Is this an older 686?

[omega21]

I have an opportunity to trade for this 6" 686 in what I believe is a fair trade. I'd be getting the revolver and trading an AR upper. My question is that this is marked on the crane as a 686 (no dash, picture below) - does this mean it's one of the older 1980s models that people consider more desirable?
Many thanks!

 

[murphydog]

Yes, it's a mid-1980s 686 with all the older goodies. Parts for a whole gun sounds like a good trade

 

[FlyFish]

It's a bit hard to tell from the photo, but it doesn't appear to be a "no dash." I definitely see a dash following the model number and what appears to be a "3" after that, which would be consistent with the BEV serial number prefix and a production date of late 1989, possibly early 1990. "No dash" SN prefix should definitely start with an "A".

 

[revolver686]

Looks like a -3 to me. That would be a very good trade, indeed.

 

[rwsmith]

The earliest...

The earliest 686s are great guns with a problem in some that justified a factory recall which involved primers extruding around the firing pin with hot loads and locking the cylinder up. S&W still does this recall free. I have a 686 no dash and have never had any trouble with it and never bothered with the recall. If the gun you are looking at is a 686-3 that is a very nice gun indeed. I wouldn't trade my 686 no dash for anything but I might consider a 686-3.

PS Many blamed soft (foreigh) primers for the problem. I just make sure that I stick to main brand Amercan made primers.

 

[halvenut]

Yes, it's a mid-1980s 686 with all the older goodies. Parts for a whole gun sounds like a good trade

I would have to agree with this post.

 

[imakmst]

I have a -3 4" and it's one of my tightest revolvers

shoot it and enjoy

 

[omega21]

OK, I spoke with seller and this is indeed a 686-3. He will send me high res, clear pics tonight. I am trading this for $650 worth of parts. Decent deal in your guys' opinion?

 

[jonesy814]

I recently bought a 4 inch 686 no dash for $600. It came with 44 rounds of 38spcl and 94 rounds of .357. It appeared to be shot very little. A couple of weeks ago a LGS had a -1 in nice shape for $550. Somewhere between $500 and $600 seems to be the going rate in my area.

 

[FlyFish]

I think as a trade for something(s) valued at $650 it's a good deal - not a steal, but a good deal. At $650 cash it would be a tad high IMHO, but I know 686s are being sold for that and more every day.

 

[omega21]

that's helpful. Thank you!

 

[Ranger514]

$650 isn't outrageous for that gun. I'd suggest the owner might pony up $50 or equivalent in ammo to seal the deal. It never hurts to dicker, but if he balked I wouldn't consider it to be a deal breaker. I paid $579 for a -4 686+ a couple of months ago, and felt like I had made a great deal. I expected to have had to pay more, but got lucky.

 

[Zeetwentyeight]

I just bought a beautiful 686-3 on gunbroker for $650. I thought that I got a pretty good deal. It is in near immaculate shape. I love it!!