3" 686 questions

[eaglemike]

A little history first.... I know about the Lew Horton specials run a few years ago, the 686+ 3" guns. I know that the 3" 686+ is now a standard catalog item, and even on the Ca DOJ good list.......

What I don't know is if the 3" 6-shot was ever a production gun. I know the custom shop would fit a 3" barrel to any 686, or they would fit a 6 shot cylinder if asked.......

I asking because "a friend" recently ordered a 3" 686+ from a local dealer. The gun came in from one of the biggest distributors. My "friend" didn't bother to open the cylinder or anything at the start of the 10 day wait, as the shop was about to close and just wanted to get the clock started. At pickup time - the cylinder only has 6 holes......... the gun is still unfired..... Anything special, or just another 686? Edit: there isn't a 3" 686 6-shot at this time in the S&W catalog.

For some that aren't wheelgunner's the 3" S&W are kind of neat. They have the full length ejection rod, unlike the 2.5" and shorter. They can conceal pretty well, and balance well.

TIA for the input....

all the best,

Mike

[The SoCal Gunner]

No help here but how much did he get it for? I've been wanting a 686 and 3" would be perfect.

You could always go to the Smith & Wesson forums to ask this question.

[ar15barrels]

I have a Lew Horton 3" full lugged adjustable sight model 60 in 38spl.
It's a round-butt gun of course and it has the hogue monogrip.
The original owner bobbed the hammer and worked the trigger over.
Even as a DAO, I can still make 100yd plate hits with it and it's small enough to carry all day without it bothering you.

[dfletcher]

A few friends & I have a 3" 686 - my guess is the gun's about 10 years old. I say "my friends and I" because we tend to buy the thing from one another for a set price of $200.00, fire it enough to not like it then pass it on to the other. Then by the time the others fire & tire of it, the thing comes back my way. Neat looking gun, I just can't warm up to it at the range.

[rivviepop]

I have a 2 1/2" with combat groove grips, it's a very well balanced gun and fun to shoot. I would think a 3" would be a bit much to carry, it's a heavy piece of iron in my hand. If making a choice I'd carry a model 65/66 3" instead to save on weight (if we're staying 357mag here). That 686 cylinder is a beefcake as well ("beefcake!" heh) - I don't have a scale but I would say that the 686 2 1/2" weighs as much as my model 64 4".