A couple years ago I found and purchased a M-686 No Dash which did not have the "M" stamp, I haven't sent it for modification because I wasn't sure the present work force was up to the repairs, anyone had this done recently who can attest to the quality of workmanship being performed? Actually I'm ashamed of having to even ask this question.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I'd give S&W a phone call.

Yes, they’ll still take care of it. I have a 2.5” no dash and never had any problem. YMMV

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213th FBINA

I sent my 2.5" 686-1 in for the M stamp. It had been used as a truck gun for years before I ended up with it.

The front of the cylinder looked like someone had used a file to clean it. When I got it back from Smith I was pleasantly surprised that they had either replaced the cylinder or at least refinished the front of it. It was perfect.

IIRC the factory recall is to replace the hammer nose bushing due to "soft primer flowback" on some ammo of the day that had the potential to lock up the cylinder.

Imo if you have experienced this situation recently and dont want to change ammo brands and especially if carry your 686 for self defense then yes do the mod now.

As a courtesy SW usually tunes the revolver to bring it up to spec prior to returning it perhaps because if they returned it with a defect that affects function it probably becomes a liability issue for them ...in other words you gets a free tuneup.

So... IMO if you have a 686 no dash that isnt experiencing primer flow back lockup but otherwise functioning perfect maybe its best to wait until it needs a tuneup to send it in for that free M mod and tuneup ?

I have a 686 no dash... with no "M", it is my humble opinion that I will have a competent gun smith perform the recall work and happily pay for it.... if something happens at the factory ie damage, drop, break... they no longer make parts so what will they do scrap your fine revolver and offer you a new one... nay nay..

I've tested various types of ammo to no avail in getting her to lock up, shes good in my book..

All IMO

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This is the way....

I own both a 686 (No Dash - Still Unfired NIB) and a 586 (No Dash - Fired, but 100% pristine). Neither has gone back to the mothership for the recall for precisely the same "fear" that the OP has.

In late-2018, I ordered a Model 442-1, which didn't function right out of the box. After doing all I could do, I sent it back to the mothership. While S&W CS fixed the functionality problem, they buggered the gun up cosmetically... so badly, in fact, that I decided to dump it at a loss so I wouldn't have to deal with the frustration. I don't want that scenario to play out again.

So I will limit myself to shooting ammo that doesn't cause the flowback problem and live with my otherwise fine 686 & 586 revolvers. Sending them back to S&W CS is just a risk I'd rather not take.

But there is a footnote here: I'm on the prowl for another 586 (No Dash)... a shooter that I believe is not so cosmetically perfect. Should that deal happen, I may decide to send that one in for the "M" recall just to see what happens.

I would not send precious collectibles around to be tempered with and a no dash anything falls into that category for me. I shoot only 38 specials or 44 specials in my prelocks, no problem of anything flowing here.

I bought a 686 no dash three or four years ago and immediately had lock-up issues. I sent it back to S&W for the recall work. It was done very quickly and now it performs flawlessly.

On the other hand, I have a 681 no dash that has functioned perfectly for years and it has not been back for the recall work.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

I found a 586 on Gunbroker that was cosmetically challenged at a very good price. After getting it, I worked the gun over fixing end shake and a few other things. I then sent it to S&W for a re-finish, and they did a beautiful job. I was very happy with their work.

years ago I sent bak a M24 44 special back. It was locking uo and had a g-d awful trigger..Came back perfect with a wonderful trigger job, but that was many years s ago..

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NRA Benefactor

I have done many of these refit conversions over the years. To me, the decision to have the factory refit work done depends largely on how the revolver is going to be used. If you are carrying the gun, and shooting magnum ammunition regularly, then you should consider having it done. A malfunction will lock the gun up, and it will be unusable. You sure don't want this to happen in the field.

What puzzles me is what actually caused this condition exclusively in the L-frame in the first place? When comparing original and replacement parts, the difference in size between the original parts and replacements is miniscule. And, why weren't the other .357 magnums like the Model 19 and 66 affected when the same hammer nose and bushings were used?

What was happening when the guns (primers) failed and the cylinders locked up was clear, but why was it only happening in the L-frame model series? Truly a mystery to me.....an infrequent malfunction and subsequent recall that cost S&W millions of dollars.



L-Frame recall.......


SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1,
586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

RECALL: Reports have been received from the field where the combination of a SMITH & WESSON L-FRAME 357 MAGNUM REVOLVER and some .357 Magnum ammunition has resulted in unacceptable cylinder binding. L-frame revolvers bearing model numbers:

581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1,
681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1

Cylinder binding can cause a failure to fire. Mishandling a revolver while freeing the cylinder can result in accidental discharge.

Cylinder binding can result from a number of causes, including characteristics of an individual revolver or the use of ammunition, which does not conform to industry pressure specifications or is particularly fast burning. Recent developments in ammunition manufacture emphasize the production of .357 Magnum ammunition with increased velocity and greater primer sensitivity.

Although there have been very few reported incidents of cylinder binding, in view of our concern for our customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all circumstances, we issue the following warning:

In a situation where a failure to fire can be critical - such as law enforcement or personal protection - do not use .357 Magnum ammunition with an L-frame revolver bearing model numbers 581, 586, 681, 686 or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number until you have had the revolver modified.

Those who need to use their L-frame revolver under these conditions prior to modification can safely fire .38 Special caliber ammunition.

Smith & Wesson has developed a modification to improve existing L-frame revolvers. This improvement enables them to fire all .357 Magnum ammunition, without cylinder binding. Shipments of L-frame revolvers from our factory after August 21, 1987 already include this improvement.

You can check if your revolver includes this improvement by looking at the left side of the frame when the cylinder is fully open. If your revolver has been stamped either with a "2" or higher number after the basic three-digit model number or with an "M" above the model number, your revolver includes this improvement and does not need modification. If your revolver bears the model number 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number, it does not include this improvement and your should have your revolver modified.

Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agencies wishing to arrange for modification of L-frame revolvers should call 800-331-0852 between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Eastern time (MA residents call 413-734-8244). Other users should send their revolvers to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center, specifying "L-frame improvement program" and enclosing their name and return address.

One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:

Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer