What is this? I must have one! BATTLE REVOLVER!

[Ill Bill]

I found this picture on the forum. I love the fixed sights, bobbed hammer, grip, and green finish. I think its a 686. I can't find any model number, dates, or values online. What years were they produced? How rare are they? What can I expect to pay when I'm shopping for a new shooter next year?

 

[Ill Bill]

I found this picture on the forum. I love the fixed sights, bobbed hammer, grip, and green finish. I think its a 686. I can't find any model number, dates, or values online. What years were they produced? How rare are they? What can I expect to pay when I'm shopping for a new shooter next year?

 

[johnny3]

Me too!

 

[feralmerril]

I havent seen that picture before. However it has to be custom. S&W never finished a gun that way that I know of. Each to their own, but it isnt my taste. Also I never liked pintos but thats just me. On the longer barrels I dont like the full length ejector houseings either, or nor do I like rubber grips. However, it looks like good workmanship. The world would be in trouble if we all loved the same girl or gun!

 

[jeremyws1]

This looks like the recipe:

4" 686 + fixed rear sight + bobbed hammer + Birdsong finish

I believe this is as close as the factory (PC) has gotten:

(Photo by MACHTECH)

 

[Bullseye Smith]

If I remember right, it is a 586 and they were a limit run. To find another one will be hard to do. We sold two of them , and the finish is easy to scratch. It was when they started the spray on BS. I don't care for it myself, but that is my 2 cents. Later - John

 

[Pistol Toter]

UGLIER than dog doodoo!!!

 

[Mule88]

It has the Birdsong finish, i have a 629 stealth Hunter that came from the performance center in the same finish, supposedly the same finish they say was on the space shuttle.

 

[azmick]

UGLIER than dog doodoo!!!

but that can be fixed by putting a hole in the side, just above the cylinder release

 

[rbmcmjr]

That rear sight is the C&S version they are using on the Night Guard series.

 

[wrhk33]

It is funny that that pic should show up today.
I just sent a money order for what I believe is that exact 686 yesterday. It was a custom job. The last owner did not know who did the work. I know the sight of it will cause some of you to throw up but for some strange reason
I had to buy it. I only started to buy S&W revolvers about 2 years ago. This will be my 10th. I prefer the clasic blue with wood grip which makes this purchase even more strange. I wasn't even looking for a 686. My next one was supposed to be a Mod. 66 2.5 inch. If it had the lock it would have been so easy to pass on it

 

[Sgt 127]

Originally posted by Mule88:
... supposedly the same finish they say was on the space shuttle.

I'm not so sure thats a selling point...

 

[Ill Bill]

I respect the tastes & opinions of anyone who takes gun style and design seriously, but perhaps I should explain what I find so great about this "battle revolver".

1. The green finish gives it a utilitarian or military look. Of course I'm aware the army doesn't issue revolvers, but what if...

2. The relatively small concealable grip combined with the mid-length full underlug barrel give it a forward look that I think is mean and rugged.

3. The fixed sight implies combat and sturdiness, but I like that it is an actual practical sight rather than a milled groove.

4. I don't normally like bobbed hammers but on this gun its perfect. It shows that this gun is meant for carry and combat. This is a DAO gun for immediacy, not hunting or target shooting.

5. The .357mag chambering makes it ideal for the "battle revolver" concept due to long range, penetration, and most of all manstopping power.

To me the only way this handgun could possibly be better would be if it was the 7-shot model, had an identical lasergrip(green?), and maybe even ported. I would want it by my side everyday, anywhere. Let me know if this changes anyone's mind a little.

P.S.: Hey wrhk33, please post a good picture of your awesome find.

 

[Paulie686]

I saw that same gun in a For Sale post on another Internet Gun Forum. I like the look. If I recall correctly, it IS a seven-shot 686 Plus. I have a Beater Model 19-5 that I may have refinished in a similar "Paint Scheme". If so, I'll post pictures here, but probably won't get around to doing it until the Fall. Paulie686.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Ill Bill:
I respect the tastes & opinions of anyone who takes gun style and design seriously, but perhaps I should explain what I find so great about this "battle revolver".

1. The green finish gives it a utilitarian or military look. Of course I'm aware the army doesn't issue revolvers, but what if...

2. The relatively small concealable grip combined with the mid-length full underlug barrel give it a forward look that I think is mean and rugged.

3. The fixed sight implies combat and sturdiness, but I like that it is an actual practical sight rather than a milled groove.

4. I don't normally like bobbed hammers but on this gun its perfect. It shows that this gun is meant for carry and combat. This is a DAO gun for immediacy, not hunting or target shooting.

5. The .357mag chambering makes it ideal for the "battle revolver" concept due to long range, penetration, and most of all manstopping power.

To me the only way this handgun could possibly be better would be if it was the 7-shot model, had an identical lasergrip(green?), and maybe even ported. I would want it by my side everyday, anywhere. Let me know if this changes anyone's mind a little.

P.S.: Hey wrhk33, please post a good picture of your awesome find.

I agree with everything you have said.

I too think that revolver looks tougher than week old beef jerky!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Actually, if you like pintos, having the cylinder blue or black, rather than the frame, makes a lot of sense. At least, if you shoot it, it does.

I'm not that crazy about OD for a revolver, and I happen not to like a full-length underlug on a full-size revolver, but those are very personal preferences; the folks that like them aren't wrong.

Nice gun.

 

[DonD]

I like the finish but if posters who say the finish is easily scratched are correct, that would put me off. Don

 

[GatorFarmer]

It looks like the OD version of the Birdsong Black T finish. If so, it offers a good amount of corrosion resistance, but yes, it can be scratched more easily than some other options. However, on the plus side, a refinish isn't terribly expensive. The finish option is available via local Gander Mountains if someone wants it done and doesn't want to foot the costs of shipping a gun themselves.

 

[Allen-frame]

I have a 681PC and love it. Relatively small for a 7 shot 357, heavy ,which I like in a magnum handgun and very shootable.
I am at least the third owner that I know of and the green finish is showing minor signs of wear, a scrape here and there. I am unconcerned as it is a shooter for me.

If the finish became too funky I would probably tote it over to my local gunsmith (The Gunocologist, I'm not kidding) and have him bead blast the finish off to a nice matte stainless.

I also own a 4" 681, fantastic gun and highly recommended

.


Regards ,,,,AL

 

[rbmcmjr]

Originally posted by Ill Bill:To me the only way this handgun could possibly be better would be if it was the 7-shot model, had an identical lasergrip(green?), and maybe even ported.

If this is the gun you bought, it IS a seven shot:

You can tell because the bolt stop slots are aligned with the cylinder flutes, just like the five shot Centennial below it.