Early Model 686

[akaDigger]

I acquired this 686 over thirty years ago. Thanks to a poster in another forum who directed me here to this forum. I learned more about this gun in the last two hours than I did over the last thirty years.

The serial # indicates it was one of the first. Also, it has not had the firing pin modification.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I found that the S&W medallion is engraved on the "wrong" side.

I am the third owner. I also know both previous owners. After learning what I have here on this website, it became clear to me how I was able to procure this 686 so early in its life. But that's a story not fit for a public forum.

 

[regalsc]

Very nice 686 no dash. I have an ACK serial# 6"version that also does not have the M stamp which means it wasn't sent back for the firing pin bushing replacement but I have no problems shooting 357's so mine will stay the way it is. That's great that you have the complete package.

 

[Engine49guy]

Nice early gun, I saw an AAA prefix 586 for sale two years ago for $500 but passed because it was a 6" and I didnt want to "open that can of worms" as if that would have prevented it ... Of course now regret that decision ha ha.....

 

[S&W Fan]

Welcome aboard!

There have been a few threads lately about early 686s. My own was bought new by my late father in Sept 1981, also "AAB" prefix.

Common thought seems to be the trademark moved to left side sometime after the second year of production.

 

[akaDigger]

I placed a value of $400 on the gun when I took it as boot on motorcycle trade in 1983.

 

[BigMike76]

Awesome gun!

 

[loeman]

Welcome and greetings from a native Hoosier! Yes, that is an awesome gun, and with the complete package, so much the better. I have one early 686 and one early 681. I fire them both and neither have been back to the factory for the recall mod. and I don't intend to do so.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I acquired this 686 over thirty years ago. .....

That handwriting has a very particular style to it. Most factory labels aren't so neatly done.

 

[824tsv]

The handwriting to me indicates a female employee and I've also never seen one done so neatly. Also note the old 2pc box. Cool gun, I would be proud to own an early complete package like that one.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! I enjoy shooting my L frames. Have a 586 no dash, 4" (no MOD done) & a 686-3, 6". So, take yours to the range, & give it a workout! Bob

 

[NYlakesider]

Reading this got me to thinking about how/why I got my 686.

I was thinking about working part time for a armored car company and they had a specific list of guns & specs that you could carry. They did not allow Ruger Security Sixes so I decide to get a "OK" S&W.

At that time the 686 just hit the market and S&W as they sometimes do was restricting to the Police Market till they filled their backlog. I did a lot of business with this one LGS that also handled a lot of cop stuff and they pulled some strings and got the gun sent to the shop reserved for me by name . I asked no questions about how this could be but they did it. ( I think I know what they did, but its only a guess!)

Still have the gun in the safe!

 

[akaDigger]

I really do appreciate all the comments here. It has helped me to get to know this gun better.

While we are discussing full packages, I felt this would be an appropriate place to add this photo.

 

[Black Knight]

You have a very nice 686 there. I have a 686-1 where I am the original owner. It has never given me any problems at all so it never went back for the modification. I carried my 686-1 for several years as an armed security officer and never felt leary of it. It served me very well during many long patrol shifts and special events. As I understand it extremely few 686s and 686-1s needed the modification, but S&W ordered the recall for liability purposes. I was better to show they acknowledged a problem and were working it than to deny it and fix the guns as the problem cropped up.

 

[greenmachine]

Digger: I bought my 6" 686 new in 1980. It is serial numbered AAB44xx, just a little later than yours. It was the first one I had ever seen at the time. My 4" no-dash has serial number ACM12xx from 1983. Great guns. I also have a 2 1/2" dash-3 from 1993 and a 4 inch dash-4 from 1995. Both with round butts.

Oh, and welcome to the forum from another Hoosier.

 

[zzzdoc]

I have a 581, with box, in 90%+ condition; serial number AAA 4xxx. Have owned it for many years, one of my daughters will be the next owner.

 

[HorizontalMike]

No Banana

I acquired this 686 over thirty years ago....
I am the third owner...

Well,... there you go. Problem solved.

Sorry, NOT interested. MY 686 No-Dash was bought new by ME, August 1986 by ME, and not some friend of a friend of a friend...

Hate to pop your balloon, but some of us are old enough to have LIVED the entire event! One of these days the young ones will actually understand what I am saying...

 

[alfsauve]

Nice rig.

[Tooting my horn:]

I too have have an early model, 686- s/n ACK2xxx. No mod. 8-3/8" version. And I am the original owner. Used it for IHMSA. Best day with it was downing 5 rams in a row at 200m standing. Never done that since.

Now that the bug has bit you, akaDigger, time to get a copy of "the book". Supica's Standard Catalog of S&W.

 

[akaDigger]

Now that the bug has bit you

I'm not really bitten. A few months ago my mother gave up her piece (and the one cartridge she had). I thought I'd look and see if it had any value. Then decided to pull the 686 out of hiding and check on it too.

Mom's old fourth model. sn 707xxx circa 1904