Model 686 no dash

[astigmat2000]

Hello to all,
What can you tell me about this model 686, s/n AHE 3728?
MOD 686 no dash and under I can read E 10 S (don't know what it is).
Thanks for your help.
Greetings from France.
Jack

 

[murphydog]

Bienvenu! Prefix AHE is likely from the late winter to early spring of 1985. The other stampings are factory internal codes. Hope this is helpful.

 

[armorer951]

L-Frame recall.......


SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1,
586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

RECALL: Reports have been received from the field where the combination of a SMITH & WESSON L-FRAME 357 MAGNUM REVOLVER and some .357 Magnum ammunition has resulted in unacceptable cylinder binding. L-frame revolvers bearing model numbers:

581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1,
681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1

Cylinder binding can cause a failure to fire. Mishandling a revolver while freeing the cylinder can result in accidental discharge.

Cylinder binding can result from a number of causes, including characteristics of an individual revolver or the use of ammunition, which does not conform to industry pressure specifications or is particularly fast burning. Recent developments in ammunition manufacture emphasize the production of .357 Magnum ammunition with increased velocity and greater primer sensitivity.

Although there have been very few reported incidents of cylinder binding, in view of our concern for our customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all circumstances, we issue the following warning:

In a situation where a failure to fire can be critical - such as law enforcement or personal protection - do not use .357 Magnum ammunition with an L-frame revolver bearing model numbers 581, 586, 681, 686 or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number until you have had the revolver modified.

Those who need to use their L-frame revolver under these conditions prior to modification can safely fire .38 Special caliber ammunition.

Smith & Wesson has developed a modification to improve existing L-frame revolvers. This improvement enables them to fire all .357 Magnum ammunition, without cylinder binding. Shipments of L-frame revolvers from our factory after August 21, 1987 already include this improvement.

You can check if your revolver includes this improvement by looking at the left side of the frame when the cylinder is fully open. If your revolver has been stamped either with a "2" or higher number after the basic three-digit model number or with an "M" above the model number, your revolver includes this improvement and does not need modification. If your revolver bears the model number 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number, it does not include this improvement and your should have your revolver modified.

Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agencies wishing to arrange for modification of L-frame revolvers should call 800-331-0852 between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Eastern time (MA residents call 413-734-8244). Other users should send their revolvers to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center, specifying "L-frame improvement program" and enclosing their name and return address.

One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:

Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101

 

[GCF]

What can you tell me about this model 686, s/n AHE 3728?

Great gun. plain & simple!

For the record, a couple pics of my 4" M686 (no dash) / SN-AFP99XX are attached. Un-modified (no "M"), no problemo.

You could do a lot worse...

 

[rwsmith]

About the recall.....

I never bothered to get the recall work done because with the heaviest loads I had no binding. What happens is that primers can flow back round the firing pin. It wouldn't hurt to get the recall done, but it's not always necessary.

Suspect were soft imported primers, but S&W wanted to make sure their guns worked with all ammo, hence the recall.

 

[bigshep85]

I may have to get mine checked

 

[astigmat2000]

Hello and many thanks to all of you for your infos and advice.
The Smith & Wesson note regarding the early manufactured revolvers of that kind is not very clear to me. What is exactly a "cylinder binding"? The translation is not easy and a developped explanation would be necessary....I'm afaid.
Have a good day.
Jack

 

[armorer951]

Jack,

The term "cylinder binding" means that if the malfunction described in the notice occurs, the cylinder no longer rotates, and the gun cannot be fired until the cylinder is opened and the offending casing is removed. The problem involved primer failure, and subsequent metal intrusion into the hammer nose hole in the hammer nose bushing, located in the breechface.

Since these guns were being carried by civilians and police alike, the possibility of this malfunction had to be eliminated. The refit involves the replacement of the hammer nose bushing and the hammer nose (and related parts) with redesigned parts. The new hammer nose and the hole in the new hammer nose bushing are slightly smaller.....approx. .010". I have done many of these refits over the years, and still have the factory designed tools and parts required.

The refit is optional. If you are not planning on carrying the gun, or firing/carrying .357 magnum ammunition then the work may not be necessary. Many members here advise they have not experienced the malfunction described in the warning, and consequently, have not had the refit work performed.

Your call.

 

[astigmat2000]

Hello and many thanks for the clear explanation armorer951. Never heard of any trouble in here and people fire different sort of ammo. It's true that due to government limitation in buying factory ammo here in France, many shooters reload, therefore less risky....probably.
Have a good day...
Jack

 

[HYPURR]

No Dash

Here's my 1984 686 4" No Dash AEZ9XXX, I am the original owner.

Had the recall work done in 1985 as I had nothing better to do...

Shot for many years, put the original stocks back on and it's sits retired in my S&W 357 stable.

Best, Dave

 

[alfsauve]

My 8-3/8" is a no dash, no m, and I've put plenty of high velocity 158grs down range with no problem. Those were all fired single shot & I used CCI magnum primers over H-110 to get the most out of it. Those primers are tougher than regular which may account for the lack of any problem.

 

[MrMoose]

Finally got around to replacing a 686 6" that I foolishly traded away many years ago. This new-to-me revolver is a no-dash in excellent condition. Eager to see how it performs...