Question about S&W 686-Plus

D

David Roberson

New member
I'm considering the purchase of a pre-treason version of the 686-Plus, but I have a question: Is this gun available with the hammer-mounted firing pin, or had S&W already switched over to the frame-mounted firing pins when they started making the 686-Plus? If the 686-Plus has always had the frame-mounted firing pin, I guess I'll look for a plain 686 instead.
 
The 686-Plus is the 7-shot version, right?

If so, yes, you will be able to find older ones with the hammer-mounted firing pin.
 
Yes, the earliest ones had the older style "hammer nose". Are you biased against the new, improved style pin for some reason? The reason I ask is, I had to replace a bent nose on one of my older K frames once. I don't foresee wear ever being an issue with the new type. Best. :)
 
I thought the first 7-shot 686+ came out in the '96-'98 time frame, which would be long after S&W went to the frame mounted firing pins. -- Kernel
 
Thanks to all for the info. Yes, Victor, I'm biased -- perhaps unreasonably -- against the MIM parts in the new firing pin system. I've owned and fired S&W revolvers since 1975 and have never had any problem with the old-style firing pin, and just don't see any need to change. Plus it eliminates any possibility of accidentally buying a post-treason S&W.
 
What does "MIM" mean? As a happy user of 686+ (with frame-mounted firing pin and a decent DA trigger), I want to knoooooooowwwwwwww!
 
Victor, do a search for MIM here in TFL. There have been at least two discussions of MIM parts in the new-style S&W firing pins.

Oleg, MIM stands for "metal injection molding."
 
FWIW, that firing pin system should be fine with MIM. MIM falls down when makers try to use it for springs (e.g., the 1911 type extractor) or where it is under heavy strain.

Jim
 
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