686-4

[TomO629]

Hi guys,

I just joined - hoping to not over pay for my next revolver. I've been looking for a 2 1/2" 686-4 for the last few months and have seen prices all over the place. I lost one today on gun broker I was in for $700 and someone hit buy it now and paid $800.

Is $800 a typical price for this pistol?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[wheelyfun66]

Most will say "$800 is too high", but if you specifically want a 686-4 model, and one is available......pay it!

I personally love the "-4" models the best, and have paid $800 for a LNIB 66-4 snub

 

[TomO629]

I'm also partial to the -4s. I have a 629-4 and personally I don't think it gets much better than that.

 

[Kiteman72]

I don't know if this helps ya or not, but I was surprised to see two brand new 686s in a dealers case for $759 plus tax, BGC etc. (one was a 2 1/2 inch 7-shooter, the other a 4 inch 6-shooter)

So for an older one that you really want, who knows. Sometimes the smoking deal comes along. Too bad you have to live without the gun while you wait for the big steal.

I love the hunt myself, enjoy yours!

 

[lhump1961]

Sometimes it's just one buyer that upsets the cart with $$ to spare. I'm not sure $800 is "too" much for a nice 686-4 snub but it's about top dollar. I can say that once it's in your hand you quickly forget about the money! You will make more money but they won't be making any more 686-4 2 1/2" beauties. I have some guns I think I did good on the price but I have others that I paid for 'cause it was what I wanted and have no regrets. Stay after it and you will find the one meant for you.

I think the auction sites have been a double edged sword to gun folks...makes it easier to locate the stuff we like but drives up prices due to the large pool of buyers. I don't remember the last gun I bought from a gun store...they don't have what I want...so I guess I can live with it.

 

[mtelkhntr]

I'm already kicking myself for not buying a -4 snubbie I saw priced at $675. Threads like this make me wanna kick harder.

 

[Kiteman72]

I realize the OP is looking for a snubnose, but a 4 inch -4 just turned up on Armslist in Colorado. Looks like the guy wants to trade for just about anything.

 

[Woodsman1]

Theres a few for sale on the Ohio Armslist too, just not sure of the dash numbers.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I recently bought a 686-4 snub right here on the Forum for $795 shipped. I jumped right on it b/c it is considered by many the best engineering design of all. That is because it does not have the internal lock, mim parts or frame mounted firing pin. And the snub nose is the most desirable barrel length. When and if you sell it the resale price should beat all other - numbers etc. One exception would be the new Performance Center offering. That could be hard to beat in the future.

Edit: That price included shipping and I of course was able to avoid the dreaded 8% Philadelphia sales tax.



Ignore the box.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I'm guessing from what I've seen at guns shows and such, and around this campfire, that $800 is top dollar but you won't see many under $700(yes, yes, kicking yourself is allowed). I have a 2.5" M686 and I can attest to it being one of the sweetest guns that I own.

I think I'll post my story about it today....

***GRJ***

 

[TomO629]

Thanks for the advice guys. I found one - I should pick it up from my FFL early next week. Here it is:



Got it for $670 - no inspection period/no returns makes me a little nervous but they claim 90-95% condition.

-Tom

 

[ANGST]

Nice, I paid $725 for a 686-3 2.5" a couple of months ago. It was a FtF sale, so I figured it was fair since there was no shipping/FFL fee

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I didn't realize I had my gun already on this forum!

It's a 686-5, aka a 686+ with 7 rounds.

***GRJ***

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: First attempt - Picture

 

[sirgarreth]

MrTrolleyGuy, that is a nice one you got there! What kind of recoil do those things have? Must be quite a bit more than my 4" 686.

 

[Northwoods Trader]

$800 for a -4 seems to be a steady price for a used one these days. You don't want to see what a -4 NIB are going for on GunBroker these days. I couldn't believe it when I saw a NIB -3 sell for over $1,700 the other day.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The primary difference between the -3 and -4 is the -4 is drilled and tapped for a scope. Not a feature I'd pay extra for on a snubby.

 

[wheelyfun66]

The primary difference between the -3 and -4 is the -4 is drilled and tapped for a scope. Not a feature I'd pay extra for on a snubby.

Another key difference between -3 and -4 variants is the rear sight base.

I love -4 models because the rear sight base is shorter, and does not extend all the way to the point of the frame where it mates with the barrel. (I have had a couple -3 and earlier models where a slight gap was created between barrel/frame, due to the sight base being slightly too long)

 

[TomO629]

Picked up my 686 yesterday & I am very happy with my purchase. Shot it last night - I think I have a new favorite gun to shoot.

 

[TomO629]

New grips are next on my list - thinking hogue bantams for carry and some nice combat or boot grips in wood - thoughts?

 

[mag318]

I put factory Hogue Bantams on mine and they would be perfect on yours. I like the Hogues from the factory because they have a S&W logo on them.