S&W revolver question, "pre lock"??

[rm1911]

My first handgun ever purchased was a smith 686 6". Got it in 1990 used off a guy who'd had it a while and barely fired it. That should date the gun roughly. It was so awesome to shoot. Super accurate and smoothest trigger. Anyways many years ago gave it to my dad in exchange for his 70series colt. Which I love and still have. And will take to my grave. ('Cause I'll need stopping power in hell )

My dad visits today to go to range with me. He hasn't shot it in over 10 years and me a lot longer. I'd forgotten what an amazing gun it is and fell in love with it all over again. My son did too but that's another story.

I really want to buy one this upcoming year. Since I already have all the reloading stuff for it and tons of components ammo is no problem. But I've read or heard about the different models and such, some pre lock thing, what not, how the newer ones aren't the same as the older models. Etc. I don't know.

I'm fine hunting down a used older model but you know, buying used revolvers is difficult. Lots of things to inspect and I'm not expert enough to see all the things I should. I'd rather buy a new one but I'd be comparing to it a gem and if it wasn't the same...

What's the story with all the models and changes? Is a new model on par with the older ones?

[Fishslayer]

What's the story with all the models and changes? Is a new model on par with the older ones?

The "dash number" indicates an engineering change. Some are more important than others. Changes like eliminating the pinned barrels & counterbored cylinders were strictly cost cutting measures.

For the 686 you have the 686-5 which came in 1997. That's the one that changes to frame mounted firing pin and MIM hammer & trigger. This is where many purists draw the line.

The IL came in 2001 with the -6.

It's up to you. Some have no interest in a MIM model, some don't care & love their late model S&W to pieces. IMO the -4 & earlier are better.

[xSARSx]

just tell your dad to give it back to you...

[hk200085]

Or you could buy a new one, then trade your father for your original one

[Dont_Shoot_im_Chinese]

I had both a prelock and still have a locked 686. I did notice differences when handling each side to side but the differences were subtle. I only kept the locked version because mine is a 7 shot, round grip, and stainless

[rm1911]

I forgot about the dash thing. Here's what I came up with

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/233190-686-dash-differences.html

I think it's a -3. The trigger is super smooth which leads me to believe it doesn't have the floating hand thing. It also was made before they introduced the 7shot models. I actually remember when they introduced the + models.

Found this as to the explanation of the lock. Pg 15

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/S&W_Revolver_Manual.pdf

Reading up it seems there's a lot of opinion on the lock. I'm of the opinion that more crap in there is not better. He shot the 45 better. Think I just might end up buying myself a new 45 and giving him back the 70 series for the 686.

All I know about that revolver is it is amazing

[Revoman]

Older 686's are still available in CA, just not prevalent. Depending upon which dash and barrel length you're in the market for I've seen many around town.
Keep your eyes peeled for a few months and I'm certain that you'll find one that suits.
As for buying used, unless it's really Bubba'd, most that I have seen are great shooters and will last a long time, however, there is a 'Revolver Buying, Look to see if' type thread here on the Forum if you care to look for it. It may be of some value to a searcher as yourself.
If you REALLY wanna learn about S&W's visit the S&W Forum, there is tons of information there.

[Revoman]

Older 686's are still available in CA, just not prevalent. Depending upon which dash and barrel length you're in the market for I've seen many around town.
Keep your eyes peeled for a few months and I'm certain that you'll find one that suits.
As for buying used, unless it's really Bubba'd, most that I have seen are great shooters and will last a long time, however, there is a 'Revolver Buying, Look to see if' type thread here on the Forum if you care to look for it. It may be of some value to a searcher as yourself.
If you REALLY wanna learn about S&W's visit the S&W Forum, there is tons of information there.

[Sunday]

The new S@Ws are very nice.

[Echidin]

I've also had both lock and per-lock S&W revolvers. Never experiened any problems with the locks or MIM parts of the newer Smiths. I will say that I think the pre-locks are a little more aestheticslly pleasing without the keyhole above the cylinder release staring back at you, but the newer Smiths are still well built in my opinion.

[G21Shooter]

The new ones are still really nice, I don't think the lock is a big deal.

[redcliff]

The new ones do the job, but the old ones are my preference. I don't buy "locked and mim" model S&W's unless they have no pre-lock counterpart. I also prefer the older blued finishes and I'm very content with six shots.

Even with the older pre-lock models having more collector interest I can still usually find them on consignment for 2/3 of the cost (or less) of the new models.

YMMV

[stix213]

See if you can rent a newer 686 at a local range.

I love my early 80's 6" 686 no dash, no M model by the way. Shouldn't have traded it to your dad

[dfletcher]

I'm old enough and been buying guns long enough to remember folks griping in the 70's that "new S & W aren't nearly a good as the old - there's metal filings in the action ....." and so on. Some of the 1970s revolvers were internally finished a bit rough, but of course now they're thought of as better than current manufacture.

I like the older Smiths better than the new, I just can't get to like the lock. It's a bit more difficult to notice, but the angle of the frame where the hammer rides is different too, to accomodate the lock. And the "painted on" finishes are pretty bland & artificial.

The new Smiths are probably technically better made than the older ones, I guess the same can be said of a new car over a 67 Mustang or 63 Corvette or 65 XKE.

[2761377]

then there is the connection between the lock and S&W's 2A betrayal in the year 2000.

long memory here- I'll never buy a new Smith.