For years I've had a 2.5 inch, 686 no dash that was subject to recall that I never bothered to send back because it worked fine! Until now. On the way to the range I stopped by Walmart to pick up some cheap, target practice, .357 ammo (Perfecta). I was only able to shoot about two or three rounds when the cylinder stuck. I tried two more cylinder loads and the same thing happened. What's going on? Oh yeah, the recall. As soon as I got home, I called S&W and they immediately emailed a packing slip for return to the factory. About two weeks later I got my 686 back with its new "M" stamp. And now it works fine. Bottom line...I recommend that you send your recall eligible 58X and 68Xs back to the factory for the fix.

Also, I finally decided that I can't live with the factory combat stocks. The finger grooves are just wrong for me. As a matter of fact they are the most ill fitting stocks I own (for me). I decided on Ahrends Retro Banana stocks. I love them! They have an exposed back strap and the front of each panel is semi-flat giving me the perfect fit. Of course I'll be keeping and preserving the combats for the future owner of this gun.

This 686 no dash with 2.5 inch barrel was produced in 1984 as a part of a Lew Horton contract order. It is a true pleasure to shoot and its accuracy (even in my hands) is fantastic.

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Good advice and great photos. Thanks.

What did S&W have to do to it. I have a no dash 686, but can't recall having any issues with it.

I didn't either until I selected some bad ammo to practice with. First, swing open the cylinder and look between the serial number and the model number. If there is an "M" in that space your gun has already been back to the factory for the recall work. Someone will be along to give a better explanation of what they do, but it is my understanding the fix is simply to install a bushing.

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OP, I like your style.

I guess it's true, "Great" minds think alike. Are your Ahrends bananas made in brown stained maple? Mine are.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Loeman, I think that is right. I had the back around here somewhere but don't see it now. They feel great don't they.

The recall involves replacing the firing pin on the hammer and the bushing in the frame that the firing pin projects through when firing.

The recall was only for the no-dash and -1 L frames, the new parts were included in the -2 guns.

What was the problem with the original engineering? Was there insufficient protrusion?

Here's just one of the many threads on this forum that discuss the 58X and 68X recall for the no dash and -1s.

S&W 586 RECALL

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I might be wrong but I thought the 686 no dash Lew Horton snubs came with the white outline rear site. Plain black rear sights were regular production guns. Not that there's any real differences, just not a limited production gun. Im not trying to steal the thread, just curious. Great gun btw. You can always sell the combat grips and buy another gun for what they go for nowadays

Thanks Octavian,
I always assumed mine is one of the LH contract orders since my serial number AFA64XX puts it as being made in Nov. 1984 at the same time as the LH contract guns, but I could be wrong. I need to contact Lew Horton for confirmation. I seem to recall someone else who has one of the LH guns not having the WO either. But as you said and I agree, it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. They are fantastic guns!

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Well done, I used to have one of the early and confirmed snubs from LH. Like you the factory combat grips are absolutely the worst grips for my hand ever lol. I also have a 4" no dash that my dad bought new. It did bind with certain ammo so he sent it off to have the modification performed. The 2.5" had no issues however I ended up selling it off because I found some other stuff (motorcycle related) that I wanted more .

2.5" 686 no dash from Lew Horton:


4" 686 no dash from 1981, box, all papers (even dad's original receipt), etc.