Opinions of value S&W 686-1

[Shootermcgavin]

Hey friends, thinking about parting ways with my beloved S&W 686-1 5" barrel in .357, rosewood grips. I believe it is a 1985, does not have the lock.

I am reluctantly thinking about selling it to add to my down payment on some land, so I would love to hear everyone's opinions on what it worth. It is excellent condition and mostly spent it's life in my safe.

What do you guys think it's worth?

 

[1075tech]

@Etruett might be able to help but my understanding is that the 5" was a limited run for a particular distributor. Not that many were made.

I'd probably ask opinions on the S&W forum. Do some research. Check completed auctions on GB.

Beautiful gun I'd love to have but I already know it's out of my budget.

The new 5" didn't come back again until the 686+ 7 shot

 

[Etruett]

Hey friends, thinking about parting ways with my beloved S&W 686-1 5" barrel in .357, rosewood grips. I believe it is a 1985, does not have the lock.

I am reluctantly thinking about selling it to add to my down payment on some land, so I would love to hear everyone's opinions on what it worth. It is excellent condition and mostly spent it's life in my safe.

What do you guys think it's worth?

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I think that @1075tech is spot on that it was part of a special run commissioned by a distributor like Lew Horton or Elliot Brothers.
The only 5” I’ve seen in the early M686 had non fluted cylinders and were made for Lew Horton and a short run (500) was produced for Bill Davis also with unfluted cylinders. My guess is this is a Lew Horton as well. Another option but unlikely is someone changed the unfluted cylinder to a fluted one. I would think the only increase in value over a 6” gun would be to someone that preferred 5” barrels. Personally I would pay a little more for a 5” than a 6’ but not as much as a 4”. Just because a small quantity was produced does not always demand a premium price. My guess is $750-800. A retail shop would probably put it on the shelf around $895 to leave some negotiating room. Maybe @cubrockhas run across the 5” model at one of his shows and could weigh in with his opinion.

 

[cubrock]

Measure the barrel from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle. I don’t mean to seem daft, but I want to make sure of the barrel length before commenting further.

 

[Amanda4461]

Looks to me like a very nice 686-1 that has the M denoting the modification performed to prevent primer flow back tieing up the gun. It also appears to be a standard 6” barrel, but that may be optics of the picture.
The ones I run across seem to sell in the $750 - $850 range. Higher if the box and paperwork/cleaning tools are included.
Looks like it has had minimal use. Recoil plate is clean, as is the whole gun. Most BST used guns trade hands looking like they were shot in a couple of steel challenge matches. I think I have received two spotless clean guns in all my trades. @JRV traded a spotlessly cleaned Colt Trooper to me, that looked like he spent hours cleaning it. This 686 is as clean as they come.👍

 

[1075tech]

The ones I run across seem to sell in the $750 - $850 range. Higher if the box and paperwork/cleaning tools are included.

Looking at the S&W forum, it does seem that some prices have come down from the stratosphere of the last 3 years.

Still high but not quite as much. My 686 no dash 6" is a great shooter. My son in law has a 5" 686+ 5" (no lock) that balances well

 

[Shootermcgavin]

Measure the barrel from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle. I don’t mean to seem daft, but I want to make sure of the barrel length before commenting further.

Maybe I'm wrong about the barrel length. When I measure from the front of the cylinder, it measures 5-7/8"



Originally I was measuring just the barrel...It measures 5-1/4"...

 

[cubrock]

It is a 6" barrel. The barrel extends back into the frame, nearly to the cylinder face.

 

[Got2hav1]

I think the 586/686 is one of Smith's best revolvers. I would prefer the 4" if I was buying. That seems to be a very clean example as such thinking 750-800 range. Very nice one.

 

[Shootermcgavin]

It is a 6" barrel. The barrel extends back into the frame, nearly to the cylinder face.

Thanks, I am admittedly not the most well versed on revolvers, so I appreciate the info.

Considering you guys are giving me estimates in the sub $1000 range, I think I will just keep it. Chances are, I'll never find another pre-lock 686 this clean.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Thanks, I am admittedly not the most well versed on revolvers, so I appreciate the info.

Considering you guys are giving me estimates in the sub $1000 range, I think I will just keep it. Chances are, I'll never find another pre-lock 686 this clean.

Thanks everyone!

As someone who was in the market for a 686 last year, and thankfully found one, I think that’s a very wise decision.

 

[cubrock]

Yeah, I’d keep it.

 

[9146gt]

I think that @1075tech is spot on that it was part of a special run commissioned by a distributor like Lew Horton or Elliot Brothers.
The only 5” I’ve seen in the early M686 had non fluted cylinders and were made for Lew Horton and a short run (500) was produced for Bill Davis also with unfluted cylinders. My guess is this is a Lew Horton as well. Another option but unlikely is someone changed the unfluted cylinder to a fluted one. I would think the only increase in value over a 6” gun would be to someone that preferred 5” barrels. Personally I would pay a little more for a 5” than a 6’ but not as much as a 4”. Just because a small quantity was produced does not always demand a premium price. My guess is $750-800. A retail shop would probably put it on the shelf around $895 to leave some negotiating room. Maybe @cubrockhas run across the 5” model at one of his shows and could weigh in with his opinion.

My Bill Davis 5" over run gun 686-3 Product Code #104254 shipped in 12/89
Tom