Blue S&W 686?

A

aug e. dog

New member
Guy is selling what he claims is a blue S&W Model 686 w/ 6" barrell. According to him, S&W informed him they were made in 1988 in a limited number of 2500. Can anyone verify this claim? If so, what would one be worth that is in excellent condition? Thanks.
 
I have seen an occasional 686 in blackened stainless. It is an attractive finish when new; but I think when it wears it looks worse than worn bluing because there is a sharp edge, from black finish to white stainless, not the thinning you see on blued carbon steel. The advantage is that it is not going to rust where the finish wears off.

I don't know how many were made or if it increases the dollar value. Does it to you?
 
Blued (or darkened stainless 686) or is it a 586 which is a blue steel version of the 686? I carried one (586) for a while as a duty weapon.
 
Don't see any reference to it in the few books I have ... would be interested in seeing a picture of one ... if anyone comes up with the critter.
 
Very interesting topic. I was not aware of this variation. I looked it up in my "Standard" catalog, and they list:

Product code104248: 6" barrel, finished in "Black Stainless", 2500 Manuf, 1988.

Product code 104250: 4" barrel, finished in "Black Stainless", 2500 Manuf., 1988.
 
I saw something similar at a gunshow last weekend. It was used and the dealer had it labeled as 686 Stealth. Very smooth low gloss finish. Dealer said it was a factory option. Doesn't look anything like a good bluing. Kind of reminiscent of parkerizing (only much smoother). Wonder what the durability of the finish is.
 
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you !
I thought I was nuts ,well not as nuts !
I used to do a lot of gun dealing with a shop owner in Bloomington,In. One day I was in his shop and he had a brand new Smith 686 that was blued! Quite strange I thought at the time . I already had a s.s. 686 and did not need two.
The blueing was dull ,almost flat looking.
I did not know it would become rare (hindsight is 20/20).
I have not seen one since.
 
dog,

Yeah, it's real...I own one in a 4" bbl. Bought it in 1990 in Fayeteville, NC at Jim's Gun and Pawn. It was brand new and he only had one other which was a 6".

Later that year on Ft. Bragg, there was an equipment expo in the Officer's Club with focus on selling stuff to ARSOF. I went over there and spoke with the S&W reps. They said around 5000 were manufactured (it could be lower) and they quit making them because any imperfections in the final polish (prior to blueing them) really showed up.

Mine only has a couple of places that show though and has done real well regarding holster wear. I shoot IDPA SSR with it occasionally, using a Blade-Tech Kydex holster.

The Performance Center did a really nice duty action job on mine as well.

IIRC the shop had it labeled as a "MIDNIGHT" or "MIDNITE" finish, but that could have been BS.

The box (yeah, I've still got it) lists the following: Model 686, product code 104250, Spec Ord 8346. There is an "M" designation on the top right corner of the white label on the box end.

That's all I know...wonder what these puppies are worth now?

Stay Safe...
Mike
 
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