Considering buying a prelock 686

[Theoak84]

Ive been looking on the auction sites, and there are quite a few 686s prelock. Can someone give me their opinion on this revolver?

S & W 686 6" SS No Dash / No Lock .357mag 99% Mint : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Namely the finish itself. It says stainless steel, but it was polished and detailed, and it appears to be nickel. Can you polish a revolver to make it shiny like this? Has anyone seen this before? Thanks

 

[Camster]

It is,what it as advertised as being-a 686 that's been polished.Yes,that is the result of polishing-a look that appears as something close to a nickel plated gun.The grips are not original.They are either later production or aftermarket.
Someone more knowledgeable can address the hammer and trigger finish.I'm thinking that they started as case colored.
Plenty of us have polished our stainless guns.It is attractive,but I also getting the feeling that perhaps it's been a little too doctored or whizzed into a show piece for resale.The current 675 bid may be close to value.Time may tell what the reserve is.As with a car,once it's been repainted or restored,you don't quite know the condition as it was before the work.

 

[rwsmith]

The reason that there aren't many.......

Regardless of the finish, these guns are in demand. I'm not big on shiny guns though. If I got it I would Scotchbrite it to get the original satin finish back.

 

[Wheeler57]

Not sure if the enhancements add value or detract.
There are a lot of 686s out there and I love them but myself I believe I would look for a more stock unit.
Just my opinion

 

[regalsc]

I came across a 686 no dash 6" patridge front sight ACK serial# at my range. When I handled it I saw that it was near perfect condition with original stocks also near perfect no box with a price of $479. I bought it & am very glad I did. It was a lucky day for me.

 

[kaaskop49]

In a case such as this, with these exterior "enhancements," I always wonder what was "enhanced" on the inside. This could be an item that somebody "played with" until he got tired of it. Yes, I'm a cynic. Pass.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

If it shoots straight it is easily worth $675-$800.

 

[snubbiefan]

Not sure about the hammer-n-trigger on the 686 ND's. My 681-3's are forged and flash-chromed. My 686-4's are forged only. I know the first year run of the 617's were also flash-chromed.

You also need to consider the "M" recall on the no-dashes. Doesn't bother most folks and some refuse to send one home for the modification. I made the mistake in doing that and sold it soon after it came back home. Just do a search and you can likely find some interesting reading on that recall. The price is fair as they sell for north of $750 where I come from. By the time you pay shipping and transfer, that's about what you'll have in that one.

 

[flintsghost]

hammer trigger finish

It is,what it as advertised as being-a 686 that's been polished.Yes,that is the result of polishing-a look that appears as something close to a nickel plated gun.The grips are not original.They are either later production or aftermarket.
Someone more knowledgeable can address the hammer and trigger finish.I'm thinking that they started as case colored.
Plenty of us have polished our stainless guns.It is attractive,but I also getting the feeling that perhaps it's been a little too doctored or whizzed into a show piece for resale.The current 675 bid may be close to value.Time may tell what the reserve is.As with a car,once it's been repainted or restored,you don't quite know the condition as it was before the work.

Through -3 they were flash chromed. after that I don't know.

 

[Theoak84]

Is there any negative thing about buying a brand new 686? Were they made better back then? I know most things were haha.

 

[BikerRN]

Is there any negative thing about buying a brand new 686? Were they made better back then? I know most things were haha.

Yes, and the reason I refuse to buy one, they have what I refer to as the "Hillary Hole".

That's the lock that everyone is referring to when they say pre-lock.

 

[Theoak84]

Yes, and the reason I refuse to buy one, they have what I refer to as the "Hillary Hole".

That's the lock that everyone is referring to when they say pre-lock.

Yes i understand that aspect. But what about the over all construction of the gun? Are newer models built as well as they were 20-30 years ago?

 

[BikerRN]

Yes i understand that aspect. But what about the over all construction of the gun? Are newer models built as well as they were 20-30 years ago?

I'd say no in that the lock has malfunctioned on me.
Had one lock up while shooting at the range.

 

[Theoak84]

I'd say no in that the lock has malfunctioned on me.
Had one lock up while shooting at the range.

What kind of rounds were you shooting when it locked up and what year was the gun made in?

 

[bigggbbruce]

I'd say no in that the lock has malfunctioned on me.
Had one lock up while shooting at the range.

If this is the only reason.

Give me 15 minutes and the lock will be in a baggie in the parts drawer.

 

[Theoak84]

If this is the only reason.

Give me 15 minutes and the lock will be in a baggie in the parts drawer.

I saw a few videos of people doing this. I would consider it if it was my last option. In the mean time ill keep searching for that right gun. It will be my first purchase, so i want to make it a good one!

 

[snubbiefan]

IL aside, most people seem to think that S&W let the tolerances slip a bit. A revolver leaving the loading dock today with a BTCG of .010 seems to be perfectly fine. The older guns were generally held to a tolerance closer to .004-.006. I believe .006 use to be the point at which service was required. From what I read and hear, that would be considered a tight gun by today's standards. I wouldn't know...I don't own anything but older pre-locks.

 

[Nightowl]

I know there are some folks who really, really like their stainless guns all polished up. I detest it!! I would never buy that gun.

However, if you like the polished look, then you take a chance that the insides have been polished, maybe over polished.

It boils down to what you like, how much money you want to spend and how much risk you are willing to take that the gun's insides work right.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! I personally like 686's. (586's too) I like a little shine on mine. Great shooter! I picked up this -3, a few years ago for $580. Got it after my 586 no dash, 4" that I liked so well. Bob

 

[Camster]

IL aside, most people seem to think that S&W let the tolerances slip a bit. A revolver leaving the loading dock today with a BTCG of .010 seems to be perfectly fine. The older guns were generally held to a tolerance closer to .004-.006. I believe .006 use to be the point at which service was required. From what I read and hear, that would be considered a tight gun by today's standards. I wouldn't know...I don't own anything but older pre-locks.

Old or new,Smiths remind me of the numerous Fords that I've owned.I like the design,I like the availability of parts and service,but quite a few get shipped that have build quality problems.