Prices on S&W 686 seem all over the place... what's reasonable?

[Rmeju]

I'm looking to fund a new gun purchase and want to get rid of a 686 (and a Glock 21) that I hardly ever shoot, but the prices on GB seem all over the place, and I'm not sure what it's worth.

The gun in question is a 6 shot, 6" bbl, wood grips and a stainless steel finish. It is not a 686+, and as far as I can tell, it is not a 686-X (opening the cylinder reveals a "Mod 686" marking).

I bought the gun used several years ago, but it fires/functions great. There is normal wear and a few minor imperfections, with the exception of the wood grips which have a small gouge on the bottom front.

The gun has a soft zipper case and 100 rounds of S&B FMJ flat nose ammo.

What the heck is this gun worth?

 

[71Commander]

I paid 400.00 for mine. A friend of mine paid the same 2 weeks later. (from same seller)

 

[perrytrails]

Around here $500 to $550 on a good used 686 with out the lock. People hate the lock.

G21 about $450 to $500 in good shape, post it on Glock talk classified section.

Just a guess.........

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // The year of manufacture matters to most folks, it might be stamped on the inside of your grips.

The 6" is either a plus or minus. Plus for hunters minus for most others. I'd ask $400.00-$500.00 and build up the woods carry/hunting thing.
I paid $400.00 for a 1983 586 6" .357 for a do all handgun.

 

[roaddog28]

Pre-lock 686 goes for $500.00 to $600.00 in California. I paid a year ago $399.00 for a 686-3 4 inch barrel but prices have gone up.

Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[JN01]

Saw a few at the gun show in Dayton, Ohio this weekend. Ran in the $550-650 range in decent (but showing some cosmetic wear, scratches, etc) condition.

 

[Oro]

I would say unless you are in an anti-gun state with premiums (like CA, MA, etc.), the general price for a 6" 686 is nowadays about $450 to $475 for one like your with the two desirable features of a) original grips and b) pre-lock and pre-MIM.

4" tend to get $50 more, $500/$525. These prices are up about 10 to 20% vs. two years ago when it would have been about $450/400 for 4" vs. 6".

 

[m2steven]

I'm also considering a 686 with 4" barrel. How are they as to ability to handle a lot of 357 use, and how comfortable are they to shoot?

 

[Oro]

m2steven,

The 686 was purpose-designed to be a duty .357 and stand up to continuous practice and use. S&W was particularly targetting the LE business and cutting into the Colt python share. They've served for three decades now in duty service and are also probably the most popular in it's class for competitive shooting.

I think it's more comfortable to shoot than the larger N frame, largely because of the lugged barrel. It really helps tame recoil. I have/had 3 K-frame .357s and 3 N-frame 357s, and 2 L-frame models. The 4" 686 is the best shooting/handling of the bunch. I like it so much I'm in the market for a second in nickel (the 586).

 

[madcratebuilder]

A 686 no dash with a few cosmetic flaws should be in the $400-500 area.