681-1 with out M modification

[hsmith9491]

I agree, would not send in if you have not had a problem.
Mine hung up twice at two different range outings. It freed
up with just a tug on the hammer. Was shooting magnums
when it happened. This is my HD piece so I thought I might
as well send it in.

 

[ladder13]

Just checked mine, it has the mod. Thanks for bringing this up.

 

[mike from st pete]

I sent my revolver for the recall last week. FEDEX tracker has the package received 3/16.
So, by hsmith9491's turn around I should be seeing 3/27 for return.

 

[tgwillard]

Sent my no dash 686 back to S&W for the mod and got it back in about three weeks. Had to hone down some metal burrs on the firing pin hole because it was rubbing against the cartridges in the cylinder and hanging up. Got a 681 no dash and have not sent it back.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I got my 681 used several years back. I noticed that it wasn't carrying up on two cylinders so I piggy backed the recall with a request to fix it. They sent a shipping label, replaced the ratchet and hand-did the modification and returned it within two weeks. No charge.
I'm good with that

 

[mike from st pete]

Just got mine back. 3/16 to 3/28 quick service from S&W.
Next stop will be the range, which may be a longer time than the trip to S&W.

 

[one eye joe]

IF it's a range gun, I wouldn't bother. IF it's a SD/HD weapon, I would do it. Your life could depend on it.

 

[Rev.Gunsmoke]

My M686-1

I just got this gun, and I need all the info for good shooting, I shot it for the first time with Federals .357 can I put .38's same brand in the gun as well? and what does the B7 stamping mean?

 

[murphydog]

I just got this gun, and I need all the info for good shooting, I shot it for the first time with Federals .357 can I put .38's same brand in the gun as well? and what does the B7 stamping mean?

Welcome to the forum. .38 Specials of any brand and loading will work fine, the case is slightly shorter but all other dimensions compared to a .357 are the same. .38s will be cheaper in general also.

The B7 is likely a factory internal code, from assembly or fitting. Hope this is helpful.

 

[rodeonav]

686-1 Still Still Workin Great

Got the trusty 686-1 to the range last week after 20 years. Last time I fired it. Due to lots of rifle enthusiasts - the wife and I were forced to fire from the firing line at targets placed at 25 yards - way to far I think. At any rate - loaded up the revolver with 38 special - and fired at the target - all on a 11 in by 8 1/2 grid. Wife did the same - no hits. Loaded up with Remington 125 gr JSP - again - 6 hits on target - all within a 4 inch radius surrounding the BE. Wife loaded up - one shot - scared to death. I fired the remaining 5 and once again within the 4 inch radius. Also fired 380 ACP Bersa, 9 mm Ruger, and 30-06 Remington semi-auto - not a good day except for the dead-eye S&W 686-1. My point - no mod on this 1986 vintage version. I suppose that one day I should send it back for the MOD but it keeps on tickin. Any Thoughts! Incidentally - at 7 meters (21.5 feet) - the old trusty would put 6 holes in a 1 inch circle - that's why I call it DEADEYE!

 

[one eye joe]

NRA sanctioned outdoor pistol matches are commonly fired @ a distance of 25 yards. The "Army-L Pistol Target" is the 25 yard target used to qualify applicants for Concealed Carry permits in many states, including my own.

 

[Black Knight]

I have a 686-1 that was never sent back for the modification. I carried it as my duty weapon as an armed security patrol officer and never had any problems with it. Try every load you can get your hands on and if you don't experience any problems why send it in? The number of guns that actually need the modifications of a recall is very small compared to the number of guns made.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Need imput from forum members concerning the need to send revolver back for firing pin modification. Just got this revolver and it does not have M marking. Any members have revolvers not having this modification. I am a little concerned sending revolver back to Smith-Wesson. Please help me in deciding what I should do.

Thanks

It is not just the firing pin and you SHOULD have the modification done by S&W. They also replace the firing pin bushing, which is the circular piece of steel in the bolster face behind the firing chamber. It is done too prevent primer flow which will lock up the gun.

 

[Harrison]

I have two 681-1s that have not been modified. I have shot some hot loads with soft federal primers without a hitch from either one. It was very few of the pistols that ever had a problem. If you pistol will digest full house federal 125gr loads without hanging up, it is good to go. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[one eye joe]

To give yourself peace of mind with a weapon used for personal or home defense you may wish to have the free mod done. On a range or field revolver, there is no need unless it breaks--which may NEVER happen. I have two no dash 686s. My CCW 2 1/2" has been modified, my 8 3/8" version has not....

 

[woodsltc]

Folks can do as they want, but for me I'm not going to risk a situation where the gun locks up at the worst possible moment(ie..a threat situation to me or my family). I've had the modification completed on 3 different no dash L-Frames that I've owned and will do it again if I get another one.

It makes no sense to me why someone would turn down an opportunity (an opportunity with no cost to them at all) to make their gun more reliable. There is no evidence that having the modification effects the value of the gun and it certainly increases the reliability of the the guns in question.....so why is there even a question about having it done??

As I said at the first of this post ....folks can do as they want , but I would think of myself as being foolish not to make sure my gun was as reliable as possible ..... you never know when that could be a life saving decision.

Don