I have 2-1/2", 3" and 4" model 66's, but no 6". I have an unfired (in original box with papers) model 686-4 6". A friend has an unfired (but no box) 6" model 66 from the 1980's that he'd trade for my 6" 686. I've looked at completed auctions on GB but values seem inconsistent.
I would value your opinions as to the "evenness" of this trade.
Thanks, Ed

Well I have 2 1/2,3 and 4 inch 66s and a 6" 586 had a 6"686.

I'd prefer to have the 6" 686 over a 6" 66.... I would pass.

But it all depends on your intended use......

All that said; as a general rule (condition being equal) the shorter the barrel on a 66 the more it's worth ..... with the exception of your 3" 66 which is worth in the $1,500 range ( only about 5500 made -2,-3 and 4s in the 80s)


If pushed I'd say the 6" 686 would be worth a "couple hundred" more than the 66. I don't view either as a real collectable; at least not today.

It all depends on condition and how badly you want the 66. The 686 would be worth about $100 more than the 66. But, with times like these, who knows.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

I tried to trade a pre-lock 6” 66-2 for a post-lock 6” 686 that was factory tapped and didn’t have any luck at all. That surprised me I figured someone would jump on that.

Pre-lock to pre-lock I’d say the 686 would bring a little more. But if he has the gun you want to complete your set; does a hundred or two really matter to you?

Curious how the no box vs box adds to the value. What do they generally do for value added?

Make the trade to complete your set. The little difference in the two will be eaten up with gas and lunch money while searching for a pristine 6” 66 to trade into against your 686.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

In a 6" gun, I'd much rather have a 686 over a 66, but I'm not collecting either. It might be worth the trade to you to round out your 66 collection.

I tried to trade my 6" 66-1 at a large local gun store in Central New York a few months ago and was surprised the owner could not figure out a value for it. He spent 40 minutes flipping through blue books and could not find a model 66! It was a spur of the moment thing while my buddy was buying a CZ. I wanted to swap for a Ruger PC9. I guess 66's can vex us all!

The inclusion of the box in which the firearm was shipped when new adds to the overall collector value, the original box plus factory documents and any tools that would have been in the box further add to collector value as they represent a complete collection of items that were original to the particular firearm.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

66-1 I would trade. -2 I would keep the 686-4 and search for a p&r 66 6"

You 686 is worth more that the 66. Down the road your gun will gain more value that his. I would not trade. If you 66s have box and papers wait for a 6 with box and papers.

Your pre lock/mim 686, especially a dash 4, is the king of the 686 family because it has all the good and none of the bad. However, if you’re trying to complete a collection and you’re not attached to the 686, I would do the trade plus $150 for a dash 1, $250 if his 66 is a dash 2 or newer. Personally, I’d offer to buy the 66 outright.

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213th FBINA

Thanks to everyone for the well thought out input. He will not sell outright so I'll offer him the above depending on dash number.
Ed