Hey gang. I'm new to the forums, S&W and guns in general. I bought my first gun in dec. An M&P .40. I love this gun but I'd also like to get a revolver. I'v been in love with the snubbie 686. Just a gorgeous gun.

Ok, now to the point of this thread.
I just saw a used 2.5 inch 686-1 today for $588. The gun was in excellent condition and felt amazing in my hand. Is that expensive for this gun? When we're the 686-1's stopped produced? Is there any drawbacks comPared to other versions?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm a newbie. Thanks!

Mike

I can only comment that in my area of the world, that would be about right for an out-the-door price at a gunshop. From an individual, I would expect about $ 500. 686-2 production started in 1987. I've owned several 686's, and found them to be reliable and accurate. The extra weight with the lugged barrel seems to also reduce recoil.

Here in central Ohio 686 snubbies command premium prices. Depending on condition that is a good fair price in these parts. It's not a super deal, but it's not out of line either. If you want it go get it. I doubt you will find a 2.5 inch 686 much cheaper.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Mike - Welcome to the Forum!
I don't think the price is out of line. What kind of grips are on it?
When you open the cylinder, is there a "M" stamped in the cutout on the frame? This would tell if the modification has been done to the revolver from the Factory (firing pin bushing).
Do you have any pictures?

Thanks for the welcome!

Didn't notice an M stamp.
I saw this pic on another thread here and it looks almost identical.


686-1 picture by roninmd2012 - Photobucket

If the gun you are looking at has those finger groove combat grips then you defiantly need that in your collection. Those grips alone bring $75-125.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

That sounds about right. If it's in good shape and tight, go for it.

The only drawback to the most similar S&W gun is the K frame model 66 is, it is it's a little heavier and slightly bigger than the 66. They didn't make an N frame 357 magnum in stainless, so there is nothing bigger. The bigger N frame guns are model 27 and 28, they made a 27 in Nickel, but not stainless.

Here's your gun with a set of Spegels...(had to throw in!) I don't carry this gun, I'll leave that to the 66's, but it is great fun to shoot and has a fabulous trigger!

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So i haven't stopped thinking about this beauty of a 6 shooter since I left the store yesterday. I'm going to head over after work around 1:30 and look it over again and I'm 99% sure I'm taking her home. I'll throw some pics on here later if anyone is interested.
Who am I kidding. If it checks out ok I'm 100% sure I'm leaving with her. lol
BigMike

Of course we want pics!! I'm sure you will be very happy. 38's and +P's provide excellent shoot-ability and consistency while full load .357's provide very impressive ballistics and put on quite a show! Looking forward to pics and a range report!

Right in the ballpark, maybe even a pretty good price, as far as I have found tracking the model:

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Bob

I just got home with it. It does have the "M"686-1. Is that a good thing? Came to $623 after tax and then another $19.99 for the background check. The original box is with it but nothing else as far as paperwork or anything.
LOVE these grips. I have big hands and the grooves seem to fit me perfectly. I can't wait to blast a few rounds through it.
Pics aren't the best but, here it is. My first revolver!!!

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	photo (2).jpg (77.9 KB, 314 views)

How can i find out the production date and what not?

Not a bad price if it's OTD. I paid $550 for my 2 1/2" 686

We need the first 3 letters in the serial# to date it but a dash 1 will fall in the mid to late 80's.. The "M" is a good thing if for no other reason you won't have to be the one to part with it for 2 weeks while it goes home for the recall. The box, if it is matched to the gun, adds 20 to 30 dollars to the price of most guns. If you had the tools and paperwork maybe as much as 50.

As to whether it was a good deal? Doesn't matter! You will forget the $$ in short order but that 686 will last a lifetime! Besides, I'll make more $$, but they stopped making this 686 a long time ago!

The First 3 serial letters are: A NS

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M&P .40
686-1 2.5"

Looks like mid 1986. AHC's started in January 1986 and by the following January AVB was being used. That's as close as I can get.

Thanks for your help!

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M&P .40
686-1 2.5"

"It does have the "M"686-1. Is that a good thing?"

The M for the recall will be stamped above the model number. If you are referring to the M in front of 686 that simply stands for Model.

Ok gotcha. The m is before the 686. What was the recall for?

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M&P .40
686-1 2.5"

Sir,

Isn't a 627 an N-frame?

Andy

Man you got you a nice 686 and that would be about right for the price around here. Like was said before in a post, the combat grips are pricey and another bonus on the gun.

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James

call smith&wesson they will tell u when it left the factory why it came back and can get u a manual.i just got a 686 -3 6inch with wood grips for 450.00 i also have a .40 smith&wesson and love my 686

You know, you are right, I forgot about that one. It came out much, much later than the rest of the stainless models like the 66, 629, etc.

Arent they also performance center only? It has that odd tapered lug barrel in most of the barrel sizes.

Nice 686-1. Great looking Revolver!

Welcome to the forum. You can learn a lot here from these guys

First revolver.....You started off right with that beauty. There will be others no doubt.

I just got a 686+ 2.5 inch for 500 bucks a few weeks ago.

It was pretty much brand new...consignment at a gun store.

nipster,

My SCSW says that they were PC only after 1989; but before that they were manufactered in standard production, at least in limited runs. I think I read that correctly.

Back to topic.
Andy

The recall had to do with the firing pin bushing and primers. I don't remember the details...someone will chime in who knows. Only the no dash and dash 1 686's we recalled. Many guns did not show any problems and there are many, many 686's (and the 586) out there that never went back. Mine never had a problem of any kind but I did send it back (just 'cause?) since it didn't cost me anything.

BigMike76: The letter "M" is stamped in two places. The obvious one is the M686-1. The second M will be above that model designation.
If not present, the piece has not been modified by S&W.

M
M686-1

Hello all, new to forum. I currently own a S&W M&P 15T, purchased in 2010, and just this past Saturday, I acquired a 686-1 4 inch, with Pachymar contour grip for the purpose of broader base instruction. Gun is in excellent shape and has had the requisite modification. I paid $583 otd. In comparison, you may have paid a little too much, however, I am not aware of the market you are in, and the ffl is a fellow instructor in our firearms academy, I may have gotten a deal, but he is also the one who put it my head I needed a wheel gun.

Marc
M&P 15T
686-1
STI GP-6
Kimber Pro Carry II
Springfield Ultra Compact
Taurus PT1911 LAR
H&K P30L
Sig Sauer p238
Rock River Predator HP