S&w 686-3 2.5"

[Jlr2267]

Found this little gem at a local pawn, but don't know that much about S&W revolvers, having been a Ruger fan since a young man. It is a 686-3 with 2.5" barrel, serial starts BFK. No internal lock.

Hoping someone can tell me year of manufacture, and the differences in the -3 and-4 models. I had never seen the 2.5" only 3"+, and it just said "take me home, please"

Shooting mainly Rugers for years, I couldn't believe the trigger on this 686...about as good as it gets. I had a 686-6 w/6" barrel a few years ago and it was NOTHING like this gun, not even close in terms of trigger break and fit/finish.

Traded a Ruger 44 carbine for it:

I see Altamont grips in my near future

 

[eastbank]

my 2.5" barreled 686-3 is in the bdb6140 serial range,but i would also know when it was made. to me its the nicest short barreled .357 magnum made. eastbank.

 

[rcmodel]

BFK = 1990.
BDB = late 1989.
The 2.5" barrel 686-3 was introduced in 1990.

BTW: Just so you know, there is a S&W dating Sticky thread in the revolver forum that gets a lot faster responses.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

Rc

 

[Ron James]

Earlier I started to research the numbers, I arrived at 1990 for the BDB but then my eyes started to cross and I said the heck with it. On modern S&W's it is no longer a simple look up, now you have to play with the alphabet.

 

[Jlr2267]

BFK = 1990.
BDB = late 1989.
The 2.5" barrel 686-3 was introduced in 1990.

BTW: Just so you know, there is a S&W dating Sticky thread in the revolver forum that gets a lot faster responses.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

Rc

Thanks RC. I usually access THR from a mobile device and cannot easily see all the different forums/stickies (just the way it displays in tapatalk).

 

[Jim K]

I hate to say this, but all too often a great trigger pull means someone has worked on the trigger. I suggest having someone more familiar with S&W revolvers check to see if the pull is too "good". Or try pushing the hammer off full cock.

Jim

 

[Jlr2267]

I hate to say this, but all too often a great trigger pull means someone has worked on the trigger. I suggest having someone more familiar with S&W revolvers check to see if the pull is too "good". Or try pushing the hammer off full cock.

Jim

I did the hammer push...all good. I think its just that I am used to the GP100 and Redhawk triggers. This one can't be more than 2 to 3 lbs in single action. My previous 686 trigger was heavier, but it was brand new.

 

[kitsapshooter]

The 686 pre-lock triggers are built with fantastic triggers.
smith-wessonforum.com is a great resource. Or do what i did when I had questions about a smith. I called the factory and ask a lot of questions.

 

[Ironnewt]

Contact you local PD and ask for their armory unit (or find out who worked on their duty pistols) Even though almost everyone is now issued a Semi-auto, most of us (myself included) carried a S&W M-10 or a M-19 and the K-frame action is the same as the L-frame. The guy may be retired but working on guns is not something you forget.