2.5" 686 No Dash for $500?
- Thread starter ajgranda
- Start date
gearhounds
New member
Buy it quick, especially if it's not just an impulse buy (ie- you've been looking for one).
Kreyzhorse
New member
I think that's a pretty sound deal. I'd bite if I were you.
carguychris
New member
IIRC no-dash is 1980-1982 production, but I could be mistaken. You can narrow it down more by posting the 3-letter serial number prefix here or in the "Smith and Wesson serial number search" thread. FWIW all L frames such as a M686 have modern-style 3-letter prefixes, so the build dates are relatively easy to track.
MIM parts and the floating firing pin were introduced with the -5 version in 1996.
FWIW if you didn't already know this, no-dash and some early -1 L frames were recalled because some were shipped with out-of-spec oversize firing pin bushing holes that could allow a soft primer to backflow into the hole upon firing and lock up the gun. The factory normally marked recalled guns with a big letter "M" stamped inside the yoke cut, but I understand that this practice stopped recently, so if the gun has no "M" stamp, you should call customer service to verify whether the recall was done. Also, keep in mind that not every non-stamped gun has an oversize bushing hole; if you can verify that the gun has been fired extensively without problems, it is probably OK.
AFAIK, primer backflow was only a problem on recall guns when shooting full-house magnum rounds. Heavy use without trouble isn't necessarily a reliable test, then, since much (or all) the use may have been with .38spl. As suggested, if it's not stamped, call S&W and ask if the serial # was in the recall range and, if so, if the repair done.
ohen cepel
New member
Even better in my mind. BUY IT! It won't last long.
Use your better judgement. 500$ for a 686 no dash that possibly hasn't been recalled? I have always been ( and always will be ) hesitant about buying a gun sight unseen ( Olympus?? ) In my area a new 686 can be had for 675 plus tax. BTW I have a 2.5 -4 that is great, also, is that the only photo? not a very good one.
$500 is a great price for this model right now, especially if it checks out well. Here's my track on the 7-shooter version, the Bluebook of Gun Values puts its value $35 above the 6-shooter.
Smith & Wesson 686 Plus Revolver in .357 Magnum, .38 Special, Plus P. 2-1/2 in Bbl. Bluebook of Gun Values (31st Edition) indicates between $375 in 95% condition and $650 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 81 recorded prices for this model gun from $350 to $900 over a period of 6 Yrs 8 Mos ending February 16, 2011. The average price as of that date was $537. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $964.
Here's how the data chart out. Note the trend in price is about $620 and the monthly count trend is increasing. This is a change from when the 2-1/2 incher was hard to find (see before April 2008). Prices were attractive, so evidently, folks who had them decided to ride the wave.
Smith & Wesson 686 Plus Revolver in .357 Magnum, .38 Special, Plus P. 2-1/2 in Bbl. Bluebook of Gun Values (31st Edition) indicates between $375 in 95% condition and $650 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 81 recorded prices for this model gun from $350 to $900 over a period of 6 Yrs 8 Mos ending February 16, 2011. The average price as of that date was $537. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $964.
Here's how the data chart out. Note the trend in price is about $620 and the monthly count trend is increasing. This is a change from when the 2-1/2 incher was hard to find (see before April 2008). Prices were attractive, so evidently, folks who had them decided to ride the wave.
Thanks for the responses and info. No M engraved in the yolk. I have the serial number (AFA51xx), so I'm going to call SW and see if they would let me ship it to them for free modification if needed.
Edit: Well I get off the phone with S&W CS. Not much help other than saying it was an old model early to mid 80s. They did have the modification back then, but if I want anything done now it would have to be on my dime and he didn't recommend it. He said it was only a small percentage of the guns that had an issue with only heavy .357 load and to stick with moderate loads. Which only makes sense since it only has a 2.5" barrel.
Edit: Well I get off the phone with S&W CS. Not much help other than saying it was an old model early to mid 80s. They did have the modification back then, but if I want anything done now it would have to be on my dime and he didn't recommend it. He said it was only a small percentage of the guns that had an issue with only heavy .357 load and to stick with moderate loads. Which only makes sense since it only has a 2.5" barrel.
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