S&W Revolvers - Differences Between Models ?

[ray1970]

I'm not sure about the 586 but I'm pretty sure the 686 has been produced with a square butt as well as the round butt.

[ray1970]

Mine has the round butt. I think mine is a 686-5. No lock but does have the MIM parts.

[Gman]

Square butt 686-2

[ray1970]

Well, all of this learning stuff is fun. From a quick google search it appears S&W switched the 686 from a square butt to a round butt somewhere during the -4 production run. Although some claim earlier models with the 2.5" barrel came with the round butt.

Probably explains the square butt on the -2 and the round butt on my -5.

[Husker95]

Ok, I just checked Supica and Nahas and my original statement was wrong. The 686 was originally produced on the square butt frame - the same as its blue brother the 586. However, there were many variations produced with a round butt. All 7-shot 686s were produced with a round butt and the square butt was officially deleted in 1996. Production began on your 686-2 in 1987, so it was a square butt. Ray1970 your SB dash 5 was produced between 1997 and 2000 with MIM hammer and trigger and some internal lockwork changes. I have a 586-4 6 inch and its one of the most accurate handguns I own. 586/686 were a great model for S&W.

[ray1970]

I love my 686. It's a tack driver. Really wanted a 681 but just couldn't find one at a fair price.

[Gman]

The L frames are a nice size. Beefy enough to hold up to regular .357 use, but not an N frame.

[Doc45]

Did someone say L frame? This one was bought new by my dad in July '81. I got it when he passed in '92 and used it to teach both my sons how to shoot a handgun. He had it worked over by a well known 'smith in Arizona (Frank Glenn), has an amazing action, bead blast finish and has held up well over thousands of rounds. I have the original box, all papers, tools and even the original receipt.



As pointed out S&W has made the .357 available in all the current frame sizes (J. K L and N). These days I prefer to shoot .38s for fun but run a few mags through this one now and then and frequently carry it up in the hills.

Here it is with the elk stags and Tyler T-grip it normally wears:

[DAL357]

Very nice, Doc45. I'm glad to hear that Frank Glenn does good work, as I was thinking of having him do some work on a 64 of mine next year if finances allow.

[roberth]

What every Smith and Wesson aficionado needs is the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, make sure to get the 3rd edition. Inexpensive and worth every single penny.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Standard-Cat...item25916872e8

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Catal.../dp/089689293X

There might be a 4th edition in the works.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...-w-4th-ed.html