Decided on a 686 4"

[5Wire]

Originally posted by notsobigal:
I decided to buy a 686 also. The dealer I usually buy from said $625 for a new 4 inch 6 shot. That's a pretty good price isn't it?

Bud's Gun Shop (no relation) is selling 'em for $594, delivered.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

Would it be worth the extra hundred or so bucks to get a brand new one instead?

 

[5Wire]

Originally posted by Sparkyshooter:
Would it be worth the extra hundred or so bucks to get a brand new one instead?

If you can live with the lock, maybe. If you're patient and hold out for a -4, -5 you can rejoice at locklessness.

I have one -5 (Mountain Gun) without the lock and a -6 2-1/2 inc Bbl with the lock Both are 7 shooters and I'm happy with both of them.

New gets you the lifetime service policy for about the cost five boxes of ammo. Used, well checked before purchase, may get you the lifetime service de facto but not assured. Again, mine are one of each and both have been repaired by S&W at no cost to me, not even shipping.

 

[epj]

The anti-MIM, anti-lock folks will jump all over that with a huge "NO". I would submit that if you would feel better about the gun, the answer might be "yes". The new guns are well made, but have some new "goodies" the more traditional of us don't like. If it were in good shape, I'd probably prefer the old gun. That said, I recently bought a new 686+ for nearly $700 with tax. It was a birthday gift from my wife, and there were no used ones to be had at the time. The 2008 model is well built, and more accurate than the one I bought in the early 80's.

 

[5Wire]

MIM works just fine, as far I know. I don't even mind the lock, I've got three ILs: 686-6, 625-8, 617-6. They all work just fine, no problems and even the never, ever change their minds, anti lockers, will concede that primary use as a target gun makes the IL issue nearly moot. MIM is a matter of taste and doesn't effect shootability, IMO.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

1. Lifetime Service Policy

We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.

Well the prices I have available are 430 for the used 686-1, or 540 for the brand new one with guaranteed lifetime service. At 100 bucks difference its starting to look like I should cancel this one and get a brand new one.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

Or not.

when you're poor as crap, spending money is higher risk. and I stress out about it

 

[5Wire]

If the used one checks out well and has not been modified, I'd say it might "be the one". Owner pays for repairs and parts on modified guns unless S&W did the modifying. That seems to be the main S&W criterion at least in my experience. You won't be sorry with a new one, though, and the service is definitely gonna be there. That's the way I went on the 2-1/2 Bbl 686-6 I bought. $540 is great price on a 686 NIB.

 

[Sparkyshooter]

S&W has a "50 bucks off a new handgun" deal right now. The price with my range membership is 590 minus the 50 dollar return. 540 isn't bad. You guys have been a lot of help, I think with my limited budget the risk on an older, possibly recall-worthy gun is something for a more serious collector. I'm going to shell out the extra hundred bucks and get the new one.

I'm going to pick up a new one this afternoon instead.

 

[5Wire]

Good luck with your new 686. Pictures will be expected

 

[likestoshoot2]

I love to shoot my 686, only now I need to start reloading to keep it fed right.