686/586 trade input

[jframejoey]

Was thinking of putting my 686 (no dash) 2.5 Lew Horton (no box or orig. grips) up for trade for a 4 inch 586-0,-1,-2,-3 or-4. Does this seem like a fair trade if a party was interested. If not whose favor would it be in and what would be a reasonable cash difference to keep the scales even? Thanks in advance Joe

[bananaman]

I would venture a guess that the 686 would be more sought after & worth more in the 2.5" configuration. A 586 usually runs more in a 4" than a 6", but it depends on the day of the week and the area you are in. What is going to make both parties happy also? I have a 4" no dash myself. I don't shoot it a lot, but love the way it looks and functions. (I got it on a trade) Good luck, and let us know how you make out! Bob

[jframejoey]

Thanks Bob.

[buck460XVR]

Realistically, I would expect to see both of them for a very similar price if sittin' on the used shelf of my LGS, depending on the condition of the 586. Holster wear/rust/finish being a more critical factor with the blued guns than with the stainless, so this would have determining factor. The thing is, does it seem like a fair deal to you? Go to Gunbroker and other auction sites and see what similar guns are actually selling for(not what is being asked), and then make a decision. Do either of the early(no dash,-1) models have the firing pin mod?

[Engine49guy]

If your 686 snub had its original FG combats your gun gets about a $200 premium over a run O the mill 4" Model 586.

IMO the SS gun is more weather resistant, its finish doesnt wear off from holstering and can be repaired with scotchbrite if scratched,
If you prefer the SB grip profile you can always add a set of RB to SB conversion grips and that extra 1.5" of barrel will have little to no effect on accuracy.

If you just prefer the look of a blued 4" 586 than hold out for one thats LNIB and it would be a fair trade, a well used shooter should put $ in your pocket to be a fair trade, The early 2.5" 686's are becoming collectible but currently the 3" guns are the most sought after.

BTW you could also purchase a 4" barrel (several have sold on the forum classifieds around $150) then have S&W install it making a CS1 clone.

Just wanted to add that my favorite L frame is the 7 shot 686-4+ (center below) , the blued version would be the 586-4 as the SS and blued guns should have the same revisions being introduced at the same time,
I would straight trade a 2.5" 686 snub for a 586-4 + gun just because I like 4"ers.

Below L to R, 686 snub, 686-4+ and 629-4 (five inch):

[H Richard]

The 2 1/2" would easily have a $200+ value above a 586 or even a 4" or 6" 686. My recommendation is to sell the 2 1/2" outright then buy what you desire. You may wish at a later date you had kept that 2 1/2", as it will continue to increase in value.

[g8rb8]

Short answer: Yes. It's a fair trade, assuming your 686 does not have original stocks/grips.

Longer answer: Product code # 104212 was the 1984 limited edition Lew Horton 2-1/2" barrel (about 2500 made). Apparently the first 100 were had gold filled engraving on the side plate. Originally these reported came with finger groove combat stocks which seem to be desirable.

The SCSW 4th edition lists generic versions of both the 586 and 686 values as $550 in excellent condition. Given your 686 no-dash does not have the original finger groove combat stocks or box would probably move it closer to the generic version value although the 2-1/2" barrel would probably bring a bit of a premium.

Since a 4" barrel model 586 is probably a bit more desirable and or harder to obtain than a 6" version, a 4" 586 might bring a bit of a premium over a 6" (?).

All in all I would think an original condition 586 with 4" barrel in excellent condition would be an even trade for your non-original condition 686 with 2-1/2" barrel, assuming it's in excellent condition, and assuming you don't have some really interesting or expensive stocks/grips on your 686.

[BAM-BAM]

Opinions can and do vary............

IMHO a 4" 686 is the most versatile; utility, general purpose .357 going. Mine is a No- that I had round-butted in the 80s.

I had a 3" 586. Very nice gun..... but if I'm going to "carry" a snubby .357 all day....... it will be a 2 1/2 or 3" 66... not a L-frame. IIRC the Agents who were issued the 3" CS-1 guns felt the same way...... as a duty gun gets "carried" a lot more than it "gets shot".

I have three 586s; two 4" guns (one a round butt the other a square butt) and a 6" square butt.....all bought used but all are still anib.... cus I shoot the 4" 686.

OPs (jframejoey) question on the trade..... given my experience with L-Frames over 35 years......I'd rather have the 4" 586 to carry and shoot.......but the 2 1/2" 686 (if it had the original combat grips) would get the nod as a collectible. In my market,I'd value them about the same.

[jframejoey]

Thanks for the replies guys. The reason I was thinking of trading the LEW HORTON 686 is because giving up a nice 586 doesn't happen often and the 686 might peak someones interest. The 686 2.5 is a great gun and I wouldn't dare think of letting it go if I didn't already have a 2.5 686-3 mint with combats on it. Got plenty of other .357s in various lengths as well 2.5s/3s and 4s. But have always lusted over my buddy's 4 inch 586 no dash with factory speed loader targets. He wont sell and every time I find one online its gone. Seeing as I have the Smith sickness Im prob just gonna keep the L.H. and buy a 586.

[bananaman]

I have a 586 no dash, & a 686-3, 6". Both are nice, but I do prefer blue over stainless. Have the original target stocks for the 586 also. Bob

[jframejoey]

Now thats a nice looking 586 Bob.

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by jframejoey

Now thats a nice looking 586 Bob.

Thanks! Some would probably say I was crazy trading a 3" 65-3 for it. We were both happy! I have also stated that I shoot my 10-5, 2" RB. better than the 3 incher. Win-Win! Bob