New to me M686-1, no M stamp

[blackdeuce]

Picked up a 686-1. Found it at a Cabelas in West Virginia and had it shipped to Bass Pro in KC. Pretty slick. They didn't charge shipping and no FFL fee.

Pretty clean gun with box, papers, and unopened tools.

The model number on the gun shows M686-1. Not MOD686-1. And, there is no M stamped above the model number. I did some searching and cannot determine if it's had the recall work done or if they stamped M instead of MOD. Has anyone figured this out?

Special order code puts DOB at May 15, 1987. Coincidentally, I picked it up on May 15th.

 

[glshuck]

Mine says m686-1, and above it has a separate M stamp.

 

[Yendor357]

Congrats. You picked up a fantastic revolver. Smith was at the top of its game with those beauties. Great action, strong, and extremely (sub 1.5” @ 25 yards) accurate.

I’m envious!

 

[blackdeuce]

Congrats. You picked up a fantastic revolver. Smith was at the top of its game with those beauties. Great action, strong, and extremely (sub 1.5” @ 25 yards) accurate.

I’m envious!

Thank you. It does seem tight and well made. I could have bought a new 686 for a little less money, but I wonder about current QC efforts.

 

[Yendor357]

You did the right thing.

They’re still making new ones.

They quit making those fine revolvers a long time ago. Thus, it is more valuable.

 

[H Richard]

Doesn't look like that gun has had the modification done. They put a single M by itself when it has been completed. Some guns may not need the fix, if the bushing is the correct size, and not allowing any primers to flow back into the bushing hole. S&W still does the recall free and sends you a shipping label for free shipping to and from.

 

[blackdeuce]

You did the right thing.

They’re still making new ones.

They quit making those fine revolvers a long time ago. Thus, it is more valuable.

Thank you. I bought it for $750, so not a whole lot more than a new one on sale. PSA had them for $650.

 

[blackdeuce]

Doesn't look like that gun has had the modification done. They put a single M by itself when it has been completed. Some guns may not need the fix, if the bushing is the correct size, and not allowing any primers to flow back into the bushing hole. S&W still does the recall free and sends you a shipping label for free shipping to and from.

I agree. After Garrett told me that his was stamped M686-1 plus he had the M recall stamp, it made me think that mine had not been sent for recall work.

 

[Nightowl]

The M stamp for the update is supposed to be stamped right above the model number. So, it does not have the update done, unless some who did it forgot to stamp it, which would be unusual. If it shoots fine with 125 grain All American ammo, it really does not need the update. But if you want it, Smith will still do it and pay shipping both ways.

Very nice gun. The L frames of that era are great guns!

 

[stansdds]

I think the biggest offender with primer flow was Federal's 125 grain Hi-Shok 357 Magnum. Not all of the early L-frame's had this problem and the easiest way to find out is to shoot some in your 686.

 

[blackdeuce]

I consulted the Historical Foundation and was told that the 686-1 models came from the factory with the fix to the firing pin and firing pin bushing.

 

[Nightowl]

I consulted the Historical Foundation and was told that the 686-1 models came from the factory with the fix to the firing pin and firing pin bushing.

NOT SO! The update covered the plain 686 AND 686-1 models. The 686-2 models came with the fix.

 

[blackdeuce]

NOT SO! The update covered the plain 686 AND 686-1 models. The 686-2 models came with the fix.

That was my understanding as well, so the response surprised me. Mine shipped in May of 1987. I found an old letter reportedly from S&W that said that L frames shipped after August 21, 1987 did not need the repair.

 

[Nightowl]

As a police armorer, the factory sent me the tools, instructions and parts to update all our department guns and others that needed to be updated from other departments. Presumably, L frames shipped after August 21, 1987 would be marked with a -2, or with an M for those already marked with the -1.