I have a Model 686-1 with 6" barrel that I purchased new in October 1987. Comments in various threads have stated that the 686-4 is the most desirable and valuable model. My question is - -what are the technical or design improvements/modifications that were made between the model progression from 686-no dash to 686-4. Any help in this regard would be appreciated.
Bob

From Wiki, I assume it's accurate:
686 no dash, introduced model
686-1, 1986, radius stud package, floating hand
686-2, 1987, changed hammer nose, bushing and associated parts
686-3, 1988, new yoke retention system
686-4, 1993, change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, change extractor, Hogue grips
686-5, 1997, change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, change to metal injection molded (MIM) hammer with floating firing pin, change to MIM trigger, change internal lockwork
686-6, 2001, internal lock

One advantage of some of the older versions is a pinned front sight, usually a black Patridge, instead of an integral sight, usually a red ramp.

Ed

I believe it was the -5 that universally had the pinned front sight. Prior to that, it was only used sporadically on certain variations of the M686. Such as the Patridge sight option Ed mentions.

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If your 686-1 has had the recall done, it has effectively been updated to a 686-2.

The biggest difference, in my opinion, between your 686-1 and a 686-4 is the use of the new style rear sight (round tang), as the old square tang sights are no longer available from Smith. That plus the drilled and tapped top strap are value added items.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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I can add that earlier 686s had flash chromed hammers and triggers to match the silver color of stainless steel and stop them from rusting. Those were discontinued to reduce parts inventory. While that down grade did not get an increase in dash number most or all dash 3s have flash chromed hammers and triggers and most or all dash 4s have case colored hammers and triggers. Also, round butt grip frames superseded square butt grip frames across the whole revolver line during the 686-4 years. Wood stocks were standard on nearly all Dash 3s and earlier dashes. Wood was replaced by rubber Hogues in the dash 4s.

Whether the dash 4's optical sight mounting holes add value depends on whether you'll actually use them. Most owners do not.

I do not intend to bad mouth 686-4s. They are great revolvers. However, they are not necessarily the vintage of 686 that has the combination of features that will make you the happiest.

We've had a lot of discussion lately on how amazing the 686-4 is... but here's something that I haven't heard mentioned.

I've seen tons of 686's. I've had three of my own and I have helped friends shop for others and dangit, I have clicked on every 686 thread on every board, every time they come up.

In my experience, the 686-2 is without any doubt the RAREST of all the variations.

So for all the features we often talk about, consider two points:
--every pre-lock 686 is fantastic
--686-2 is the rarest, made in the shortest supply

Does this matter? Nope.
But it's neat.

If you are not wed to forged internals and a less common but still well known variation is desired the 686-5 7 shot Mountain Gun comes to mind. They could be thought of as an improved Model 66. They had the same weight with and extra round and better durability firing .357s.

We used to frequently have threads in which the desirability of 3" CS-1s was touted. The threads stopped after S&W made quantities of 7 shot 3" 686s but that did not reduce the capabilities of the CS-1s. Oddly S&W gave the 3" 7 shot 686s the short extractor rods that are used in 2 1/2" revolvers. One of the virtues of 3" CS-1s was they had the full length extractor rods used in 4" revolvers.

My point is the dash 4s are not everyone's first choice.

Thank you for sharing this,I never thought to google this info.

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