S&W 686 NO dash, what is it worth

[L2R]

figuring this is in excellent condition.


Always wanted a 686 and stumbled onto one from early 80's.

Wondering if it is worth less because it was never fixed for the M recall.


Would Smith still do the M upgrade for free or should I factor in a cost to do this?

[NoSecondBest]

What's the M upgrade?

[carguychris]

What's the barrel length and type of front sight? What kind of stocks (grips) are on it? What condition? Does it come with the original numbers-matching box, papers, and/or cleaning kit?

Wondering if it is worth less because it was never fixed for the M recall.

No significant difference IMHO.

Would Smith still do the M upgrade for free...?

Supposedly yes; IIRC someone on this forum bought a no-dash M686 a few months ago and S&W did it.

BTW the lack of the "M" stamp is not the Kiss of Death. The reason for the "M" recall was that some L frame .357's were built with an oversize hole in the firing pin bushing, which can cause the primer to backflow into the space around the firing pin and tie up the gun. However, the key word is "some"- not all no-dash L frames had the out-of-spec bushing. A few L frame owners who were unaware of the recall have used non-recalled no-dash guns for years without problems.

[smee78]

My 686 does not have the M mod but it shoots just fine. The condition, barrel length and accy will help dertermine the cost.

[L2R]

I was fixated on the M or lack thereof, and it's history.
sorry I didn't give details.


L frame SS 6 inch barrel
chrome hammer and trigger, orange insert front site
windage and elev. on rear site.
target checkered wood grips from s&w,

says bore, lock and timing is very good

[Sevens]

Can ya look again at the hammer and trigger? Shouldn't be chrome or bright, should be a dull color.

Before the market went nutbar, the price range runs from $500 on the low end to $600 on the higher end, assuming terrific condition but no original box, not unfired dead-mint-new condition. Of course, local variances exist. A $600 one here might go for $650 or $700 elsewhere.

I don't see any 686 going under $500 unless it's got something that is obviously detracting from it.

[Winchester_73]

Wondering if it is worth less because it was never fixed for the M recall.

Would Smith still do the M upgrade for free or should I factor in a cost to do this?

The gun is definitely not worth any less due to the "M" upgrade not being done. If you look at other collectible firearms, such as the Ruger 3 screws, they are often actually worth MORE when they don't have the frivolous improvement that came after the gun was already sold. Aside from that, its a popular model, ands its pre lock of course.

The hammer and trigger sould be SS, with a dull finish.

I read somewhere that S&W offered to do the upgrade for free. If the gun is at a shop, I think you should try to work them down because it does not have the "safety upgrade". Just my opinion...

[MarkDozier]

Post a pic if you can. Sounds like a couple of things anit right. But I would drop 5 bills in a heartbeat. If you don't want it and you can post a pic i am interested in a 6 inch. but if you find a 3 inch I WANT IT.

And S&W still does the upgrade on the firing pin bushings at no charge.

[Tony615]

I have the 686 M fix. I didn't know there were any problems but my brother in law is a LEO and he had the 686 and carried it on duty. We took them in to a gun range and there was a S&W armorer that made modifications to both guns. There is a M put on my gun to denote it was fixed. That back in the late 1980's.

[L2R]

It is a private sale.

I am checking it out this week.

He is wanting to trade for something of equal value ?????

If I pass, I surely will pass it on.

[L2R]

http://www.armslist.com/posts/106549...--6----357-mag

if someone is interested, here is the listing.