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s&w 686

cavman 69
I am trying to find info on a n S&W 686 7 shot with a 7" barrel.
I have not found one in the auctions,is this rare?
The box is marked #0278 under the special order spot.
Thanks
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • cavman 69
    Has anyone had any problems with this model of S&W? I know the 66s and 19 will shoot loose with a steady diet of mag loads. How about the 686? Thanks.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Smith and Wesson?
    Transfer bar system?

    Never.
    They still use the hammer block internal safety.
    The firing pin was moved from the hammer nose to the frame but it is struck directly by the hammer, not through a transfer bar.
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  • cavman 69
    sorry for my confusion. someone told me they had that system. when did the firing pin move off the hammer? thanks again.
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  • beantownshootah
    I think they made the change to 686s in 1997 or 1998.

    Why?

    Less fitting of parts with the frame mounted pin, less chance of pin-nose breakage, and it also lets Smith use the same hammer for rimfire and centerfire guns.

    Edit: 686-5 in 1997 moved to an MIM hammer with frame-mounted firing pin.

    Is there a functional difference?

    Don't know. Some claim the frame mounted pin is more likely to fail to set off a round due to inadequate protrusion.

    The only Smith I have with the frame mounted pin is my 637 snubnose, and its never failed to set off a round (ever).

    But if you're a collector, you definitely want an older gun with the pin on the hammer nose!
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  • cussedemgun
    cavman,

    A little S&W history:

    During WW II a Victory model S&W revolver was dropped on the deck of a Navy ship, killing a sailor with the accidental discharge. Investigation of that accident resulted in S&W improving their hammer block safety design. The new "slide action hammer block" was introduced in Sept.1944. Some but not all "V" model guns were returned to the factory & re-fit (approx. 40,000 guns). They are stamped with a "S" near the rear side-plate screw as well as a "s" added to the ser# on the butt.

    All S&W revolvers made since Sept.1944 are of the improved slide action hammer block safety design.

    Hope this helps answer your questions about safety & S&W.

    Jim
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