686: New vs Used

[SgtSam]

I've been watching the auctions on GunBroker and Auction Arms, as well used stuff in the various forums. Is it my imagination or are the prices for used S&W 686s awfully close to the lower new prices? Yeah, there are some dealers that think their guns are "limited production rare models" and are asking rediculous prices, but, the prices from the more reasonable dealers are quite close to the used prices.

What gives? Why the high costs? These guns aren't rare. They've been around for quite some time now and there are a lot of them out there.

The vagaries of the gun market sometimes just boggle the mind.

SgtSam

 

[rollin_hot]

686 or 696?

I have experience with 686's in the 2.5" variety and what I have found drives the prices of them up is a few things....

1.) Older dashs or no dashs in 2.5" are'nt easily found
2.) No MIM parts
3.) No lock
4.) Original finger groove combat grips...some sellers add $150 to a $500 gun because of these grips.

If given the choice between an older 686 with combats and a newer 686 with the lock, MIM parts and a Hogue grip, I would take the older one everytime, even if it were a bit more.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

If I told you how much I had to give for my 686-4PP you would be boggled for sure. I really think some folks bidding against me on GB thought it was a Python. But...it never fails to make me smile when I remove it from its case at the range. Sweet!

 

[slowburninsteve]

686 Value

I have a four inch 686 no dash I am going to sell. Can anyone give me a good asking price? It has been carried a lot and shot very little. I would estimate finish at 95%. Thanks!
Steve

 

[murphydog]

In my observations, the more common 686s that "sell" are running about $450-500. Shorter barrels (up to 4") tend to go for more. Rarer ones (2.5", 3" pre-locks, CS-1s, etc.) are going for $100-300 more. There is a difference between what sellers are asking and getting, and the prices on the ones that sell (with a few exceptions, probably from a bidder with "new gun fever") are still pretty far away from the new gun asking prices.

 

[GOV5]

In my observations, the more common 686s that "sell" are running about $450-500. Shorter barrels (up to 4") tend to go for more. Rarer ones (2.5", 3" pre-locks, CS-1s, etc.) are going for $100-300 more. There is a difference between what sellers are asking and getting, and the prices on the ones that sell (with a few exceptions, probably from a bidder with "new gun fever") are still pretty far away from the new gun asking prices.

Guns are like used motorcycles. Everybody thinks theirs is special. After the reality sets in, you can negotiate with them. They listen a LOT better! LOL!! The first question I ask when I call about a motyorcycle is how long have they had it listed? If they say abouit a week, I don't even try to negotiate. I just leave my number, wish them luck, and tell them to call me if they can't find a buyer at the price they ask.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I can't answer your question, but I can tell you I purchased an used 686-5PP, no lock, in 2003 for $500.00 with rubber finger groove Hogue grips. The owner, I knew from my local gun range rarely fired it. She was manufactured in 2000 and I still have it. I've never seen any long barrel used 686's listed under $500.00, most are higher in price.

 

[H Richard]

I only paid $245 for my 6" 686. But this was in 1984. Still shots as good as ever. I don't think you can wear one out. One of the best guns ever produced by S&W.

 

[DON1937]

A used 686 in good condition is a better value than a new one.

 

[one eye joe]

Hey slowburninsteve, I currently have a 98% snubby 686-3 with NO IL, forged parts & original wooden combat grips on GB for $600 with FREE shipping That price is LESS than what the gun cost me. FYI in deciding what to ask for yours. Mine hasn't sold yet, BUT the older 686 is a BEAUTIFUL gun and I'm not going to give mine away. Don't give yours away either, you will regret it. Best of luck to you.......

 

[AKsRule]

I've been watching the auctions on GunBroker and Auction Arms, as well used stuff in the various forums. Is it my imagination or are the prices for used S&W 686s awfully close to the lower new prices?
SgtSam

It's not just S&Ws
The Economy still sucks and lots of people NEED to convert guns into
as much Cash as possible.

The really desperate ones usually cut teir price after a week or two.

 

[TFred]

It's your basic supply and demand. And as noted, a little bit of high hopes. It took me about 8 months, but I finally found a 686-5 seven-shot on GB for a reasonable price. I was the only bidder, I think because the owner hadn't bothered to clean it before taking the pictures. So was it smudge, or was it rust? No way to tell for sure, I took a risk, and it cleaned up beautiful!

I was very happy with the deal I got, it's the prince of my small collection.

TFred

 

[roaddog28]

I have a four inch 686 no dash I am going to sell. Can anyone give me a good asking price? It has been carried a lot and shot very little. I would estimate finish at 95%. Thanks!
Steve

On gunbroker $600 to $650

roaddog28

 

[haifabuddy]

I recently paid $595 for a 686-4 (No MIM o rlock) 2.5 inch 7 shot and was very happy to get it.

 

[rollin_hot]

686

The one on the left was my first one I bought and the one that fueled my interest in S&W revos, I traded an AR complete lower, ammo and cash for it...about $700 worth of stuff. Local trade

The middle one I had to have and traded a guy a new Glock 26 and a ton of mags and ammo for....about $600 worth of stuff. Local trade

The one on the right I bought out right for $550 and was happy to get it locally at that price.

They are worth what someone will buy them for. I have my limits, but I am not sure what that is as of yet. Do I feel I spent or traded more than I should, absolutley, but I wanted them and now I have them. I had a friend tell me, "you never pay too much for them, you just pay it a little bit sooner than some".

 

[Doc TH]

686

In the Washington DC metro area of Maryland, used 686's are generally on sale for $600 and up. I have not seen any below $600, and they disappear from dealers' displays, so I assume they're getting close to the asking price.

 

[badge 851]

I have a four inch 686 no dash I am going to sell. Can anyone give me a good asking price? It has been carried a lot and shot very little. I would estimate finish at 95%. Thanks!
Steve

I have the same gun that I purchased used in 2007 for $275.00. I have turned down three offers of $600.00, and one offer of $650.00. (I have no plans to ever sell this gun!)

 

[AzShooter]

I bought my last 6 " 686 from a dealer for $450. He also had a number of 4 inchers for $425. Find a friend with an FFL and have them look around for you for the best price.

 

[surfdog76]

It's misleading to check the (active) Gunbroker auctions to determine the current value of a 686. FEW of the auctions are 'No Reserve" and MANY do not sell... and are automatically re-listed at the end of the auction. In fact, quite a few of the 686's you see listed have been on there for quite some time... It's a revolving, never-ending sales technique for gun shops that also have the gun displayed under glass in their shop.

Instead, do a Smart Search for closed auctions to what 686's have sold for. Simple and quite revealing.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

This ain't a good time to be selling guns to raise money