S&W Model 686-3 What does -3 mean?

[Nephi]

Please Delete

Please Delete

 

[JB]

I have a S&W Model 686-3 with 6" barrel.
Can anyone tell me or give a reference to a description
of the different variations.
That's all I could find was that the '-n' refers to
a variation of that model but I'd like to know what
the difference is between each variation.
Thanks

It refers to when it was made

 

[easyrider604]

I found this info on another site, gunbroker.com

686 (1980) begin prod.
686-1 (1986) radius stud package; floating hand
686-M (1987) recall by S&W & overstamp to indicate mod. (applies to 686 & 686-1 only)
686-2(1987) change hammer nose
686-3 (1988) new yoke retention system
686-4 (1993) change rear sight leaf, drill & tap frame, change extractor, introduce Hogue grips
686-5 (1997) change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, change to MIM hammer & floating firing pin, change to MIM trigger, change internal lockwork
686-6 (2001) internal hammer & trigger key lock
686-7 (2002) performance center variation in 38 Super introduced

The above info. is quoted from 'The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition' by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas.

I'd like to note that my 686-3 doesn't have the drilled and tapped top strap (for scope mounts), while another -3 that I sold, had the D&T topstrap.

The "M" referred to above is an overstamp done at the S&W factory when the "no dash" and "-1" model L-frames were recalled for a firing pin bushing refit/fix. I think this was not a safety issue, but more of a functioning issue as some units' cylinders jammed tight after firing specific .357 Magnum ammo. Unfortunately they discovered this flaw when an LEO was involved in a gunfight and was injured or killed due to his piece malfunctioning. Well I guess that is also a safety issue if you think about it.

Some owners chose not to ship off their L-frames for this remedy since they did not and do not experience the same malfunction. The problem occurred with only a specific brand/type of 357 mag ammo.

 

[Mightymouse]

If you have more questions regarding this or other S&W pistols... try this site.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/

There's many different sub forums divided by years of production or type of firearm to choose from.

 

[shortandlong]

what would a 686 be worth?

 

[enefgee]

Boy, 1997 was a bad year for Smith - they added pretty much everything I don't like about newer Smiths in that one year.

 

[Nephi]

Thanks everyone - Please Delete

Memebers gave me the info I was looking for.

 

[SandRoad]

Memebers gave me the info I was looking for.

No need to delete this thread, good reference information for the 686-# series.