S&w 686

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I was at the gun shop today. As I was looking at a Ruger GP100, the salesman showed me a S&W 686. No plus, no dash, no extra numbers. He thought it might be from the 1980's. It was beautiful I admit. The trigger was to die for, like soft butter spread on a piece of hot toast. He was wanting $650, give or take.

Is this S&W 686 worth the money he's asking for? I wish I had taken pictures while I was there.

Forgot to add that it was with a 6 inch barrel with full lug. I've checked other gun websites and I can get a brand new 686 for less than $25 more.

 

[critter]

Really great gun. Overpriced IMHO. For $100-$150 less maybe so.

 

[bannockburn]

Years ago I had both, a Model 686-no dash and a GP-100. Due to financial considerations at the time I had to sell one of them. I kept the Model 686 mainly because it had the best out-of-the-box DA/SA trigger I have ever found on a revolver.

If that's what you're looking, in terms of .357 with a 6" barrel, then I would go with the Model 686. You don't mention condition so I'm guessing it looks to be fairly decent and everything checks out okay. Does it come with the original box and paperwork? Also you might want to check to see if the recall work (firing pin bushing replacement), was done to it.

The price seems somewhat high but not really out of line with what others are going for on the online gun auctions. If you want it see if they'll work with you on the price. Never costs anything to ask.

 

[Apachedriver]

I saw a 686-3 go for $729 last week at a shop near me and a 686-1 went for $700 a couple of weeks before that.

Pricing will be what it is depending on location as well.

 

[bdejong11129]

Price is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I for one recently picked up a pristine 586 no dash but with mod 4" and paid 650 for it.....and I would do it again without looking back. Beautiful gun, excellent shooter and a joy to own. It has been worth every penny of the price and it is one of the few that I will keep as long as I am able to.


Disclaimer-this is my opinion and yours may vary.

 

[Hondo 60]

I wouldn't pay that much for a used one, but I already have two 357s

I guess it depends on you situation.
Is that priced correctly for your area?
Whatcha gonna use it for? Just plinking? Hunting? HD/SD?

For HD/SD, what's your life worth?

 

[Fishslayer]

Dunno about "worth" but I will take (and DID, actually...) a 686 no dash over a new model every day & twice on Sundays. $650 would not be unreasonable in my area. It would last about a day in the case at most.

 

[19-3Ben]

I've checked other gun websites and I can get a brand new 686 for less than $25 more.

Yes, but just to elaborate on fishslayer's comment, a new one ain't what the old one was!
You're talking about a gun that was made before MIM (for whatever it's worth), and with an attention to fit and finish that the new ones simply don't have, other than performance center models. You're getting a gun that has most of the quality of the older Smiths, but with a frame robust enough to take the pounding of regular .357 use and still last forever. It's the best of both worlds.

The price is a bit high. I'd try to talk him down another $50-100, but if you're in the market for a 686, the old ones are really nice.

 

[2zulu1]

It's a great gun and you'll get years of enjoyment shooting it long after the cost is forgotten, but it always feels good to dicker on the price.

 

[EVIL]

I think $550-$600 is a fair price if it's in good condition. Though, I don't think it is so rare that I couldn't wait to find the best deal.

Earlier this year, talked a guy down at the LGS from $650 to $590 here in OH on the same gun (686 dash 2) but I had $590 in cash only and wanted $590 OTD not +tax, but he wouldn't budge further. However, fate intervened because I then found a better deal trade on a 6" 586 No-Dash (traded for a Glock 27-which I payed NIB $460.+ some ammo and a holster)

All in all, I wouldn't feel too bad or ripped off about overpaying a little on a S&W 686 no-dash, you mostly likely with be extremely pleased with the trigger and the gun over all is a winner, that will last.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Well, it sounds like something I would definitely like. The pistol was probably a 9 out of 10. The wooden grips a 9.5 out of 10. As far as the recall regarding the bushing, I didn't know anything about that when I was there. I think I'll get it, if I can quickly get out from under that miserable Glock 19 that I made a huge mistake with.

