So, its three inch, round butt, has a nice trigger job, stainless, seven spead loaders, two extra sets of grips and 3 boxes of ammo for $450. The down side is its got the internal lock and he lost the key. I've heard of these things locking up while shooting and I've also seen a video (on youtube) how to remove a lock from a model 640. Would there be legal issues if I removed the lock? All my guns are kept in a safe anyways. What do you folks think about this deal? Thanks for any feedback, Rick
My friend is selling a S&w 686. Help please!
- Thread starter rick300
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tprice
Member
Sounds like a great deal! Removing the lock isn't illegal, but you should be able to get spare keys from Smith and Wesson -- I haven't heard of problems with the lock on calibers smaller than 44 mag.
Sheldon
Member
A replacement key should be easy to get from S&W and the price is great too. I wouldn't bother messing with the lock, but that's me. Try shooting it with you magnum load of choice and see if it locks up on you, before worrying about defeating the lock.
jfh
Member.
Buy it now--or, PM me with your cousin's phone number.
As the others have said--it's a great price if in good shape. How much has it been shot? If a real lot--like practice for competition, and competition itself--you might want to have a gunsmith go over it.
As for the lock--don't worry about it.
Jim H.
As the others have said--it's a great price if in good shape. How much has it been shot? If a real lot--like practice for competition, and competition itself--you might want to have a gunsmith go over it.
As for the lock--don't worry about it.
Jim H.
AFAIK the internal lock is NOT approved by the California DOJ.
That means you can still be liable if the gun is misused by someone who is underage, per California law, and it was locked up only using the internal lock.
Since you keep it in the safe, that's not a problem.
It also means that the lock serves no purpose in the eyes of the law. If you want to be able to lock the gun for your own purposes, keep it, else remove it. In the eyes of California law, it's not a lock at all.
Note that Caliornia approves some locks that are complete pieces of Chinese crap, and some locks that are FAR better have not been DOJ approved. The quality doesn't matter. Your safe and/or lock must be California DOJ approved to be used as a defense in court, should the gun be misused by a minor. If you need DOJ locks, I have a big friggin' BAG of them somewhere... I want to keep a few locks around for one reason or another, but I sure don't need all those locks.
That means you can still be liable if the gun is misused by someone who is underage, per California law, and it was locked up only using the internal lock.
Since you keep it in the safe, that's not a problem.
It also means that the lock serves no purpose in the eyes of the law. If you want to be able to lock the gun for your own purposes, keep it, else remove it. In the eyes of California law, it's not a lock at all.
Note that Caliornia approves some locks that are complete pieces of Chinese crap, and some locks that are FAR better have not been DOJ approved. The quality doesn't matter. Your safe and/or lock must be California DOJ approved to be used as a defense in court, should the gun be misused by a minor. If you need DOJ locks, I have a big friggin' BAG of them somewhere... I want to keep a few locks around for one reason or another, but I sure don't need all those locks.
Excellent gun-good price
I would say buy it if you want a .357 magnum.
I used to carry the 681 with a 4 inch barrel and fixed sights. It was and is an excellent gun, just heavy. The 7 shot, 3 inch barrel models are lighter.
I would just ignore the lock. There have been very few problems that I have heard of. If it bothers you, you can disable it.
If you do disable the lock, a bottom feeding lawyer may try to use it against you in court to show your "STATE OF MIND" concerning safety and how aggresive you are. That is the downside.
If you use if for self defense, the 125 grain JHP ammo has excellent stopping power, but is loud, has a bright flash and kicks hard. I used the 110 grain WINCHESTER White Box JHP. It kicks like a .38 Special and has good stopping power.
Jim
I would say buy it if you want a .357 magnum.
I used to carry the 681 with a 4 inch barrel and fixed sights. It was and is an excellent gun, just heavy. The 7 shot, 3 inch barrel models are lighter.
I would just ignore the lock. There have been very few problems that I have heard of. If it bothers you, you can disable it.
If you do disable the lock, a bottom feeding lawyer may try to use it against you in court to show your "STATE OF MIND" concerning safety and how aggresive you are. That is the downside.
If you use if for self defense, the 125 grain JHP ammo has excellent stopping power, but is loud, has a bright flash and kicks hard. I used the 110 grain WINCHESTER White Box JHP. It kicks like a .38 Special and has good stopping power.
Jim
BADUNAME37
Member
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I used to own a 686. Nice gun, never should have sold it.
As for the key, they are all identical. The same key fits my 642 as it does for my 500.
So, basically, I have four keys that are identical. I don't use them at all, but keep them just in case one of the locks decides it is going to lock itself on me!
As for the key, they are all identical. The same key fits my 642 as it does for my 500.
So, basically, I have four keys that are identical. I don't use them at all, but keep them just in case one of the locks decides it is going to lock itself on me!
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
The 3" S&W 686's are desireable firearms, as you get the benefit of a
full length ejector rod; something that the 2.5" guns does not have.
Most of the 3" models were manufactuered as "special runs" for Lew
Horton Enterprizes, and sold directly thru their distributorship. As far
as your acquistion, you did really well; especially with all the surplus
accessories. Figure a new in the box firearm running between $699-
$739 by its-self; you did really well~!
No need to worry a'bout the "lock"; unless of course its in the lock
position~? Otherwise, just leave the dang thing UNLOCKED, and go
'bout your business~! Also, as an added precaution- Make sure all
firearms are secured safely away from children~!
full length ejector rod; something that the 2.5" guns does not have.
Most of the 3" models were manufactuered as "special runs" for Lew
Horton Enterprizes, and sold directly thru their distributorship. As far
as your acquistion, you did really well; especially with all the surplus
accessories. Figure a new in the box firearm running between $699-
$739 by its-self; you did really well~!
No need to worry a'bout the "lock"; unless of course its in the lock
position~? Otherwise, just leave the dang thing UNLOCKED, and go
'bout your business~! Also, as an added precaution- Make sure all
firearms are secured safely away from children~!
Confederate
Member
The 686 is a fine gun and I've never heard of any locks spontaneously locking while firing. If I bought one, the first thing I'd do is lose the key. And if by chance I found it again, I'd probably throw it down the garbage disposer!
I like the 4-inch model, but to each his own.
I like the 4-inch model, but to each his own.
hoptob
Member
I already have 3" 686 but for $450 would be happy to help out. PM me your friend's email and I'll take it from there.
CTSigLover
Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2008
- Messages
- 55
If you buy it, I'll send you a spare key... gratis... just e-mail me.
alde
Member
I have a 686 with a lock and one without the lock. Both are great revolvers. I have not touched the lock on mine since I got it 3 years ago. I couldn't tell you where the keys are. Never had a problem with it. A 3" 686 would be a great gun and that's an outstanding price.
Thanks folks, I'll hold it for the first time tomorrow. If it feels right I'll be doing some paper work later. Special thanks to CTSigLover, (My first firearm purchase was a P229) if I buy it I'll send you an E-mail but I don't care so much for gratis. I'll be happy to pay for shipping and give you something for your trouble. Rick
SwampWolf
Member
As others have opined, it sounds like a good price and you should have no trouble getting another key from Smith. The "nice trigger job" might concern me though in terms of how well it was done and what it entailed.
sidheshooter
Member
Whenever I hear 3" 686, I think of the customs service CS-1; those are definitely pre-lock though, so I'm curious about this one. Regardless, it sounds like a serious deal. +1 on "buy"...
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