S&W 686 Plus I am considering

[bannockburn]

Rod

A dealer I use to know had a Registered Magnum with a 3 1/2" barrel. Everything about this gun was first rate, from the deep blued finish, the checkering on the barrel and top strap, to the walnut stocks. Balance and handling were superb along with a buttery smooth DA/SA trigger.

This gun was just pure class!

 

[DR505]

DR505

That's a great looking Model 27, especially with the 3 1/2" barrel! Isn't this what the FBI use to issue to it's field agents?

Myself I have always had more than a passing interest with the 5" barrel version of the Model 27, not too short (4" barrel) and not too long (6" barrel). At 5" just right and along with great balance and handling as well!

The FBI did indeed issue this firearm. The one in my photo is from 1967. The FBI also issued the 3” RB S&W Model 13-1 and 13-2 .357 magnum. Since I am a retired agent I am trying to acquire various issue sidearms. I have the 27 and 13. Need a good S&W 1076.

 

[Rodfac]

Ah-so, guys. I've had a yen for a 3-1/2" bbl'd M-27 for quite some time...went through USAF Pilot Tng with a Marine (back when the Navy couldn't turn out pilots fast enough from Pensacola in '69). We'd remained friends through 15+ reunions over the years...much later with the FBI, he was issued and carried a 3-1/2" M-27 out of Quantico.

His flying career (A-4's during Vietnam) then as a squadron exec, ended with a bad EKG. Interviewed and hired by the FBI he served a lot of years in the Chicago field office. Loved his stories of life on the streets (he grew up in Ciscero), interacting with CPD.

Visiting here on the farm, he was pretty quick from the 4:00 o'clock carry position against our RR tie plate targets all the way out to 50 yds. Beautiful gun, that 3-1/2", not his issue I'm sure, but tweaked by a Bureau armorer to be sure. Sad to say, he's gone now...heart finally gave out...but a what a varied career of service to his country and city. They don't build 'em like that anymore.

Apologies to the OP and thread readers for this digression from the topic...but no apologies to my old friend and fellow throttle jocky...Lt Col Tom Svoboda RIP.

Best Regards to all, Rod

 

[Pulldeaux]

Sounds good to me,if I think of all the “good deals” I have made,and deals made years ago when milsurps were cheap I think it will even out in the long run !

 

[Jonesy814]

I have several short barreled N-Frames. I really like them all. But my vote for best looking is the 3.5" barrel on my Model 27-2:

View attachment 1070772

Beautiful! That right there is my grail gun. I have been watching them on Gun broker for a couple weeks now, trying to get a rough idea of what I am going to have pay for it. I should have the necessary funds in a couple months. My birthday is in early June. A 3.5" model 27 would be a great birthday gift, even if I do have to buy it for myself. Meanwhile if any of you feel the urge to give this poor, disabled old guy a birthday gift, I'd prefer blued, but if all you have is a nickeled 27 ....

 

[aaaaa]

Today at a different gun shop I saw a .44 Magnum Model 69 with a 4 inch barrel. They want $850 and it has the lock. The place I bought my 686 Plus now has a 686 Plus with a 4-inch barrel which would have been nice over my 2.5-inch barrel, but less of a carry gun at that. Also they priced the 4-inch at $850 vs my 2.5-inch was priced $750. Not sure if they are putting a premium on the 4-inch barrel, or it is just inflation. There is a third gun shop in my area that I would like to patronize more and so hope to see the right gun come in there sometime.