Some questions about 686+

[QMark]

I just replied to "Post pics of your revolvers" tread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=3060660&posted=1#post3060660
I did not feel like it was the best place to ask some questions I have.
I have S&W Model 686+ with 5" barrel, wood grips, HIVIZ front sight. What is a right name for that model? I've seen both Stocking Dealer Exclusive and Stocking Dealer Special.
Search on Smith & Wesson web site did not produce any results.
I do not see 5" 686+ very often. Was it some kind of limited production run? Why?
And also... Why trigger and hammer on a new gun should look they've been neglected for years (please see photo below)? Is there are any way I can make them look better?
Thank you in advance.
QMark

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know the fine details of that gun, just recall seeing a few ads for a 5" 686+, there are several variants.
Why don't you see more? Because the 5" barrel won't do much that a 4" or 6" won't do as well... except to sell to traditionalists who recall a bygone day when 5" barrels were regularly available on M&P and Magnum.

As to the hammer and trigger, they don't look "neglected", they are color case hardened carbon steel which S&W has used for many years even in stainless and nickel plated revolvers. They chrome plated the hammers and triggers in stainless guns for a while and there may have been a few with stainless lockwork, but S&W soon went back to their traditional standard.
In other words, that is the way they are supposed to look.

If you want them shiny, you can polish off the colors and get the parts as bright as you like. You will then have to protect them against rust and tarnish. Don't polish anything but the externally visible areas, if you grind on the working surfaces inside you can alter fit and cut through the hard surface and leave core metal to wear. Yes, even though it is MIM, it is really case hardened.

 

[JoeHatley]

Why trigger and hammer on a new gun should look they've been neglected for years

Those are case hardened MIM parts. They are suppose to look that way.

If you polish them, don't over do it, or you will loose the hardened exterior.

The 5" barrel was a Stocking Dealer only gun. IIRC... the underlug is only half length.

Nice gun.

Joe

 

[QMark]

Thank you guys for the info. I guess, I just have to accept the fact that trigger and hammer are going to look that way.
I am not going to polish them. I use my S&W for shooting and it is definitely a sweet one. I can live with its look.
And Joe, you are correct -the underlug is only half length.



QMark.

 

[Dave1]

686 or 66??

Isn't the half lug barrel version a Model 66?

Dave

 

[QMark]

Dave,
I agree that my gun does not look like typical 686+. But I have to trust the number on the frame "686-6" as well as the the same number on the box(serial number is the same in both places ).
It looks like S&W SCU number for this model is 164284.
I cannot recall seeing any pictures of this model before I've bought my gun. That's why I posted some questions here.
I would still like to know what "Stocking Dealer only gun" means. I am sorry if it sounds like a stupid question to someone. I just started learning about subject I am getting passionate about .
Thanks,
QMark

 

[Wolfgang]

 

[QMark]

Wolfgang,
I do not feel lonely anymore
Did you replace grips or it came like this?
QMark.

 

[Wolfgang]

It is exactly as it came and never fired. I got it for my wife about 3 yrs ago, as a Christmas present. As Christmas came and went, I learned she really didn't want it.

The next year I got her a 22 cal as her first gun. I think it is a 617 S&W??? Anyway she likes that one and I never told her about the 686. I can't get her to try a semi auto.

One day I'll shoot it---

Recently I saw one at a shop that says it's a stocking dealer special. Only thing is it doesn't have the lock and I can'f find any info on it. It is 5 in barrell, hiviz site, no lock, and rubber grips. That one has me puzzled.

 

[Dave1]

686 or 66??

Qmark

I am certainly no expert on these hanguns but always read and heard the 686 had a full lug barrel and 66 had a half lug barrel. It is obvious your gun does not have a full lug barrel so I would have believed it to be a model 66.

I have read where S&W, Colt, and others came out with varying features on certain guns at one time or another, maybe this is one of those instances. Maybe someone else on here can help explain. I am interested to learn about it also.

Dave

 

[Checkman]

Smith made that model a couple of years ago. It was carried by Sportsman Warehouse in my area. I consider it a predecesor to the 620 - which in turn replaced the grand old model 67. Smith had probably decided to phase out all the K frame .357 magnums by 2002/03 and were probably testing the waters.

