686 question

[jadek669]

Hi. Kind of stupid question ?? I have 686-1 and want to know if it is the second series of the model. S&W says it was born on 9/22/1986. Thanks Stash

 

[bamabiker]

I guess you could say it that way. There was the M686 no dash guns before it.

 

[Ashlander]

To expand a bit on Bamabiker's post, the 686-1 series was preceded by the 686 (no dash). Production of the 686 commenced in 1980 while the 686-1 was introduced in 1986. I am not aware of what the difference or differences were -- just some engineering change. The newest standard models I believe are up to 686-6 (at least as of 2012).

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum
-0 1980 begin production, shipping in traditional two piece cardboard box with metal reinforced corners
1983 begin shipping in new style one piece cardboard box
-1 1986 radius stud package; floating hand (reverted back to the standard hand after a few years)
-2 1987 change hammer nose, bushing, & associated parts
-3 1988 new yoke retention system
-4 1993 change sight leaf, drill & tap for scope mount; change extractor; Hogue grips
1995 introduction of 7 shot + model with 6" barrel round butt frame
1996 deletion of square butt frame; begin shipping in stackable blue plastic case
1997 change thumbpiece to angled style; shipped with Master trigger lock
-5 1997 new CNC frame design; eliminated cylinder stop stud; eliminated serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer & trigger; floating firing pin; changed lockwork
-6 2001 introduce keyed internal lock system (ILS) for hammer and trigger (a few -6's made without)
-7 2002 introduce Performance Center variation in .38 Super
2005 began shipping in new style blue plastic case with integral handle
2007 Pro Series; forged hammer & trigger; tuned action, recessed crown

 

[jadek669]

Thanks much Gentlemen. Good printable responses. This one sat for a lot of years in a dresser drawer. Never carried or holstered. Got the original box of ammo he bought with it also. 18 empty out of 50. Sadly no box or papers or tools. He threw it all out when he bought it. I think for $550 I did pretty well. Thanks again............ Stash

 

[cptdean]

Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum
-0 1980 begin production, shipping in traditional two piece cardboard box with metal reinforced corners
1983 begin shipping in new style one piece cardboard box
-1 1986 radius stud package; floating hand (reverted back to the standard hand after a few years)
-2 1987 change hammer nose, bushing, & associated parts
-3 1988 new yoke retention system
-4 1993 change sight leaf, drill & tap for scope mount; change extractor; Hogue grips
1995 introduction of 7 shot + model with 6" barrel round butt frame
1996 deletion of square butt frame; begin shipping in stackable blue plastic case
1997 change thumbpiece to angled style; shipped with Master trigger lock
-5 1997 new CNC frame design; eliminated cylinder stop stud; eliminated serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer & trigger; floating firing pin; changed lockwork
-6 2001 introduce keyed internal lock system (ILS) for hammer and trigger (a few -6's made without)
-7 2002 introduce Performance Center variation in .38 Super
2005 began shipping in new style blue plastic case with integral handle
2007 Pro Series; forged hammer & trigger; tuned action, recessed crown

If you don't mind me adding a question, when did the 686 get its pinned front sight? I saw a 686-3 the other day with one and thought it was a later innovation.

 

[Hillbilly77]

If you don't mind me adding a question, when did the 686 get its pinned front sight? I saw a 686-3 the other day with one and thought it was a later innovation.

Some of the L frames had pinned sights from the beginning.
My early model 586 no-dash came with a pinned sight. The 686 no-dash I had didn't have a pinned sight.

I've seen both variations on several L frames.
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Like Hillbilly said, a pinned Patridge front sight was available on very small numbers of M686 from early on. Maybe that's what you saw. Those I've seen with that Pat sight also had the frosted like matte finish, now seen on PC guns. Some had comps, unfluted cylinder, or look pretty normal.

I think many of these were for European export, in small numbers, then came back. So they are not very well documented.

With the -5 the standard M686 went to a black ramp pinned front sight, and has had one ever since. Some of the PC gun will still have the Patridge sight.

 

[cptdean]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Great wealth of knowledge here.

 

[Checkman]

I know for certain that if you own a 686/586 that has not had the modification done to the bushing and the hammer pin Smith will pay for the model to be shipped back to Springfield, install the new parts and then ship it back to you free of charge. The factory recall is still in effect. Look for an M stamped on the yoke. I owned a 586 (no dash) about ten years ago and Smith took care of it for me. Just took a few days. When it was returned to me (mailed directly back to me) the M had been stamped on the yoke. Your call though.