Posted: 10/31/2009 11:16:50 AM EDT
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I have a 686 that I bought over 15 years ago. I cannot find the purchase date because all of my reciepts and bill of sales were destroyed by Katrina. I have only shot it a few times. Can anyone give me any history of this gun. It is a 686 with no dashes. It has an " M" under the serial #
I assume this is a first generation 686. Are these well made or were ther improvements in later models. I just wiped it down with oil so excuse the smudgy look. http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz213/kennyo2112/100_3195.jpg http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz213/kennyo2112/100_3196.jpg |
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Are the first generation any better or more collectible? I am not looking to sell, just to see what I have. What are the modifications that came with the different models ( -1through -5).? Based on my understanding, yes, but only if they were not "M" modified. Outside of that, they are terrific guns. A real workhorse, but you already knew that  That is a 1st gen that has been modified as previously described. There will ALWAYS be a market for well maintained 686 smiths. While there is a premium paid for the guns with barrels less than 4", the 6" is still in high demand.
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Are the first generation any better or more collectible? I am not looking to sell, just to see what I have. What are the modifications that came with the different models ( -1through -5).? Based on my understanding, yes, but only if they were not "M" modified. Outside of that, they are terrific guns. A real workhorse, but you already knew that That is a 1st gen that has been modified as previously described. There will ALWAYS be a market for well maintained 686 smiths. While there is a premium paid for the guns with barrels less than 4", the 6" is still in high demand.So there is a 2" or 3" version? |
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So there is a 2" or 3" version? Currently 2.5 inch 6 shots and 3 inch 7 shots are available. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14800&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15705&isFirearm=Y http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=53925&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15705&isFirearm=Y |
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So there is a 2" or 3" version? The 2.5 inch version is relatively common. In addition to the recent 7-shot 3-inch version, there was a 3 inch version made for the Custom Service back in the pre-lock days. <–––––––––– the 3 inch CS-1 is really sweet. I appreciate the info. It occured to me that I could have just done a search, which I finally did and check on my own. There's been a couple times, when I was checking on something and got frustrated after looking through pages of search engine results that had nothing to do with what I was trying to find and trying variations and spellings to try and get better results. So I got the impression, that anything that was uncommon, might not be found typing a search into some engine like Altavista.com But I should have tried first before posting. My apologies and thanks again for the reply 
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The "M" indicates that it was factory modified. I believe the modification was to add a bushing for the firing pin channel. 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 800-458-8469 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 Edit to add: A gunsmith certified by S&W can perform this in their shop. Ed |
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Quoted: Quoted: So there is a 2" or 3" version? The 2.5 inch version is relatively common. In addition to the recent 7-shot 3-inch version, there was a 3 inch version made for the Custom Service back in the pre-lock days. <–––––––––– the 3 inch CS-1 is really sweet. Did they stop making the 2.5" 686+? |
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The "M" indicates that it was factory modified. I believe the modification was to add a bushing for the firing pin channel. 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 800-458-8469 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 Edit to add: A gunsmith certified by S&W can perform this in their shop. Ed Thanks for the tip |