Older 686 (no dash) 4” SS 357 mag: Need Advice

[kwesi]

A co worker is no longer shooting ( and hasn’t for over 10 years ) and wants to sell his 30 year old .357. He purchased it new at a gun show (no papers). I’ve not seen it but he says it’s in nice condition and licks up tight. He upgraded it with a target hammer & trigger and combat hard rubber grips. Can the experts tell me what is a fair price? He also has a Don Hume black leather holster. Holster value?

He estimates he has fired more than 300 rounds but definitely less than 1,000 but mostly 38’s.

I would likely load and shoot .357. Any known performance issues with these hotter loads?

I’m asking because I recently purchased a 629-5 44 mag and learned about the performance package. Thanks!

[Eddietruett]

The non original grips will hurt the value some but around here it would bring $600-650 in a LGS. Nice set of original target grips will run $75-100

[Green Frog]

Just as a FYI, there was a perceived problem with some of the 686 ND and -1 models involving primer flow back into the firing pin hole, potentially locking up the cylinder. It was corrected with a new firing pin bushing (and perhaps a new firing pin??) at the factory or an approved repair station and will be marked with a letter "M" visible in the open crane. FWIW, my 6" ND has not been "fixed" and even though it's been shot a lot more than yours has had no problems I'm aware of.

Non-factory grips of course deduct from the overall price in most cases (as they would here) but several years ago I gave $500 cash and trade for mine with no grips at all... I couldn't stand to even hold the Goodyears the PO had on it. Of late, I'm thinking that the gun as you describe would go for something on the order of $600-$700 around here on a good day. It may well have had the "M" upgrade at the same time as the hammer and trigger, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker either way.

Froggie

[kwesi]

He has the original wood grips and a 2nd set that he thinks came off one of his 29’s.

[apollo99]

$700-$750 for a 4", a little more for a 2 1/2" maybe a little less for a 6". The N frame grips won't fit , but can be sold to help pay for the 686. A friend to friend deal, face to face, could be much cheaper.

[Kernel Crittenden]

If the seller wants to give you some Smith & Wesson wood stocks take them. Even the plain target stocks will sell for a hundred bucks.

Besides the M modification already discussed, a M686 is a very robust design. S&W has been making the same gun for almost 40 years without significant changes to the action or design. They've got it dialed in.

[kwesi]

To be more specific he has his “package” that includes the 2sets of wood grips, Don Hume holster, 2 speed loaders with belt case, and 350 factory rounds (200 38’s lead, 32 125gr JHP 38’s and 124 .357 156 gr semi-jacketed HP). He would like to get $800 for it all incl 2 sets of wood grips.

[Sevens]

That sounds like a fair enough price. All the goodies added in are nice but only to assist in a sale -- those items are difficult to sell on their own in most cases. The ammo is worth maybe $30-$40, the rubber grips basically have no value ($10 at a gun show) and old school bloated holsters have very little value or marketability. The speed loaders are $5-$10 each. As has been mentioned, both sets of wood stocks have genuine value but condition matters a LOT.

My biggest concern is that you said he "upgraded to target trigger and hammer" and if it were me, I'd want to know some specifics on this. S&W is qualified to do this (let me rephrase-- S&W WAS qualified to do this, one day, long in the past...) and if he shipped the gun back to them for this service, that would be ideal. And if he did it after the mid-1980's, S&W would likely have also done the recall work while they had it.

If the recall has been done, there will be an obvious "M" stamp on the frame behind the yoke that you can see when the cylinder is open.

S&W still honors this recall and yes, you should have it done if there is no "M" stamp.

Without seeing the gun, finding out details on the "upgrade" work and seeing the condition of the wood stocks, I'd say it seems like a solid deal at $800 but no more than that, not a steal of a deal.

[Sevens]

Let me add: while the recall work is important, it isn't "emergency critical" and also, don't let it stand in the way of a deal.

Should only take time and no money to have S&W rectify it.

[kwesi]

Does S&W pay the shipping of the recall? I’ll see the pistol soon but my guess is a local smith replaced the hammer & trigger. He also has several hammers and triggers for mod 686 and mod 19.

