4" 686-4

[oink]

Looking at a 6 shot 4" 686-4 at LGS. Asking $550. No papers and no box. It appears to have color case hardened trigger and hammer but most color case hardened stuff I've seen was darker overall. It appears to be very tight with minimal holster wear. It shows very little dings, nicks or scratches. If it was used as a duty gun it sure survived well. Single and double seem possibly too good and that concerns me a bit. It wears Hogue grips.

What grips came with it? Could the Hogues be original?

I'm assuming the -4 is pre-mim. Is that correct?

Does that sound good at $550?

Is the -4 the sweet spot mechanically? If not what is?

[k22fan]

I like Dash 4s because they got drilled and tapped for optics without losing the better looking forged hammer. Dash 5 signifies the change to MIM hammers. For me the drilled holes are insurance against not being able to see iron sights in old age. If I was never going to use optics I'd prefer a dash 3 or earlier dash's chrome plated hammer and trigger.

On the other hand, the lighter Dash 5 seven shot Mountain Gun is the best 686 for a belt holster. First decide what features benefit you then pick your dash.

Rubber Hogue Monogrips were standard.

Too light double and singe action most likely is from the mainspring strain screw being shortened or rotated out but springs could have been swapped. While a skillfully done trigger job can lighten both do not be surprised if it missfires or the trigger return is slow or the trigger sometimes does not return.

If it does not need repair then $550 is a good price.

[Dogfish357]

Thats a very good price from what I've seen them go for. An even better price if its a 7 shooter.

In my experience, -4's seem to have smoother triggers than the -5's I've handled. The double action pull of my -5 feels like a 2 stage trigger which took some getting used to.

[oink]

It's a 6 shot.

[Milo Talon]

Had a -4 years ago. One of the few that I really regret trading off. It was a great shooter. I would definitely pay that price.

[Kiwi cop]

My 686-4 has a single and double action trigger most think has been worked on. It hasn't.

A 12 Ib trigger return spring and a full power Wolff ribbed mainspring with an 8-32X1/2 hex head screw replacing the standard strain screw (goes in a bit further than the original) is all that has been done to it.

A friends 929 had too heavy a trigger pull when new. I replaced the trigger return spring with a 14 Ib one I had spare and it feels like another action job.

If you have any concerns about the trigger being too light just replace the main spring and trigger return spring with a set from Brownells and the strain screw with a hex head one. A much better trigger pull will result with no effect on primer ignition or safety.

And for $550 I'd buy it. If it is still there when you return.

[DuneShoot]

I recently compared prices on the 4" -4 and $550 is a great price.
I picked one up and will be adding some springs soon.
Didn't know you could use a different mainspring screw. What length is the OEM screw?

[Pizza Bob]

Originally Posted by DuneShoot

What length is the OEM screw?

Too short to use with a ribbed mainspring and still get reliable ignition. Take Kiwi's advice.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[zzclancy]

Originally Posted by oink

Looking at a 6 shot 4" 686-4 at LGS. Asking $550. No papers and no box. It appears to have color case hardened trigger and hammer but most color case hardened stuff I've seen was darker overall. It appears to be very tight with minimal holster wear. It shows very little dings, nicks or scratches. If it was used as a duty gun it sure survived well. Single and double seem possibly too good and that concerns me a bit. It wears Hogue grips.

What grips came with it? Could the Hogues be original?

I'm assuming the -4 is pre-mim. Is that correct?

Does that sound good at $550?

Is the -4 the sweet spot mechanically? If not what is?

I'm looking at a 686-3 6" barrel, same condition and no box for $600. The -4 is pre-min. Dash 5 on the min.

[WFR]

That's a good price and I like the "-4".
I have a 3" -4 and will never part with it.

[F75gunslinger]

At $550 it's a good price for that model. You say the trigger is light...how light ? Do you have a way to measure it ? It may be the result of a good action job, or it may be bubba'd some. Only way to tell is to make sure the strain screw is tight,measure the trigger pull and see where it comes out.

I remember when I was a kid they started using the Hogue grips, and they continue to do so with many models today. Not sure what dash they started that on. It wouldn't be hard to find a set of proper grips if they were before they started that, but you may prefer the Hogue's for shooting.

[oink]

Well, I went back today but not as early as intended. It was still there. I was going to try and talk them down but ended up paying $1,069 out the door. ***!



Well, I tried to talk them down. I got the 686-4 for $550 OTD but I mentioned that I was done buying for now but when Glock finally comes out with a Gen 5 19 MOS I'll have to buy it. The manager then says "They just did 2 days ago but I think we already sold them all". He then goes in the back and says "Yeah, they're all gone". I then notice my favorite clerk motion to me from the back of the store. I go on back where he is. He says "let me check, those guys (management) don't really know what's going on". He looks, finds one and brings it out. I'm thinking, crud, I can't buy another gun, so I tell him "Yeah but I need a blue label". He says "Oh, I don't think I have one, they usually send more of the regular ones first", but he looks. Yep, he pulls one out! Now I'm out another $518.87 OTD for a whopping (in my book) $1,068.87 OTD.

I could have probably got the G19 MOS $20 cheaper elsewhere but it would have cost $40 in gas to get it. Now I need an optic.

Oh well! I should know better than to stop by a gun shop.

[357 shooter]

Nice buy on the 686-4! I used to have an older 4" 686 but sold it. Would be great to find a 686-4 4" to go with my 2.5" and 6" -4s. I think you will find your 686 to be an accurate shooter.

[Weisse52]

My 686-4+ is one of my favorite handguns. I would love to find any -4 at that price locally.

[one eye joe]

Originally Posted by oink

Looking at a 6 shot 4" 686-4 at LGS. Asking $550. No papers and no box. It appears to have color case hardened trigger and hammer but most color case hardened stuff I've seen was darker overall. It appears to be very tight with minimal holster wear. It shows very little dings, nicks or scratches. If it was used as a duty gun it sure survived well. Single and double seem possibly too good and that concerns me a bit. It wears Hogue grips.

What grips came with it? Could the Hogues be original?

I'm assuming the -4 is pre-mim. Is that correct?

Does that sound good at $550?

Is the -4 the sweet spot mechanically? If not what is?

THE 686-4 IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED THE FINEST ITERATION OF THE M686. IT HAS EVERTHING THAT YOU NEED, AND NOTHING THAT YOU DON'T, LIKE THE IL.....

IMHO, THE 4" VERSION IS THE MOST VERSATILE LENGTH. ITS EASILY CARRIED CONCEALED, PERFECT FOR HD, GIVES UP VERY LITTLE ON THE TARGET RANGE, AND IS A GREAT COMPANION FOR WOODS WALKING, CAMPING, HUNTING, AND FISHING. IN FACT, IT HAS A CULT LIKE FOLLOWING AS A GRAIL GUN......

AT THAT PRICE, THIS REVOLVER IS A BARGAIN. UNLESS THE LGS GETS LITTLE FOOT TRAFFIC, I WILL BE SURPRISED IF IT IS STILL THERE WHEN YOU RETURN. I WOULD HAVE JUMPED RIGHT ON IT, THE MINUTE THAT I SAW IT......

WITH A GUN LIKE THIS, YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE ! ! !

[rwt1405]

Congrats on getting a great revolver!

I'm a big fan of the 686 series, and an even bigger fan of the -4 models (especially at prices like that)!

Oh, and ok on that Glock "thingy" you also got.