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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 09-23-2010, 09:58 PM
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Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1  
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Default Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1

Was looking at a used 686 (no dash) at a gun show last weekend; it appeared in excellent condition. I remembered reading in Std. Catalog of S & W that there was a recall of 686 (no dash) and 686-1's. It said the returned guns were corrected and returned with the over stamp 686-M. I actually think I saw one of these 686-M's at a show last year. The Std. Catalog never mentioned what the problem with these guns was or if it was all of them or just certain serial number ranges. I am interested to know if anyone has details on this recall.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:08 PM
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You can read all about it HERE

My 681 (no dash) was "M" stamped in the crane area. Very distinctive mark.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:32 PM
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Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1  
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Thanks for the info; I was actually considering buying the gun but the recall thing was in the back of my mind. Used 686's are not that hard to come by. I really wouldn't have wanted to go through the trouble of returning the gun to the factory. Very informative web site.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:56 PM
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I wouldn't let the recall hold me back from buying a 58x or 68x revolver. These are great guns. My 586 no dash was away less than a week from the time S&W sent the shipping label to the time it was returned to me, no hassle at all.

If you see one you like at the right price, go for it.
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Old 09-23-2010, 11:06 PM
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Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1 Early recall of Model 686 and 686-1  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpwhel View Post
I wouldn't let the recall hold me back from buying a 58x or 68x revolver. These are great guns. My 586 no dash was away less than a week from the time S&W sent the shipping label to the time it was returned to me, no hassle at all.

If you see one you like at the right price, go for it.
ill be the first to second that. good advice.
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Old 09-23-2010, 11:31 PM
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At least two of us on this forum have sent 686 no dash guns in for recall, and have gotten them back with the work done--BUT WITHOUT THE ''M'' STAMP.......
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Old 09-23-2010, 11:46 PM
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Default 686 Recall

The recall involved changing the hammer nose and the bolster bushing ( hammer nose bushing ) in the frame. With certain ammo the hammer nose would stick in the bushing. After the repair the revolvers were test fired and the M was stamped in the yoke.
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Old 09-24-2010, 12:50 AM
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Remember that this was not a required recall. In other words, S&W did not try to get all the guns returned for repair. The problem did not show up on all guns produced and S&W only handled the repairs on a case by case basis. Many folks have fired thousands of rounds through these guns with no problems.
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Old 09-24-2010, 05:43 AM
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I've never had one problem with my unmodified 4" 586 in 17 years and many thousands of .38 & .357 rounds down the pipe. Still is one of my best shooting revolvers. It's not a SD weapon so I'm not worried about it. IF it was a carry or home defense weapon I'd have the work done at S&W's expense. JMHO
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Old 09-24-2010, 06:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportsterguy View Post
I've never had one problem with my unmodified 4" 586 in 17 years and many thousands of .38 & .357 rounds down the pipe. Still is one of my best shooting revolvers. It's not a SD weapon so I'm not worried about it. IF it was a carry or home defense weapon I'd have the work done at S&W's expense. JMHO
That's my experience nearly exactly, although mine's a few years older. I have probably fired 1000 rounds of magnum ammuntion (plus maybe 12,000 of .38 Spl) through mine without an issue. As Sportsterguy mentions, if it's not to be used for defense (or maybe hunting, too...you'd hate to let a wounded animal get away due to a jammed revolver) I'd go for it. Now my Dad's one-year-younger "no dash" 686 did have the issue a couple of times -- it took the revolver out of immediate action but he could still get the cylinder open with some additional force. He did get his done a couple of years ago.
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Old 09-25-2010, 05:43 PM
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Normally, I am a great believer in the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," but in the case of recalls, I figure if they went to the trouble to call them back, S&W must have a concern. Couple that with the the idea I like to get what I paid for, I sent my 586 no dash back on September 8th, I found out that S&W's left hand still doesn't know what their right hand is doing. Thank goodness, the "right" hand was doing all of the serious work. On the 17th, I got a letter from the "left" hand saying they had received my revolver and the work was scheduled to be done. But, alas, on the following Monday, the 20th, here comes my repaired gun. Good ole right hand! Just to further my case, I sent another revolver in to S&W 3 days after the first, and still haven't heard anything from them. I hope the left and right hands don't have them in the same pocket! Let you know when it shows up.
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Old 12-30-2010, 11:34 AM
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thankx for the info fellows. i'll be looking for that M when i get her.
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Old 02-01-2015, 10:36 AM
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Default 686-1 ACS

Hey guys and gals, I just bought a 686-1, stamped ACS on the left side (Alameda County Sheriff). Since this was a law enforcement issue gun, would you think the recall will have already been done? Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-01-2015, 02:17 PM
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I think it would of had the M stamped on the frame above the model number if it was done. Welcome to the forum a great place to hang out. I dont think you have to have the recall fixed but you can have it done for free. If it is a range gun only I would just leave it alone. if it is for personal defense it might be a good idea. Others will have more information on it Im sure. I have a 586 without it and will leave it alone. Hope this helps, Theo

Oh and we like pictures
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Old 06-09-2017, 10:13 PM
Stargater Stargater is offline
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Never sent mine back. I bought it as a collector (with a stamped sideplate). I don't want the "M" stamp, though. I want it pristine. It's never been fired.
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Old 06-09-2017, 11:36 PM
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I have an early 686 no dash that was subject to the recall. I believe the issue was a problem with the firing pin bushing in the frame. A Smith and Wesson armorer repaired mine and stamped the frame with the 'M' just under the model number. No problem in 30 years so so.
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Old 06-10-2017, 12:53 AM
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WELCOME TO THE FORUM, OP. I HAVE A FEW NO DASH 686s IN VARIOUS LENGTHS. ALL OF THEM WERE PURCHASED USED. NONE OF THEM HAVE THE "M" STAMP, INDICATING THAT THEY WERE SENT BACK FOR THE MODS. NONE OF THEM HAS PRESENTED A PROBLEM.......

