Model 17-1 or 686-3 or 14 - I need to pick one...

Messer

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OK - here is my dilemma... local gun shops have these three guns in stock right now...

A 6" model 17-1 - except for wrong grips, it's very minty - $750.00

A 4" model 686-3 - all correct - it has been shot, but in excellent condition - $400.00

A 6" model 14 (not sure of dash - pinned but not recessed), shows a bit of use, wrong grips, has had a "action job" - $330.00

So - I'm stuck trying to figure out what to buy. I'm leaning towards the 686 since I could use it in IDPA & ICORE matches at my club.

I already have a 6" 17-2 that isn't as nice, condition wise, but shoots great.

Before you say it - I can't buy all of them! :D

So - what would YOU choose & why?

Have a good weekend,
Bob S.
 
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Of the three, you already have a model 17, and the model 14 sounds well-used and not suited to your needs (BTW, these did not have the recessed chambers), so the 686.
 
686 is a great gun. own one and love to shoot it. this is not a carry gun mind you. don't know what you want this gun for, so can't really give you much feed back.
 
OK - called the one shop, and the 686 has been put away for me, I'll get it after work. (now I'll just stare at the clock all day!)

Getoff - it's main use will be ICORE & IDPA pistol matches, with it also being used as a training gun for basic NRA pistol classes.

Once upon a time I had both 6" & 2.5" 686's I used for PPC matches - sold them a while back to fund other toys. I've kinda been looking for either a nice clean 2.5", 3" or 4" 686 to add to my collection - it seems one found me. :D

I'll add pics when I get it.

Have a good weekend all,
Bob S.
 
Congratulations on the purchase as you will love it for sure. The only S&W revolvers with recessed chambers are those that shoot magnum rounds made before 1982 and 22LR.
 
OK - called the one shop, and the 686 has been put away for me, I'll get it after work. (now I'll just stare at the clock all day!)

Getoff - it's main use will be ICORE & IDPA pistol matches, with it also being used as a training gun for basic NRA pistol classes.

Once upon a time I had both 6" & 2.5" 686's I used for PPC matches - sold them a while back to fund other toys. I've kinda been looking for either a nice clean 2.5", 3" or 4" 686 to add to my collection - it seems one found me. :D

I'll add pics when I get it.
Have a good weekend all,
Bob S.

messer, glad to see you got the gun you wanted now please help me get in contact with the model 14-?.
 
Congratulations on the 686 as they are excellent revolvers and that was a good price on that one.
 
messer, glad to see you got the gun you wanted now please help me get in contact with the model 14-?.

Hey REP,

I'm sorry - but as I was waiting for the Virginia State Police to do their "Instant Background Check" on Friday so I could take home the 686, another fellow came in and bought the model 14. (it was a 14-3)

What was more funny to me was on Saturday when I went back to the shop to pick up the 686 (see how fast "instant" is?), the original owner was coming in to get it back - it seems he decided to keep it, but it was already gone - so he picked up a check instead.

Take care,
Bob S.
 
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Congratulations on the 686 as they are excellent revolvers and that was a good price on that one.

Thanks - I finally got to take it home on Saturday.

I'll have pics tomorrow - I left the camera home today. It's in great shape, I doubt it has more than a couple of hundred rounds through it - and it looks like it lived in a carry case, not a holster.

Date inside the grip is April 30 1991 - it takes me a moment to realize that's a 20 year old gun. :)

The shop was nice and let me have it, the carry case and one HKS speedloader for $400.00 out the door. I'm very happy with that.

Now to see how it shoots.

Take care,
Bob S.
 
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