Any negatives to buying a 686 no dash?

[AveragEd]

The only drawback is as stated by gr7070, you are stuck with the RR front sight. If you don't mind the RR, go for it.

Not necessarily. The 6" 686 on the middle right in the photo above is a no-dash gun. I had several others like it with the RR/WO sight package but prefer a black Patridge and plain black rear sight blade for target work, which was the intended purpose of this gun, so I kept looking until I found a nice one with those sights. There don't seem to be many of them out there but I see one now and then.

Ed

 

[one eye joe]

Looking to buy a pre-lock and pre MIM parts 686. Which is considered the best model before they went to the lock, MIM parts and the firing pin in frame?
Any problems with the 686 no dash?
Thanks

I have two no-dash 686s. they are fantastic revolvers. I sent one in for the "M" recall, because it is carried for self defense. The other is a range revolver, and is unmodified. I've had absolutely no problems with either.......

 

[snubbiefan]

I'll stretch a little bit and say the no-dashes did not have the radius stud package and hand upgrade, which are perceived as good improvements. However...I don't know of anybody that has broken a trigger or hammer stud, so it must not be a serious problem with the 357 magnum. These improvements came along to strengthen the studs that were breaking on the 44 magnums. The radius stud package came along on the dash 1....according to my notes.

 

[gunny4053]

As I see it, the only problem with the no dash 686 is that I don't have one. They are fine revolvers, so get you one.

 

[les strat]

Don't pass up on a no-dash if the $ is right or you're missing something sweet. I got mine out the door for $399 in wonderful shape. I sure had rather spend 4 bills for a no-dash than 7 for a new one.

 

[AveragEd]

I might be wrong but didn't that hand "upgrade" go away with -3?

Ed

 

[snubbiefan]

Might have Ed. All I see in my notes was the implementation in the dash 1. I really would not be too concerned over not having the upgraded stud or the revised hand system. I believe those improvements were made to all the revolvers after they made the change to fix the problems with the heavy magnums shooting open and breaking studs. Smiths worked just fine for all the years before the radius stud package and as far as I understand, it was done to "hold" the heavy magnums together in the first place.

I had the opportunity to swap my ND 6-inch for a dash 4 four-inch and jumped on it. Being a little disenchanted with the bushing replacement job made that a lot easier.

I certainly do not poo-poo the ND and there are many folks still shooting them without the bushing upgrade and there are still many folks that won't send them home for fear of getting a safe-queen marred or mistreated. Likely...if my 6-inch ND had been a 4-inch ND I would still have it.

 

[one eye joe]

I see buying a no dash no m stamped gun as a positive. it earns a free trip back to the factory and while there you can have custom work done.

I MUST agree, Sailfish. Here's my no-dash 2 1/2" after a free trip back to the factory. BTW--despite paperwork indicating the modification was done, there is NO "M" STAMP....

 

[butchkent]

I have a M stamped 586 no dash. FWIW, they did a great job. My 686 no dash has not had the mod. I don't carry it but wouldn't hesitate to do so if necessary. I've shot hunfreds and hundreds of high power reloads and factory rounds with no problems at all.

Maybe it would be a good idea to tell the forum about all 686 no dash found that are passed upon. We might want to give them a look.
Thanks

 

[hittman77]

Never heard of a bad 686 regardless of dash, no dash, lock or no lock.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Never heard of a bad 686 regardless of dash, no dash, lock or no lock.

I'm thinking the same thing. I have two 696 guns, one a with a lock and one without. The gun with the lock has a smoother trigger. It's the one I shoot. This MIM/lock thing is blown out of proportion, but as always, it's your money. Jim

 

[cgb]

I have been shooting the absolute **** out of this one,no dash, no M stamp, and at least 1000 rounds of 357 with no problems. I would not pass up a no dash 686.

 

[mrussell]

M modification comments

I have a 1986 no dash 686 with a 6" barrel. I wanted to comment on the M modification and my experience. If you are a reloader, I think you may have a better chance of experiencing the problem because I did. My experience is that magnum loads and standard primers (usually called for with powders such as Blue Dot and 2400), then the flowback has a good chance of occuring (at least with my 686). I never experienced it with factory loads. I had the M modification done and never had a problem with a reload since.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I have the 586 no dash "M" stamped with ZERO issues. I prefer the older ones anyhow. How much are they asking for the no dash? If the gun is taken care of and not beat on, the price is within reason, I would get it. The 586/686 is one of the best revolvers Smith makes.

James

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The "M" recall (1987) for the no-dash and -1 guns was to fit a new hammer nose and firing pin bushing to deal with certain brands of ammo causing (potentially fatal) binding when fired.

What makes this binding "potentially fatal"? Is this in the case of a failure during personal defense? I know someone with a -1 model and I'm curious. Thanks!

 

[one eye joe]

What makes this binding "potentially fatal"? Is this in the case of a failure during personal defense? I know someone with a -1 model and I'm curious. Thanks!

YES ! ! ! If the revolver in question is merely a rage gun, there is no need to modify it until it fails---WHICH MAY NEVER OCCUR...........

 

[bananaman]

I have a 586 no dash. Not modified. If you don't run into the recall issue, then don't fix it. At first I thought that I would send it. (got it a few months ago) Asked myself why? If you are going to use it for self defense, then think harder about sending it. I have other stuff, and don't need that 1 for S.D. purpose. My L Frame trigger is magical. Bob

 

[raygixxer89]

I bought my 686 in 1980. The only drawback is as stated by gr7070, you are stuck with the RR front sight. If you don't mind the RR, go for it.

The front sight on my no-dash 686 is pinned.
WTA: Oh, and it is "M" stamped. It looks really good. You wouldn't even be able to tell it was modified unless you looked for the M.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The only real drawback is that you will eventually start buying more S&W revolvers.

 

[vinlap]

sw 686 et taurus 627

Bonjour les amis,
mon fils a un 686 sans tiret et je viens de prendre un taurus 627
trés bonnes impressions.
qu'en pensez vous ?
je suis fan de smith et wesson bien sur !
Mais les nouveaux Taurus pas mal.