Is there a hard and fast way to tell what gen a 686 is, one I just purchased has the firing pin on the hammer. But is there a way to tell (say via the serial #) for sure which it is?

Scott

The 686 series is not usually separated by "generations"; if you look on the frame under the barrel with the cylinder out, it should be stamped MOD 686, possibly by itself or with a dash and a number. The "dash/number" is called the engineering change, and many collectors separate models in this way. If you post the three-letter prefix we can tell you about when it shipped, usually. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA 2023

Ah yes, thanks for clarifying that. Turns out it is a 686-3

Scott

If you have the box, there could also be some information on it to tell you the born-on date. Murphydog said it....post the dash-number. From what little we know now....it is pre-97. The firing-pin was changed with the dash 5 in 97.

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EDIT: Dash 3 was 1988. Your post to update the dash number beat my information above.

Yeah, it didn't come with the original box which is a shame, but it seems to have hardly to have been used (little old lady only drove it to store every other week kind of a thing). Really smooth trigger, and insanely wonderful single action on it. First time firing as it's new owner tomorrow and I can't wait!

Scott

Scottder, handloads.com has a link on it for Smith dash changes, etc.
A lot of other cool stuff there too! Bob

And dash 5 started the mim parts!-4 is the best of the 686-586 pistols!

This can be debated....like everything else in life, but I think "generally", most think the -4 was the best of the bunch (save those stupid Hogue grips). The -4 was the last year for forged hammer-and-trigger and was drilled/tapped for scope mounts. It had the new yoke retention system and the original cylinder stop stud as well. Some folks prefer the older frame design and the -5 introduced the new frame. The floating firing pin also came with the -5.

One improvement that came with the -5 is the pinned front sight. It makes that horrible red ramp easy to replace.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder there john. Many of us will suffer with the original front sight design and pass on the other improvements in the -5 and later. But....I see your point. I do know and have heard of others having the front sight re-vamped to take a blade on early models.

This thread is useless without pictures!

ECS

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CPT USA (Ret) 1975-1995