New revolvers at your LGS?

[Dave Lively]

I have been thinking about buying either a new 66 or 686 Plus with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. But I want to handle them first before deciding which one to buy. Or if I want to buy either. So for the first time in a few years I went to a couple of my favorite LGSs looking for revolvers but came up empty. Only S&W revolvers I saw were a couple of J frame snubbies.

Plenty of semi-autos on the shelves, S&W is even offering rebates again on the Shield Plus so I thought the pandemic gun shortage was over.

Is it like this where you live?

 

[M29since14]

Yes, it is. I have to drive about 1.5 hours to look at new S&W revolvers, other than J-frames. I try to make the trip a couple times a year. Unfortunately this shop is not exactly the friendliest. They are, you might say, "all business." That's ok, I guess… I am just grateful they have stuff to evaluate.

I too am looking at the new production 19s and 66s. (And of course anything else from S&W that they happen to have. ) It's about time to make a spring driving trip that way.

 

[pantannojack]

Kinda makes shopping fast and easy , when I don't even notice the semi auto junk. "...silly rabbit, Trix are for kids."

 

[sandog]

Not too many revolvers in stock around here, but a few.

I've had a couple 686's now and found that they are great as a range gun.
But at 64, I don't want to be packing a long barrel with full lug.

In the past, guys would tell you that if you want to shoot many full magnum loads, get the beefier 686 instead of the 66.
But the 66-8 with updated crane lock up did away with the flat spot on the bottom of the breech.

I hope you get to fondle the ones you want, OP. I'm sure enjoying mine.

 

[H Richard]

Our LGS has two large, about 6'x10' handgun displays, crammed full. Only about 1/4 of one section has the revolvers, all brands.

 

[Breakaway500]

I mostly see new Ruger revolvers for sale in my area with a sprinkling of S&W J frames. LOTS of autoloaders. They stock what sells is what I'm told.
After fondling a Sig 320 Legion a few weeks ago (while picking up a pre-lock 625 they had taken in on trade..) I asked if they would order in a 320 Scorpion. It wasn't in the display case for 15 minuted before they sold it for $300 more than I was going to pay. They did call me, and I said "sell it". No hurry on my part. Crazy times..

 

[Dave Lively]

I mostly see new Ruger revolvers for sale in my area with a sprinkling of S&W J frames. LOTS of autoloaders. They stock what sells is what I'm told.

I have no doubt a typical LGS sells at least a 100 9mm semiautos for every K or L frame 357 revolver. But the revolvers are twice as expensive and probably have a higher profit margin. You would think it would be in both S&W and the LGS best interest to stock a couple of revolvers. Having a few revolvers on display wouldn't hurt their sales of semiautos in any way and could bring in customers that have all the semiautos they want.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I have been thinking about buying either a new 66 or 686 Plus with a 3 or 4 inch barrel.

Is it like this where you live?

The first handgun I wanted to buy was a 3" 686+. Couldn't be found at our local Cabela's, Academy, Palmetto State Armory, several smaller private outlets, or the major internet stores. Then, all at once, after more than a year of looking, they all had the 3" in stock simultaneously.
I bought mine the moment I saw it in stock. Everyone sold out relatively quickly, and then they were unseen anywhere again for a long time.
My guess is that it's production run is short, and not done often, so be patient and act fast.

One option that's worked well for me is the owner of my LGS will order anything I'm interested in, with no obligation to purchase. He'll just put anything I don't want on his store shelf. I haven't abused the option, and have bought what he ordered for me, but it's nice just in case.

Good luck.

 

[ladder13]

I see em'…they aren't moving.

 

[COFFEEMUG]

all the LGS around her are all tacticool garbage.

I shop now at a little store in Alabama, but Ya gotta watch
for their daily video drops to see what on sale.

 

[diyj98]

About the only new S&W revolvers I see are j frames. But I'm sure they sell much more j frames than they ever would the larger revolvers.

