Keep or Sell Brand New 1980s SW 357/686 "NO Dash" Revolver

[Toppscore]

Toppscore. Welcome. Being in California and having that roster.
Older handguns are Californis prices are higher than prices in other states.
This is collector interest an California off roster.
Consider keeping it. Regarding what to use now
Check for on roster handguns. Some examples.
The more cost effective on roster would be a gen 3 Glock.
If available. S&W has some revolvers in .38 or .357 mag.
If looking at new S&W revolver buy and inspect before
taking ownership. Just on case such as clocked barrel etc.
Older consignment sales may have some good choice.

Thank you. I've decided to keep it to sell or auction or just
let it appreciate in value (what ever that may be) ~ just not
use it thanks to the many comments within this forum thread.

Therefore, in the interim I'll get a revolver or semi-auto
for home protection and a shotgun as well. I've been studying
the CA legal gun market and the massively many many
guns and mfg options to decide purchasing an expensive home
protection gun at this time. So, i'll get a keeper gun another
time. Thanks again for your share. Cheers

 

[Toppscore]

Most of us have a good idea of the market... but California is a different market. I believe that you could sell for about a thousand, but you'd have to sell it like an enthusiast would sell it. If you just take it to a gun store, it would be a miracle if they gave you half that.

Above you said "it might be too much gun for me" or something similar... I can assure that it is NOT too much gun. .357's are fantastic in that way as they can digest .38 Special ammo which runs at literally half the pressure. And the larger and heavier the gun, the easier it is to shoot assuming you can hold it at arm's length, which anyone except the injured/elderly can certainly do.

If you also consider that the PRESENCE of a firearm is quite often enough to end a confrontation... the presence of a huge 8-3/8 full lug 686 may well introduce defecation on the part of the aggressor.

Hey, $evens. Thanks for the comments. Of course the big 357/686 eight incher is monster gun to be pointed at,
and may well keep it and use it. But, I've searched auction sites and online sold transactions and online comments leading to my extremely very inexperienced opinion that it is worth well over $2000+. Now, that is a guess I have to explore as NIB no-dash 8-3/8" appear to be rare and desirable. But, I've also read that the shorter guns have a bigger audience. Also, I know that many guns listed at high prices may be wishful thinkers.

Guessing it is a collector's gun or the type of gun some competition shooters might want . . . so, I'll just wait a while and get a temporary low priced .45acp gun and a low priced shot gun to protect my home.
Need to visit a FFL dealer, ASAP. Cheers

 

[pawngal]

Here is a fun response . . . . during the past week of online investigation with no gun experience, I've kept notes of desirable self-defense guns to investigate for purchase:

1) FN Five-Seven FDE, 5.7x28 ammo, 10 rounds, 4.8" Barrel, CA legal
2) Sig Sauer P220, 45acp, 10+1 rounds, 4.4" barrel, CA legal
3) Heckler and Koch HK45, 45acp, 10 rounds, 4.4" barrel, CA legal???
4) Springfield Armory Range Officer 1911, 45acp, 7 rounds, 5" barrel, CA legal
5) Beretta 92fs, 9mm 9x19mm, 10 rounds, 4.9" barrel, CA legal
6) Colt Government 38 Super Automatic Rock Island 1911, 9 rounds, 5" barrel, CA legal
7) Smith & Wesson 1911, question: are there any S&W 1911 pistols that are CA legal???

I understand the CA gun laws change January 1st 2021.
Hope to buy before then. Cheers

The FN Five Seven is not a home defense gun, is an expensive range toy.

 

[Toppscore]

The FN Five Seven is not a home defense gun, is an expensive range toy.

Yes. Thank you. I've modified my search for
revolvers and semiautomatics that chamber
380acp, 9mm and/or 357magnum.

The FN is a cool looking gun, but over my ability at this time.
Cheers

 

[Hiram Jr]

I guess I want to ask, you bought it new, had it all these years, and never opened the box?

My thought exactly!

 

[Toppscore]

My thought exactly!

Hi, Hiram. On August 3rd I originally replied:
"Yes, of course I opened the box to check out
what weighed so much inside.
Now it appears to be good enough to keep NIB after reading
above comments. But, I want to see if it is worth selling
or auctioning or just keep it. I noticed used shorter barreled
"no dash" 686's being sold for $1200 to $2500.
And, I noticed many, many discussions and videos
that stated the 6-inch barrels are the longest made.
So, will see if selling vs shooting is best. Cheers"

8/15/2020 Update: still keeping the listed/posted357/686 NIB,
but today purchased a Springfield XD 9mm 4" 10+1 semiautomatic
for home defense. Still seeking a S&W 357 revolver.
Then I'd considering selling this posted 357/686. Toppscore