Need Advice on Buying 686-1

deerjw · #1 03-17-2016, 12:33 AM

I've been a hunter all my life, but I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to handguns. Over the last year or so I've become more interested in handguns, bought a few and most recently have had a 357 on my mind. After some research it seems like a 686 will be hard to beat and a pre-lock version is even better. I started looking locally for a 4" with no luck, but I have found a guy with a 686-1 with a 6" barrel. He is asking $550 which seems like a really fair price. I'll primarily range shoot and maybe hunt some with it so I think I'll be OK with the 6". I'm going to meet the guy this weekend and need advice on checking out the gun. Here's what I know so far from what he has told me and the pictures he has sent. He claims the gun has been shot very little (maybe only a couple of boxes), but carried around his lease on a somewhat regular basis. The cylinder looks very dirty and the grips are dark, dusty and have a few scratches. (see pictures) I'm guessing the gun will clean up OK and maybe I could refinish the grips. What all do I need to check once I get to put my hands on the gun? Any and all advice will be appreciated.

ISCS Yoda · #2 03-17-2016, 12:52 AM

With no claim to expertise and limited vocabulary on the subject sometimes let's see if I can assist:

After ensuring the gun is unloaded............

Cock the hammer and see how much the cylinder shakes. It should be very little, none, really unless you use your fingers to move it.

Gently lower the hammer.....again, BE SURE the gun is unloaded - but when the hammer is down do not let go of the trigger. Same test in reverse. The cylinder should barely move. Some guns lock up like bank vaults and the cylinders have no play at all. That's the ideal situation but I just tried it on an old 686-4 and, as expected, it has a little bit of movement. Typical. A LITTLE BIT.

When the cylinder is closed - UNLOADED - look straight at the match up on the yoke (aka crane) and frame (aka yoke cut). There should be no gap whatsoever.

Holding the gun sideways you can slowly pull the trigger (UNLOADED) and watch the hand as it contacts the cylinder. The timing should be smooth and at the end of the pull you'll see the firing pin for a short moment if you're watching for it.

You can replace the grips with a host of cool stuff or more wood just like them so that's not a big deal. A few scratches are normal wear unless they are ridiculously abundant or seriously deep.

Dirty cylinders either come from a lot of shooting and no cleaning or being carried into dirty places. Bring a can of Gun Scrubber or Break Free or something and see if blowing that through removers dirt. if so, no big deal.

Smarter folks will give you more and better information.

Oh, and it's a GREAT GUN!

model70hunter · #3 03-17-2016, 12:56 AM

1st make sure your meeting place is safe and secure. Take an armed friend and your own gun. Look him in the eyes, look for malice. What kind of car did he drive up in? Does he and or any of his friends look unsavory?

2nd, make sure it's empty. Double check.

Look at condition, no different than looking at a used deer rifle.
Look at seam in front of crane. Is there a big gap? Can you squeeze the frame and crane closer together with finger pressure?
If so, walk.There is a tough guy image in movies of slamming the cylinder shut. this can spring the gun.

Move the cylinder back and forth, is there a slight amount of play or a lot. Twist the cylinder a little is there any play?

Ask if you can go through all 6 cylinders Single Action and make sure all move and lock in place. This is a S&W it does not lock up rock solid like a Colt but that is OK. try to turn the cylinder when the hammer is back on each.

Ask if you can dry fire it. Go thru the double action. Check the trigger by wiggling it while it is cocked. push it side to side, push forward on the hammer and make sure it does not drop while cocked. There are amateur folks who work on guns without training.

Look at all the screws, are they buggered indicating Bubba was in there?

Look or feel for bulges in the barrel.

Open the cylinder and put some white paper in the opening to look at the bore. Bring a business card for this.

Face to Face, get a bill of sale with his DL name and the SN of the gun. Just in case the gun he inherited still belongs to a still living Dad or Gramps who notice it is missing. Is FTF legal where you reside? I probably wouldnt go if it isn't.

If anything does not pass your inspection, walk.
If he balks at a bill of sale I would walk.

I have seen every thing above I mentioned.

Several others may have more. I may have forgotten something important.

Tom_R · #4 03-17-2016, 01:13 AM

If you really want a 4" gun, don't buy a 6"er just because it will be the first one you will see in the flesh.

One thing that concerns me a little bit, is that the gun clearly has been shot, and not cleaned after shooting. Some people leave their guns dirty after shooting, and it doesn't bother them.

