686-2 age and value

[Jayhawkokie]

I have a 686-2 stainless 357 with 4" barrel, serial# BAN 3781. I was wondering when it was manufactured and it's present value.

 

[Farmer17]

I don't have a book but if I remember correctly the 686 came out around 1981ish. Yours looks awesome and I would probably ask a little under a grand if it was mine.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Your revolver (s/n BAN3781) was manufactured in 1988 according to the "SCSW 4th Ed." The 686-2 was introduced in 1987, and was manufactured a few years before the Internal Lock ("Hillary Hole") was released. In general, pre-lock guns are more desirable than those with the IL. Right now, the 3" bbl. versions appear to be more popular than 4" or longer, but yours is in very nice condition and I would expect it to valued at $900+. Do you have the original plastic case and goodies? I recently purchased a minty 3" 686-6 Plus (7-shot) for $750 and was happy to get it. The L-frame revolvers are outstanding revolvers, built like tanks, and are fun to shoot. Enjoy!

 

[Jayhawkokie]

Thank you for the reply. I purchased the gun from a friend whose husband recently passed away, unfortunately he didn't have the case, she said never shot the gun, he bought in may years ago from a coworker in California. She's going to see if he might have put the case somewhere, it wasn't in the safe with the gun. The gun is in what I would say is nearly mint condition. I wasn't in the market for any more guns, but she asked me to look at his guns and when I saw this one I immediately wanted it and my Wife said get it, the friend badly needed the money.

 

[Jayhawkokie]

I just measured the barrel length, it is 3 3/8", is that considered a 3" barrel pistol?

 

[imakmst]

be sure to measure from the face of the cylinder to the end of the barrel

 

[Hawg Rider]

Your 686-2 is definitely a 4" bbl. Here's my 686-6 with a 3" bbl. and Internal Lock for comparison. The U.S. Customs Service and other LEO departments ordered many 4" 686 revolvers, along with some 3" bbl. Shoot it and enjoy it!

 

[CH4]

Based on my observations here in Nevada, for the gun (pre -5) alone - $750 to $900. Earlier this year, I gave about $900 for this pristine 4” 586 ND. 586s usually go for $100+ more than a similarly configured 686. I swapped the targets for combats.

 

[Jayhawkokie]

I paid $600 for the gun, guess I did all right, she was going to put it in an online auction with all his tools and other junk and this is what the auction guy told her he might be able to get for it plus he would keep 30%