Just found a Model 686-4, 7-shot 357 Magnum

[gkitch]

Bought this from a friend at a good price and looking forward to shooting it.

This -4 was an era where the Plus version was available but the hammer and trigger were still forged and the firing pin was still on the hammer itself. Of course, there is no lock.

Best I can tell this was made around 1997 or so.

I could not find a similar one for sale so what are these going for these days? Yes, I KNOW the grips are wrong but my friend still has the original goodyears at the house and will bring them to me.

 

[Rubone]

I have a 5" Stocking Dealer Special 686-5+ no lock that I paid $700 for with 150 rounds of ammo.

 

[hkcavalier]

They're a weird one to price since the casual shooter doesn't care about the IL or forged parts, and they can head to the store and buy a new one.

The early 2.5" are worth quite a bit. 4" not as much but still desirable. I'd think you could easily get $900 if not more. I paid $750 for mine several years back, it came with the D&L fixed rear sight and I added the Ahrends.

 

[mchom]

Good score OP

I bought my 4” 686-4 Plus brand new in 97
I’m just glad I still have it

 

[CajunBass]

I just bought my first 686 a 4",-6 model a few weeks ago. It's got all the "bad" stuff, MIN, frame mounted firing pin, ugly rubber grips, and of course the dreaded lock, but then I'm one of those who doesn't really worry about those things. I paid right at $700 for it, no idea if that's high, low, or just right. It seemed reasonable enough to me at the time.

I took it to the range today (Sunday) and put 150 rounds through it, about 2/3, 38 Wadcutters, and 1/3 a low end 357, with 158 grain bullets. It was, as expected a very good shooter, with a really great DA trigger.

There was a seven shot one, I forget which dash, but it had a 3" barrel in the case at the same time. That one was tagged at $1200.00 IIRC.

 

[gnappi]

The snubby + is for sure my fave snub ever. I bob the hammer on all of my revolvers that I carry.

 

[oink]

Yes, I KNOW the grips are wrong but my friend still has the original goodyears at the house and will bring them to me.

I love the gun but hate the grips. I'd have to put wood square butt targets on it or square butt targe stags if possible. Of course your hand size is the final determiner.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I just bought my first 686 a 4",-6 model a few weeks ago. It's got all the "bad" stuff, MIN, frame mounted firing pin, ugly rubber grips, and of course the dreaded lock, but then I'm one of those who doesn't really worry about those things

… It was, as expected a very good shooter, with a really great DA trigger.

I was being nostalgic a few years ago and I bought a four inch. Great DA trigger and very accurate. I think much better than the 686s of the early 1980s.

The bad part being a seven shooter is that I want to reload after six shots. As a retired cop from the revolver age and on our PPC Team. It took a while to get comfortable with it.

 

[Mehutch]

The 686-4 4" barrel seven shooter (Pre-lock) is the 'Holy Grail' of 357 Mag handguns.
I don't have one but came close to it.

 

[1911-10MM]

Hello,
I paid 799 for a 6-shot, 4 inch, dash 4 in 2014.
Would really like to find one in a 7 shot.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I could not find a similar one for sale so what are these going for these days?

I dunno, if it was on a table at a Phoenix-area gunshow I would expect a price tag around $950 or more.

I have a 4" 7-shot 686-4. Paid $875 for it in Sep 2019. It had the Nelson Ford action job treatment with speed button, polished hammer & trigger, and included Kramer and Galco holsters.

 

[swagmeister]

The dash 4 686 models are supposedly some of the best in quality ever produced by S&W. Yours is a beauty. Thanks for showing.

 

[wproct]

That is a very nice revolver that you bought! As others have stated, the -4 series is the pinnacle of features and quality prior to the lock models. It will last you a lifetime and value will increase steadily. Enjoy!

 

[CH4]

Acquiring my 2.5” seven shooter at a show in 2017 was pure happenstance. Already owning a few pre lock 2.5” 686s, including a LH no dash, I was reluctant to buy another. After mulling it over for a few minutes, I decided for $650 I couldn’t leave it behind. I knew it was a 686-4, but I had no idea it was a 7 shooter until getting it home, cutting the wire tie and opening the cylinder.
BOOM! I had a 2.5” 686-4+, the holy grail of 686s. In all the excitement, I missed the subtle differences of the extra flute and and location of the stop notches.

Although a lowly six shooter, I just picked up another 2.5” 686-3.

 

[jack the toad]

Congrats to all those possessing the -4+, regardless of barrel length.
The 2.5 may be the grail but I'd prefer the 4", right behind a 3". Maybe someday???
ETA:
The -5 would also be nice...

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I have a 686-3 Silhouette , -4 Competitor which is a Lew Horton 7 shot Hunter and a -5+ . Just need a couple more to make a clean sweep , no dash to the -5 .

 

[gkitch]

NC Ordnace Ropers added

I bought these lovely checkered RB Ropers from NC Ordnance for right at $300. They are lovely but a bit thicker than I prefer.

Much improved over the previous grips.

 

[wheelyfun66]

They're a weird one to price since the casual shooter doesn't care about the IL or forged parts, and they can head to the store and buy a new one.

The early 2.5" are worth quite a bit. 4" not as much but still desirable. I'd think you could easily get $900 if not more. I paid $750 for mine several years back, it came with the D&L fixed rear sight and I added the Ahrends.

Are the D&L fixed rear sights regulated to match the POA of the factory rear sights?
I've always liked the fixed rear sight options for revolvers, but didn't know if the POA/POI would be good to go?