Didn't Smith makea 686 3" in mid 1980's?

sig-9 · December 28, 2006, 08:53 PM

Didn't smith have a 686 mat finish 3 inch back about 1986?
I think I remember this & that it was produced for Customs Officers.

If I am right, Where can I find one?

huskylover · December 28, 2006, 09:42 PM

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...p%3B+W+Customs

Greguw · December 28, 2006, 10:08 PM

I beleave they did make a 686 customs service 3 "...I just picked up a 686-1 M but it's a 2 1/2 barrel ... Barelly shot ... wood grips ... 300 bucks , You could not say no to that deal .
I seen one of those 686 3" customs service in great condition on gun broker a few weeks back , I think it went for 1200 bucks .

Greg

18DAI · December 28, 2006, 10:24 PM

I just picked up one of the 686 CS-1 3" barrel. The warranty card was stamped, "Sept 15 1988". It is LNIB. On the S&W forum, one went for around $1200 recently. If you do a search over there, alot of threads on this revolver will come up. It's got some kind of cult status over there.

I learned that there were 3000 of the 3" CS-1 made. There were also 3000 4" CS-1's. Janet Reno's crew destroyed around 1500 of the 3" CS-1's when CS went to Sigs. At least that's what a former CS inspector say's over there.

The matt finish shows wear very quickly, and scratches easily. It's some kind of bead blast. The gun is accurate, but based on what I read on the revolvers specs, I was expecting tack driving. To be fair, the revolver is new, and I've only fired 24 rounds through it. It will probably break in better. The trigger is very gritty, and I've been dry firing it at night to smooth it out. That's another thing that will work itself out with more shooting.

There is one more similar 686 out there, like the CS-1. Its a 3" 686 in standard finish, called the CS-3. On the sideplate it is laser engraved, "Security Special". IIRC these were made for the european distributor Whisco. The overrun from their order was sold in the states.

There are some of these revolvers out there. The good news for you, is that, as happened in my case, some dealers don't know what these revolvers are. They price them as a standard 686. You can get a very good deal, if you look for it. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

Jdomin · December 29, 2006, 06:39 PM

Got one for sale, has been fired selling it for $725 with instruction manual and booklet. pics [email protected]

hpg · December 29, 2006, 08:02 PM

S&W is going to produce a 686Plus in 3" soon. Item#164300......hpg

shoots awe lots · December 30, 2006, 04:18 AM

I sent my 686 to Smith last year and had a 3" barrell and 7 shot cylinder installed. It,s a shooter and it,s prelock. I love 3" guns they shoot and feel just right for me.

18DAI · December 30, 2006, 07:58 AM

shoots awe lots - If you don't mind my asking, how much did S&W charge for those mods? I'd like a 3" 686+, but will not purchase a Safety Hammer revolver with the lock. Thanks. Regards 18DAI.

shoots awe lots · December 31, 2006, 05:21 AM

18DAI Smith had some 3" stainless barrells left over from a contract they had with New York staties. With the barrell and the 7rd cylinder I spent $150.00 on barrell $200.00 0n cylinder about $400.00 with shipping.

18DAI · December 31, 2006, 10:48 AM

Thanks very much for the info! Regards 18DAI.

December 29, 2006, 06:39 PM	#5
Jdomin Member Join Date: July 29, 2005 Location: Lancaster, Pa Posts: 93	CS1 686 3 inch BBl Got one for sale, has been fired selling it for $725 with instruction manual and booklet. pics [email protected]

December 29, 2006, 08:02 PM	#6
hpg Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2002 Location: in the Bluegrass State Posts: 1,610	S&W is going to produce a 686Plus in 3" soon. Item#164300......hpg __________________ NRA member Semper Paratus

December 28, 2006, 08:53 PM	#1
sig-9 Member Join Date: July 18, 2006 Posts: 81	Didn't Smith makea 686 3" in mid 1980's? Didn't smith have a 686 mat finish 3 inch back about 1986? I think I remember this & that it was produced for Customs Officers. If I am right, Where can I find one?

December 28, 2006, 09:42 PM	#2
huskylover Member Join Date: December 25, 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 21	http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...p%3B+W+Customs

December 28, 2006, 10:08 PM	#3
Greguw Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2006 Location: Bucks County , Pa Posts: 519	I beleave they did make a 686 customs service 3 "...I just picked up a 686-1 M but it's a 2 1/2 barrel ... Barelly shot ... wood grips ... 300 bucks , You could not say no to that deal . I seen one of those 686 3" customs service in great condition on gun broker a few weeks back , I think it went for 1200 bucks . Greg

December 28, 2006, 10:24 PM	#4
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	I just picked up one of the 686 CS-1 3" barrel. The warranty card was stamped, "Sept 15 1988". It is LNIB. On the S&W forum, one went for around $1200 recently. If you do a search over there, alot of threads on this revolver will come up. It's got some kind of cult status over there. I learned that there were 3000 of the 3" CS-1 made. There were also 3000 4" CS-1's. Janet Reno's crew destroyed around 1500 of the 3" CS-1's when CS went to Sigs. At least that's what a former CS inspector say's over there. The matt finish shows wear very quickly, and scratches easily. It's some kind of bead blast. The gun is accurate, but based on what I read on the revolvers specs, I was expecting tack driving. To be fair, the revolver is new, and I've only fired 24 rounds through it. It will probably break in better. The trigger is very gritty, and I've been dry firing it at night to smooth it out. That's another thing that will work itself out with more shooting. There is one more similar 686 out there, like the CS-1. Its a 3" 686 in standard finish, called the CS-3. On the sideplate it is laser engraved, "Security Special". IIRC these were made for the european distributor Whisco. The overrun from their order was sold in the states. There are some of these revolvers out there. The good news for you, is that, as happened in my case, some dealers don't know what these revolvers are. They price them as a standard 686. You can get a very good deal, if you look for it. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

December 30, 2006, 04:18 AM	#7
shoots awe lots Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2005 Posts: 240	I sent my 686 to Smith last year and had a 3" barrell and 7 shot cylinder installed. It,s a shooter and it,s prelock. I love 3" guns they shoot and feel just right for me.

December 30, 2006, 07:58 AM	#8
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	shoots awe lots - If you don't mind my asking, how much did S&W charge for those mods? I'd like a 3" 686+, but will not purchase a Safety Hammer revolver with the lock. Thanks. Regards 18DAI.

December 31, 2006, 05:21 AM	#9
shoots awe lots Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2005 Posts: 240	18DAI Smith had some 3" stainless barrells left over from a contract they had with New York staties. With the barrell and the 7rd cylinder I spent $150.00 on barrell $200.00 0n cylinder about $400.00 with shipping.

December 31, 2006, 10:48 AM	#10
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	Thanks very much for the info! Regards 18DAI.