I WOULD TEND TO ASSUME (PERHAPS ERRONEOUSLY) THAT IN ITS YEARS OF POLICE SERVICE, IF THAT GUN WAS GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM, IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BY NOW, AND THE ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED......

THAT BEING SAID, YOU SHOULD NOT TRUST YOUR LIFE TO THAT SPECULATIVE REASONING ! ! ! THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN BE ABSOLUTELY SURE (THEORETICALLY--ANY THING IS POSSIBLE AT S&W, NOWADAYS) IF YOUR GUN IS INTENDED FOR EDC /SD / HD, IS TO SEND IT FOR ITS FREE ROUND TRIP RIDE, BACK TO S&W, FOR THE MOD....

BELOW IS MY 2 1/2" NO DASH, 686---PURCHASED USED ON GB. SINCE ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE WAS TO BE EDC /SD / HD, I SENT IT IN FOR THE MOD. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE RIDE, WHILE IT WAS THERE, I HAD A 7 SHOT CYLINDER FITTED TO THE GUN. EVIDENTLY, THOSE 2 OPERATIONS WERE DONE BY 2 DIFFERENT 'SMITHS, OR IN 2 DIFF LOCATIONS. DESPITE BOTH MODS BEING COMPLETED, AS VERIFIED VISUALLY, AND BY THE INVOICE RETURNED WITH THE GUN---THE GUN NEVER RECEIVED THE "M" STAMP ! ! !

I DON'T HAVE A PIC OF THE SERIAL # AREA, BUT BELOW ARE PICS OF THE GUN. MY ADVICE IS, "BETTER TO BE SAFE, THAN TO BE SORRY". IN ANY EVENT, DON'T BE STEERED AWAY FROM A NICE 686, BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL ISSUE. THEY ARE GREAT GUNS. I HOPE THAT THIS POST WAS HELPFUL TO YOU....
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Last edited by one eye joe; 06-10-2017 at 01:05 AM.
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Old 06-10-2017, 02:27 PM
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The cylinder binding was brought to Smith's attention after the U.S. Customs Service issued the CS-1. Many agent were using Treasury load .38 spl +P ammo in their CS-1. Since the CS-1 was built at much closer tolerances by the contract, than a standard 686, the problem became very apparent when the unburned powder got under the extractor star, and caused a complete lock up of the revolver.

S&W sent some of their repair people to the U.S. Customs National Firearms Staff in Ft. Benning, GA. to help with the repairs. Repaired guns were sent back out to the field with the 2M stamp on the crane.

The agents confidence confidence was shaken in the CS-1. Most agents went out and purchased personally owned guns that they could carry on the job by policy. It wasn't too long afterwards, that the Service replaced the CS-1 with the 6906 9mm pistols.

The CS-1's were returned from the field as the 6906 became available. Some were sold off in the exchange program, and sold to the public through distributors and dealers. Then when President Clinton came into power, his administration banned the exchange sale program.

Some CS-1's were turned into training weapons for simunition guns, and some were given to friendly foreign governments. Many I fear were ultimately destroyed.

I was lucky enough to get my 3 inch CS-1 through Lew Horton before they stopped the program.
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Old 06-10-2017, 07:17 PM
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[QUOTE=vegasgunhand;139624900]The cylinder binding was brought to Smith's attention after the U.S. Customs Service issued the CS-1. Many agent were using Treasury load .38 spl +P ammo in their CS-1. Since the CS-1 was built at much closer tolerances by the contract, than a standard 686, the problem became very apparent when the unburned powder got under the extractor star, and caused a complete lock up of the revolver.

S&W sent some of their repair people to the U.S. Customs National Firearms Staff in Ft. Benning, GA. to help with the repairs. Repaired guns were sent back out to the field with the 2M stamp on the crane.

The agents confidence confidence was shaken in the CS-1. Most agents went out and purchased personally owned guns that they could carry on the job by policy. It wasn't too long afterwards, that the Service replaced the CS-1 with the 6906 9mm pistols.

The CS-1's were returned from the field as the 6906 became available. Some were sold off in the exchange program, and sold to the public through distributors and dealers. Then when President Clinton came into power, his administration banned the exchange sale program.

Some CS-1's were turned into training weapons for simunition guns, and some were given to friendly foreign governments. Many I fear were ultimately destroyed.

I was lucky enough to get my 3 inch CS-1 through Lew Horton before they stopped the program.

THANKS FOR THIS VERY INFORMATIVE POST. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING, WITH INTEREST, FOR A CS-1, PREFERABLY IN A 4" BARREL LENGTH. I MUST REEVALUATE MY QUEST, IN LIGHT OF YOUR STATEMENTS.........
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