[Dave1]

I am considering the purchase of a pre-lock 686 and was wondering if there are any issues to look for or be concerned about.

In an ad in the for sale section of this forum I noticed an ad for a pre-lock 686 there that mentioned it had an "updated transfer bar firing system". What is that? Is it an issue or defect that had to be corrected or an improvement or ???

Does anyone know the dash numbers of the pre-lock 686s?

Thanks, Dave

[Radagast]

686 no dash can lock up the cylinder, IIRC the primer can extrude into the firing pin hole, there was/is a recall in effect for this.
I'm unaware of issues with later variants.

[OH25shooter]

My pre-lock was manufactured in September 2000. It's a 686-5. S&W told me it was one of the last batch made before the lock was installed. I haven't had one problem with mine.

[Brian Williams]

Not really, there was some problems with primers flowing thru the firingpin hole, but many ammo companys have changed to a bit harder primer and it is not a problem but the firing pin bushing will be changed on any no dash and -1 guns for free by S&W.

[buck460XVR]

I've shot thousands of rounds thru my pre-lock 686 without so much as a hiccup. They're a sweet piece, go for it.

[tbtrout]

I have a no dash that works better than I can. Great guns, I would get it.

[KONY]

Only issue with my 686-0 is that it's slowing down my purchase of a 627! ;)

[cowboy117]

See if you can find a 686-4;thought by many to be the best of the 686's.I have one and love it.No lock,no MIM parts,hammer mounted firing pin.

[Dave1]

Just curious, what version/dash number was it when they went to the MIM parts?

I need to get myself one of those S&W books that tells all this sort of stuff.

:-)

Dave

[Baphomet]

My 686-4 is undoubtedly the best revolver I've ever owned. I really don't think you can go wrong with ANY pre-lock 686.

[Charshooter]

I have the -3 and it has always been a good shooter, my older blued model (586) was just as good really. I sold that one to and bought this one, not much difference other than this is SS

[Gator]

Just curious, what version/dash number was it when they went to the MIM parts?

The -5s and newer have MIM parts.

[GCW5]

I have a 586 that I bought for the Mrs, a used poliece trade in, about 15 years ago. The only thing that I've had to do to it was replace the main spring when I started having misfires about a year ago, the primer just wasn't getting hit hard enough anymore. We've shot 10,000 plus rounds through it since I've owned it, and I'm looking for another for my daughter in law.