The 686

Status
Not open for further replies.
Walkalong said:
Very, very, nice, and superb pics.

Welcome to THR.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the welcome and the compliment! This was my first try at being artsy with the picture taking. I am the world's worst picture taker, but these turned out much better than I thought.

Thanks again for noticing!
 
Last edited:
My factory midnight black 686

I just found out about this site and I'm happy to have found it! Here is my black stainless 686 I bought new years ago, 1990 if I recall. Sadly, I was young and dumb at the time and I let a "gunsmith" tune the action, and he buggered a screw and put a tiny scratch in the finish of the frame. I didn't notice til over 20 years later, that's how little I use my guns but I'm changing my ways and enjoying my fine firearms more these days!

It burns me up that this otherwise perfect gun has been molested, but it's still a beaut and a dream to shoot. At a recent range session I kept most shots in the black at 25 yards and two shots went through the same hole, making a figure 8 type hole. I do believe these are fantastically accurate...
 

Attachments

  • A 686 003.jpg
    A 686 003.jpg
    56.7 KB · Views: 26
  • A 686 002.jpg
    A 686 002.jpg
    60.7 KB · Views: 18
It's ALIVE!

Fishslayer, it's good to see somebody else is keeping this forum alive!

Nice gun you've got there, I really like the L frame Smiths, and enjoyed shooting my own a few weeks ago.

About a year ago on some website there was a custom L frame for sale, the barrel was shortened to 3" from BOTH ends so that the print on the barrel remained centered, I believe it was changed to round butt configuration, it was given night sights, ported, and it sold for what I recall was a very reasonable, though not cheap price. I could not swing the cash at the time.

It was a beaut! Let's keep this forum alive! :)
 
Mister-Smith: There were a couple of performance center models like that.
686 Mag Comp was a six shot, three inch barrel, single port comp and removable front sight.
Then there was the 686 Carry Comp with seven shot cylinder, three inch barrel, single port comp and front night sight.
 
Radagast, I've seen those on gunbroker from time to time, I've thought about buying one and may one day do so. I really like the L frame, but the custom job I saw some time ago, that was a work of art that not even the custom shop could replicate, well they could if they set their mind to it. This gun, though, this was something that really only a true artisan and his vision could craft, it was truly beautiful and kick myself for not buying it!

The 686 Mag Comp guns, one of these variations may be in my future!! I'm a great fan of Smiths, and would like to have another one or two more L frame Smiths.
 
Mister Smith:
One of my friends has a 586 Carry Comp in his collection. If the gun you saw was of better quality then it was truly exceptional.
Better luck next time.
 
I wish I saved a couple of photos of that custom 586 or 686, don't remember which it was exactly, it was an exceptional gun. I was going to write the guy to ask him to tell the new owner to give me first dibs on it if he ever wanted to part with it and I was in a better position cash wise but I did not. One thing I've learned in the gun world, there is ALWAYS another gun you're gonna want real bad just around the corner, maybe not the same, but something you want real bad.

I'm glad to see this forum is coming back to life!

Here is a photo of something I wanted real bad, more than a 686 Carry Comp, forgive me for stepping a bit outside the parameters of the forum with this photo!!! ;)
 

Attachments

  • My 340 003.JPG
    My 340 003.JPG
    76.2 KB · Views: 43
I, too, am glad to see this thread brought back to life. The 686 should not be allowed to slip into the dustbin.

And, my interest in acquiring another 686 (2.5" or 3") was rekindled lately. (I sold my 4" years ago; it felt barrel heavy to me.)

One minor note of terminology: this is a 'thread', not a forum.

Well, to be accurate, it's a thread entitled "The 686" in a board called "Handguns: Revolvers" in a section called "Tools and Technologies" on a forum called "The High Road" (.org).

:)
 
Always wanted a 586 in 6", and now there's a guy on a local CO board that lives in my town with a gorgeous 6" 686 for sale for $525. Is that a good price? Beautiful gun, but no stock grips, has some Hogue clones on it. I'm just not familiar with 686 values. And I really can't afford the thing, but it sure is tempting.
 
rondog said:
Always wanted a 586 in 6", and now there's a guy on a local CO board that lives in my town with a gorgeous 6" 686 for sale for $525. Is that a good price? Beautiful gun, but no stock grips, has some Hogue clones on it. I'm just not familiar with 686 values. And I really can't afford the thing, but it sure is tempting.
Click to expand...

Depends on the dash number & condition. Some actually prefer the blued carbon steel to stainless.

The -5 & earlier still had the hammer mounted firing pin & are sans MIM parts.
That would be an "OK" price in my area for an earlier dash number. It would undoubtedly sell though. I would be thinking it might be a little bit high in Colorado.
 
Last edited:
Condition is everything Rondog, value depends upon condition. Search the web to learn how to evaluate a used revolver, and first things first, make sure the revolver is not worn out or nearing the end of its life.

Second, though you may not have the time, watch auctions on gunbroker, see what 686 and 586 L frame revolvers with 6 inch barrels command from bidders. Value of something is whatever the market will bear, value is whatever a bidder will pay.

It's very good that you can evaluate the gun in person. Do your research on how to evaluate a used revolver, make a checklist, and go see the gun. It can't hurt to negotiate a lower price but do it after you see the gun. I've seen guns that were so nice, and the price so fair, I would have been a jackass to make a lower offer so I just paid what the gun was worth. Nothing wrong with giving a man what his item is worth.

Best of luck determining what it is worth, I myself know little about L frame values but my advice above is sound. Let us know how it works out and I'm sure we'd all enjoy seeing the photos if and when you buy it!
 
No photo. :( I picked up a 686-3 (no lock) last week. I've only shot it once...18 rounds. Had to quit...it was too dark to see the target! I can tell, I'm going to love having this gun in my hand!

Mark
 
R.W. Dale

R.W. Dale, very nice revolver! I have a question for you, how many rounds do you have through your 386 and did you buy the gun new? I'm trying to determine how many rounds it takes before the black PVD coating on the stainless cylinders acquires those powder marks. Thanks

Hardtarget: Yes, you're really going to enjoy your 686, I sold my Colt Python before I sold my Smith 686!!!! Here is a photo of my 686 I posted here before:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=173781&d=1350964157
 
Last edited:
686 = "L" frame, right?
My 681 and the group photo has my 696. Both are "Ls" close relatives to the 686.
Do these count?:)
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

3
  • Locked
Model 10 Club
2 3 4 5
Replies
111
Views
10K
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
S
  • Locked
I'll be getting my first full size revolver soon
Replies
11
Views
463
BossHogg
B
J
  • Locked
Comparison: S&W 686 and 620
Replies
0
Views
657
jad0110
J
brockgl
  • Locked
686 snub for carry?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Deaf Smith
Deaf Smith
S
  • Locked
S&W 66 or 686?
Replies
12
Views
1K
valnar
V
Back
Top