Good Value on a 686p??

L

Little Wolf

New member
Saw a local shop selling two 686ps (The 7 shot .357s). Tell me how good of a deal these are, and which, if any, I should go for.

First one.

4" Barrel, Pre lock model. Had the firingpin on the hammer (does that make a diff?) However, the finish was scuffed in spots, it was not as pretty as a new in the box gun. Finish was nice, but a little rough around the edges in some spots. Maybe 95%.

Gun also had the silver, non pinned, front sight.

Price: $450


Second Gun

4" Barrel, LOCK model!!!! Very nice finish, close to near new condition. Had the newer black pinned on front sight. Had the firingpin on the reciever, not the hammer.

Price: $425



Now, I was tempted to buy one of these two guns, however, I decided to wait, think it over. Your decisions will help impact my purchasing power. On one hand, I like the pre-lock model because, well, it doesn't have a lock! I don't want a lock that can malfunction and jam my gun up. However, I didn't like the fact that the gun was more money, and had a scuffed up finish.

I liked the lock version of the gun because it was in nice condition, and cheaper. However, I didn't like the lock, and consider it a possible safety hazard.

Which gun would you purchase if you were in my shoes? If I buy a gun that is a little scuffed up, is it possible to have the gun polished, or refinished, or something so that it looks like new again?

Any advice on what I should do would be appreciated, thank you.
 
You didn't say what kind of use either gun had. How is the lock-up, action, bore, etc. You certainly can pretty up an abused gun. I find SS easier to work with than blue, but I haven't had much experience with blued surfaces.

Here's a Service Six I bought for a song and fixed up. The circled area is all scratched and nicked up on both sides. And I got rid of the Ruger manual of arms at the same time. The grips were a mess and the gun itself was powered up pretty good.

I bought a dremel kit and some flitz. I then asked around for information and help on TFL in restoring the gun. I still have it...And, if I can do it, anyone can do it...

Before
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After
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PS: The cylinder was also scratched and nicked. Someone must have dropped this at least once...
 
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I recently bought a new 4" 686P (with lock) and didn't give the lock a second thought. I would take the cheaper, better condition, newer one.
 
I have half a dozen and have shot litterally hundreds of smiths with locks on them and never once have they posed a problem....

Stop being paranoid and buy the nicer gun already. :p
 
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