686s anyone like these old guns?

[Andy the Aussie]

Why as a matter of fact....YES....

Just got this one to go with the 4 inch I have had since the late 80s.

 

[snubbiefan]

I have a 6 inch barrel no dash and am a little conflicted. I have done some reading that indicates the no dash, being the first model year, was introduced in 1980. If I am not mistaken, I think I have read along the line that there was a front sight modification. Mine looks just like Andy's above. Does anyone have any specific information on what "dash" may have altered the front sight, or have I been reading bogus information.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

Nothing to do with the front sight. Is yours stamped "M" near the model designation ? If not it should be sent back to S&W (it is free) to have the modification done that related to the bushing in the frame. Apparently in certain circumstances a primer can flow back on firing and lock up the cylinder. I have a mate with a no dash 586 that has never had the mod done nor has it ever given him and issue.

Mine as pictured (well both of mine in fact) are 686-3s.

 

[Hondo44]

I have a 6 inch barrel no dash and am a little conflicted. I have done some reading that indicates the no dash, being the first model year, was introduced in 1980. If I am not mistaken, I think I have read along the line that there was a front sight modification. Mine looks just like Andy's above. Does anyone have any specific information on what "dash" may have altered the front sight, or have I been reading bogus information.

It doesn't appear that there's a dash # associated with any front sight change. Early on however there was an adjustable four position front sight. Also at some point on some models the integral SS blade with red ramp insert was changed to a pinned in black blade.

 

[roaddog28]

Good looking pictures of all of the 686s. I have a 686-2 4 inch. I shoot nothing but 357 magnums through it. I have plenty of K frame magnums to shoot 38 specials.

Good luck,
Howard

 

[mag318]

As much as I love my K frames the L frames are much more enjoyable to shoot with Magnum ammo. I carried a K frame then an L frame most of my LE career. I think the L frames are the perfect size for the 357 Magnum cartridge and these older pre lock examples are the most desireable.

 

[snubbiefan]

Andy....I'll check for that "M" near the model number. Hondo....My 617 has the blued pinned front blade, which is likely what you're talking about.

I think I had read some information on Wikipedia or some such place concerning the adjustable front sight and then some other stuff in other places...none of which seemed to have the same exact information concerning the when/where/what on the changes.

I am not concerned about the sight it has....was just curious. Thanks to both of you for the heads-up.

 

[sw44spl]

I have had two of the adjustable front sight 686s at different times in the early 90s.they were neat you could set it to different bullet weights and powder charges.great for me being a reloader.

 

[snubbiefan]

Andy...mine only reads "MOD. 686" and there is no "M" stamped anywhere around it. I plan to contact S&W Monday to discuss it with them and see if I need to send it home for that upgrade. I rarely shoot it, but I would like to look into that anyway.

Thanx again.

 

[TDC]

Here are two of mine. Both are very early no-dash, NIB, and I'm the original owner...

 

[RedBerens]

I bought this one after it had been retired from service and traded in for Glocks by the Colorado University Police Dept. After finding a nice set of targets, this old 686 no dash has become one of my favorites.

 

[sw44spl]

hey red did you polish it up? or did you get it in that nice condition.

 

[Hondo44]

Andy....I'll check for that "M" near the model number. Hondo....My 617 has the blued pinned front blade, which is likely what you're talking about.

QUOTE]

The OP showed one in his picture and three others shown in this thread had the black blade, and my Dad's came that way.

 

[scooter123]

At my age I don't consider any revolver younger than myself as "older". While a Triple Lock or RM may seem "older" to me, a 686 is definatly NOT "older", taint even approaching middle aged.

As for the 686 itself, I could get rather worked up over a 686 Mountain Gun, however not really a fan of fully lugged barrels. Because of this I chose the much better looking "sister" of the 686 and chose a 620. Having recently tried it out with a scope, I have to say that many people missed the boat on the 620. The accuracy is nothing short of amazing and it balances in the hand the same as a 4 inch model 66.

 

[kenjen]

my 686-1 has the 8 3/8'' bbl. got it as a x-mas present/bonus in 1988 from a guy i worked for. since then i have put many many rounds through it and has never given me any problems. one of my shooten buddies at the time had a colt python with the same 8 3/8'' bbl. so we shot each others gun from time to time, tell you the truth i would take the smith over the colt every time.

 

[Bear Bait]

Andy...mine only reads "MOD. 686" and there is no "M" stamped anywhere around it. I plan to contact S&W Monday to discuss it with them and see if I need to send it home for that upgrade. I rarely shoot it, but I would like to look into that anyway.

Thanx again.

I recently contacted S&W and then sent back both a 4-inch 686-1 and a 586-1 for the modification. Tunraround was quick and no hitches with the modifcation. When they came back they both guns had the "M" stamped above the model number inside on the frame at the crane.

I contacted S&W by phone first, but the procedure is simply to go on the web site under the customer service warranty section and send an e-mail. They will check the serial number of your gun to verify that it needs the modification, and if so send a pre-paid fed ex shipping label. You will have to ship it from a Fed Ex World Center, or arrange to have it picked up by a Fed Ex driver. It cannot be shipped through one of the Kinkos, Mail Box Etc. or other franchises.

S&W will ship it directly back to you but an adult has to be present to sign for delivery.

I have a friend in another state who also recently sent in a couple of L-Frames the same way, and same experience.

I have owned the 686-1 for twenty years or more, and never had a problem with it shooting magnums or anything else, and I have shot it a lot. I did know about the recall and just never got around to it until this year. I am glad I did now that it is done.

 

[Robinett_11B]

I'd like to buy a 4" one day and have the lug milled off to resemble a 4" Model 66. Then I'll have the good looks of a CM with the durability of a DCM.......someday

 

[brucev]

Over the years I've owned a number of 586/686 revolvers. Currently I only own one... a 4" 686 that I bought last year. I had to send it back to S&W to have the bolt spring replaced, so while it was there I had them do a little magic to the trigger. The single and double-action are now simply magic in you hand. It is a beautiful revolver. It handles dynamically and shoots with a precision that makes it one of my favorite revolvers for carry. It sits in the nightstand every evening on HD duty. Nearby is a Glock G-22RTF. I figure one or the other will be at hand if and when they are needed.

 

[.357magger]

A 4" -5 7 shooter with Mr. Ahrends shoes...

and a recently sold 2.5" -5 7 shooter with Mr. Smith's combat boots...

No pics of the newly acquired -4 snub 7 shooter yet but as you can see...I don't "do" pics too clearly anyway.

 

[Fishslayer]

What's not to like? My no dash is my youngest S&W but is probly the last I would sell.
I paid significantly more than $325 for it...