I bought my first S&W revolver today....how did I do?

[stickman428]

I did some shooting today at a local range/gunshop and before heading home I decided to see if they had gotten anything new recently. I was looking for a used 4 inch 686-4 or -5 seven shot without the dern lock.

When I asked the guy if they had any S&W 686 revolvers he said they actually had just gotten a used one in earlier that day. The gun was not even logged into their system yet. It was a basically new in box 4 inch 686-6 seven shot that according to the date the test rounds were collected is only a few months old.

They had a new 686 six shot for just over $700 and wanted $540 for the used 686-6. While I could probably search around and find a better price the 686-6 was in EXCELLENT condition and aside from the lock had every single feature I was looking for.

I did something I did not think I would ever do and bought the used 686-6 even though it had an internal lock. I cant wait to get some range time in with it!

*edit to add* The gunshop I bought it from will warranty the pistol for one year. Because I am not the original owner if I have any problems later on down the road will S&W warranty the pistol?

 

[stickman428]

I did some shooting today at a local range/gunshop and before heading home I decided to see if they had gotten anything new recently. I was looking for a used 4 inch 686-4 or -5 seven shot without the dern lock.

When I asked the guy if they had any S&W 686 revolvers he said they actually had just gotten a used one in earlier that day. The gun was not even logged into their system yet. It was a basically new in box 4 inch 686-6 seven shot that according to the date the test rounds were collected is only a few months old.

They had a new 686 six shot for just over $700 and wanted $540 for the used 686-6. While I could probably search around and find a better price the 686-6 was in EXCELLENT condition and aside from the lock had every single feature I was looking for.

I did something I did not think I would ever do and bought the used 686-6 even though it had an internal lock. I cant wait to get some range time in with it!

*edit to add* The gunshop I bought it from will warranty the pistol for one year. Because I am not the original owner if I have any problems later on down the road will S&W warranty the pistol?

 

[Duke426]

Yes, your revolver falls under the S&W lifetime warranty. I think you did well on the price. Congratulations and safe shooting!!

 

[stickman428]

I have read that some people have removed the internal lock on their revolvers. What are the pros and cons of doing this to my revolver? I believe it just leaves a hole in the frame, does anyone make a plug or anything to help with the asthetics?

I bought the S&W mostly for fun on the range and to take on camping trips but I may use it for home defense if the wife likes it more than my Sig 226.

 

[Redhawk1]

You did well, also it is a Smith..

 

[stevieboy]

I'm not going to get into the lock issue again. Suffice it to say that I have a 686-6 and the lock is still there, three years after I bought it. Mine is a 6-incher and it is a superb shooter, as accurate as a revolver can be, I think, and damn versatile, too. I fire everything in it from 148 gr. .38 special wadcutters -- which are virtually recoil free in that gun -- right up through 125 gr. .357s. It handles everything perfectly and although the POI tends to get lower with hotter rounds, everything will go through one hole if I hold up my end. Love the gun.

 

[bassoneer]

I recently purchased a used 686-6, 4", 7 round with internal lock from Gander. Got a good price (similar to yours) because they had sold me a bad EAA gun that jammed up after just a few rounds. I wanted to return the gun because it was obviously defective, but found out the hard way you have to sell them the gun back (at a $100 loss) and then buy a different one. Of course, the fees for the background check all happen again. It was turning out to be a very bad experience, but the 686 sort of made it all better. It is a great gun. I wish it had rolled stamping (the S&W logo) in the side instead of the laser etching...and I wish the lock were not there. However, it is a solid gun that shoots .38's like they were bb's. B

 

[Broker50]

S & W's lifetime warranty is for the original owner only! I recently called customer service about a model 67 that has issues & was told they would repair it, but would charge for the repair, since I am the second owner. If you read their warranty, it clearly states "original owner".

 

[stickman428]

posted by Broker50:

S & W's lifetime warranty is for the original owner only! I recently called customer service about a model 67 that has issues & was told they would repair it, but would charge for the repair, since I am the second owner. If you read their warranty, it clearly states "original owner".

Hmmmmm. I wonder if maybe I would have been better off just picking one up new and getting the lifetime warranty. The shooting range I frequent has a 686-6 just like mine and when I asked the range officer about the reliability and durability of the 686 he said their 686 has been a very good revolver. The only problem he mentioned was the ejector rod worked itself loose but locktight fixed that problem.

How does S&W know who the original owner is?

 

[Broker50]

How does S&W know who the original owner is?

In the case of my model 67, I told them I was the second owner, plus the original owner mailed in the warranty card!

 

[Wayne M]

Don't worry about it,Stick. The chances are about one in 10,000 you'll need a warranty anyway. Most stuff can be replaced by you IF you do need parts and for something to be sent to the factory you're almost going to need to abuse it intentially.

 

[Duke426]

I wouldn't worry about the warranty issue. As has been pointed out, the chances you will need it are probably not very high. In the event you do, S&W customer service is usually very customer friendly. I have sent two revolvers back to them and they took care of the issues and refused to accept payment from me! I was not the original owner on either gun. They never even asked anything about that when I contacted them for service. On one of them S&W even performed an action job that I requested (and told them up front I would pay for) and they refused my payment for it as well. They said it should never have left the factory that way.

 

[kwikrnu]

Originally posted by Broker50:
How does S&W know who the original owner is?

...plus the original owner mailed in the warranty card!

Never mail in a warranty card just keep the receipt. I don't think they know w/o it unless they find out to what warehouse dealer the gun was shipped and to what dealer they sold it to and have that dealer look at his records.