Smith & Wesson Model 1086

About the Smith & Wesson Model 1086

The Smith & Wesson Model 1086 is a compact, double-action-only variant of the Model 1066, representing the most simplified configuration in the Smith & Wesson 10mm lineup by combining compact dimensions with a consistent DAO trigger pull. Introduced in 1990, the 1086 features a 4.25-inch barrel on a compact frame with all-stainless steel construction and a 9-round single-stack magazine. The DAO trigger system eliminates the single-action mode entirely, providing the same long, consistent trigger pull for every shot, which was preferred by some agencies transitioning from revolvers who wanted to maintain familiar manual of arms. The pistol features a bobbed hammer that follows the slide forward after each shot, no external safety or decocker controls, and relies solely on magazine disconnect and firing pin safety for passive safety mechanisms. This design was intended for plainclothes officers and detectives who wanted maximum concealment with no external controls to snag during the draw, while maintaining the serious stopping power of 10mm Auto ammunition.

The 1086 asked a lot of its shooter: manage 10mm recoil through a compact barrel, maintain accuracy through a long DAO trigger pull, and do it all while carrying 36 ounces of stainless steel under a jacket. It was the ultimate specialist's gun-perfect for those who needed it, punishing for those who didn't.

Smith & Wesson Model 1086 specifications

The Model 1086 represents the compact DAO configuration in the Smith & Wesson 10mm lineup, combining the reduced dimensions of the 1066 with the simplified trigger mechanism of the 1046. The DAO trigger pull in the 1086 was smoothed and refined compared to earlier Smith & Wesson DAO designs, though it still required significant finger strength to operate consistently with the powerful 10mm recoil. The bobbed hammer design prevents snagging on clothing during concealed carry draw strokes. Part of approximately 50,796 total S&W 10mm Auto pistols produced across all six variants before the entire line was discontinued in 1993. The 1086 is among the rarest variants in the Smith & Wesson 10mm series, making it particularly desirable to collectors today. The combination of compact size, DAO trigger, and powerful 10mm chambering made the 1086 a handful to shoot well, requiring dedicated practice to master. Modern striker-fired pistols have largely rendered the DAO semi-automatic design obsolete, but the 1086 represents an important transitional period in law enforcement handgun development.