$400 for a NIB S&W 686 a good price?

[Cheeseybacon]

I was perusing one of the local shops tonight and came across a NIB 4" Smith and Wesson 686 for $399.99. I have to ask, is that a good price for this gun? I'm not as up on wheelguns as I am autoloaders, but I thought that seemed like a rather nice price for such a nice-sized Smith & Wesson .357

I have been contemplating a "traditional equalizer" for a while now and I was sorely tempted to buy it right then and there, but didn't. I always pictured myself getting one with a 6" barrel or longer to take better advantage of the .357 magnum's potential. The price of this revolver seems really cheap, so maybe a lot of people have the same idea as me and want the 6"? Is a 4" barrel worth bothering with, considering that it would never be carried and just used for fun a range toy? Or is recoil likely to be much worse and accuracy diminished slightly?

 

[Deer Hunter]

That's a great deal! I paid close to 600 for mine.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

I'd jump on that quick if i saw that deal, where are you guys finding these deals?

 

[DevilDog0402]

That's a STEAL!!!

 

[CU74]

$400 for a NIB S&W 686 a good price?

In a word, YES!!

IMHO the "word" that a 4" revolver can't be a carry gun is a myth. Concealment of a revolver is much more a function of cylinder width and grip size than of barrel length. A 4" barrel isn't appreciably more difficult to conceal than a 3" barrel, or a 2 1/2" for that matter. (Just my opinion - YMMV.)

 

[schmeky]

Everyone is right. If you're serious, you should be posting pics in the next couple of days.

 

[Old 112]

CB
You will be paying used price for this revolver. If, and that is fairly big IF, it is not accurate enough, you can recoup your cost quite readily. I suppose there are some Smiths with accuracy problems, but I have not seen any personally. My own two 4" K frames are very good groupers, as is my 21/2" one. I do not have an L frame, although, I have shot some, and had very good results.
Just my 2 cents,
Old 112

 

[W.E.G.]

I have a 6" model, and I kinda wish it was a 4".

I think you need several.

 

[eastwood44mag]

If you won't take it, give me the shop's number, and I'll but the flippin thing.

 

[Cheeseybacon]

Wow, so that's definitely a good price, huh? I sorta figured it was decent, but I thought I'd ask first. I reeeeeeally shouldn't be buying another gun as I am saving up for a Class III goodie, but this is such a good deal that it's kinda hard to pass up. I might go pick it up today, I'm not sure yet. If I don't end up buying it, I'll announce what shop it is at, so someone else can snag it if they want it.

I don't know if the shop is selling it so low because they've had it forever and just want to get rid of it, or if the price was merely accidental. They are selling a NIB S&W 637 and 642 for $400 each as well too, which I guess is about the norm for the airweights.

What would you do? (I should probably make this into a poll)
Buy 4" S&W 686 for $400 right now using money from Class III fund?
Continue saving for class III weapon instead?

 

[glockman19]

YES...Great Deal...Buy it right away.

Fore that price I'd take it eventhough I don't need it.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

good price, its like $570 + tax here.

 

[xring]

If it were me, I would only get it if it were pre lock. I honestly wouldn't drop 200 on a new one.

 

[Cheeseybacon]

What do you mean pre-lock? What should I be looking for? Will this gun actually have a keyhole on it, if it is equipped with a lock?

 

[xring]

Sadly, yes. It will actually have a key hole. Located above the cylinder release. There is also a metal "flag" that pops up next to the hammer when engaged. Can you believe that? It also changes the angle and size of the frame in a negative way to my eyes. Some say they are prone to self lock, others will say it will never happen. Only one thing I can say for sure that will never happen. That's me spending 2 bucks on one!
I'm not anti S&W (product). I do love the older ones and still have a few.

 

[imatt]

I would've bought it in a second.

 

[xring]

If you want to re-sell for a small profit, you can snatch it.
There are those that have fired thousands of rounds without a lock problem I'm sure. I just won't use one to protect my family, and I don't need another target gun.

 

[Matt Almeda]

Smith and Wesson 686

Hi,
That is a good price.

Have a great day!