686 no dash help

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I just got this no dash 686 today and like an idiot I didn't check for the "m" mod they did, there are a few dimples resembling an M but I can figure out if it was crap engraving or just marks in the steel what are yalls thoughts?

 

[bearman49709]

You can still contact S&W for the free upgrade but most don't need it. Only certain primers caused problems IIRC it was Federals.
If was mine I would shoot it first then decide it you want to send it in, if you do S&W will send you a free shipping label.

 

[gotboostvr]

My 686-0 has a much more pronounced M stamp.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

My 686-0 has a much more pronounced M stamp.

View attachment 847445

Yep, that is exactly what I've seen as well from other examples. Thinking I will contact S&W tomorrow

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd run a couple boxes of some warm factory loads like the aforementioned 125gr Federals.

If it's not a broken, don't fix it.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

I thought at 686s needed work? But sure, I'll go ahead and fire some heavy loads and see what's up.

 

[ontarget]

Mine is very clearly stamped with the M.

 

[gotboostvr]

I thought at 686s needed work? But sure, I'll go ahead and fire some heavy loads and see what's up.

The worst that'll happen is you'll have some primer flow back into the firing pin hole and make the cylinder stick some.

If there's a problem, Smith will take care it of it. I suspect if it was a problem some previous owner would have had it fixed in the three decades since.

 

[straightshooterjake]

I suspect if it was a problem some previous owner would have had it fixed in the three decades since.

I would be optimistic about this statement, but not totally confident. I know plenty of people who only fire .38 special in their magnum guns. And the problem with primer flow would not happen with .38 rounds. So I agree with the suggestions that the OP should do his own testing with some hot rounds.

 

[Eddietruett]

I've owned probably a dozen 686's with and without the stamp. I've never had a problem with one not modified, but obviously some did or the recall wouldn't be in place. I would probably shoot it and test like was suggested above before doing without my gun for a while. You can always send it in if you encounter the problem. I doubt S&W will ever stop doing the modifications as there are so many out there still without the M stamp.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Well I called Smith and a not so lovely lady named Lisa told me no the modification has NOT been done. Only way to tell for sure is to fire the thing will post a range pic and report when I can

 

[bannockburn]

The Evangelist Cowboy

I had my modification done locally as one of the nearby gun shops had a gunsmith who was authorized by S&W to do the modification. I think I had it back within a day or two.

My "M" stamp is in the exact same location as seen in gotboostvr's photo.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

The Evangelist Cowboy

I had my modification done locally as one of the nearby gun shops had a gunsmith who was authorized by S&W to do the modification. I think I had back within a day or two.

My "M" stamp is in the exact same location as seen in gotboostvr's photo.

If I'm needing it I will most likely do the same thing, I will be shooting first.

 

[I6turbo]

I've had my awesome 686 no dash since the early 1980s, hasn't had the modification and I've seen no indication that it needs it. I won't be having it done because I don't want it out of my possession (plus I've seen no indication that it needs to be modified).

 

[Hookeye]

Hmmmm, better check my dad's rig.
Is his IHMSA rig.
Has been shot a lot, but with nothing max'd out.

Just wanna know, in case I buy it off him.

 

[P5 Guy]

Mr. Cowboy, fire the revolver first.
A point to ponder, would an unmodified no dash end up being more valuable in the long run.
I'm just thinking how the modification effected the value of the Ruger Blackhawk before the lawsuit, are the unmodified ones more or less desirable?

 

[alfsauve]

My 8-3/8" no-dash has not had the mod applied. It has shot hundreds of 158gr maxed out loads at IHMSA targets. Not had a problem. I think it was mainly very light bullet weights with hyper velocity loads that presented the problem.

 

[scuba_ed1911]

I just got this no dash 686 today and like an idiot I didn't check for the "m" mod they did, there are a few dimples resembling an M but I can figure out if it was crap engraving or just marks in the steel what are yalls thoughts?View attachment 847435

I had mine corrected and marked by a local gunsmith who charged nothing; it was covered by the warranty.

This is not an issue which requires the firearm being sent to the factory.

 

[scuba_ed1911]

I highly doubt that value-added would be realized by owning a "NON - DASH" as it was due to a factory warranty notice.

 

[P5 Guy]

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/shooting-history-ruger-3-screw-old-gun-review/

Well, modifying the Blackhawk did adversely affect value. What will S&W collectors say 20-30 years from now? No one can say for certain.

 

[alfsauve]

Like Beatles records, the market is flooded with them, I doubt 686s will ever really be "collectible". Granted if you have an album cover signed by Paul, it's worth something, and likewise some very unique 686s might one day be desirable, like from my estate. But I think there are and will continue to be far too many to put them anywhere near the same category as Colts.

 

[P5 Guy]

No dash and -1 are not flooding markets, now dash plus how many I agree.
In fact collectors usually stop at -4 because of MIM parts and the Clinton lock.

 

[rodinal220]

I don't have a 686 but have a 586 no dash that I have owned for over 30 years. I never sent it in, never had a lick of trouble with it, but I shot VERY few (6-700rds) .357 mag rounds thru it, mostly Winchester 158gr SWC-Lubaloy maybe a box or two of the Federal 125 JHP. Shot 10s of thousands of .38spl rounds thru it and it ran just fine.

 

[scuba_ed1911]

I bought mine from a fellow USAF officer in 1985. It was about 95% and came with box, 2 speed loaders and 200 rds of .38 spl. or just $350.

Often wondered in later years when I realized how great a deal I scored...so many places in Colorado to hide a .....

 

[alfsauve]

No dash and -1 are not flooding markets, now dash plus how many I agree. In fact collectors usually stop at -4 because of MIM parts and the Clinton lock.

Somewhere on the "Collectable Continum" is a mid point, which I like to think divides desirable on the left side from collectable on the right. My metric for that midpoint would be when the used price exceeds the retail price of current or recent production models. Talking about whole classes of models not historically signicant individual guns. The G19 would be far left. Colt Python far right. I'm thinking the 686 will never pass that midpoint. While the pre -5s might be more desirable than current models, just don't see them crossing the midpoint.

Don't get me wrong, I love my L frames.

I'm frequently wrong about many things.