Decided on a 686 4"

S

Sparkyshooter

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
81
Reaction score
0
Location
MD
Went to a gun show today and found a nice little 686-1 4" for just 400 dollars used. Pre-lock. Should stand up to whatever target shooting drills I'm going to be putting it through.

I hope I made a good decision buying a used Smith. I usually buy things new. I'm interested in others' experiences with this gun used.

Now I gotta wait my ten days and then drive out 2 hours to pick it up. BUT I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG!!!
 
Register to hide this ad
Went to a gun show today and found a nice little 686-1 4" for just 400 dollars used. Pre-lock. Should stand up to whatever target shooting drills I'm going to be putting it through.

I hope I made a good decision buying a used Smith. I usually buy things new. I'm interested in others' experiences with this gun used.

Now I gotta wait my ten days and then drive out 2 hours to pick it up. BUT I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG!!!
 
Serial number AUW0894.

Can anyone help me look this puppy up for the manufacture date?
 
Wow, 20 years old? What are some tell-tale signs of badnews wear and tear to look for before I finalize the deal?
 
My limited use of 686s indicate they are quite robust. My own 686-4 has been through hell and went back for a second helping with no ill effect. The original owner neglected to clean it but did apply copious amounts of gun oil such that it leaked like an AMF Harley. Got it cleaned up, degunked, devarnished and lubed properly. It functions perfectly and looks amazingly 'like new'.

I love mine.
 
This one hasn't been fired for four years but spent a decade or so in competitive target shoots. It's def seen a lot of action, probably ten thousand rounds or more.
 
m657 - any way to get some of the scratches off the surface or at least cover them up a little bit?
 
Originally posted by Sparkyshooter:
m657 - any way to get some of the scratches off the surface or at least cover them up a little bit?
Click to expand...
You can polish stainless steel like chrome if you want to work at it long enough. We all do that when we first get them... and then don't ever do it again.
 
I just rubbed mine down a bit with some knife polish....I think it was called 'simichrome' or some such. It really didn't need much. And I didn't want a Disco style shine, just a little clean up.

I prefer the grooved Hogue style grip for it also, unlike many other forum members.

I took it to the range and shot all one afternoon side by side with my 4" Python. They used the same speed loaders IIRC. And they were amazingly near-DNA twins. I *DID* manage to shoot my Python just a tad tighter groups, but that 686 STILL has an amazing trigger!

For a gun that even now doesn't retail for even 1/4 of a clean Python....it's eerie how close to the each the other handing remains!
 
Some people say they use scotchbrite pads but I'd think those would be too abrasive...?
 
Sparky.... I need to tell you that the 586's, and 686's no dash, and 1 dash both have a recall. Something about a bushing. If the serial number in the yoke area has an "M" it has been sent back to the factory.No "M", no fix. You can check with S&W, the recall is still in affect.
 
My two 686s are my pride and joy. I love everything about them but, most of all, I love their accuracy. At 10 yards both of them will give me one big hole. I have no doubt they'd do the same thing at 25 yards if I were only up to the task!
 
The 686 is a nice one!

4inch686002nz3.jpg


My new to me 686-3 with Spegels.
 
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?
 
notsobigal - That's a good price new, for around here anyway. Around here they go for about 800 new, 600 invoice price.

Considering that this thing's seen a lot of competition, I'm going to guess that it either has already been recalled or maybe doesn't even need it. I'll contact the dealer tomorrow and ask if it has the recall stamp on it.

This thing has a really cool iron sight on it. No orange dot (I know its useful but still). It is really classy looking.
 
I bought a 686-3 4 inch; I love it. Cylinder wear, lock-up and cleanliness are the main factors of a used gun. Great winter carry gun.
 
I have a 686-4 and you definitely made a good choice. For shooters, the L frame beats the pants off the K frame in my honest opinion.
 
Would it be worth the extra hundred or so bucks to get a brand new one instead?
 
Originally posted by Sparkyshooter:
Would it be worth the extra hundred or so bucks to get a brand new one instead?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Or not.

when you're poor as crap, spending money is higher risk. and I stress out about it
icon_smile.gif
 
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.
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Dump1567
The 1987 L-Frame Recall 586/686
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
H Richard
H Richard
JHW
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn Smith Wesson MODEL 686-4 PLUS Pre-Lock Pre-Mim 7-shot Snub Nose + a box
Replies
2
Views
2K
sabashimon
sabashimon
mgriffin
  • Locked
WTB Maple Birds Eye /Curly Maple Grips K/L Frame
Replies
0
Views
259
mgriffin
mgriffin
G
4.25" 69 vs 4" 629 Mountain Gun
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
malph
M
JHW
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN Pre-Lock: 1998 686-5 7-Shot MOUNTAIN GUN LNIB,66-5 3.25 Hi Viz LNIB
Replies
1
Views
3K
JHW
JHW

Latest posts

Back
Top