Hello everyone first time on this forum.My question is i just purchased a 4" 686 no dash in excellent condition should i send it back to smith for the recall? I plan on shooting magnums as well as +P.

Look in the crane area of the frame, and if there is a "M" stamped there it has been upgraded. If not, shoot a cylinder full of .357's and see if you get any flow-back into the hammer-nose bushing. You would have a little protruding ring around the firing pin indention. If so send it in. Many have never had a problem and were never sent in. S&W will honor the recall at no cost.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Howdy and welcome, Sno Twister. And congrats on your 686.

I also have a no dash 686; I never sent it back for the recall, and I've been shooting heavy loads through it for over a decade. I've never had any problems with primer flow.

On the other hand, I don't shoot 125 grain +p loads, and I think that's where the problems were coming from, IIRC.

Congrats on buying a fine revolver. I have the same experiences as MT Austin: I have two first-year L frames that I shoot a lot (one of them I bought new when they first came out) and I've never had a problem. But I also shoot mostly 158 grain rounds. If you're interested, S&W will still do the work for free under their recall program. I had one done last month, but only because I wanted a particular gun (a 686 CS-1 I just bought) factory refinished, and the recall work got S&W to pay for the shipping. Turn-arouned time was pretty quick.
Welcome to the forum.
Dennis

I have a no dash 686 now and I owned one when they first came out. I never had the recall done on either and I have shot a large number of stout loads but like others they are 158 grain stuff.

H Richard - Thanks for the reply. There is no "M" stamped in the crane area of the frame. So what I am going to do is take it out and shoot it and see how it is.

I have another question. Are HKS speed loaders the way to go or is there anything better to go with? Thanks for the help.

Twister: I much prefer Safariland's speed loaders. No knob to turn to release the cartridges. After lining them up with the cylinder chambers, just push a little harder & they drop in. They have Comp-1, Comp-2, & Comp-3 models. The latter pushes the cartridges in under spring pressure. Ask around for someone who uses them, so you can see the difference.

Good Luck!
H-F Hank
Firearm's Instructor

I prefer SafariLand speedloaders. I use Comp III's in IDPA competition. I would recommend them (or the Comp II for CCW purposes). Very good retention of the rounds and much faster on the reload for me than HKS speedloaders.

Matt

thanks for the info on the safariland comp 2. Could you tell me if they will fit my 686 using the stock wood grips? I found them at copquest for $9.63 ea.

If your stock grips are the cut out targets, they should. I had stock grips originally on my no dash 686, and the HKS speed loaders worked fine. Not sure on the Safariland, but should.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks Matt could you tell me if the safariland comp 2 will fit my 686 with the stock wood grips? I found them at copquest for $9.63 ea

The Safariland Comp ll are much better than the Comp l, as the knob is much larger. The Comp lll is another animal and is best in competition due mostly to its size. It certainly works well.

Just my 2p worth.

+1

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May God Bless The USA

I own a 24 year old no dash that's never had the problem, but my Dad's gave him problems with 158 gr Winchester magnums so he had his fixed. The only thing I'd recommend is that if you're going to be using the gun for defense or hunting I'd get it modded on spec to make sure it didn't seize up at the worst time.