 

[StakeOut]

If you read these forums and the posts by members that bought new production S&W revolvers and had to send them back to S&W because they left the factory in not working order why would you even consider one.
Pay the premium and get a 1995 production or earlier.
my $0.02
YMMV

 

[Wee Hooker]

Actually, there seems to be a decent inventory of full sized revolvers in my local shops. 686+ in particular seem to be plentiful. ( I've handled a 3" 5" and 7" 3-5-7 series this past week along with a few pro series in 4 and 5")

 

[Mustang51]

If you read these forums and the posts by members that bought new production S&W revolvers and had to send them back to S&W because they left the factory in not working order why would you even consider one.
my $0.02
YMMV

Guess my mileage varies. Why? Because I inspected the 629-6 and 686+ I recently purchased, and found no obvious flaws. I've got a safe full of beautiful older guns. Now I've got two new ones, plus a new Python, King Cobra and Redhawk. All of them are unique, and so far, shoot well. I don't like the lock, and my everyday carry guns are a 1966 Model 38, and a 15 year old Colt Defender. But…I've enjoyed buying new guns since the 70s, and still do.

 

[ZGrand]

I haven't seen a new Smith or Colt revolver at any of the LGS around for over 2 years. The only revolvers I've seen have been Taurus or Heritage.

 

[Kid Shileen]

I'm gravitating back to revolvers. My last three purchases were a 686-6; 625-6; and a 610. Expect to pay up. The 686 and the 610 were $800-$970 respectively. The 625 was $1100. Very happy with all three

 

[Dave Lively]

If you read these forums and the posts by members that bought new production S&W revolvers and had to send them back to S&W because they left the factory in not working order why would you even consider one.
Pay the premium and get a 1995 production or earlier.
my $0.02
YMMV

My mileage certainly does vary.

I have a 69 I bought in 2015 and a 617 I bought in 2020 that I like every bit as much as older S&W revolvers I have owned. While I read a lot of accounts here about problems in real life most people I know are quite happy with their new S&Ws.

I did send my 69 back because I ran out of elevation adjustment with heavy bullets and S&W corrected that without any hassles. While it was there they also recrowned the muzzle because I didn't like the way it looked even though it shot fine and there was functionally nothing wrong with it. The 617 has been great. Much better than the Ruger GP-100 in 22 LR I tried and quickly sold a few years ago.

Older revolvers have issues too. In particular the older K frame 357s like the 66 I am considering earned a reputation for shooting loose while the latest version of the 66 has not. Older isn't always better.

I understand why people in general prefer older S&W revolvers but for me they are not worth the premium. And I have zero interest in running all over the internet trying to find the older revolver I want. I like buying guns but hate searching for them. Worst case with a new one I might have to send it back. Which is typically much less hassle than trying to find a scarce used one.

 

[Lowa]

I have no doubt a typical LGS sells at least a 100 9mm semiautos for every K or L frame 357 revolver. But the revolvers are twice as expensive and probably have a higher profit margin. You would think it would be in both S&W and the LGS best interest to stock a couple of revolvers. Having a few revolvers on display wouldn't hurt their sales of semiautos in any way and could bring in customers that have all the semiautos they want.

Nah, it's all about price. They move heavy amounts of cheap taurus and charter revolvers. New buyers don't see the value in superior guns because they don't know what the value is. Besides, if it costs $200 for the rock island, it will stop a home intruder as well as a $3k korth or manhurin.

A 3" 66-8 or 686 aren't greatly different aside from size. I LOVE my 3" taurus 692. No better gun for $550. Still the taurus 692 and other trackers being the same size and shape of the 686, you can DEFINITELY tell where the extra $300 comes into play

 

[Harry Callihan]

I was in a local store the other day which is somewhat bigger in our area and has 4 stores. They had 9 Colt Anacondas in stock at $1,599.00 a piece. I looked at one and put it back. I figured if I was going to spend that kind of dough I am going to spend it on an older Colt or Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum. The store had a new model 60 S&W PC Pro Series 357/38 with 4 inch barrel. This was the only one in stock at the store and much cheaper. I opted for that instead.

This tells me that Colt is just cranking these guns out now and flooding the market with them.

 

[Vtgw938]

I just handled a 10 MM the other day. Brand new 4 inch as I recall, don't even know what model that would be. I don't handle many new ones. It was nice, and a very good action. Another shop across the river from the first usually has a few new ones but I'm only looking for old. Would be glad to check on my next stop this week if you are willing to buy long distance.