Couldn't help myself--cheap LNIB 686+

[olivehead1]

Well, maybe not "cheap" but inexpensive enough that I broke my "one in, one out" rule. I went by the Cabela's Gun Library yesterday as I'd seen a used 686 Plus on their website listings for $699. I wasn't super interested since I got a 3" Plus a little while back, but figured I'd give it a look. When I got there it was marked "on sale" at $599. Looked like it maybe hadn't been fired outside the factory and I couldn't find a mark on it.

Bottom line, by the time I left with it, the price was $536.99 plus tax and minus a $20 coupon and $22 on a gift card I had from a previous return. OTD $546.11. I figured worse case scenario, I could sell it off pretty easily for what I paid for it. Anyway, not a big fan of the OEM round to square conversion grips so I'll be exploring options.

 

[SC_Mike]

Very nice score. Should be a solid shooter.

My only experience with the 686 is the one I own and since you mentioned 686 Plus in 3" here's mine.

 

[The Norseman]

S&W Model 686

Excellent purchase on an excellent S&W Revolver.
I would have done the same if I had been in that
situation.

Thank you for sharing your Short Story and the
picture.

I believe once you Range Test that Revolver you
will have no regrets. I enjoy my circa 1990's S&W
686-1 6" 357Mag.

With the low number of S&W revolvers being produce
in relation to those "Plastic Guns" who cares about
the "lock". I have several S&W Locks now and have
had no problems. It's the next phase of S&W collecting.

Great Revolver!

 

[gnystrom]

Really nice find. People complain about Cabela's pricing but I too, have found deals in their stores.

 

[Sal1950]

Well, maybe not "cheap" but inexpensive enough that I broke my "one in, one out" rule.

That's a beauty, congrats on a awesome weapon at a good price.

 

[olivehead1]

Really nice find. People complain about Cabela's pricing but I too, have found deals in their stores.

Cabela's prices on new stuff is generally "too high," relative to Academy (which has a much smaller selection) and a number of LGS that I can think of, one in particular. If you're a big box and you're priced higher than that guy on a lot of stuff, then your prices really are "too high." But I have found a number of good deals over the years at the Gun Library, in part I think because of the relationships I've built with the crew there. The guy who gave me the price on the 686+ is an older gentleman who's been there for years and we give each other grief every time we see each other. I don't know that the next guy through the door would have received the same discount on top of the sale price that I did. On the other hand, it does make me wonder what they had in the gun and their margins. Maybe they picked it up for about $400 (half their retail price) from some guy who just wanted to sell it, and making about 25% profit was acceptable at that moment. Anyway, I was more than satisfied with the deal.

 

[Florida Guy]

Probably none of us would have walked out of the store without it
at that price.

 

[alfsauve]

Probably none of us would have walked out of the store without it
at that price.

What he said.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Funniest thing. I had a 2.5" M686+ forever and in 2012 I picked up a new 4" and when I bought a 3" from someone here on the Forum about 2 years ago some folks were asking me, what is the point of the half inch larger on the one hand and 1 inch shorter on the other hand - it didn't matter, it was too cool to not own!!! WELL DONE!!!!!

And I agree - I like the round butt better.

 

[rwsmith]

If you ask me...

If you ask me, you did darn good there and I sure would have picked it up. Especially considering that it's a 3", ot
s a plus, it's almost brand spanking new and it's priced like pre-Sandy Hook guns. I paid about that for a 6" a few weeks before Sandy Hook blew up.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congrats! Good score!

 

[Sal1950]

Funniest thing. I had a 2.5" M686+ forever and in 2012 I picked up a new 4" and when I bought a 3" from someone here on the Forum about 2 years ago some folks were asking me, what is the point of the half inch larger on the one hand and 1 inch shorter on the other hand - it didn't matter, it was too cool to not own!!! WELL DONE!!!!!

And I agree - I like the round butt better.

Love that 686-6 plus. They just look and handle so well balanced.

 

[olivehead1]

I did a bit of dry firing tonight with the LNIB 4" along with the 3" I picked up a couple months ago and one of my pre-lock 686s. I have to say that the LNIB 4" I just bought has the smoothest and lightest trigger of the three, markedly better than the 3" i bought NIB. Just luck of the draw from the factory I guess.