686-3 6" value?

[firefighterjohn]

Just stopped into my LGS and they had a 686-3 6" with original box, 'wax' paper but no paperwork or tools. It is very clean, bright bore, no hammer push off and cylinder looks tight. It has the rubber Hogue stock. Serial number is BFT56xx. I read in the "686-4 value" thread that members estimated that one's value around $750-$800; gun only.

What's the production of this serial number and what value would you place on this 686-3?

Are the -4s worth more than the -3s?

I currently don't have a 686 6" model.

Thanks for any help and guidance.

 

[PeteC]

The box may be worth an extra $50, maybe $100 with the paperwork and tool kit, but only if the gun is in VG or better shape.

In my opinion, newer (post 1970's) boxes/papers are only worth something at resale IF the gun itself is as-new, or in at least EXC condition. This is because people who care about boxes are usually ALSO looking for high-condition guns, not a shooter, and the condition of the gun will be more important than the box when you go to sell it.


edit: BFT prefix corresponds to 1991+/- a few months, if that matters to you,

 

[swagmeister]

$750-$800 is a fair price these days in the inflated firearms market for one in the condition you describe. I just bought at 686-4 4" barrel in excellent condition a couple of months ago for $800 (no box or papers). I have heard that the -4 examples of the 686 are the best in production quality, but any dash 686 (prior to -6) is a good weapon. I don't like the internal lock guns, but that's just me; I'm old and set in my ways. Good luck with your decision.

 

[mnkdad]

I think $800 or less would be a fair price with the box. You can find period correct paperwork and a cleaning kit for around $50 or so and if you want the original stocks your looking at at least $100 and up.

 

[firefighterjohn]

The box may be worth an extra $50, maybe $100 with the paperwork and tool kit, but only if the gun is in VG or better shape.

In my opinion, newer (post 1970's) boxes/papers are only worth something at resale IF the gun itself is as-new, or in at least EXC condition. This is because people who care about boxes are usually ALSO looking for high-condition guns, not a shooter, and the condition of the gun will be more important than the box when you go to sell it.


edit: BFT prefix corresponds to 1991+/- a few months, if that matters to you,

Thanks PeteC, I wasn't sure just how much a box-only would be to the price. Thanks for finding the build date.

 

[firefighterjohn]

$750-$800 is a fair price these days in the inflated firearms market for one in the condition you describe. I just bought at 686-4 4" barrel in excellent condition a couple of months ago for $800 (no box or papers). I have heard that the -4 examples of the 686 are the best in production quality, but any dash 686 (prior to -6) is a good weapon. I don't like the internal lock guns, but that's just me; I'm old and set in my ways. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks swag, sounds like you got a nice 686! I agree, I'd rather have a no-lock myself.

 

[firefighterjohn]

I think $800 or less would be a fair price with the box. You can find period correct paperwork and a cleaning kit for around $50 or so and if you want the original stocks your looking at at least $100 and up.

Thanks mnkdad, that's kind of the price range I was thinking about also.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Passed on this 686-3

I stopped back into the LGS to see if they had set a price on this 686-3 6". They told me $899. I told them sorry, I'd pass on this one. I've seen some recent GB sales and they were in the 700s. I didn't need this one THAT bad at that price.

If it had had everything in the box, I might have reconsidered. But honestly that was more than I wanted to spend on a 6". To me, my 4" 686 no dash is the sweet spot. Now, a 686+ 3"...I'd love to find a good deal on that kind of 686.

 

[schutz5]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's still there in a couple of weeks when you could plop down 7 benjamins and execute the offer!

 

[Sevens]

First handgun that I ever bought with my own money (first "real" job and saved up paper route dough) was a 6-inch 686-3 and the year was 1989. We had a friend of the family that was a kitchen table FFL so the price I paid was wholesale and it was $315.

If you want to really know when that was made, the box end label will tell you right down to the year, month and day if the SN on the box end label matches the revolver.

That price is fair if it had the original goncalo alves target with speedloader cutout stocks. Missing those, the price is on the high side.