It bothers me for my guns to not be clean and if I was trying to sell one, I would make sure it is clean for the pics.

Other than that, it would looks alright from the pics, it has some wear, and the grips are worn in, but they are true to the gun. I would clean them first place with a mild soap and warm water to get dirt and crud off, then put a little ballistol or polish on it and see how they clean up.

$550 is not a bad price for the gun, as long as everything checks out on it.

watsonrg · #5 03-17-2016, 01:23 AM

No one has mentioned push off. Cock the hammer and push it forward with your thumb. It should not move. If it does, pass.

Double-O-Dave · #6 03-17-2016, 08:12 AM

Deerjw:

Welcome to the Forum. The 6.0 inch barreled Model 686 is an excellent revolver. I owned one shortly after they first came out in the early 1980s. I shot a boatload of 148 gr. wadcutters out of it, and then for some stupid reason, I sold or traded it off for something else long gone and forgotten.

I missed the Model 686 so much I decided to look for a replacement, but I wanted something special - I wanted the Silhouette model - the one with adjustable front and rear sights. Luckily, I found a used one in excellent condition, but it had a Leupold 2x scope mounted to it, and the seller refused to sell it without the scope.

This was my first scoped handgun, and my thought was to shoot it so I could see what all of the fuss was about a scoped handgun, and then I was going to remove the scope and sell it. After firing the revolver and seeing not only how accurate it was (cloverleaf groups from a rest at 25 yds. all day long), but how easy it was to shoot, I left the scope mounted to the piece.

If you look at the piece, check for an "M" stamped over the model number inside of the yoke. It was found on the early editions of the 686 that there might be some issues of cylinder binding when firing .357 Magnum rounds. The factory issued a recall that still stands, to my knowledge - read about it here:

Model 686-1 Recall

I've owned my 686 for over 25 years and have never experienced the binding issue, and have never sent it back for the repair. I hope to use the piece this year to hunt and take either a feral hog, or a deer.

I think the 686 in the configuration you describe would serve you well for the purposes you describe. The price is excellent - better still if he has the original factory box, documents and papers. Don't forget to ask if he will throw in any holsters, or ammo (never hurts to ask). I will try to add photos of my 686 later.

Good luck,

Dave

bananaman · #7 03-17-2016, 08:32 AM

For the use you mentioned, 6" would be my choice. I have a 686-3, 6" that is very accurate. If you end up having doubts on the mechanicals, pass even at that price. If it checks out OK, try to get it at $500. Can't hurt, right? Let us know how you make out. Mine was $580 a few years ago. Bob

model70hunter · #8 03-17-2016, 12:21 PM

An after thought; I helped my Dad pick out his 1st and only 357 Mag. Of course the wanted a Python but even 20+ years ago they were pricey. I had read all I could on the 586. It seemed to be all a Python was and had the K frame size grip which fit his hand. He hit the bricks and found one in 6". We shot it a lot, I reloaded 357&38's then. It was one fine pistol.

My bro picked it when we drew straws and split Dad's guns. Bro picked it third. He took Grandpas indian axe he plowed up on the Iowa farm as Bro was and is serious into artifacts. I took the pre 64 M-70 Win. I thought he would take the Ruger mini 14 or Grandpas nice Trapdoor 45-70. He took the S&W 586. Good choice for him, it is his constant companion, bedside gun, answer the door late at night fist full and truck gun for his farm. It was his 1st Cf pistol. He like I learned pistols with Dad's Ruger 22 Single Six, had plenty of rifles and shotguns and his own Ruger 22 SS. He like Dad learned CF with the gun. I have tried to trade or buy it, it is not leaving his side.

What does that tell me about the S&W 586/686? It is pretty close to perfection. Unlike the K frame M-19 the L frame 586/686 can handle 357 full time, the L frame has the smaller grip and is comfortable. I've owned 4 or 5 Pythons. I know the arguments for and against, most are internet fables on the Colt, but bottom line is the S&W holds it's own with the Colt, may be an individual gun thing but some 586's will shoot as good or better.

My bro, is not a pistol guy, ask him about old single shot 22 rifles or Rem 700-721's or 870's and he can fill your ears. He also is the chosen one, you know the guy that falls into the outhouse and comes out clean with the prize. One of his employees wanted to sell a S&W 357 he had lucked into cheap so he could buy a deer rifle. Bro bought it sight unseen then called me to get info on his new S&W 357. He said stainless, I asked Model, he had no idea. It was a 4" gun.

