New to the site so hello. Wondering if you all could help me date my 686. It's a no dash, "M" on top of the "Mod 686" Serial begins with AA B 2@%$^. Interesting thing about my 686, the S&W logo is on the "right hand side" (holding the firearm down range) when every other one I've seen is on the left pointing down range. Any info on my baby would be awesome...thanks y'all.

Welcome to the site. I'm not schooled enough to date your revolver but I can tell you that I also have a 4" 686 no dash and it is sweet to shoot. The M you refered to tells you that yours was sent back for a factory mod to the firing pin and bushing. As you acquire info on the 686 the mod is about the first thing you run across and like me, the first question if it hasn't been done, is should it be done? At least with yours, you can skip step one and go directly to the range and use it 'til your hearts content. Congrat's on a great firearm and welcome aboard.

i would say sometime in 1981 but i think the recall''M'' didn't start untill 1987

Thank you. It has been well taken care of and had at least 300 rounds (by me) through it so far. I love this gun and it will be with me forever...if it is an '81, it was made when i was only 6 years old...nice...

Welcome to the forum. My no dash 686 with serial AAR XXXX was made in Nov of 82 according to 3rd edition of SCSW. Your serial number indicates it was one of the first years of manufacture, probably 81. I sent my 686 in for the modification and that is when the M was stamped over the serial number.

Welcome to the forum, noob tube. Being a newbie, we'll give you a pass (JUST THIS TIME) for not posting a pic of your new 686--ESP since it has atypical markings. We LOVE our gun porn. I am certain that your love affair with your 686 will grow as time goes by. I have 2 no dash 686s--a 2 1/2" and an 8 3/8". They are both GREAT shooters. The snubbie was converted to a 7 shooter @ S&W, when I sent it in for the "M". It's currently wearing Magna PC grips with a Tyler-T grip adapter for carry. I use Pachmayrs @ the range to preserve their S&W Magna grips. ...

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Hello folks! I've been shooting a few years now and surely consider myself a "noob". Well I don't know when I started thinking about getting a revolver, but low and behold I got myself a 686 No Dash 4" it was made in July of 1985. I just love it! As Dave Mathews would say "I got a tingle up my leg" the first time I pulled the trigger. I was looking for a -4 model but just kinda stumbled on the no dash and have no regrets. I have a set of September 1983 Wood Target grips with the speed loader cut out coming in next week from eBay. This gun I think was owned by a S&W employee. I know it was made in 1985, in once at the factory in 1989 then again in 2004 and 2005. The guy at S&W said he thinks the codes on his computer refer to "trigger" work maybe one of those times. My question, I have the "M" stamped for the recall mod being done, but I also have a "U" stamped up above the serial number AHS7xxx what does that "U" mean? Thanks in advance!

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I'm not sure if the "U" has any meaning or not. I just picked up a November 1984 Lew Horton 2.5" Model 686. It has the "M" stamp under the serial number and above the model number. There is no "U" on this gun.

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Centennial Every Day

The "U" is centered above the serial number the same way the "M" is centered above the 686. It looks like it was added sometime after it's birth. I thought maybe one of the times it went back to the factory for ??? it came out with a "U" on it. Oh and apologies if I "highjacked" this thread. I didn't intend to, I just hit the send button without thinking.

I don't think we have to worry about hijacking the thread as it's over three months old.

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Centennial Every Day