S&W 686-1 pre-lock - Help?

[DonP]

I've been looking in the (almost empty) new and used cases at local gun shops for a decent 4 or 6 inch revolver in .357/38 for target work, for the last six+ months or so now.

I finally found a clean, low-mileage stainless S&W 686-1, pre-safety lock, 2 piece wood grip, 6 inch barrel and an exposed and grooved backstrap, with what seemed to me an odd serial number AY200XX. I can't find anything online that dates the production of the gun?

I know the newer models have the Hogue rubber monogrip, so I'm assuming this one is a little older. A lady brought it in the day before I found it, classic; "this was my husbands gun and I don't know what to do with it now ..." story.

The double action pull is pretty stiff, but I can fix that with a trigger job and some help from the fine people at Wolff (who I just found out are backed up on production, like everyone else in the industry!).

It's only the second S&W for me. Any way of determining the year of manufacture? Anything I should be aware of or look out for?

 

[Salmoneye]

You sure the serial is not AYSxxxx?

That would make it a 686 about 1987 I believe...

Firing pin on hammer?

 

[DonP]

Thanks for the heads up. Can't read my own writing!

Yup, firing pin on the hammer and the Serial # is AYL00XX. (I read my scrawled L as a 2)

The gun is at home and I was going from my quickly scribbled note. Sloppy penmanship on my part. I'll have to take a closer look at the number under the grip and the crane.

 

[bigtubby]

Jan 1988. If it is a dash 1 should have a "M" stamped in the crane cut out area if not you could send it back to S&W for the firing pin bushing recall. Or just shoot it and see how it does if it is a personal defense gun the recall should be done. It is free of charge and they pay the shipping both ways.

 

[Radagast]

Just to add to the above, the 686 & 686-1 had over sized firing pin bushings or undersized firing pins. There were occasional reports of primers flowing back into the firing pin bushing and locking up the gun.
Under the recall S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing. Call their customer service and they will send you a shipping label.
Guns that have been modified have an M stamped near the model number.

 

[Salmoneye]

Sorry about the erroneous year, but as I don't own the 'bible', I was going on memory of serial prefixes...

 

[220slow]

Not sure they fix those bushings anymore. A gunsmith friend tried to get one from smith and they said they didn't make them anymore. I had some left over from when I was an armorer and he was able to fix a customers gun.

 

[Warners]

Not sure they fix those bushings anymore. A gunsmith friend tried to get one from smith and they said they didn't make them anymore. I had some left over from when I was an armorer and he was able to fix a customers gun.

I sent my 6" no dash 686 to them about a year ago and they fixed it and stamped the M on the crane. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the gun seem to come back tighter than when I sent it.....so maybe they gave it a "once over" while it was there. I DID mention that my kids would be shooting it and asked them to make sure it was "safe" (I bought it used). It's one of my favorite and most accurate handguns. FANTASTIC trigger, esp in single-action; about as good as anything I've ever felt.

Warner

 

[DonP]

I checked last night and it does have the "M" stamped inside the crane, so it's had the treatment.

The single action trigger pull is 4 pounds and very smooth but the double action is off the scale for my gauge (10 pounds+) and is going to need some work.

I've heard that there is a Jerry Miculek video on doing a trigger job on S&W? Anyone know where it's for sale?

His "Spring Job" video is on YouTube, but I didn't see anything about a trigger job with his name attached to it.

 

[orionengnr]

Two of the CDs on evilbay right now.