686-3. why did I do this?

[revho]

Hi Everyone.

I made a mistake today. I asked the question that usually gets you into trouble while visiting my local gun shop. "got anything new in?" What are you looking for, he asks? The usual, Smith and Wesson revolver and not new. The usual answer at this store is no, as they usually have new air weights along with the ruger and taurus, and the case full of semi's.

Today was different, sure do he says, just came in a couple days ago, haven't even cleaned or priced it. He comes back out 5 minutes later with a fired but near perfect 686-3 4". Now, I have never really thought about owning a .357 as I was trying to stay with just .38 and .45acp. He knew this and said you can fire .38's you know. Yeah....I know. No box, no papers, no cleaning tools. What do you want for it? He let me look at it and came back about 5 minutes later again. $599.00 but everything is 10% off this week for after Christmas sale. So with tax $572.00. I thought about it a minute and handed it back to him. Left for a couple hours, had lunch with my wife, she told me to drive back and get it.



So I put a deposit on it and will make a couple payments. Even talked him down to $550.00 out the door which is hard to do on a new trade in. I know it's not the deal of the century but seems tight and looks decent. Should have it in a month. Got one bad pic of it with my camera phone. What looks like a mark that comes in on the edge of the barrel is camera related, not on the gun.

Two questions though, when was it made (BJB64XX) and do you think these grips are original? They look like a really light Goncalo Alves.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

This looks to be a mistake you can live with . It is a late 1991-early 1992 gun, and if it has the speedloader (bigger) cutout on the left panel the stocks are the correct style. The inside of one of the panels may have a ink-stamped date, which may also help you on the ship date. Enjoy!

 

[revho]

Sir,

Thanks for the quick response. It does have the cut out on the other side of the grips. It looked to be "around" the going rate on gun broker, maybe slightly less.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[one eye joe]

IMHO, you did very well. The 686-3 is a great revolver, and your's is a beautiful example in a very versatile barrel length. I'm sure you will enjoy it.....

 

[silverking]

Sure makes me regret selling mine.I'm sure by the time I can afford another, the prices will have escalated much higher.

 

[Wayne M]

If you can get into a nice used 686 for less than $700 you've done well in my part of the world. -3's are nice guns, put some grips on it that acutally fit your hands and enjoy.

 

[kinar]

Looks very nice and that is fair price. Wife'y & I tend to only purchase 586-3 & 686-3. They always seem to have a very good (to great) trigger, are accurate, and in general are a class act.

 

[RonS]

That's a nice gun at a fair price, it doesn't get much better than that.

 

[fastgun1962]

You did very well. I have these units and you can't beat them. Enjoy

 

[swDC]

I love my 686-6 and I have been thinking about a 4" to add to the 6"... now I am going to be on the look out for 686-3. Looks like a good deal to me!... congrats.

 

[Wisent]

Hello revho,

great gun, I had the same model but traded in for a three incher (CS).
Congratulations - not only concerning the gun - I do not know so many women who want one gun more in the household !
A great wife and a great gun make - a lucky man !

Happy and healthy New Year

Wisent

 

[tommy F]

Very nice 686 4". Having looked at all the nice Ls on the forum makes me want one in 4" for hot combat loads.

Tommy

 

[goldenlight]

I would have bought that revolver in an instant....except I have a 4" 686.

it's one of my very favorite, and most accurate target guns.

I load mild 38 Special loads in 357 magnum cases, and recoil is almost non-existent. VERY nice to shoot.

I have a 6" 686, but I actually prefer to shoot the 4" 686, due to the balance: the 6" is just a little too barrel heavy for me.

The 4" just feels 'good' to me!

This is a very well made revolver, with all forged parts, and should last a lifetime of shooting, if you take care of it.

Also, if you decide you don't like it (hard to imagine...!) hang onto it for a few years, and you can make money on it, if you keep it in the same condition.

They don't make them like this, anymore!

BTW: if you shoot 38 Specials, be sure to clean the cylinder each time you shoot it, so that if and when you want to shoot 357 magnums, you won't have the build up from the mouth of the cases of the shorter 38 Specials.

It WAY easier to get rid of it, if you make sure to clean it every time you come back from the range!

I'm sure you will love this revolver!

 

[Milo Talon]

You did good.Enjoy.

 

[revho]

Thank you everyone for reassuring me I did good on this one. I went to another shop yesterday and they had a 6" with the rubber grips on it for $699.00. That made me feel better about things as well. I can't wait to make a couple payments on it and take it home. Thanks for the tip about cleaning after using .38's. I think at this point I would use this most as my new bed side gun with.357's in it but range with .38's. Right now I use a N frame .45 for a bed side gun and it's a bit heavy to wield around from a dead sleep...

 

[Casehardn]

Did you make a mistake... Absolutely not.
Sounds like you married the right gal!
Any wife who says "go back and pick it up" is ok in my book.
Price you paid is good for new condition 686. I've seen them around here anywhere from $499. up to $650. depending on the condition.

Nice gun. You won't be disappointed. Super accurate shooter that will last a lifetime. As for the grips, I know that Smith did send out some revolvers with blonde grips. Just check the inside and see if there are any markings.