Looking at a pre-lock 686 4" no dash 357 mag at a pawn shop. Has a dull stainless finish. In excellent condition. Not a scratch on it. Tight mechanics. Asking price is $600. Has rubber grips that do not have the S&W medallion. A stainless 686 4" is on the wish list. Have not seen this dull stainless finish before but it looks to be a factory finish. What can you tell me about the gun (without the serial #) such as year model and the finish and what would a good price range be. Sorry about the lack of serial number. I can't see and did not bring my glasses. Thanks

About all I can add is a picture of what a "correct" 686 4" no-dash should look like......

To receive comments and opinions you'll need to provide more info and numbers, preferably with pictures...

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Terry

Just an FYI, you can get a NIB 686 from Buds for $665. I bought one a year ago NIB for $600.

Not sure how important it is to you to have the no dash model or not. But the above at least gives you a datum elevation price-wise.

I went back with my glasses. The Serial # is AYE9649. Sorry no pics. It does not have a color insert on the front site and from what limited I know it has a round butt. It is definitely a 686 no dash. Can anyone help with the date of shipping? I am not interested in a new 686 with the lock. Just my bias. I have a new GP100 4" and want a classic smith. Thanks for the assist.

I bought my 686-1 6" earlier this year for considerably less than that - however, the 4" models are worth a little more.

I would think that $600 is the high end of the range with $500 being 'what it's worth' - to me anyway, and I actually want one.

At 600, I'd buy the new one at Bud's like the previous poster suggested.

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But then, what do I know?

With that serial number, you can probably call S&W cust svc.

It's pre 1987.

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But then, what do I know?

I have seen them in my area going for about $575. That being said I have a no dash dated for 1984 and would not trade it for anything, and would gladly pay $600 for one rather than buy a new one. I just feel things were better made back then, but that's just my opinion.

I purchased a new S&W 686 with the 4 inch barrel and rubber grips. It is one of my two favorites. The other is the 686 with the 3 inch barrel. Two nice handguns.

two weeks ago i picked up at a pawn shop a 686 no dash 4 in. 95-98%for 525 otd,no box,etc.but it did have beautiful combat grips,i really bought the gun for the grips,now i like the gun to,lol,it's now my new night table gun,retiring the ruger sec. six.

push for a lower out the door price,have cash,it works better

Thanks for the input. Any idea on the shipping date. I'm pretty sure I can get them off the $600 price. I was planning on offering them $500 otd if I can get it dated.

I was rechecking my serial # notes and doing some research and realized this. The 686 is a 4" CS1 with round butt and bead blast finish. That's why I did not recognize it. It is in excellent shape. I hear they are rare on the market. I am sure I can get it for less than $600. Should I jump on it or what?

I would GLADLY pay $600 for an Excellent-condition 686 "CS"--I had one YEARS ago, and FOOLISHLY sold it to a Co-worker, who will NOT sell it back to me--one of the WORST "Gun Trading" mistakes I've made. Hope this helps. Paulie686.

It's up to you if the price is worth it or not. I bought a near-perfect 686 with a 6" barrel for $500, pre-lock, and has been flawless and my favorite handgun to shoot.

As far as the finish, I could disassemble my gun and take it to my buddies machine shop and glass bead it too. I would rather have the polished finish, they are a beautiful gun!

Kcog,

I have a 686 that I purchased new on June 2, 1986 for $289.95. It is s/n AJU4013. Your s/n is from shortly after this one.

This 686 (no dash) is a 6" with adjustagle front & rear sights. I had it magna-ported immediately after purchase. I did a complete trigger job from Jerry Kuhnhausen's book. It came out great! That book is worth every penny.

It is a very accruate shooter, and the Magna-porting does help a lot with magnum reloads. My wife appropriated it and she used it when we did action shooting together. She can shoot hot rounds all day long. It has just under 10,000 rounds through it and still shoots great.

John

BUY this no-dash. You will NOT be sorry. A 4"", no-dash is a wonderful iteration of the 686, that is hard to come by, and will rapidly appreciate in relation to "a new one from Bud's". Motherrs Mag Wheel Polish and a little elbow grease will make that finish gleam like chrome, it that's to your liking.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

If it is indeed a CS1 yes JUMP on it! And whatever you do, do not polish it. While the 3" versions seems to draw more interest, the 4" is a fine revolver. To confirm, it also has a black pinned on front sight, correct? Is it stamped "CS1" on the frame where the crane sits?

Not quite the same thing, but I bought a 1998 model 586 with 6" barrel yesterday - absolutely mint condition - complete with original box and all papers for $450 at my LGS.

