686 No Dash ID request and help

[FlyNavy]

Good evening all,

I just purchased my first L frame revolver today used at a local gun shop. It is a 4" 686 with a SN of AAD4553.

I was hoping to get an idea when it left the factory. Near as I can tell probably late 1981 or so.

Unfortunately since my CCW is from Michigan and not Florida I can't bring it home until Thursday, so I am sorry for the lack of pictures.

I am looking also for tips/pointers etc for this L frame, I don't know if it has been back to the Factory to get the M stamp yet. I found out about it after I purchased the gun. What is the general thought on getting that work done? It is a case by case situation or should they all be reworked? If it is a case by case basis, what should I look out for?

Finally, I am curious what a gun of this age/model is worth? I feel like I got a good deal on it, but I am of course curious what they're worth. It seems to be very tight, wooden grips in good shape with very light wear. No box or paperwork.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Luke

Pics to follow!

[VPNAVY]

Until someone pipes in - according to my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition (if I am reading it correctly) on Page 271 it shows that your puppy "started production" in 1980 and Model 686-1 came out in 1986. So, somewhere between 1980 and 1986...

Now, if you are very serious about documenting your new puppy - you can Request a Factory Letter which will research the date of manufacture, first recorded shipment destination, etc.

Sample Factory Letter

[VPNAVY]

Forgot to mention - if you are looking for a value estimate - a good place to start are online auction houses (i.e., Gun Broker, etc.). I did a quick search and found asking prices ranging from $600 and up!

[chud333]

600 ballpark sounds right for around these parts.
I have a new to me 586 no dash 6" that i asked these same
questions about on here. Take the gun out and shoot
it was the general reply. If it does'nt give you any trouble
don't worry about the recall modifications.( I.E.) if it ain't
broke don't fix it. Most people don't experience any troubles
at all. If it makes you sleep better S&W will do the work for
free, just contact them and tell them what you have and they
will be looking for it to arrive. No charge for the fix.
I took my 586 out to the range for the first time saturday
and shot some factory. 357mag and some of my re-loads
and it peformed perfectly. Also is the most accurate revolver
i own. These things are a pleasure to shoot. I was shooting
off-hand at 25 yards and everything was staying in a saucer
sized group. As in cup and saucer. I was very pleased. With my eyesight and not
being familiar with the L-frames i'm a believer now.
Congrats on a great handgun. Post pix when you can my friend.

Chuck

[FlyNavy]

I can't wait to get it out to the range and shoot it, I am super excited for that.

I was hoping that I got a reasonably good deal on it considering I kind of bought it as an impulse buy.

It was marked $569 at the gun shop, I paid $500 for it, plus the government's cut of course.

What is it that S&W does for the "recall"? Is there any down side to getting it done? Does it add or detract value from the gun?

Looking forward to picking it up so that I can post up some pics...

Luke

[PMRet]

If the gun is in excellent condition with original grips, I think $500 + tax is a fair price. If I remember correctly the problem with the 686 no dash and -1 involved primer backflow with full power magnum loads, and was corrected by replacing the firing pin and firing pin bushing. Some folks report a problem, while many say they never experienced a problem. Took less than 3 weeks to have the mod done on my 686 no dash, all on S&W's dime. IMO it would neither add to nor detract from the value.

[VPNAVY]

FWIW...I searched the forum and if their is a "M" stamped on your puppy - the recall was already performed. If you are interested what other member's did about the recall - take a look at this: Model 686 Recall Threads!

[ogilvyspecial]

Luke, it sounds like you paid a "home-style" price since I picked up this one, with
original grips, box & papers, at Williams Gun Sight (Davison, MI) for right around $550.



I was glad to see, when I first opened the cylinder
while looking at it, that it had the M stamp.

[broberts001]

It is a late 1981 to Oct 1982 revolver.

-Bryan

[FlyNavy]

I tried to get the gun for $475, but they were pretty solid on the price. I probably could have looked around more, perhaps online and found one cheaper. Hopefully I didn't get taken too badly for $500, since I wouldn't consider the gun to be "excellent" I would go so far as to say good to very good. I am however looking forward to shooting it. Thanks all for the info, late 81- early 82 is what I had guessed judging by the early SN.

Thanks again!

Pics in 3 days!

[AveragEd]

You did real well at $500 for what sounds like a very nice gun. And remember, just about anything you pay for a nice, non-MIM, no-lock S&W today will seem like a deal in a year or two. I've seen a lot of the ones I bought even a couple of years ago appreciate significantly.

There is one other advantage to having the "M" update performed. The only handguns I use for hunting are my 629s so my Model 66s and 686s are used for target shooting with light loads (and I don't shoot two of the four I have). But I had the "M" update done on my no-dash 6" gun because the S&W target triggers and hammers I prefer are not available with the older, longer firing pin - only the newer, shorter one that is what the guns are converted to during the update.

Granted, that advantage won't appeal to everyone but take it for what it's worth...

Ed

[timn8er]

I purchased one several years ago(maybe 15?) at, believe it or
not, a Skaggs Albertson in Tulsa, OK. I paid $327.95 for it. Its
definitely my favorite.

[DDDWho]

Originally Posted by timn8er

I purchased one several years ago(maybe 15?) at, believe it or
not, a Skaggs Albertson in Tulsa, OK. I paid $327.95 for it. Its
definitely my favorite.

I bought one new in 1986. The receipt say $310., plus a S&W leather holster for another $15.