My Blue 686.... ?

[glockcrazyjerry]

Well while out christmass shopping I walked into the local gun store. The owner informed me he bought a collection of 86 rare smiths in a auction.He knows I want a blued 586 in six inch. Well what he showed me was a 6 inch blue 686-3. He told me that it left the factory that way because he called to ask and it was done as a special order by the previous owner. It lools awesome . It is supposed to be stainless underneath. Its not a bake on spray or anything like that. Its a really nice blued finish like my 28 and 29. Any one ever hear of them doing thing like this ? It isnt stamped performance shop either? Who knows should I get a letter for it. I want to run full power loads threw it but should i. It has never been fired at all. I need to look up the date how do I do that ?

 

[k217sc]

I think Smith did a special run of "blackened" stainless steel 686's back in the late 80's or early 90's. They were pretty neat looking !

Greg

 

[Majic]

They were pretty neat looking !

As long as all you did was look at them. That finish wore off rather easily and was the first and last time S&W attempted that feat.

 

[k217sc]

As long as all you did was look at them. That finish wore off rather easily and was the first and last time S&W attempted that feat.

Yeah I remember that now. I worked at a gun store when they first came out. Easily marred finish.

Greg

 

[glockcrazyjerry]

Really it looked pretty good to me. I bought it. It looks really nice. How bad does the finish come off. I clean with hopes should i still ? It wont be a carry gun so i dont think it will get all banged up ?

 

[Majic]

They do look nice, but people reported just normal handling would wear the finish in short order. A M586 would have been a much better choice. Maybe if you take extra care when handling it and only lay it on a soft padded surface it may last longer.

 

[glockcrazyjerry]

I am sure it will be fine. I dont plan on carrying a cannon like that so it will be used mostly for range use. The finish looks just like the 586 so i will see what happens ? I cant imagine it being that fragile ? its not like a hunting handgun that will be used and abused badly. Someone said they only made 2500 of them. It was a limited edition back in the day.

 

[glockcrazyjerry]

I am sure it will be fine. I dont plan on carrying a cannon like that so it will be used mostly for range use. The finish looks just like the 586 so i will see what happens ? I cant imagine it being that fragile ? its not like a hunting handgun that will be used and abused badly. Someone said they only made 2500 of them. It was a limited edition back in the day.

 

[ktd]

is it a glossy blued or a matte blue? The "Midnight Black" 686's (of which I have one) was a matte finish, kind of like a lot of 28's would have. Looked nice but I swear if I put it down on a carpet and picked it up it would be scratched. I ended up using it as my field piece, as it was still non reflective and pretty much would never have any collector value. As far as I could tell there were no special markings. You hear about people trying various methods to blacken stainless steel back then, but until recently they were not terribly successful.

I seem to remember 5000 were made, but they were made in 4 and 6 inch so maybe it is 2500 4 and 2500 6's. Just remember that there are a lot of limited editions of various things.

I would say if it is a really good deal, buy it and shoot it, and remember it will be a great field piece when the finish gets all marred up. If you care about its collectible value, then it is one of those that sad to say you should not even handle, much less shoot. As far a collectible premium, I do not think they command much right now, though maybe a check into Fjestad's may be in order.

 

[ArmedBear]

Check this out:

http://www.blackoxideservice.com/

Also, S&W did a limited run of 586's earlier this year. It may be that this store still has a few http://www.turners.com/

I liked them. They had wood grips, beautiful polished blue, and tuned actions. But I didn't buy one. If I get a 686 it will be a practical piece, not a collector piece -- not that it shouldn't be a collector piece, but I'm not rich and I don't already have a safe full of Smiths.