[Ohio guy]

I went into a gun shop last week, they had 3 686s there. A 6 inch, 4 inch and a 2 1/2 inch. The 6 and 4 were priced at 699, the 2 1/2, 750. Now i knew this was a simple mistake, so i asked the clerk how a shorter barrel can cost more than a longer barrel. After all it does take more material right ? I was informed that because they sell so many 4 and 6 inch barrel models, and so few 2 1/2 models, they cost more. Now my question is, is this guy full of crap or what ? I could be wrong but doesnt it cost more to make a longer barrel ? Was he just yanking my chain, your thoughts.

[GUNKWAZY]

Not a mistake.
You read it right.
Even on the resale end, snubbie 686's bring more money than the long barrel friends.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[ArmedBear]

I wonder why.

If I wanted a snubbie, a 686 isn't what I'd look for first.

[Two Cold Soakers]

If they sell few 2.5", would it not be wise to bring them to a price point that would cause them to sell???

and

If the 4" and 6" are such hot items, why not raise the price to what the market would bear???

[ArmedBear]

Maybe they can sell only a certain number 2 1/2" 686 revolvers, but those buyers are willing to pay extra.

You can't sell every car buyer a Porsche, but those who want a Porsche are willing to pay extra to get it.

The 4" and 6" are general purpose revolvers, perhaps the most general of them all. Nice guns, too.

The 2 1/2" version must have a very specific appeal.

[Thaddeus Jones]

I saw a 4" 686 no dash today at the gunshow. The seller had it priced at $1000, as it was from "Smith & Wessons custom shop" :rolleyes:

I inquired as to where the Performance Center seal was on the revolver, and the seller informed me there was not one. They had simply "doner a trigger job on it, and them numbers on the label tells that."

He winked and said there was room for some negotiating on the price. I told him that I was sure it was a very big room. :)

[wep45]

prices are not expensive...................buyers just fall in love:p

[SGW42]

I bought a Ruger Single Six with a 9.5" barrel about two months ago. I would assume a barrel of that length obviously requires more material, but Ruger's MSRP was actually less than the more standard barrel lengths.

I have no idea how popular or in demand that length is. (Don't care much, just know I like mine.)

[45ACPUSER]

Funny how from a major wholesaler's web site the whsle is the same price
for most all 686's and 686+, the only except is the 686 SSR.......

[ArchAngelCD]

That's not right at all...

Check the S&W site (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15705&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15703&top_category=15703) and you will see the 6 shot Model 686 in a 2.5", 4" and 6" barrel model are all listed with a Retail Price of $909. Now I understand that's full List but if they all start out at the same price why would the 2.5" model cost more to the Wholesaler? BTW, all the different length barrel 7 shot M686's have a List Price of $932.

[ArmedBear]

I bought a Ruger Single Six with a 9.5" barrel about two months ago. I would assume a barrel of that length obviously requires more material, but Ruger's MSRP was actually less than the more standard barrel lengths.

They're all the same, now.

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=14&variation=Blued%20Convertible&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

Not enough people out there appreciate the joy of shooting a long-barreled revolver, but I suspect Ruger produces the various lengths in roughly the proportions that correspond with consumer demand. They've been making the Single Six for almost 60 years now, so they should have some pretty good data about demand.:)

OTOH Marlin seems to be really good at failing to produce many of certain rifle models that a lot of people want, e.g. the 1894C.

Of course, if some really popular Western movie comes out and the hero or villain has a revolver with a long barrel, all bets are off for a while...

I like shooting revolvers with longer barrels, myself. Nothiing quite like shooting a gong target offhand, with a revolver, from 100 yards.

[freakshow10mm]

It's called economies of scale.

If you lower the price, it will most likely increase sales, and you will make more money on volume. If the demand isn't there for a certain barrel length at the lower price, in order to make the same amount of profit the price rises.

If you make $25 per 4 or 6 inch gun and sell 10 of them a week but only sell 2 of the 2 inch guns per week, your profit is less per unit so in order to make the $250 profit mark closer, the price on the 2 inch guns might be $5075 more.

[jglcolosprgs]

Well, I think it's supply and demand. EVERYTHING that is even CLOSE to a concealable pistol is flying out the door here in Colorado.

I've seen prices that would make a sane man weep on the most abused pocket pistols. The shortage of handguns seems to be easing a bit, but I sure picked the wrong time to look for a 2 1/2 inch Model 19.

If I could find a snubby 686 on the shelf for that price I would consider buying it.