S&W 686 adopted today, are these original grips?

[bikemutt]

I adopted this poor stainless critter today, a no-dash 4" 686 in excellent condition. I asked the seller lots of questions before I bought it, especially about the grips which I've yet to see on a 686. These look more like what I'd call service grips, or perhaps Magna grips. In any event he said that's how the gun came to him and he's not the original owner. I plan to move these grips to my model 15 which now wears K/L frame target grips, so it's all good, just wondering if these earlier 686 models shipped with grips like this one?

 

[wrs840]

My 686 no-dash has grips that are larger and "red-er", and don't have the diamond at the screw. I'm no expert though.

 

[Drail]

I seem to remember that you could order it with those grips but most had full stocks on them. Those are for CCW use. Those will not be fun to shoot with full power loads. The rear of the trigger guard is going to slam into the fingers behind it. I would look at grips that have a fuller profile to get your fingers out of the way. Hogue or Ahrends are very good and much better than any of the S&W factory grips. S&W makes GREAT guns and not so great grips.

 

[Iggy]

Those are pre-1968 Magna grips of some monetary value. They would be more practical and appropriate on your Model 15.
The target grips will be more useful on your Magnum.

 

[Old Fuff]

Those stocks date from about 1952 to 1967. The model 686 was introduced in 1980. The stocks themselves are worth at least $60 - $75 to the right buyer.

 

[sgtstryker]

Maybe it came with those grips, most did have the target grips. They do change the looks, huh? Also, they look more worn than the gun to me. With or without them, it's a great shooting Smith. I have a 586 and lately, I'm warming up to the stainless Smith's.

 

[bikemutt]

I can tell someone played with the mainspring tension since that screw is the only one boogered a bit. That's easier to do with these grips since the screw head is exposed.

I wish every used, older gun came with a gunfly, you know, a no-see-um under the shroud with a video camera

 

[bikemutt]

Here's a pic of the other side...

 

[Confederate]

The Model 681 came with these types of grips, but I never saw the 686 come with anything but the larger Magna grips. Since these guns used the "K" frame and "L" frame, it's possible that someone with a K-frame simply took the factory grips that came with this gun and swapped them with either the 681's grips or a K-frame's stock grips.

 

[BYJO4]

I also think someone changed the grips. The larger target grips were standard.

 

[jmr40]

I've seen those grips on a specal run of 681's, but never on a 686. So I know they were used later than the 1960's

 

[mmitch]

The grips pictured are magna grips, specifically, diamond magnas. As stated they belong on an older, pre 1968, gun. The right panel may have the SN of the original gun, on which, they came stamped or penciled on the back.
Your gun likely shipped with Target wooden grips, sans the diamond around the escutcheon.

Mike

 

[Bush Pilot]

YOU ADOPTED ANOTHER ONE??? Good grief, what are you, the Angelina Jolie of the gun world? Nice gun, BTW.

 

[bikemutt]

Well, it's a modest collection of L-frames, they really are my favorite guns to shoot. Took this one to the range today, it was embarrassingly accurate.

I should have the final adoptee home tomorrow, a 4" 586 in nickel, that promises to be a real gem.

Then I'm done, back to stray dogs and cats

 

[788Ham]

If you get tired of feeding the revolver........ I know of a very good home for it, don't want it to starve! Ha

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those aren't the grips that were on that gun when it left the factory. The early Model 686 revolvers were shipped with "Target Grips" from what I know.







Those grips are worth some money so please don't try to recondition them. I think you have a great idea of putting them on your M15. They will be a good match on that revolver...

 

[rswartsell]

IMHO, the target grips are a far better match with this revolver. Even the Hogue Monogrips work better for me, and the Diamond Magna's are too valuable and as stated, the perfect thing for the proper vinatge Mod 15. Take 'em off and sell or mate with the proper vintage Smith.

P.S. I will back that up with an offer to buy at market rates for my 15-2.

 

[bikemutt]

I was mistaken when I mentioned my model 15, I meant to say my pre-model 14 K38, made around 1950. I'd put target grips on that gun and, while I liked the feel of the gun, it looked overdressed. So, the K38 now wears the grips pictured and the 686 wears the target grips. The orphanage now appears decidedly better dressed

I'll post a family portrait when I pickup the 586 later this week. Incidentally, that gun has what I have to believe are modified S&W target grips that I find very nice looking. I'll post up after the rescue.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hey, those grips will look great on your K38. It's good when a plan comes together...

 

[rswartsell]

True, and I guess I'm happy with this outcome but even the proper vintage K-38 or Mod 14 cries out for target grips with the 6" bbl bullseye orientation. Those grips are for a "combat" orientation revo. That's even more specific and correct than "CCW".

That being said my 14-2 wears grips just like these without the diamonds. They are original and that has value but I sure wasn't thinking the 14-2 for these. I was thinking the 4" "combat" oriented 15. I'd love to find period correct Targets for my 14-2.

Hell, maybe I was just hoping he wouldn't be able to match them and just sell them to me.

 

[leadcounsel]

wow

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Even though the bigger grips are correct I also like the Service grips more. They go very well with a grip adapter like the one made by Pachmayr.

 

[bikemutt]

So many grips, so many guns I figured I better post a picture.

The model 15 wears the grips that came to me with the gun.

The model 14 wears the grips that came to me with the 686. The grips that came to me with the 14 were beyond repair.

Never mind the loose grips, I thought those belonged to one of these guns but on further reflection are from a round butt model 19 snubbie.

 

[rswartsell]

Nice classic Smiths bikemutt. You are sitting on a pretty sweet pile of handguns. I assume the 586 came home?