Turning a 4" S&W 686 into a 3" model

[Doug Add]

Has anyone had the Performance Center cut their 4" 686 down to a 3"? If so, do you mind saying how much it cost? If you don't want to discuss $$ on a public forum, you can PM me.

I have sent an email to S&W, but will not hear anything until next week. Thanks.

[grey9551]

PC won't cut your 686 down that I know of. If they have a 3" barrel that will work they may exchange it though Go here and look under photo essay 4" conversion.http://www.sdmfabricating.com/.

I also know a real fine revolver smith that cuts barrels down using SDM method his email is trautmannj@usfilter.com His name is John Trautmann.

Gary

[DHart]

I was fortunate to obtain a 3" 686 barrel from the Performance Center... cost is about $105 for ther part plus about $60 to install it on my 4" 686. They're doing the work right now. Unfortunately, they don't have any more 3" 686 barrels on hand. They also found a 3" 681 PC barrel without ports, which they're putting on one of my 4: 681's. Again, I just lucked out as they have no more unported ones available. They *might* have a ported one or two, but I can't say for sure... I just know I didn't want one with ports.

For another option, Mark Hartshorn at

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com

has excellent expertise in cutting barrels. I'm in his queue to have the 4" barrel on one of my 586's (a 586-5 which has the round butt) cut back to 3".

There are options if you look around and beat the bushes a little.

[bean357]

after checking several times with S&W on the 3" , and hearing first hand they did need a minimum order of 100 barrells to make the 3" again,
I did buy that 2.5" 686 bbl a few weeks ago to replace my 6", (thank you for giving me some advice to do this, Don !!) just have had recent developments preventing me from getting it in to the 'smith.
This will get it to what I would like tho, rather than the longer barrel, in case this might also work for you, Doug! :)

[DHart]

cool beans, I mean bean ;) Show us some pics when she's all done!

[bean357]

Sure will, Don! When the time comes I'll do a "before and after" It may be a little bit--but, my plan was to change the barrel, sights, and grips! :cool:

[Doug Add]

I have thought about the 2.5" 686, held one at the local shop while trying to make a decision. What I decided is that I want something a bit longer. I know there is not a big difference between a 2.5" and a 3" barrel, but the 2.5" 686 does not offer me much over my 2.25" Ruger SP101. I might just have to settle for a used 3" K frame if I can find one.

What I really want is one of Don's 3" 586s!

[1040]

Sold a 66-4 with a 2.5" barrel and night sights (no box, papers or any extras) to a dealer at a table for $400.00. Walked three aisles over to another seller, a private seller, and plunked down the $400.00 for a 66-4 with 3" barrel, box and papers!! :)

Does anyone think the prices of used S&W's getting out of hand?

I have been looking for a 3" 686 or 66 for some time. I saw THREE of them weekend before last. One on Saturday, without box or papers for $425.00, bought by a friend of mine, while I was turning what I was carring into cash.

Another on the way from the gun show at a local dealer, ported with Crimson Trace laser grips for $575.00. I could remove the grips, but not the ports, so I passed.

And Sunday afternoon, the one I bought.

Now I'm selling my 4" and 2.5" 686's. My bases are covered in this area with a 60-3" (unfortunately ported), 64-3", 65-3", 696-3" and now a 66-3", to go with the 3" K-Comp from the Performance Center and the 629-3".

I don't feel inadequate with the 3" length. :rolleyes:

[DHart]

1040... you did very well indeed on that 66-4 3"er with box and papers for $400. Awesome gun, great price... I think you lucked out! Here's mine.

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/66-4_LF1583.jpg

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/66-4_RF1578.jpg