L. Horton (?) 686

[irold]

Back in the early 80s I purchased (new)a Smith 686.  It was supposed to have been a limited edition 686.  The distributor , which I remember to have been Lou Horton, had X number of these guns made for him.  It has a 2 1/2 inch barrel , cobolo (sp) finger groove grips. I believe it was supposed to have had other modifcations also.....target trigger and hammer...different grip frame, etc.  The only evidence I have of it being a special edition is the plastic bag that the holster came in, which I had ordered at the time of purchase from Smith and Wesson.  On the plastic bag..it says : special edition 686 , 2 1/2 barrel.  Finally my question , does anyone have one of these ?  I'd kinda like to know for sure just what the differences were.  Thought I'd try here first......next stop may be Smith for a letter of authenticity ?  Guess they could bring the info up if I provide them a serial #, along with cash........call me cheap ??   Thanks and regards

[krod47nw]

The only 686 in the book that fits your description is called a "686 compact 1984 Limited edition".  2 1/2" barrel, round butt, finger grooved grips, stanless trigger and hammer. There were 2500 made for Lew Horton Dist.  The first 100 made were gold ingraved "1984 limited edition model 686 compact".

Kevin

[irold]

Thanks , Kevin.   After I didn't get any response for several days from my post , I did contact Smith.  I talked to a "historian".  He was very informative , and no cost for the info, I might add.  Says , my Smith was a limited run.....is a L frame round butt , 2 1/2 incher with red insert front and white outline rear sights. Being this gun was from the mid eighties, they didn't normally make them like that.  Anyway, I pretty much found out what I needed to know........thanks for your response.  regards,  irold