Tuesday I get to pick up my 686 no dash 6 in barrel sn ABW5330. It"s my first S&W but probably won't be the last.

I've been reading your forum for the last two days and enjoyed every minute.

Good choice. Enjoy it.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

You don't ask, but the ship date would of been sometime in......

1983 or 1984.

It's hard to nail it down on the s/n since there was a wide range in ship dates in this era. The ABW s/n prefix in particular had a lot of variation. You picked one of the best .357's ever made, for your first S&W. The 6-inch gun is an excellent range gun. Wise choice.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Welcome, if you have read forum, you know that the 686 is probably the most popular 357 Smith revolver. Enjoy it!

I too just picked up a 686. How do you know when it was made?
Serial #AJR01**
I had one back in the eighties and have regretted letting it get away for quite some time.

I also have a no dash 6" with the patridge front sight ACK serial#. You can approximate the date by the 3 letters in the serial#. The later the alphabet the later the production date .

Mine is the 4 inch model.

Me too. 6 inch. red ramp,ADF6***

I don't see "AJR" numbers listed in SCSW but going by what is listed perhaps late 1984? "ADF" should be 1983.

I have an "AAB" prefix my late dad bought new in Sept. of 1981, wonderful revolver, have everything it came with even his receipt. $268 out the door lol.

To get the date, just start a new post in this forum (1980 etc) showing the serial number and ask for the ship date. One of the fine fellows that has the S&W book will look it up and post it in an answer to you.

Will do, thank you.

December 1985 - February 1986.

Based on studying the ship dates on thousands of factory boxes.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I just ordered a 686 with 3" barrel (SKU 164300). The 3" guns just look well balanced, even if it means giving up some ballistic advantage to the 4.25" and longer barrels. This one has the rounded butt style rubber grips that cover the backstrap.

I have had this gun on my mind for many years -- it is almost a "grail gun."

I had a similar 686 about 20 years ago, and sold it. It is one of a few gun transactions I really regret. I can't remember what grips it had, but it was great to shoot and looked superb. This new 686 will fill that void. Good luck to brewster7 and RockJockey with their new (classic) 686's.

Stock photo of a 164300 from the S&W web catalog:

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S&W Rover

The 686's are my favorite stainless steel revolver. I have a 4 inch no dash, a six inch dash 2 and did have an 8-3/8ths inch -1M. The six incher was more accurate than the Long Tom, so it went in my sell off a while back. The four inch is just a great all around firearm.

The four inch no dash

The 686-2 six inch still wearing the ugly rubber I bought it with. Now has classy wood!

And yes, the 686-2, which had been someones competition gun, can shoot.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Well guys you are gonna laugh at my faulty eyeball ruler. Mine new to me 686 is a stainless 4 inch (NOT 6 inch) just like the two that are pictured in this thread.
Took it shooting and it is a target killer. I had to replace the target after three sets of six because the center would be blown out.
I am considering replacing the wood grips with Houge rubber one piece grips.

I took the Hogue grip OFF my no-dash (AFT) last year, not long after I picked it up. I don't dig finger grooves. Pachmayr's work for me, have them on a Stainless Security Six my wife stole from me as well. Thus the 4" 686 coming home with me.

My wife is a shooter too. She found a stainless Rossi 971 four inch with Hogue grips that fits her just fine.

Some folks bowl together, some golf together, this couple shoots together. Its a great hobby that has benefits at home!!