Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK

Toppscore, welcome, that is as good of a handgun as there is fot as any task except for concealed carry. Six shots of 357 is nothing to sneeze at. The number of civilian firearm shootouts requiring more than a few rounds are RARE. If you are looking at unlikely home defense against numerous attackers without a lot of defense practice, you really need a shotgun. I would guess most folks here have a 12 gauqe pump shotgun. Mine is a Remington 870. They are not expensive.

Originally Posted by LCC

uh, think a bit of trolling go on...as in, pls tell me how much I can sell my gun to you for..lol

Originally Posted by lrrifleman

Toppscore,

First, welcome to the forum from the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey!

Please, allow me to muddy the waters. First, when you purchased this revolver over thirty years ago, you wanted the "biggest, baddest revolver". Has that desire been quenched? In over forty years of gun ownership, I have sold a few long guns, but never a handgun. I will presume that like New Jersey, it can be difficult to get the requisite permission to own a handgun.

Unlike you, I currently don't have a roster of acceptable handguns that I am limited to when it comes to purchasing a "new to me" handgun. I would strongly suggest that you look at what handguns are available to you that have made it on the roster that interest you? Does any of those on the roster "speak to you" like this revolver when you bought it thirty plus years ago, when it proclaimed itself the "biggest and baddest revolver"?

Unlike others here, I tend to purchase handguns that I will (and do) shoot. I would not hesitate to shoot your revolver, you might actually find a shooting game that you like that this revolver excels at. If you can afford to purchase another handgun, I would definitely keep this one and invest in something a bit better suited to today's defensive demands that is on roster. In many respects, I would view the sale of this revolver to get something a little bit better suited to defense as a step down.

Originally Posted by kbm6893

It is definitely a step down to sell the 686 to get some modern self defense pistol. Although prices are stupid right now, you can still get a modern polymer semi auto for $500 or less. Selling the 686 to pay for the new gun and you’d no longer have such a classic weapon and you’d forget what you spent the $500 profit you made on.

I have several modern pistols. But even when my kids were very young(and they’re still pretty young) they would look at my guns in the safe and be immediately drawn to the classic revolvers over the plastic pistols. I couldn’t imagine passing down a Glock to my children. It would be like passing down a toilet plunger. “Here, son. This has cleared many a toilet and served me well. It’s yours now. Use it well”.

Originally Posted by Toppscore

Hi. I added photos of the gun, box end and various serial numbers. Do you see the five photos? I added them the next day after original post. Not sure who can see what. Obviously no M stamp as it is still in the box.

question: you own a model 686 and a model 10 . . . .
which is the gun you'd rather buy than sell?
Also, which do you like more, the 686 or the 10?

Originally Posted by rubiranch

I sold my LNIB 4" M686 back in Nov for $1000.

Originally Posted by Toppscore

Assuming Like New In Box. Sounds great.
Any idea of a NIB 357 686 no dash 8-3/8" worth?

Originally Posted by OttoLoader

Toppscore. Welcome. Being in California and having that roster.
Older handguns are Californis prices are higher than prices in other states.
This is collector interest an California off roster.
Consider keeping it. Regarding what to use now
Check for on roster handguns. Some examples.
The more cost effective on roster would be a gen 3 Glock.
If available. S&W has some revolvers in .38 or .357 mag.
If looking at new S&W revolver buy and inspect before
taking ownership. Just on case such as clocked barrel etc.
Older consignment sales may have some good choice.

Originally Posted by Sevens

Most of us have a good idea of the market... but California is a different market. I believe that you could sell for about a thousand, but you’d have to sell it like an enthusiast would sell it. If you just take it to a gun store, it would be a miracle if they gave you half that.

Above you said “it might be too much gun for me” or something similar... I can assure that it is NOT too much gun. .357’s are fantastic in that way as they can digest .38 Special ammo which runs at literally half the pressure. And the larger and heavier the gun, the easier it is to shoot assuming you can hold it at arm’s length, which anyone except the injured/elderly can certainly do.

If you also consider that the PRESENCE of a firearm is quite often enough to end a confrontation... the presence of a huge 8-3/8 full lug 686 may well introduce defecation on the part of the aggressor.

Originally Posted by Toppscore

Here is a fun response . . . . during the past week of online investigation with no gun experience, I've kept notes of desirable self-defense guns to investigate for purchase:

1) FN Five-Seven FDE, 5.7x28 ammo, 10 rounds, 4.8” Barrel, CA legal
2) Sig Sauer P220, 45acp, 10+1 rounds, 4.4” barrel, CA legal
3) Heckler and Koch HK45, 45acp, 10 rounds, 4.4” barrel, CA legal???
4) Springfield Armory Range Officer 1911, 45acp, 7 rounds, 5” barrel, CA legal
5) Beretta 92fs, 9mm 9x19mm, 10 rounds, 4.9” barrel, CA legal
6) Colt Government 38 Super Automatic Rock Island 1911, 9 rounds, 5” barrel, CA legal
7) Smith & Wesson 1911, question: are there any S&W 1911 pistols that are CA legal???

I understand the CA gun laws change January 1st 2021.
Hope to buy before then. Cheers

Originally Posted by pawngal

The FN Five Seven is not a home defense gun, is an expensive range toy.

Originally Posted by Narragansett

I guess I want to ask, you bought it new, had it all these years, and never opened the box?

Originally Posted by Hiram Jr

My thought exactly!