S&W 686 vs M686?

[HawkMan]

What's the difference between a S&W 686 and a S&W M686?

I haven't found anything online explaining what the "M" is.

E.g.
Buds Gun Shop:
M686: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...38SP+%2BP+4%22
686: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...Mag+4%22+7Shot

[gsparesa]

Model.

[Revoman]

If you're talking about an older S&W 686, the no dash, or dash 1, if I recall had an issue with magnum loads and primers becoming lodged in the firing pin opening on the rear shield/firing pin bushing.
S&W would do the repair and stamp an 'M' after the serial number indicating that it had been 'M'odified for that repair at the factory.

[HawkMan]

If you're talking about an older S&W 686, the no dash, or dash 1, if I recall had an issue with magnum loads and primers becoming lodged in the firing pin opening on the rear shield/firing pin bushing.
S&W would do the repair and stamp an 'M' after the serial number indicating that it had been 'M'odified for that repair at the factory.

Ahh okay. Thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

[Fishslayer]

Ahh okay. Thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

The revolver in the Bud's description is a 7 shot, so obviously not a no dash, so in this case the "M" is short for "Model" as is usually the case when presented as "M686" "M66" or whatever...