The Ultimate Resource for Smith & Wesson 686-3 Serial Numbers and Dating Your Gun

Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Numbers: A Comprehensive Guide

If you own a Smith and Wesson 686-3 revolver, you might be curious about its serial number and what it means. The serial number can tell you a lot about your gun, such as when and where it was made, what model it is, and what features it has. In this article, we will explain how to find your Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial number, how to use it to look up information about your gun, and what prefixes and suffixes mean.

smith and wesson 686-3 serial numbers

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How to Find Your Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Number

The Smith and Wesson 686-3 is a double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. It was introduced in 1988 as an improved version of the 686 with a new yoke retention system, a floating hand, and a hammer nose bushing. The 686-3 has a stainless steel frame and barrel, a six or seven-shot cylinder, and adjustable sights. It comes in various barrel lengths, from 2.5 inches to 8.375 inches.

The serial number of your Smith and Wesson 686-3 is located on the bottom of the grip frame, in front of the trigger guard. It should start with a letter followed by four or five digits, such as AAB1234 or BCD56789. Some guns may also have a suffix after the serial number, such as -1 or -2. The serial number is also stamped on the inside of the crane (the part that swings out to load the cylinder) and on the side of the cylinder.

How to Use Your Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Number to Lookup Information

Once you have your Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial number, you can use it to lookup information about your gun online. There are several websites that offer databases of Smith and Wesson serial numbers and their meanings. For example, you can visit Recoil Review, which has a comprehensive guide on how to use the Smith and Wesson serial number database. You can also visit Optics Bible, which has a detailed post on Smith and Wesson serial number lookup and prefixes.

By using these websites, you can find out information such as:

• The year of manufacture of your gun

• The model name and number of your gun

• The caliber and capacity of your gun

• The barrel length and finish of your gun

• The history and evolution of your gun

• The value and rarity of your gun

What Prefixes and Suffixes Mean for Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Numbers

As we mentioned earlier, some Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial numbers may have prefixes or suffixes that indicate some variations or modifications of the gun. Here are some common ones that you may encounter:

• A prefix of A means that the gun was made in 1980 or later.

• A prefix of B means that the gun was made in 1988 or later.

• A prefix of C means that the gun was made in 1994 or later.

• A suffix of -1 means that the gun has a three-screw sideplate instead of a four-screw one.

• A suffix of -2 means that the gun has a round butt instead of a square one.

• A suffix of -3 means that the gun has an internal lock system.

Conclusion

Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial numbers are more than just random numbers. They can reveal a lot of information about your revolver, such as its age, model, features, history, and value. By knowing how to find your serial number, how to use it to lookup information online, and what prefixes and suffixes mean, you can learn more about your gun and appreciate it better.

Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Numbers: Examples and Photos

In this section, we will show you some examples of Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial numbers and photos of the guns they belong to. This way, you can see how the serial number reflects the model, year, and features of the gun. You can also compare your own gun with these examples and see if you can find any similarities or differences.

Here are some Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial numbers and photos:

Serial Number

Photo

Description

AAB1234

This is a Smith and Wesson 686-3 with a 6-inch barrel, a six-shot cylinder, and a stainless steel finish. The serial number starts with A, which means it was made in 1980 or later. The second letter, A, indicates that it was made in January. The four digits, 1234, are the production number.

BFW5678

This is a Smith and Wesson 686-3 with a 4-inch barrel, a seven-shot cylinder, and a stainless steel finish. The serial number starts with B, which means it was made in 1988 or later. The second letter, F, indicates that it was made in June. The four digits, 5678, are the production number.

CDE4321

This is a Smith and Wesson 686-3 with a 2.5-inch barrel, a six-shot cylinder, and a stainless steel finish. The serial number starts with C, which means it was made in 1994 or later. The second letter, D, indicates that it was made in April. The four digits, 4321, are the production number.

Smith and Wesson 686-3 Serial Numbers: How to Care for Your Gun

Now that you know more about your Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial number and what it means, you might want to learn how to care for your gun and keep it in good condition. Proper maintenance and cleaning can extend the life of your gun and prevent malfunctions and accidents. In this section, we will give you some tips on how to care for your Smith and Wesson 686-3 revolver.

Here are some steps to follow:

• Always make sure your gun is unloaded before cleaning or handling it. Check the cylinder and the barrel for any ammunition or obstructions.

• Use a cleaning rod, a bore brush, a patch holder, and a solvent to clean the barrel and the cylinder chambers. Scrub the bore and the chambers with the brush and solvent, then wipe them with a dry patch. Repeat until the patch comes out clean.

• Use a toothbrush, a rag, and a solvent to clean the frame, the crane, the yoke, the ejector rod, and the cylinder face. Remove any dirt, powder residue, or fouling from these parts.

• Use a lubricant to lightly oil the moving parts of the gun, such as the trigger, the hammer, the cylinder release, the ejector rod, and the yoke. Do not over-oil or use too much lubricant, as this can attract dirt and cause malfunctions.

• Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior of the gun and remove any fingerprints or moisture. Store your gun in a dry and secure place, away from children and unauthorized persons.

Conclusion

Smith and Wesson 686-3 serial numbers are more than just random numbers. They can reveal a lot of information about your revolver, such as its age, model, features, history, and value. By knowing how to find your serial number, how to use it to lookup information online, what prefixes and suffixes mean, and how to care for your gun, you can learn more about your gun and appreciate it better. ca3e7ad8fd