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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 01-13-2022, 11:37 PM
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Default Which 686 to keep?

Hi Everyone,

So if you had five 686 revolvers all exactly the same except for the valiant which one would you keep?

The all look and feel the same.

686
686-1
686-2
686-3
686-4

Which of these variants would you pick?
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:09 AM
mnkdad mnkdad is offline
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My pick to keep would be in this order. -3,-4,-nd,-2,-1. But keep them all if you can.
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:11 AM
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-4, especially if it’s a -4 plus. The -4 has all good stuff and none of the bad. The plus is a 7 shot.

I have 3 686s, all 2.5”

No dash LH
Dash 3
-4 plus
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:12 AM
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I think I would go with the original no dash. Just because it's the original.
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:29 AM
Bruce C Bruce C is offline
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I would keep the 686 no dash. Just my preference.
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:33 AM
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-4, -3 and no dash. But definitely 4!
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:18 AM
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Anyone know how many 686-4 plus models were produced
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:19 AM
luvsmiths luvsmiths is offline
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The no dash for me!
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:57 AM
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I kept my first year unfired 4" no dash.
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Old 01-14-2022, 03:31 AM
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I'd keep the one that shot the best. Or that I liked to shoot the most. Not necessarily the same thing. There's good ones in all the variations. And vice versa. Definitely have traded/sold off more than one 686 over the years.
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Old 01-14-2022, 08:05 AM
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-4 and then the -3
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Old 01-14-2022, 08:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirty Bert View Post
Anyone know how many 686-4 plus models were produced
If I remember correctly, the -4+ was made for only a year or two before the -5 came out. They are not rare, but definitely less seen.

As has been said, I would keep the one that shot best for me. I have two -4+ guns, a 2.5 inch and a 4 inch. They are both great but the 2.5 inch gun is crazy accurate for me.
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Old 01-14-2022, 08:56 AM
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A 4 inch ..... probably the no dash. With or without the "M"

Most dash changes are cheaper/easier to build...... IIRC one dash change was to tap the top strap for scope mounting.

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Old 01-14-2022, 10:58 AM
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The two 686s I have are both -4 versions , a 2.5" Plus and a 6". Even my 4" 586 is a -4. The optics ready is a big plus for me.
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Old 01-14-2022, 11:12 AM
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All of them......Ben
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Old 01-14-2022, 11:53 AM
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If the -4 is a 7 shot, that's my #1; otherwise, the ND.
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Old 01-14-2022, 11:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 357 shooter View Post
.....snip..... The optics ready is a big plus for me.
Not only that, but the fitted/rounded leading edge rear sight assembly is much better than the older style as well as looking better. It has a screw that you can work with, when the screw on the older style comes loose (not if, but when) the small screw head is a bit of a pain if you need to secure it in the field....

The -4 is absolutely the best of the bunch, IMHO.....
While the -5 and later has the same sight assembly, they switched to frame mounted firing pin, and us traditionalists prefer the FP on the hammer (where it belongs.... )
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:29 PM
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I would go with the no dash. I have one and it continues to be one of my favorite revolvers to shoot
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:44 PM
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Dash 4 stainless in all the calibers up to and including 1995 manufacture that we can reasonably be sure there are no MIM parts and it's pre lock.
Most enineering changes I hope are for the better and not just to lower costs and increase profit.
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Old 01-14-2022, 02:02 PM
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Haha unless I missed a post, not one single post picked the absolute scarcest of all of them if you go by variant.

The least produced of all is definitely the 686-2.
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Old 01-14-2022, 02:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
Haha unless I missed a post, not one single post picked the absolute scarcest of all of them if you go by variant.

The least produced of all is definitely the 686-2.
Maybe so bad that they quickly went to Dash 3?
629-4 Backpacker
629-4 Mountain Gun
686-4(2) 2 1/2" Snubby
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Old 01-14-2022, 02:16 PM
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Dirty Bert,

I’m assuming your collecting interests have changed?

I’m not sure you should get rid of any yet…….you still need -5, -6, and -7’s!

You’re welcome! ��
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Old 01-14-2022, 05:00 PM
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No Dash for me.
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Old 01-14-2022, 05:06 PM
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686-4, 7 shot, 4" barrel.
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Old 01-14-2022, 09:32 PM
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686-3 classic hunter.
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Old 01-14-2022, 09:43 PM
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Well, if you can't keep them all I would go with the ND. Just because it is the original. The -4 is probably the best overall as far as improvements go and as stated before the -2 is probably the lowest production. There are good reasons to keep all and few reasons to let any go.
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Old 01-15-2022, 08:28 AM
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The 686-4 for sure.


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Old 01-15-2022, 12:43 PM
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I can't imagine getting rid of a 686.

As to what ones are my favorites, that's easy, first (for me) are -4's, then -3's.
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Old 01-15-2022, 01:47 PM
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I'd be hard pressed to part with with my 4", 686-4 Plus so that's my vote.
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Old 01-18-2022, 04:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swagmeister View Post
686-4, 7 shot, 4" barrel.
The Holy Grail of revolvers. I have the 686-4 in six shooter. Still looking for the -4 in seven 4". I will drop my dimes on that one.

Love this gun.





and the 686-5 7 shooter...

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Old 01-18-2022, 04:32 PM
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Quote:
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The Holy Grail of revolvers.
Ummm well, okay. Artistic license I suppose.
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Old 01-18-2022, 05:47 PM
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The older the better, so no dash for me
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Old 01-18-2022, 09:16 PM
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Looks like a tie between the original no dash and the dash four. With an interesting comment or two on the dash two.
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