New Guy with ?

[Camokid]

Hello Fellow S&W Owners,

My name is Billy and I'm new on this forum but not to shooting sports. i live in northeastern North Carolina and enjoy recreational shooting and hunting. I'm a member of the NRA,and USCCA. I recently acquired a S&W Model 686 in stainless with a 6 inch barrel. I would like to determine the manufacture date and determine if the modification is needed. The serial number is AJU2068. Thanks in advance for the help and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum, you will find a lot of good information here.

Your 686 was probably shipped in mid-1985; there is a standard reference book with a serial number table, your prefix is not listed but it's a good guess.

If it has the firing pin bushing modification it will have a small "M" stamped on the frame under the barrel when the cylinder is swung out, near the MOD 686. Opinions differ as to whether it is necessary; if you shoot it with hotter .357 loads and the gun binds up, contact factory customer service and they will fix and ship it both ways at their expense. According to other posts, some service reps are not authorizing the free repair/shipping if the gun doesn't jam.

Enjoy, and happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too.

 

[Revolver King]

Hello Fellow S&W Owners,

My name is Billy and I'm new on this forum but not to shooting sports. i live in northeastern North Carolina and enjoy recreational shooting and hunting. I'm a member of the NRA,and USCCA. I recently acquired a S&W Model 686 in stainless with a 6 inch barrel. I would like to determine the manufacture date and determine if the modification is needed. The serial number is AJU2068. Thanks in advance for the help and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Best I can tell is in 1986 (according to the standards book)If it has no dash number or is a dash 1 it should have an M stamped on the frame near the Model number. That would indicate that it has been sent back for recall. Welcome to the forum.

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum.
I have 2 M686s that have not been back to S&W for the mod and I have not had a problem with either. I have not shot thousands of 357s out of them but the ones I have shot did not tie up the gun. If I carried either gun loaded with 357s for personal protection I would send it back just for peace of mind but I mostly just punch holes in paper with them.
Spend some time with your's and see how it performs. I think you'll like it.

 

[Camokid]

Thanks for the information fellows. This is the second 686 I have owned the first I sold like a nut when I was much younger. I was determined to get another and happened across this one. They are awesome wheel guns and you can believe one thing this one will not get away from me. I also have a Taurus model 607 stainless with a 4 inch barrel and although a nice gun it's no 686. Thanks again for the help and nice to meet y'all.