Smith & Wesson Model 686

The 686 has been available with 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 inch barrel lengths as standard models and other barrel lengths either by special order from S&W's Performance Center custom shop, or acquired from or built by after-market gunsmiths. The Performance Center made a limited number of Model 686s chambered for .38 Super cartridges for competitive shooters. ==Engineering and production changes==

) • 686 (no dash), 1981 Introduction model • 686-1, 1986 radius stud package, floating hand • 686-2, 1987 changed hammer nose, bushing and associated parts • 686-3, 1988 new yoke retention system • 686-4, 1993 change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, change extractor, Hogue grips • 686-5, 1997 change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, MIM hammer and trigger, change internal lock. • 686-6, 2001 internal lock • 686-7, 2003 Performance Center .38 Super, 6-Shot unfluted cylinder, 4" barrel, Stainless Steel, 250 Made ==Gallery==

Image:357er Magnum.jpg Image:Smith & Wesson .357 Model 686 Plus barrel view.jpg Image:Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - 686-2.jpg Image:Smith Wesson 686 The Presidents.JPG Image:SW686-TargetChampion-1a.jpg Image:SW686-TargetChampion-3.jpg Image:Smith & Wesson .357 Model 686 Plus.jpg File:SW686-TargetChampion-1.jpg Image:Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - 686-2 Rear.jpg Image:Smith & wesson 629 vs 686.jpg Image:Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_686_Pro_Series_5"_7_Shot_Revolver.jpg Image:Smith_%26_Wesson_686_Pro_Series_5_inch.jpg Image:Smith_%26_Wesson_686_Pro_Series_5_inch_7_Shot.jpg Image:Smith_&_Wesson_.357_Model_686_Plus_non-fluted.jpg Image:SW 686 cylinder close-up.jpg ==Users==

• • GIGN during amphibious operations. • • The 3"-barreled version with Goncalo alves hardwood-grip was used as a sidearm in the alien immigrant-branches of the Norwegian Police Service by individual plainclothes officers during the early 1990s. • • U.S. Border Patrol. • U.S. Customs Service. • Immigration and Naturalization Service • U.S. Navy SEALs during waterborne missions. • Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI agents carried personally owned S&W 686s along with other .357 magnum revolvers with supervisor approval. Notably carried by agents during the 1986 FBI Miami shootout. • Used by some smaller police departments and by individual officers in larger departments, especially in marine environments. • • Grand Ducal Police as duty weapon from the 1980s through 2017 when it was replaced by the HK VP9. ==Recall==

In 1987, seven years after the release of the Model 686, there were reports of cylinder binding with some types of standard .357 Magnum ammunition for L-frame revolvers manufactured before August 1987. S&W put out a product warning and authorized a no-charge upgrade to make modifications to the revolver. All recalled and reworked guns were stamped with an M marking, signifying that they had been recalled and fixed; thus it is known as the M modification for all 686, 686–1, 586–1, and 586-2 revolvers. ==References==