Brief question about 686

[brucev]

Saw a 3" 686 in LGS. Has lock. MIM hammer/trigger. Hogue grips. Seven shot. They want $599 plus tax. May be willing to dicker a bit. What do y'all think? Good price? Good gun? Felt nice in the hand. But, little heavy for CC? Salesman said it had not gotten much attention. Thoughts appreciated. Sincerely. bruce

[Tradewind36]

Sounds reasonable, I don't have a 686 but would be tempted at that price.

[H Richard]

The shorter barrels usually bring a premium. If in good condition, go for it. It wouldn't hurt to offer $525, but be ready to put the rest of the money on the table.

[A.J.R.]

I would snatch it up provided that the discount/dickering would cover the sales tax.

[Topsarge]

I just got a 2.5" a few months ago new from Buds Guns for about $100 more. I carry it in a holster from Craft Holsters. An iwb #92. Not a hard carry with a good gun belt. Doesn't sound like a bad price, but a new one for 100 more and no tax or shipping. Should look in to it. Either way, I think you will like it.

[brucev]

Got to think hard about it. Frequently travel routes in not nice areas. Have been keeping a 1911 in my briefcase when at the church. Sad. But, that's the times in which we live. Going to see if can come up with the money. Very much appreciate the thoughts. Don't want to blow money unwisely. To hard to get. Possibly they will do a trade. May not happen. We'll see. Sincerely. bruce.

[Hopper]

OP - if this 686 is NIB, I don't know what you're waiting for. Even if it's slightly used, that seems to me to be a very good price. I paid in the $690 range for a NIB 3" from Bud's a little over a year ago.

[Redlegvzv]

That's a great price if you want a 3" 686. I prefer the 4" and 6" myself, but if you want a 3" GO FOR IT.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with MIM parts. MIM = more precision in manufacturing and excellent durability.

Just ignore the lock. It doesn't do anything.

[sfcjcl]

I purchased a 686 Plus 3" at the PX for $524. I had $60.00 in gift cards and coupon plus there was a 10% off sale going on.
Price tag was $642.00

Try dickering with them, I think that anything under $600 for an NIB is a good deal.

[sfcjcl]

I purchased a 686 Plus 3" at the PX for $524. I had $60.00 in gift cards and coupon plus there was a 10% off sale going on.
Price tag was $642.00

Try dickering with them, I think that anything under $600 for an NIB is a good deal.

Plus no sales tax.

[brucev]

Just a note. This is a nice pistol, but it is not NIB. It is used. Sincerely. bruce.

[snowman]

Originally Posted by brucev

Got to think hard about it. Frequently travel routes in not nice areas. Have been keeping a 1911 in my briefcase when at the church. Sad. But, that's the times in which we live. Going to see if can come up with the money. Very much appreciate the thoughts. Don't want to blow money unwisely. To hard to get. Possibly they will do a trade. May not happen. We'll see. Sincerely. bruce.

Hi, Bruce. I can appreciate your situation. A thought or two:

I have this same gun with the 4" barrel for home defense(mine is a dash 6). They are definitely on the bulky/heavy side for CC; but it's doable if that isn't a significant issue. I gather that you don't want to use the 1911 for CC, and I respect whatever reasons you have for that. The price is decent for a gun in good condition.

I'm well-satisfied with mine, but I did have to send it back when new due to roughly-cut rifling which fouled easily. After I got it back it was fine. Also I had to put reduced-power springs in it, because I nearly needed a winch to pull the factory trigger. After doing that it was just right. Now it is an accurate and great-shooting gun.

Best wishes on your choice. If you could get some snap caps and test the trigger pull before buying it would be good. But if not, adjustment isn't difficult, especially with MIM components.

Regards,
Andy

[HOUSTON RICK]

Good price for very good condition, doable for CC, but on the heavy side.

[rwsmith]

I love my 686, but I think that even if I had a 3" barrel it would be heavy for carry. Of course some people carry 1911s.

[senecaap]

Sounds ok....but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try for a little more off the top. I carry the exact same gun every day (traded the Hogues on it for Ahrends RB finger groove). Lobo made me a great holster for it that really helps, it's their IWB with inner and outer hammer ears so it doesn't dig into me or snag my shirt.
They are really great guns to shoot too. I've liked shooting the 3" so much I'm thinking about looking for a 6".