Trade 686 for 1911?

The Springfield Garrison might be a heck of a 45, but there is no way I would trade that Smith 686 for it.
 
CDW4ME said:
S&W revolvers with a lock are an abomination and that is coming from someone who sold/traded his fair share of pre-lock revolvers.
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I am guessing that revolvers don't fit your generally stated needs.
Good to know that post-lock Smiths are extra-unsuitable (sp).

A slightly lesser version of disparagement = a backhanded compliment
 
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riverats said:
There’s no way that I would trade that 686-3 for a current production SA 1911 or for that matter any other non-boutique, recent production 1911.

However, if we’re talking a Colt 1911 that’s contemporary to or older than your 688-3, well, that might be a different story.
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riverats basically beat me to the punch. No way would I trade a decent pre-lock Smith and Wesson for any 1911 except a Colt. Springfield makes OK 1911s, but they'll never have The Pony on the side.

The only difference is, I'd absolutely take a late-production Colt 1911, as long as I could inspect it in person before making the trade. My recent (2017 manufacture) Colt Competition in .45 ACP is actually a fantastic pistol. And I while HAD a 1982-vintage S&W 586 in 4" and a 1982 vintage S&W 19-5 in 4", I've probably put more rounds through this one 1911 than I ever fired .357 Magnum between those 2 revolvers. The 586 might have had an accuracy edge over my 1911, but I'd be hard pressed to see it over a long-run series of average range days. The Colt has delivered 2" 25-yard groups with 200 grain SWC reloads, which is better than I can utilize standing and holding the pistol.

If I may be allowed, I'm also expecting to own this Colt long enough for people to fondly look back at the "good old 2010s Colts" the same way we look at early post-WWII S&Ws and Colts today.
 
As much as I like 1911’s , my 686 -3 would be my last handgun to leave my safe . I would sell the 66 . That’s just me and not you . I like 66’s also .
 
Sounds like this is a possible trade between friends. In the same circumstances, I would probably make the trade, but I would want him to add a little cash to the deal. It also sounds like your friend loses intrest fast as you said you'll probably get it back later. Work that promise into the trade.

Friends are far more valuable to me than guns. I'd make the deal.
 
JTQ said:
Which why I generally don't do business with friends.

It would seem somebody, whether extra cash is thrown in or not, at some later time would feel they got the lesser end of the deal, and there may be some resentment.
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This friend and I go all the way back, fathers were boyhood friends, pictures of the two of us in the playpen at 1 & 2 yo. We're both comfortable enough financially so a couple hundred bucks one way or the other doesn't mean much to either of us. Little chance of this going sideways. My wife says I should just buy the 1911 from him. She's my primary enabler - you guys aren't even a close second:)
 
It is a bad trade and riverats is correct. The Springfield Garrison is a lower quality gun compared to your 686.

I am massively anti-Springfield because I have had so many bad guns from them. If you're going to trade, at least trade up into a Colt or Dan Wesson.
 
JumboJVT said:
This friend and I go all the way back, fathers were boyhood friends, pictures of the two of us in the playpen at 1 & 2 yo. We're both comfortable enough financially so a couple hundred bucks one way or the other doesn't mean much to either of us. Little chance of this going sideways. My wife says I should just buy the 1911 from him. She's my primary enabler - you guys aren't even a close second:)
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Your wife is smarter than you are. Buy the 1911 and keep that 686.
 
I think you should keep the 686 , but I think the value is the same right now . The value of the S&W will keep going up and the value of the that 1911 will go down before it comes back to what it is worth today .
 
JumboJVT
My wife says I should just buy the 1911 from him.
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Amazing...your wife is absolutely brilliant! Take the question of trading the 686 off the table; just buy the Garrison outright from your friend!

And you are right; in this case she is the Ultimate Enabler!
 
I had the same thoughts several years ago. In the late 1980’s I was looking for a 1911 but in those days decent (I.e. accurate) models were expensive. So I “settled” for the 686, what could be a better shooter than that? I never lost the desire for a 1911 and about 10+/- years ago went shopping with the intention of trading the 686. At that time everybody was looking for carry guns and there was no interest in a 6” barrel revolver.
So I kept the 686 and bought a Springfield Loaded 1911. So now I have both and immensely enjoy shooting each one every time I take them out. I constantly remind myself that I’m sure glad didn’t sell the 686.
 
JumboJVT said:
This friend and I go all the way back, fathers were boyhood friends, pictures of the two of us in the playpen at 1 & 2 yo. We're both comfortable enough financially so a couple hundred bucks one way or the other doesn't mean much to either of us. Little chance of this going sideways. My wife says I should just buy the 1911 from him. She's my primary enabler - you guys aren't even a close second:)
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I would do the trade. It's not always about the money.
 
JumboJVT said:
Yes, it's hard with guns (as you all know, being honest with yourself about guns is nigh on impossible) but it's what I try to do with everything. Please don't kick me out of the club.
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Being honest with yourself about guns? You're out-and don't come back. You're a bad influence on the rest of us.
 
The only way I would trade a pre-lock 686 for a 1911 is if I was going to be able to flip the 1911 for big bucks to buy another pre-lock S&W, like a 27 or something like that. But then again, I own zero 1911's, and have a half dozen pre-lock S&W's.
 
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My 'L' frames from the top, 696, 681 and 686-4 Plus.
The 681 is the only thing I'd a 686 for, just because I like fixed sights best.
Once adjusted they're all 'fixed' aren't they?
 
Keep the nice revolver. It's not worth the regret.

The inexpensive 1911's work very well, if you want one and don't want to pay out very much cash.

Or buy the nice one from your friend, if your goodlady wife is willing.

I wouldn't sell or trade my nicest classic revolvers unless the rent depended on it.

My 1911's are easily replaceable.
 
I also have regrets of trading of a pre lock 686. I have since replaced it and added a few K frames to heal the wound. I am in the no trade bunch revolvers like that are only going to get harder to find and around here they can bring 1,000 dollars pretty easily.
 
I would do what you wanted to do. I traded a prelock model 66 4in for a Glock G36 (gasp). I had it for about 10-12 years and it rarely got shot (never carried). When I did shoot it, it was with .38 Special only. I was second owner and I believe I had $225 in it (bought in 99). It was like new. The guy who had the G36 WANTED that 66. He had 700 tied up in the G36 (night sights installed, tax etc.) with receipts. He HAD to have the 66 so I traded him. I have carried that G36 for many years now and shot pounds and pounds of powder through it. One of the best trades I've ever made.
 
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