Sell Off Mdl 686 "As is", or "As original"?

[Old No7]

Truth be told, I've really enjoyed the 6" 686 I got a few years ago when I moved away from Ruger's back to S&W's, but at the time I got it, I had really wanted a nice 4" Mdl 66 but couldn't find one.

I know the 6" 686 L-frame is a better range gun, but the 4" 66 K-frame is much handier and better for carrying. If you ever watch "North Woods Law" on cable and see all the meth labs and pot-growing activities we have in southern Maine, maybe you'll understand why I'd now prefer to be carrying the 4" Mdl 66 -- instead of the smaller Mdl 63 that I usually carry in the woods while hunting.

So I will sell off my larger/heavier Mdl 686 to fund the Mdl 66 that I found for a nice price.

But the question is, do I sell the 686 "as is" -- with all the accessories I've added -- or put it back to "as stock" condition, and sell off the parts on their own?

The upgrades made to the 686 include:
* Bowen Rough Country "Shallow Vee" rear sight added
* Gold bead added to front sight (and I have the original)
* Target hammer installed
* Target trigger installed
* Rosewood finger-groove Altamont grips added

My 686 was smoothed up and all setup to shoot plates at the local club, but about the same time my bride and I got really interested in salmon fishing on our boat, so that became a higher priority for us and I never did get into the plates game. And now, with the Mdl 66 joining the stable, the bigger 686 has to go...

I'd be curious what you all think about the best way to sell off the 686 and the accessories -- what would you do?

For those interested, here's what the sight picture is like with the Bowen Vee sight & McGivern-style gold bead -- it is very fast to acquire and accurate too, at least for me. (This pix is from my 617, but the 686 was setup the same way.)

Tight groups.

Old No7

 

[Laketime]

I would say put it back to original then sell the parts

 

[murphydog]

It depends on how much you want for it - you can always price it with the custom parts first, then if it doesn't sell put the originals back. It's unlikely you will recoup the cost of the modifications by selling the gun with them, in my observations. Good luck in your decision.

 

[one eye joe]

I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO RETURN IT TO FACTORY STOCK, INCLUDING THE GRIPS, IF YOU HAVE THEM. YOU WILL NOT REALIZE THE COST OF YOUR "UPGRADES" IF YOU SELL THE REVOLVER "AS IS". IN ADDITION, FEWER PEOPLE WILL BE INTERESTED IN IT, WITH YOUR SIGHT SET UP. SELL YOUR CUSTOM PARTS SEPARATELY, TO MAXIMIZE YOUR MONETARY RETURN. IMHO, YOUR STOCK REVOLVER WILL SELL BEFORE YOUR CUSTOM PARTS DO…..

 

[Mark6005]

Keep it you'll find a way to acquire the 66 and you'll you'll always be glad you kept the 686 with all the important to you additions

 

[bigsteve113]

Put it back original. Most, if not all of your upgrades could be used on your 66 when you find one. BTW, I carry a 4" 66-2 in the outdoors, have been for the past 32 years. Awesome carrying and shooting gun. You'll love the 66 ! Of course a 4" 686 ain't much harder to carry, but you'll notice the difference between a 66 and a 686 after toting it for a few hours.

 

[ankona]

I like the sight picture. My advice would be to keep it. Every time I sell a revolver I regret it later.

 

[Camster]

I'll go with the other opinion,which could be simpler..
Try for a premium price,as it sits.
True,you won't realize the value of the added parts,but neither will you realize the value if you try to sell them later.You'd either be offering as discounted package on them,or selling bits and pieces,where you might be left with some items,like the sights,but you'd have a market for the OEM parts too.

You can always go to option B if this plan doesn't work.

 

[Pef]

Modifications are personal, and thus your buyers market is reduced. I'd put it back to stock.

 

[loeman]

I'd try to sell it "as is". But I would also make it very clear that you have absolutely everything the gun came with when new to go back to OEM stock. If you have the original box and papers I think you could offer quite a nice package for someone.

 

[ken158]

Customizing guns is like customizing cars - you will never get back what you spent and used accessories have little value.

 

[fat tom]

Restore it to stock. Put the parts back on your new 66,assuming of course that you like the 686 "as is".
f.t.

 

[Green Frog]

Restore it to stock. Put the parts back on your new 66,assuming of course that you like the 686 "as is".
f.t.

This was going to be my suggestion. The sights and grips will almost surely fit the 66, and if the 66 already has TT & TH (likely) there is always a market for these parts, probably for close to what you paid for them. JMHO, YMMV

Froggie

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I'm with the "put it back to original" group. Many of your parts would sell here or on eBay quickly and for good money. A single S&W trigger or hammer will routinely sell for $40+. Front and rear sights sell well, even if they are aftermarket. Wood grips sell well, good pictures help. Buyers know Altamont is a premium brand. I think you'd come out ahead if you "parted it out".

 

[Brasky]

You will more than likely get the same amount selling it with or without the accessories. If you return it to original and then sell the parts on here or ebay you will fetch a lot more money

 

[R*E]

I like the sight picture. My advice would be to keep it. Every time I sell a revolver I regret it later.

Yep. This is how I see it.