A buddy recently put up a no dash 686 for sale and I picked it up yesterday. It has some very minor blemishes next to the cylinder release and the stocks are obviously not new, but otherwise it’s in great shape. Im more a shooter than collector so this thing is in basically pristine shape as far as Im concerned. It has a AAB serial which from what I can tell puts it in the 80-81 production timeframe. It does have the M stamp so it was retrofitted with the hammer and bushing upgrades.
Ive shot multiple 686 guns in the past but have never actually owned one. Ive said before that a 686 is probably what I would choose for a “only gun” type of scenario and now I have one. Im excited.
Just a quick story on my 686 experience, Ive shared here before.
Got out of boot camp in Jan of '84…hit the gunshop and bought me a 686.
Get home, go out back, load her up…gun would shoot no more than twice, three times then lock up tighter than Dicks hatband.
Back to gunshop…explain everything, get another.
Go out back, load her up, same damn thing.
Back to gunshop…this time they thought I was up to something. I told them it locks up after two or three shots and you cant hardly open the cylinder.
They very reluctantly gave me a third gun, with the warning “now thats it”.
Go home, go out back, load her up…BAM X 6. Finally got one that worked. Shot the piss outta that gun for many years…its the gun I learned how to stroke a double action revolver on.
YEARS later…in either Guns & Ammo or some other rag, I see a recall fron S&W on some of the 686’s for having undersized chambers which would lock the gun up.
So just a heads up on that…if thats an early gun and it does that…S&W will take care of it for you.
EDIT: Just saw in your post it already has the M stamp on it…should be raring to go!
Excellent choice, I’ve kind of been looking for one to go along with my 2 1/2 inch pre-lock 686. I use the 686 for practice but carry one of my 640’s. Saves some wear & tear on the J frames.
Smart move to get it, as new ones seem priced way too high. I have one I bought in 1988 on advise from a trooper friend that, & it served me well through academy classes until we transitioned to semi-autos. I had change my grips out for duty use, so my originals are in good shape. Was surprised first week of academy in 1989, the armorer came around to those of us that the 686s & had to inspect/stamp them for some kind of recall. Started to sale mine years ago, but am very glad I still have it, just for the occasional range use.
This was my Grandfather’s 686 no-dash that I inherited, they are great shooters and priceless. I have the original grips in a safe place!
No “M” stamp on mine, since it was a family gun there is no way it’s leaving my safe to have the modification done. With that said, I have never had a malfunction so I got lucky.
Very nice find. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my 586-1 4" I bought new back in the 80s. It’s probably my favorite handgun of any type I’ve ever owned. Wayne
20211022_202514 by chase, on Flickr
20211022_202531 by chase, on Flickr
20211022_202556 by chase, on Flickr