How can I tell if a used S&W is scope mountable?

[mikle76]

I'm going this afternoon to look at a S&W 686 but I do not know the age of it. I have read somewhere that all Smith's made after 1992 are pre-drilled for scope mounts. Since adding a red dot is definetely in the plans for my next revolver, how can I know if this revolver is pre-drilled for simple scope mount installation? This also begs another question, how hard is it to add a scope mount to a pre-'92 gun? Having it drilled and tapped by a gunsmith is out of the question (many reasons, let's not go there). Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[alde]

Mike,

Open the cylinder and look under the top strap. If it is drilled you will see holes. I think the 686-4 and up are drilled for scope mounts.

 

[easyrider604]

No-gunsmithing scopemount

Open the cylinder and look under the top strap. If it is drilled you will see holes.

One of my 686-3's, has three holes visible under the top strap.

The other one, also a "-3" but with the adjustable silhouette front sight, has none.

The link below will show you the mount that I used. An added bonus is that the iron sights remain useable, in the event your scope/dot sight fails. It is made from what seems to be a strong aluminum forging, not from a cheap extrusion.

I'll post a picture of my baby as soon as a figure out how. Another forum member sent me the procedure already.

http://www.aimtech-mounts.com/index_files/Products and Services_files/id18.htm

Hope this helps.

Jet

 

[easyrider604]

Photos of S&W 686-3 with Aimpoint on Aimtech mount

Photos of S&W 686-3 with the Aimtech (no-gunsmithing) scope mount

 

[Oro]

Easier than opening the cylinder is just looking at the top strap. If the rear sight tang's forward end is rounded, that means it is of the later style that is tapped underneath. This started in the mid-90s. Prior to that, the sight tang was square ended and the top strap not tapped.

 

[HighVelocity]

Kamerer, the front end of the rear sight leaf on my 686-5 is square, but my top strap is tapped for a scope mount. My gun must be a freak.

 

[mikle76]

Thanks guys, this is just the info I was looking for. Now if the man selling it still has it when I call later this morning (I forgot to call back last night) I know what to do. Look for the holes!

 

[Oro]

High Velocity -

Yep, there are always exception in S&W land - generically called "transition" models - that mix old parts after design and engineering changes were supposed to have been made. For example, pinned barrels and recessed cylinder bores on magnums were supposed to have been eliminated at the same time in 1982, but there are tons of guns from a year or two on either side of that demarcation that have one and not the other.

I don't have a reference handy of when a -5 was introduced, but if it was in the mid/late 90s, then it's not surprising if it's made like that.

 

[mikle76]

Update! I am the proud owner of a pre-drilled and tapped S&W 686 that is destined to wear a red dot scope. Thanks for all the help! It was extremely appreciated.
FWIW, I gave $400 for what is a 90-95% stainless revolver. Compared to prices on GunBroker.com, I'm happy.