on that one. I traded it for a 66-2 in 2-1/2" but it was a great revolver. I'd rather have it than a new one for sure.

One of my grail guns right there. Beautiful.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

I had a 686-4 in 2-1/2" and it was one of the best revolvers I had. Great action on that one. I traded it for a 66-2 in 2-1/2" but it was a great revolver. I'd rather have it than a new one for sure.

Love those stocks! Who makes them? They'd sure look good on my 2 1/2" 686-4 as well!

 

[Mehutch]

It's the Holy Grail.