[Sevens]

S&W should issue you a prepaid label if you call, so they cover shipping both ways. If they won't-- be persistent and/or call back and try someone else.

Triggers for all K-frame and L-frames (and N-frames) of that era are the same "size" but triggers, hammers and the sear/interface between the pieces need to play well with each other and isn't always simply a "drop in." A local gunsmith is fine --IF-- the revolver feels right, but this is still a potential red flag when someone tells me they "upgraded."

I'd want to check timing and for smoothness and push-off.

[F75gunslinger]

Originally Posted by kwesi

He upgraded it with a target hammer & trigger

This is the only thing that would concern me much. Ask exactly HOW he upgraded it. Did he just buy the parts and install them or did he have someone do it ?

I would say around here that gun would fetch $550-$650 depending on condition. If he is willing to toss in the target stocks get them as well.

[Sevens]

The TH and TT as we call them in this hobby (along with TS, making up the glorius "Three T's") are personal items in my opinion. Many will harshly and energetically disagree with me when I say that I really do NOT like them.

The TH is gangly and can sometimes interfere with replacement grips, and I rarely shoot single action.

The TS are gorgeous and valuable and I hate them for shooting any magnum loads.

The TT is, for me, the worst offender, because I shoot double-action exclusively and a huge and sharp serrated trigger is simply awful for double action shooting.

I'm so passionate about the trigger, I have a difficult time understanding how anyone would like or need that huge target trigger. I love S&W revolvers and I truly loathe that particular trigger.

[kwesi]

He said after researching prices he felt the value of the gun (rubber grips only) is $650-$700. I see NIB’s going at $700 in SS and 4”. I’m a newbie on S&W rev’s other than the 629-5 PP in 44 mag. So from most of the above comments shall I assume this 30 year old is more valuable?

[kwesi]

Update: I confirmed with S&W tech that she was built in 1983 and was not sent back on the recall. I was told, as Sevens stated, to call back with the sn and they will send out the return label.

[Sevens]

Offer him $700 but only if he includes the original wood stocks and frankly, if it were me, I'm also asking for the original trigger and hammer also, hopefully separated, each in their own little bag.

[Sevens]

If he doesn't give the original wood and he doesn't have the original box then he is above the market in price.

And there are honestly tons of these out there, a 686 is the opposite of rare.

[kwesi]

He had a smith in Plano replace the parts. I believe he has the OEM parts. He is offering to bring me the gun and a box of 38 WC’s to test her and see if I’m interested.

[Sevens]

Report back to this thread when you know more!

[kwesi]

Sevens: no box.

[Barrie]

Value drops right there at least $100.00 for NO Box

[apollo99]

Oh no the dreaded "I'll bring you the gun and a box of bullets to try out", that's worse than, "I'll bring you the puppy so your kids can play with it for a while". That's how I got my first Chocolate Lab.

[kwesi]

apollo99: lol. I was tracking from the moment I received the offer.

[kwesi]

Update: I handled the gun for a few minutes but did not take it to test fire. It looked in good condition to a newbie. No push-off, cylinder locked up tight, no spin marks. The wood grips are not pristine but not bad either. He had his two initials engraved on the right side. Yikes!

[mod29]

Originally Posted by kwesi

Update:...He had his two initials engraved on the right side. Yikes!

That would kill whatever interest I might of had in the gun.

There are plenty of M686s out there. Keep looking for an unmolested one.
You'll find one. They are great revolvers.

[ken158]

The 686 has been in production since the mid 1980's therefore a zillion have been made. The negatives outweigh the positives on this deal which is about $300 north of what I would pay...

[Engine49guy]

Agree its priced high .
A LNIB early 686 might bring that to a collector looking to fill a gap but for a shooter its high.

BTW IMO there are versions that will easily fetch that such as 686-5+ Mountain gun and the 686-4+ but besides getting one free ride back to S&W and a free tuneup there is no advantage to the older L frames, matter of fact the older versions are not pre drilled for a scope mount, use the older smaller cylinder retention system , have no lifetime warranty and some even have that crummy floating hand....