I had him put on his reading glasses and open it up, 586, well bro it is nickle, any dash after 586 followed by a number? Nope. Does it have a
"M" stamp, yes. Ok it has been sent back for the factory mod. Dad never sent his in for this.

I did some research and found most of the problem was associated with Federal amo, they had a thinner or softer primer. They changed anmd this was no longer an issue but doubt had been cast on the 586 so S&W did the Mod if you sent it in. We never had any issue with Dad's gun as he was a Winchester ammo guy.

I looked for a 4" 586 until I gave up, I found a few in 6" but moved on. I think many folks who get one hold onto them, Bro also would not sell me his 2 hundred and change 586 Nickle. I ended up buying a 686, new, lock and in 4". Well it is close enough to the cigar to smell the smoke. IT has been great and does lots of night stand with +P 38' HP's and rode in my truck on my farm and at times as a backup in deer season.

When I retired I sold some guns, my last 2 or 3 Pythons went, one in 6" shot like it was laser tuned, but the 686 is better for farm work and for practical shooting off hand one can't tell the difference.

Long after thought. I like my 686, I do not miss the similar size Colt. Both are a 40 cal size frame. If you want to pack it a 4" might do better, if it will be shot more at targets and carried less a 6" is better. Dad carried his in a side holster on a belt and under a towel on the front seat when he traveled. Welcome to the wonderful world of hand gunning and a 686 might be the best place to start.

A disclaimer for the lovers of the N frame guns, I am one and love them. However I find that packing the smaller L frame all day in the woods etc works better for me. And the 5/686 will do anything it's big bro will do. I, at times, think the 5/686 is as close to a perfect 357 revolver as one can get.

P.S. The price seems right, at gun shows all used 6" 586's were tagged more than a new 686 and the folks did not budge. The last ones I saw 5-7 years ago ran 700 plus. I think you will be in love with this one if you get it.

lamarw · #9 03-17-2016, 12:46 PM

Hope your transaction goes well and you score the revolver. Looks like you are getting a fair price. I own a 4" Model 686-1, and it is a wonderful firearm. I paid $440.00 back in 2011. Good S&W's have escalated in price since then.

The grips/stocks on the one you are looking at should clean up nicely. Use something like Finish Feeder and some 0000 steel wool to apply it. First remove them from the gun. Rub gently liberally. Let soak a hour of so and clean off with a soft cloth. What you are attempting to do is clean the dirt and grit out of the stocks. They will look beautiful afterwards. You may want to go over them a second time. After cleaning the revolver, you can use some Mothers Mag Cleaner and apply with a soft cloth and polish off the SS finish. At the end, you will think you have a brand new revolver.

Let us know how it goes and send more pictures after cleaning it up.

One other note - Get the sellers drivers license number on the bill of sale and verify the number by looking at his drivers license. If in doubt have him meet you at an FFL and pay for the FFL transfer.

deerjw · #10 03-20-2016, 01:00 AM

Thanks for all the tips on what to check out when buying a used revolver. I made a list from all the suggestions and was looking forward to meeting the guy today until another 686-1 6" showed up yesterday afternoon on a local gun site. Since it was the first 686 that has shown up on any of the gun sites in my area and the pictures looked better than the one in my original post I quickly contacted the guy and went to see it. I went through the checklist and the cylinder was rock solid, the timing appeared to be perfect and the gun seemed to be in excellent condition. The guy started out asking $750.00, but I was able to buy it for $625.00. Maybe I gave a little too much and definitely more than the $550.00 the other guy was asking for his, but this gun was much cleaner and appeared to be in better shape. Checkout the pictures and let me know what you think. I cleaned it this evening, but it didn't need much. As far as the guy with the other 868; I hadn't made any commitment to him other than saying I would like to meet him this weekend to look at his gun so I let him know that I was no longer interested and he understood.

biquer · #11 03-20-2016, 01:53 AM

My 686 6 inch no dash purchased used is the most accurate gun I have or have shot. I thought that I paid too much at the time. But not since I've seen what it can do.

cleans up · #12 03-20-2016, 10:00 AM

Nice pick up. I've been thinking about a 6" 686 myself. I'd guess you'll be very happy with it.