What's a good price to pay for a S&W 686?

[Sludog 0]

I know this is a pretty vague question because there are so many different variations of this model and prices have gone up he last few months. For example. I saw a 2 1/2 inch barrel 686 7 round (P series?) for $850 in a local shop. Is that a fair price?

I saw a 4 inch barrel 686 sell for $960 in another shop. Does the length of the barrel jack up the prices that much?

Anyone know what used model 686's are going for?

[alec.mc 180]

Well, prices have gone up on everything recently , but search gun broker or the smith and wesson forums, I'll routinely see 686s pop up around the 650 mark.

 

Look for a nice pre lock if you have the option .

[Maksim 1,504]

If you are open to used.... which you should be... you can find them... $650 is a good range for them.

[Sludog 0]

Well, prices have gone up on everything recently , but search gun broker or the smith and wesson forums, I'll routinely see 686s pop up around the 650 mark.

 

Look for a nice pre lock if you have the option .

 

New to revolvers. Please explain pre lock. Is this a safety?

If you are open to used.... which you should be... you can find them... $650 is a good range for them.

Definitely open to used but have yet to see one in a shop. If I went used I would rather see the gun up close then use Gunbroker. 

[alec.mc 180]

Sludog, Prelocks are " older " models. Most would argue they are of better quality, due to forged internal parts, better tooling and quality control, and a hammer mounted firing pin, and no lawyer dictated safties. They are called pre-lock because nowadays smith and wesson revolvers come with a " key " that will lock the hammer and not allow it to shoot, it's a stupid, useless thing.

 

Here is an example of the S&W lock

 

 

Personally, I remove all the *extra* internal safties from my revolvers. They have been known to randomly engage and lock up the revolver when you dont intend it too. Simplicity is what makes a revolver so cool, They can easily be removed, but just throwing that out there.

 

If you must buy a revolver @ a gunshop you are going to pay ALOT more... i've bought most mine off gunbroker sight unseen. S&W revolvers are tanks and will last forever, Assuming the revolver is stock, it'll be not much different from a equivilent one in a store.

 

Personally, for a 686 I wouldnt pay more then 700$ for one.. and it'd have to be REALLY pristine, 650 is about going rate, there are litterally bazillon 686 revolvers out there. If youre budget is closer to 1000 $ dont hesitate to check out the 8 shot revolvers ( model 627 )

[Sludog 0]

Thanks for the explanation. Very informative.  Your right that lock seems useless. 

 

$600 is my comfort zone. The new ones in the shop seemed pricey but maybe that is the going rate for a new 686. 

 

Once my current NICS comes in (day 13 today) I will be searching for my next gun. I have two permits left and one for sure will be used on a revolver. 

[alec.mc 180]

Thanks for the explanation. Very informative.  Your right that lock seems useless. 

 

$600 is my comfort zone. The new ones in the shop seemed pricey but maybe that is the going rate for a new 686. 

 

One my current NICS comes in (day 13 today) I will be searching for my next gun. I have two permits left and one for sure will be used on a revolver. 

 

 

Join the smith and wesson forums, @ www.smith-wessonforum.com . Put up a *want to buy* in the classfieds, or just keep an eye on the for sale section. there was a nice 6" that just sold for 650 bucks shipped. The deals are out there, just keep your eyes peeled. Good luck

[Socom 19]

Well, prices have gone up on everything recently , but search gun broker or the smith and wesson forums, I'll routinely see 686s pop up around the 650 mark.

 

 

Look for a nice pre lock if you have the option .

Since when lol? Maybe starting bids

[alec.mc 180]

Since when lol? Maybe starting bids

Deals are there, keep eye on auctions. I've had some of my best deals on GB

[Howard 538]

I bought a new 686+ 4" a month ago for $729 which is not a bad price from what I have seen.  Its hard to find these guns.  I know someone that "bought" one for about $75 less a month before I got mine, but he has yet to see it.  Its easy to get a good price from a dealer that does not actually have one to sell   Bottom line is if you want it now you are going to pay a premium, law of supply and demand.