The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - S+W 686-4 +

NoSecondBest · February 29, 2012, 01:44 PM

The suffix after the model designation represents an engineering change to the gun. The first 686 made had no suffix, it would be stamped just 686. After that there would be a suffix such as 686-5 (which mine has). The 686-4 was the preceding model change, ie-closer to the original. If you had gotten a 686-5 it would be a later version of the 686, not an earlier one.

February 29, 2012, 01:44 PM	#2
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	The suffix after the model designation represents an engineering change to the gun. The first 686 made had no suffix, it would be stamped just 686. After that there would be a suffix such as 686-5 (which mine has). The 686-4 was the preceding model change, ie-closer to the original. If you had gotten a 686-5 it would be a later version of the 686, not an earlier one.