686 no dash

[big&slow]

Just bought a 686 no dash 4" No M
Serial # ABC1975
There's an sideways S on the on part of the crane.
Could any of you Smith guru's date this and tell me what the sideways S means?
Also. Do I really need to send this in because of recall or will I be fine if I don't shoot Keith Peter-built loads?
Thanks in advance.

 

[koz5614]

I may be wrong, but I thought the "S" meant: "Stainless".

 

[model70hunter]

My brother bought a 686 no dash in the past year. It is 4" and has the M.

I did some research. The recall had to do with a slightly larger firing pin bushing hole. Soft primers would flow into the hole around the firing pin. The recall was to change out the firing pin bushing (?). It was later found out that only one brand of ammo was causing this. I also heard they stopped using this primer.

My brother also inherited Dad's 586 no dash in 6". It is one awesome revolver.

His daughter shoots the 686 constantly, he can't find enough 357 ammo to feed her habit. No problems due the S&W recall.

I personally would not be afraid of a 686 without the M.

Nice buy Big & Slow. I've been wanting a 4" 686. Can't find one reasonable. I just have to keep plodding along with my Pythons. What was the ballpark price you paid if you do not mind sharing? Thanks.

 

[silvershot]

It could mean that it's stainless but who knows, it's all factory markings which is probably meaningless to everyone except the people who built it. I have a no dash with the sideways S and E2 stamped over the S. I have no clue what that means and I've seen another no dash with the exact stampings. My 686-6 has 679 stamped on crane, no idea what that means either. But I have been told the E in E2 on my no dash is Employee 2 so I have to assume the 679 is a employee number as well.

 

[silvershot]

And a big NO to sending it in if no M. I don't have an M and have had zero issues, although as I have said before on here my 686-6 shoots better overall.

 

[824tsv]

Hello,
Your revolver shipped in late 1982. The "S" stamp is an inspectors mark.

 

[big&slow]

You guys are great. Thanks for all the replys.

 

[big&slow]

And a big NO to sending it in if no M. I don't have an M and have had zero issues, although as I have said before on here my 686-6 shoots better overall.

Why the big "NO" for not sending it in? Turnaround time from S&W or something else?

 

[S&W Fan]

Many folks feel if the revolver isn't having issues with binding due to the ammo then there's no reason to send it in. I have a 686 my dad bought new in July '81. I remember he was having problems where it would bind, sent it in & it's been flawless ever since. He also had it lightly worked over to suit his preferences, my dad was a pretty smart guy.

 

[DDDWho]

Why the big "NO" for not sending it in? Turnaround time from S&W or something else?

He probably thinks the "M" will deduct from the value. Opinions vary on the modification. My view is if it will cause the gun to operate without problems whether actual or perceived why not?

I for one would not sell mine for less money because it has the "M". Its an absolute pleasure to own and shoot with it.

 

[Rock185]

My original 586 no dash worked fine with some ammo, but tied up with others, and had to go in for the modification. My early 686 no dash worked fine with everything, and I did not send it in. My most recent 686 no dash worked fine, but from previous experience, I knew it could tie up the next day, or with different ammo, so I sent it in for the modification. I also had it checked out and tuned up at the same time. I'm with DDD, the "M" does not devalue the 586 or 686 to me. There is just no way to know if the no dash L-Frames will function reliably or not without the modification, unless you try every load you ever intend to shoot in it. I have K and N-Frame .357s, but the L-frames have long been my favorite DA .357...ymmv

 

[artemis]

As a retired Union Journeymen Mechanic I would not send my 686 (no dash) for service unless I had a problem.

Any gun service always has a risk of anyone having a bad day and I feel the same way about automobile repair. If it does not need it, do not open it up.

 

[RJP44]

I had a first year production 6" 686 bought new and never had problem with it. I sent it in for the modification, at that time it was highly recommended. When they changed the bushing, they ground off the back of the frame, increasing the headspace by > .005". The worst part was it was not ground parallel to the back of the cylinder, resulting in fired cases stretched more on one side than the other. Being an avid reloader, I figured this was not good for case life. I sold it off.

I would not buy a modified 686 without checking it out real good.

 

[CatboatWilly]

I say start shooting the 686 and see what you come up with. In most cases, you will not run in to a problem. Take some notes on the ammo, type, weight and manufacturer if you do - and just don't use that type.

I have quite a few automatic pistols that will not feed 'every' manufacturers ammo and feel that's quite common for automatics.
(For instance my NEW Browning Hi-Power will eat everyone's ammo except S&B -FTF FTE)
I think you should shoot it and see what happens. I love my 686 ! What a great gun.

 

[artemis]

I had a first year production 6" 686 bought new and never had problem with it. I sent it in for the modification, at that time it was highly recommended. When they changed the bushing, they ground off the back of the frame, increasing the headspace by > .005". The worst part was it was not ground parallel to the back of the cylinder, resulting in fired cases stretched more on one side than the other. Being an avid reloader, I figured this was not good for case life. I sold it off.

I would not buy a modified 686 without checking it out real good.

As I posted earlier anytime you 'open up' a firearm for repair you risk a faulty gun smith having a bad day and having your firearm repaired for one problem and coming back with another.

I have a 686 no dash and would only send it in if it had a problem.

The 'Recall' is only a liability protection for S&W and not necessary if there is no problem.

If you feel insecure about a problem that might happen send in the gun, but for me I do not have a problem with my 686 no dash and I always carry a back up firearm.