686-3 What's it worth.

Brutus

New member
Just stopped at my local gun shop and they had a pre-lock 686-3. Six shot six inch. barrel. Used gun in probably 95% condition. Blue book of gun values places it at $615 in 100% condition. I knew his $755 price was out of line and walked away without thoroughly examining it. Prices very so much on Gun Broker I can't get a feel for a realistic going price. Thinking about making an offer tomorrow when I go to take some target practice. I'm thinking $625 would be a fair offer. What do you folks think?
 
Value to a 'collector' or to a 'shooter'?
Does this gun have all the original packaging, box, tools, paperwork?
Or is it offered as is just the revolver with original grip panels?
Six inch barreled guns are less desirable. If just the gun and replacement grip about $500, if LNIB maybe $700.
As always this is the opinion of some guy you met on the interweb.
 
As I have exactly that revolver, I always notice them when I'm at gun shows, and I definitely go to my fair share of gun shows.

I would say that here in the fall of 2013, the market for a 686 of that vintage is holding steady at it's all-time high. At a gun show, where the market is active and the prices are negotiated all day long and VERY few people pay (or expect to pay) what the tag might say, I think your idea of $625 is right in the proper place.

Over the last handful of years, I've seen prices on used pre-lock 686 revolvers run between $500 and $650 depending on condition, features and different dealers' idea of price.

The price you saw tagged at $755 "may" be a bit out of line, but I don't think it's all too far out of line, because I expect gun shops to have a higher tag on most firearms than we'll see at gun shows.

I think your $625 price is a fine offer but I wouldn't be surprised if the gun shop elects to hold it and grab a bit more for it. There are -MANY- who would only ever buy from a shop and never in a private sale or gun show, and they will pay a premium to do that. (and for most of them, they either don't know or simply don't care that they are paying a bit more)

If I were in your shoes, I'd be visiting a gun show, or a series of them. You are also less likely to pay sales tax at a show.
 
Went back to the gun shop today for some target practice. Took a closer look at the 686-3 and found it to be( in my estimation) about 90%, a few small scratches, one spot of minor pitting under the barrel lug and a misaligned hammer that was causing some rub marks on the inside of the frame. Made an offer of $600. and became an immediate irritation, the nerve of me to make such an offer in front of other customers. At any rate I thanked him for his time and took a pass when I was told he wouldn't think of less than $700, Which would have amounted to just south $800 after taxes. Another thing about the gun that I wasn't crazy about was the fact in had no transfer bar safety. Thought all Smith's had one by the time stainless came out. Since I now need to continue my search, what dash model has the transfer bar? I stand corrected there is no transfer bar safety on a Smith what I meant to say was " Hammer block safety"
 
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Don't blame you for walking away. You can most likely have a new one (even if it is with a lock) for not too much higher than the seller's asking price.

In the art of negotiation, it never pays to act other than with courtesy by either the seller or the buyer. He not only lost the instant sell, he may of also lost a future customer with his attitude.

I know it is not the same, but there is a decent Dan Wesson 15V on GunBroker with a starting bid of $249.00. I bet it would be a wonderful shooter though not in collector condition. I am not associated with the seller, but I have bought a number of firearms from there to include a nice 686-1 with 4" barrel two years ago for less than $450.00.

Good luck in your quest. :)
 
I have owned a 6" 686-3 since 1991. If it had not been fired, it likely could easily be classed as mint. There is not a mark or scratch on it. I have included a pic to back up this claim.

It is not for sale, but I'd be hard pressed to let it go for less than $750. By the same token, I'd be hard pressed to pay that much for a 90% gun. I think you made the right call in backing away from that one.

SW686-34.jpg
 
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