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Northwest Ohio

just picked up a -4 for 400.....had 2 no dash 6"er's back in the 80's i bought new....wish i had them back...

6" and 4" -4's...

C/O, I agree with everything you said. I have a 2 1/2" no-dash factory fitted w/ a 7 round cylinder. I also have a 686+ Mountain Gun (the scarce 7 shot, -4). BOTH shoot one ragged hole groups off the bench @ 50 feet indoors. I would not trade either off for anything. I would by this 4" no-dash for $600. OTD in a heartbeat. You snooze, you lose. It's not worth dickin' around for a few bucks, and losing a nice revolver...........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I recently paid $580 for an excellent 686-1 2 1/2" and feel like I paid the top end of it's value. Things are worth what you can get so it seems the $500 to $600 range is about what they are going for depending on condition, boxes, ect. I like the 3" better and have a 66-3 in 3" but I don't see many pre-lock 686 3" guns out there...they are spendy if you can find them. Of course you can get a new 3" which I'm sure is a fine gun but...you know...the lock...

The CS is not as common and will command a higher price. A 3" CS 686 just sold on GB for $1000 and it was holster worn. GB prices get higher most of the time but some nice guns go through them.

Let me get this straight. You found a 686 no dash cs1 in great shape, you can also probably get it for less than the $600 asking price and your wasting time on here because your more concerned with the born on date than with everything above? I hope someone else buys it and you cry about it everytime you close your eyes. What are you still waiting for, go buy it and show us some pics.

WELL SAID, TWISTED RACER ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Let me get this straight. We have a gun owner on here exhibiting patience, doing their due diligence, ensuring they buy good guns at a good price. What a novel concept!

I hope OP finds many more good deals and hope many others show such good judgement.

AYE-AYM mfg date is January 1988, fyi.

I hope that I never catch that disease. IMHO, life is too short to waste years passing up fine weapons @ market prices while you wait for "a deal". I'd MUCH rather buy a nice firearm that I like, at a price that I can afford (even if it's $50-$100 more than I should have paid), and enjoy owning and shooting it everyday than lusting after a firearm while waiting to "steal" one at a bargain price............

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Your post is exactly what I'm noting. You talk about market prices, but instantly jump to *over-paying*. Awesome.

If we re-read the OP's posts it's not the price he's worried about. The last thing holding him up that keeps coming back up is the born on date. Why worry so much about that when to find a gun you like at a price your willing to pay. For me, a firearm is a passionate purchase. Every firearm I've bought that way is still in my safe and will remain so for me to enjoy till they get passed down when I die. The firearms that I've spent time researching to figure out if it's worth buying are the ones I always end up selling of giving away. If your not passionate about your purchase, you don't really want it.

Well, if you don't want the IL, then definitely buy it.

Before, when I said 'buy the new one' - that was before you said it was a CS round butt. That's worth more. Besides, what's a hundred bucks when you're talking about a gun you want AND that is rare?

FWIW; I bought one of the Bud's 3" model 10's. I bought it on a whim, though I did want a 3" K frame. Well, what showed up was a 10-4, made in 1966-67, in very good condition, that locks up tighter than any other revolver I've ever owned or even held. The more I check into it, the one I got is rarer than heck, and I could easily sell it for the $277 I paid for it any day of the week. So, IMHO, you could get your $ back out if it should you ever change your mind.

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But then, what do I know?

The true "market" value of a firearm (or anything else for that matter) is what it actually sells for--NOT what the Blue Book says, you or I say, or any of the pundits here say that it's worth..........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't go through life reading menus right to left and that philosophy has served me very well. I'd rather have less - provided it's exactly what I want - and pay what I need to for it.

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Northwest Ohio

Well said, BarkSlayer. I'm with you........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I am new to the S&W collectors scene so am not familiar with all the model numbers and what is rare to find. When I discovered the 686 was a CS-1 and rare I went back and bought it for $550 OTD. Very nice indeed. I have posted a pic on another thread. Your quick replies helped me make that decision. I feel like I got a really good deal.

KCOG, you did VERY well. Enjoy.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Congrats on a fine choice, KCOG. That 686 will serve you well for a lifetime.

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Northwest Ohio

KCOG congratulations. I'm really glad you got it. I know I gave you a hard time about the born on date but if you waste time on something as trivial as that you might end up loseing out. Once again congratulations. I'll look for th pics on the other thread.

cant go wrong with a good 686 , will provide you with a lot of fun

Holy dead-thread revival Batman!

But...true...the 686 is a great revolver!

I almost got thru the entire thread before I saw the date. After reading the OP, I was thinking he stumbled upon a CS 1 like I did last week. Right place right time. I agree, the 686 is a great revolver.