S&W 686 - what mods do dashes stand for?

[rideflhtc]

Smith & Wesson Model 686 has designations 686-4 or 686-6 etc.

Does anyone know that modifications these dashes stand for. Or, do they represent modifications?

Appreciate your help. Seriously considering a 686..................have been for some time.

Thanks in advance.

rideflhtc

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by rideflhtc

Smith & Wesson Model 686 has designations 686-4 or 686-6 etc.

Does anyone know that modifications these dashes stand for. Or, do they represent modifications?

Appreciate your help. Seriously considering a 686..................have been for some time.

Thanks in advance.

rideflhtc

I used to be a FFL dealer many years ago and when we looked up a gun in a catalog the -4 or -6 stood for 4" bbl or 6" bbl.

by the way, excellent choice for a pistol.

[Hammerslagger]

Typically a S&W basic model number followed by a dash and number (for example Model 10-4) to indicate an engineering change to the basic model. Thus in a S&W Model 10-4. the "4" is the 4th engineering change to the original Model 10 design. {In this case, a screw was eliminated from the earlier design.}

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by Hammerslagger

Typically a S&W basic model number followed by a dash and number (for example Model 10-4) to indicate an engineering change to the basic model. Thus in a S&W Model 10-4. the "4" is the 4th engineering change to the original Model 10 design. {In this case, a screw was eliminated from the earlier design.}

Thanks for the education

[Alpo]

686 no dash, 1980, introduced model
686-1, 1986, radius stud package, floating hand
686-2, 1987, changed hammer nose, bushing and associated parts
686-3, 1988, new yoke retention system
686-4, 1993, change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, change extractor, hogue grips
686-5, 1997, change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eleminate serrated tangs, change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin, change to MIM trigger, change internal lockwork
686-6, 2001, internal lock
686-7, 2002, Performance Center variation in 38 Super

[Hammerslagger]

Alpo has an excellent reference library.

[cycloneman]

Originally Posted by Hammerslagger

Alpo has an excellent reference library.

Every time i see something like this i remember that guy on RAT RACE. That english guy, cant remember his name, but he is at the table with all the rest of the crew and he says "we should make him out leader"

[dianalv]

Makes it easier to date your S&W by when the modifications were made.

[rideflhtc]

Thanks to everyone, for the responses..............Alpo, you are the man! I doubt if I could have gotten that good a run down from the S&W factory.

Thanks again.

I am going to make a decision and buy one of these guns one day!

rideflhtc

[fyimo]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas has this and an amazing amount of information in it. I goes over each S&W gun with detail about each including engineering changes and serial number ranges by year. This is the bible of information and it you are serious about S&W guns you should get one at Amazon.com.

This is what we all use to answer questions up here.

[Alpo]

Originally Posted by fyimo

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas has this and an amazing amount of information in it. I goes over each S&W gun with detail about each including engineering changes and serial number ranges by year. This is the bible of information and it you are serious about S&W guns you should get one at Amazon.com.

This is what we all use to answer questions up here.

Ahhh, man. Now you gone and done ruint my mystique. If everbody knows how to do it, it won't be so impressive.

[fyimo]

Originally Posted by Alpo

Ahhh, man. Now you gone and done ruint my mystique. If everbody knows how to do it, it won't be so impressive.

Sorry man I was trying to spread the word.

[louiethelump]

"Dorothy, pay noooo attention to the man behind the curtain........."

[Hammerslagger]

Alpo will still impress us.

[dianalv]

I just got one of those about a month ago. Great resource. Been looking for a good one on Mausers. Any recommendations? Also a good bluebook. I looked at three different price guides at a bookstore, but none of them had detailed information on the guns, nor pricing on retail as well as dealer pricing.