Limited Edition S&W 686

[kannonfyre]

Have any of you guys ever heard of a limited edition stainless steel S&W Model 686 with 6" titanium bull barrel, adjustable front sights and competition grade trigger? My local shooting retailer showed me a second hand specimen for sale today at US$484. Apparently, he said that it was a "grandmaster" edition of the 686 and that onyl 3000 were produced worldwide.

Do you guys know of such a S&W Model 686? If it was in fair condition with a small amount of rust near the trigger guard and shows signs of needing a serious cleaning, is it still preferable to buy it at the above price? Or would you prefer to buy a brand new taurus model 669 .357 magnum for the same price?

 

[asknight]

Rust on a 686? S&W uses the most rust resistant stainless material in their guns, in my opinion. If that thing is rusted, I must consider that outright abuse and would likely use that as a bargaining instrument if I genuinely wanted to bring that one home.

 

[nitesite]

I've never seen (or even heard) of a 6" titanium bull barrel.

But then, I live in Alabama.....

 

[Richard.Howe]

686 "limited editions," even when produced in lots as small as 100, are a dime a dozen UNLESS you find that extremely rare gotta-have-it buyer. I recently inquired to S&W about a 1:500 Texas Ranger 686 4" for $450. He said he'd pass. There are obvious exceptions to this general rule -- like if S&W produced a gold-plated series of 10.

To answer your question more directly -- no, I've never heard of that particular special edition. S&W can tell you all about it. Call them up, and let us know what they say!

Rich

 

[Croyance]

I don't see the point of a titanium bull barrel.
A bull barrel is there in part to add weight in the front.
Titanium gives more strength for the weight - it is typically used to lighten things up.

I would wait for a good used 686, they are pretty common. Recently I saw four differnent ones in the same store. Condition was very good to excellent. I don't know your local prices, but you should find one for less than this.

 

[mattz357]

I know that there are different special models for overseas, so based on your location that could be a factory setup that none of us in the states have ever heard of. I love the special edition guns, but some of them are a little strange. If you can get any info like serial number or product code, post it here or email me and I'll call S&W for you (assuming you're overseas).

 

[nitesite]

Like I said, never seen or heard of a titanium barrel.

Can a titanium barrel be conventionally rifled? Will the forcing cone suffer catastrophic cracks very early due to the more brittle nature of titanium vs. steel? How would one regulate the sights for a revolver that would have a much greater amount of muzzle rise during firing?

I simply cannot see how a titanium barrel could even be done, let alone why it would be done.

 

[Croyance]

The barrel liner would be steel, as would be the forcing cone. Anywhere you need some elasticity basically. I think that is how the titanium J-frames and their competitors are done.

 

[nitesite]

Excellent point, Sir, but has there ever been a 686 with a 2-piece barrel, let alone one covered with a Titanium sleeve?

To my limited knowledge even the newest 686s still don't have the same barrel configuration as a 619/620. And they don't utilize titanium.

I smell something that just doesn't seem right.

 

[Croyance]

Yeah, but it is the only way to do this. Who knows what would be done for a special edition?