 

[Guillermo]

It is a much better gun, and of a totally different design than a new one.

It is a little high

 

[oldbear]

the 586 & 686 are two of the finest mediums' frame S & W has produced in many years. The asking price of $650.00 is a little high, but not so far out of line that I would let it stop me from buying if I really wanted it.

 

[JiminSC]

Take a look at re-sale on a pre-lock 686's verses a newer used ones. In my area $650 isn't a bad deal for an older one. Plus, they aren't making them like they use to and if you take care of it you could sell it a year from now for the same or even more. If you browse most of the forums I think you'll find that most Smith buyers are looking for older ones so they are more likely to hold their value.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Your gun was made in the early 80’s. The original line, or “no-dash”, ran from 1980 to 1984 (maybe into ’85). I own one made in 1983, and it’s my workhorse. The S&W 686 no-dash is hands down the best 357 ever produced…and yes, I DO rank it over the Colt Python. It’s a gun you can shoot all day for the next 100 years, and it’ll smile back at you with a polite “Thank you sir, may I have another.”

Does the 686 you’re looking at have the letter M stamped under the 686 on the inside of the yoke? There was a recall on some part of the gun (I think it was the distance between the forcing cone and drum was a touch too small), and S&W will fix it for free if you so choose. Mine does NOT have the M, and I have yet to have a problem of any kind. Even if I wanted to “fix” it, I couldn’t bare to have it out of my sight for even a moment, much less for a week or two.

The price you quoted is, like another poster said, about 100 clams high. All that said, it’s a gun worth owning, regardless of the price. Happy Hunting!

 

[Fishslayer]

As far as the recall regarding the bushing, I didn't know anything about that when I was there. I think I'll get it, if I can quickly get out from under that miserable Glock 19 that I made a huge mistake with.

Not all of the early 686 developed problems with the hammer nose bushing. My no dash has not had the mod and works fine. The problem generally shows up shooting hot loads with soft primers. At any rate, S&W will still pay the freight & do the mod free of charge if necessary.

 

[cpirtle]

The no dash 686 also does not have MIM parts if that's important to you. You can tell because the hammer and trigger should be flash chromed. Because of that in my experience the no dash has a higher price and is more collectible. His price is basically the price of a new 686, which is fair in my opinion.

I had a no dash but I sold it on favor of my 686+ which shoots just as well and holds 7.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[bigtubby]

I am looking at a pair of 686-5's has the mim parts and floating firing pin but no lock he wants $500 each I wanted them for $950.00 so were $50.00 apart on two guns anyone have a opinion on the dash 5's If they were -3 or -4 I would give him the money.

 

[cpirtle]

IMO, they are all great guns, regardless of the dash. $500 for a regular 686 seems the going rate in my area (& on Gunbroker) when I see them used. Not a great deal but not a bad one if the condition is right and you have the funds.. Still a considerable discount over buying a new one.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Woodchuck, I believe it did have an "M". I could check to see if it is one of the recall models and if it has or has not been repaired.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I'm also beginning to change my mind about it. It's a difficult decision to buy from someone that I don't really like to do business with. I don't normally go to this particular shop, but my friend wanted to go so I went with him.

Instead, not to hijack my own thread, I'm considering the S&W 386 XL Hunter 7 shot. I'm also looking at .44 Magnum as well. Not sure what I will do at the moment.

 

[ms6852]

It is over priced by at least $150. But it is a great gun to shoot , I love mine.

 

[bulletboy]

I haven't sent my no dash 686 in for the recall either. No problems in the 25+ years I've owned it. It's far and away my most accurate handgun to this day.

 

[madcratebuilder]

No dash L frames are not found everyday. $650 seems about top dollar to me, I know I wouldn't sell mine for less.