It is an L frame and is part of Smiths effort to keep the traditionalists in it's camp. Not an easy task since the late 90's whne the comapny's then British owners decided to "streamline" the companys product line and phsse out all the blued models (with the exception of the Model 10) in 99.

If you are truly curious call Smith and Wesson or get a copy of the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith and wesson by Supica and Nahas. I emphasize the 3 Edition. The 2nd Edition was printed in 2002 and won't have any info about your model.

Enjoy. I like the L frame alot. Not as much as the old N frame Highway Patrolman Model 28, but it's a strong second.

 

[QMark]

Checkman, I have Second addition of Standard Catalog of S$W from my local library and you are absolutely correct - there is nothing abound my model. I do believe it 686+ (sorry, Dave1 )
Just ordered Third addition. I guess, I am "truly curious". I think this book is worth having.
You see, maybe because I do not know anything better or maybe it is just a great gun I like L frame better than anything else . I do enjoy shooting my S$W!
Thanks for the info.
QMark

 

[ArchAngelCD]

QMark,
According to the SCSW 3rd Edition, the 686-6 began production in 2001. According to the book your Model #164284 under the 7 shot section is listed as 5" Hi-Vis Half Lug, 2004 Stocking Dealer Special. The 6 shot Model 164284 is listed as 5" Red Hi-Vis FS WG IL CT, 2004. and doesn't list the Half Lug Barrel so your gun matches the information in the book. Your revolver was produced in 2004 so it’s fairly new. I hope this info helps a little.

 

[Dave1]

Good To Know...

I figured someone here would know the story on your gun and glad the info was made available and the question answered. Thanks to all. I was curious about it also and in no way was kicking it around. I was only repeating what I have read and been told. I am sure it is a great gun so cherish it.

I have been looking for a good buy on a 686 myself and hopefully will own one before too long. I may pick up a copy of the book also and read up on these guns because I too was curious about the dash numbers after the model number and what they meant.

Dave

 

[Checkman]

I just ordered the 3rd edition last night as a birthday gift to myself. I looked through a copy at a local gunshow a couple weeks ago and it's very comprehensive. This edition is also more "richly produced" then the previous editions. I get the impression that it has become one of Krause's top selling publications and consequently more money is being spent on it. Ommissions and errors from the last edition have been corrected. Of course there will still be mistakes, but that it the way of the world.

Jim Supica is a regular at the S&W forum and has gotten alot of feedback from members over there.When he announced that he was working on the 3rd edition and needed reccomendations the site almost locked up from all the activity. I know because I've e-mailed him a couple of times and he always responds.I'm looking forward to that package from Amazon.

 

[QMark]

Dave1,
I am really glad you raised the question about 686 vs. 66 models.
That is how we got ArchAngelCD's expert opinion and got all the information we need. Thanks to everybody responded to my post!
I am getting ready to for another trip to the range...and maybe another gun from S&W or Colt. It should be snubby now

 

[Checkman]

This is a great site for info. Most of the members will go out of their way to help. There are other forums where the members act like you're an intruder if you don't have a minimum of 300 postings. Not here.

 

[QMark]

Checkman,
I definitely feel the same way and appreciate it very much.
Sometimes you cannot get all the info you need by Internet search of from the books. In case like that this Forum is the only one place to go.
And of course it is good to know that people would treat you nicely...
Thanks,
QMark

 

[ArchAngelCD]

QMark,
You're welcome, I'm glad I could help but I'm nowhere near an expert. The book supplied all the information. I personally had no idea about that version of the M686.

 

[Master Blaster]

The model 66 is a K-frame.

The model 686 is an L frame, an L frame is a beefed up K frame, if you laid them side by side you would see that the frame is wider front to back, between the top of the recoil sheild and the hammer, thats the most visible difference.

The L frame was created to stand up better to thousands of full power .357 magnum loads it also has a beefier forcing cone to take the high velocity 125 grainers. Some folks had complained that the K frames suffered from cracked forcing cones and frame stretching after 15,000 rounds or so of full power light bullet loads.