Model 686 no dash?
- Thread starter Jmr6250
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That's one of the worst-stamped yoke SNs I've ever seen. The first letter (A) is clear enough, but I can't figure out the other two. If you could post the SN, either from the bill of sale or the butt (you'll need to remove those target grips to see it), I or someone else will be able to help you out with a shipping date.
Also, the yoke doesn't have an "M" stamp to indicate that the gun was sent back to the mothership to correct a problem with the firing pin bushing that could cause the cylinder to lock up with certain ammo. I'm pretty sure S&W will still take care of this at no cost to you. You'll get conflicting opinions on whether it's necessary or advisable to bother having the mod done. My advice, FWIW, is to do it if the gun will ever be used for SD, but not to bother if it's strictly used for range work.
Also, the yoke doesn't have an "M" stamp to indicate that the gun was sent back to the mothership to correct a problem with the firing pin bushing that could cause the cylinder to lock up with certain ammo. I'm pretty sure S&W will still take care of this at no cost to you. You'll get conflicting opinions on whether it's necessary or advisable to bother having the mod done. My advice, FWIW, is to do it if the gun will ever be used for SD, but not to bother if it's strictly used for range work.
Thank you for the feedback. I’ll definitely look into the bushing you were talking about. I really just planned on getting back into Smiths to collect them. I didn’t plan on it having a TON of range time.
It looks like the serial # per bill of sale; AHU4894.
It looks like the serial # per bill of sale; AHU4894.
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686.....
....well you sure started out good! I have a 686 no dash and it's a 1981 model.
....well you sure started out good! I have a 686 no dash and it's a 1981 model.
I think so too, in decent shape for the model I think. It’s my first 686. I’ve had other L and K frames in the past, but none in this line.
S&W Fan
Member
Well the -1 came out in 1986 and I don’t see that prefix in the SCSW but that’s not unusual. You have a wonderful revolver.
My 686 no dash was bought new by my father Sept. 19, 1981-I have the receipt along with the box etc.-and it’s prefix is AAB.
My 686 no dash was bought new by my father Sept. 19, 1981-I have the receipt along with the box etc.-and it’s prefix is AAB.
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As S&W Fan noted, the AHU prefix doesn't appear in the SN listing in SCSW, which, as mentioned, is not unusual. SCSW actually refers to the 3-alpha, 4-number SN range as the "dreaded triple-alpha range." The AH* SNs that are listed for no-dash 686s are all in 1985, so that's probably the likely year for your gun, but with S&W nothing short of a factory letter is certain.
I have a couple of 686s along with a few 586s (I have a soft spot for blued guns) in both 4" and 6" barrel lengths, all no dash models, some with the "M" stamp, some without. Many believe the 686 to be the best revolver ever made, and that's a really nice example that you have.
ETA: I just noticed that your primarily interested in collecting, so I assume you don't plan to carry the gun. If that's the case I definitely wouldn't send it in for the bushing fix and I wouldn't worry about it. Some feel that 686s (and 586s) without the "M" stamp are/will be worth more (some day?). I don't buy that, but for collecting purposes there's really no reason to take the chance that S&W or one of the carriers will mess your gun up somehow along the way.
I have a couple of 686s along with a few 586s (I have a soft spot for blued guns) in both 4" and 6" barrel lengths, all no dash models, some with the "M" stamp, some without. Many believe the 686 to be the best revolver ever made, and that's a really nice example that you have.
ETA: I just noticed that your primarily interested in collecting, so I assume you don't plan to carry the gun. If that's the case I definitely wouldn't send it in for the bushing fix and I wouldn't worry about it. Some feel that 686s (and 586s) without the "M" stamp are/will be worth more (some day?). I don't buy that, but for collecting purposes there's really no reason to take the chance that S&W or one of the carriers will mess your gun up somehow along the way.
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Welcome to the forum. The L frame, which is what you have, is a great revolver, enjoy it.
BabaBlueJay
Member
If that is the case, I would leave it alone unless it causes binding issues. This looks like a no dash to me, which is always cool as a first edition of any gun has added collector value. The 686 is my all-time favorite firearm and you got a good one. Enjoy it!
lppd4
Member
L frames are very nice I have 586’s and 685’s in 4” and 6” barrel lengths.
Not to be argumentative, but for most anything in the dreaded triple alpha series (not all but most post-1980 guns), a phone call or e-mail to S&W can typically net you an accurate shipping date. I have done MANY, and typically get a reply in about two business days via e-mail.
For guns that predate the dreaded triple alpha, it’s much more difficult to get this information without a factory letter.
Bold/underlined is my addition — while I certainly understand that the opinions are split down the middle as to the recall update, the real problem with what I’ve quoted here is that if you find the magical .357 ammo that flows in to the oversized bushing hole… you will end up with a fully locked up revolver and depending on your luck that day, you have a one-in-six chance of that being the last round of ammo… thus leaving your gun with no live ammo in it.
Your other 83% chance of it NOT being the last round means you end up with a locked-up and loaded revolver, that’s not legal for shipment.
You could drive it to Massachusetts! Or maybe Maryville, Tennessee… eventually…?
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I lucked into a NIB 686-3; it was made in 1989, so yours was definitely made well before that.
I finally have an update. Thank you all for the feedback! So I went to clean it up a bit and removed the grips, and inside one side was stamped “May 31st 1985”. I would imagine just based on some of everyone’s responses, this should be accurate.
geeollie
Member
May I ask here what a nice condition, 4 inch 686 no dash would sell for in a typical gun shop? At least a ball park cost.
