[Hylander]

So I just bought a 686 no dash.
6" Stainless.
How do I find out when it was made.
Serial AJW8xx

I can't find anything online. 😩
Hope I made a good choice.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum!

The catalog puts AJW at 1986.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! 1986...like Wendy says.

 

[Hylander]

Thanks guys.
Is that a good year?
Any issues to worry about?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Nothing really to worry about. They are good guns. You might run across a recall S&W issued on these guns due to a single manufacturers .357 Magnum ammo that caused some problems. The ammo is no longer made so the problem really doesn't exist anymore. However, S&W will honor the recall and do some modifications to the hammer nose bushing and hammer nose if you want. Your gun may already have received the mod. Open the cylinder and look at the model number stamped in the yoke cut. If there is an M stamped over the model number, it has already been modified. If not, it's your call to have S&W do the mod. Personally, I would defer.

 

[PeteB]

Thanks guys.
Is that a good year?
Any issues to worry about?

Honestly, in the case of a 686, they were all "good years". Some were later modified by having a hammer nose and bushing replaced, but the reason is no longer that critical. Aside from that, a lot of people value the no-dash models more highly, just because people like "firsts". Any of them are great guns.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Thanks guys.
Is that a good year?
Any issues to worry about?

I would say yes a good year and you did well, have fun!

 

[Hylander]

Nothing really to worry about. They are good guns. You might run across a recall S&W issued on these guns due to a single manufacturers .357 Magnum ammo that caused some problems. The ammo is no longer made so the problem really doesn't exist anymore. However, S&W will honor the recall and do some modifications to the hammer nose bushing and hammer nose if you want. Your gun may already have received the mod. Open the cylinder and look at the model number stamped in the yoke cut. If there is an M stamped over the model number, it has already been modified. If not, it's your call to have S&W do the mod. Personally, I would defer.

Thanks,
I checked and looks like mine has had the recall done. There is an M stamped inside the crane but also an H.
Any idea what the H stands for?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It's an inspection or fitter stamp.