S&W 686 .... New or Used?

I'd sooner have a used S&W than a new Ruger or Taurus, but that's just me,and I know how to check them out.
If you can find one with an adjustable front sight, grab it.
 
You're more likely to find a used Smith or Ruger in good shape than a Taurus. Taurus' quality can be hit and miss. I had a 7 shot .357 of theirs brand new that would lock up every other shot. I had a 5 shot .38 special that worked fine, and a PT92AF (their version of the 92fs) that worked fine.
However, the only problems I've had with S&W was with a revolver I bought that is fairly old and beat up.
 
Again, i thank you all for your advise. Very helpful. I've found some good deals, but I'm still waiting on my darn purchase permit so I can't even bid on anything just yet. And you'd all still recommend a wheelgun as my first gun, yes?
 
...but I'm still waiting on my darn purchase permit so I can't even bid on anything just yet. And you'd all still recommend a wheelgun as my first gun, yes?
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Purchase permit? :confused: I'm a Kalifornian and it takes quite a few gun laws to make me wince, but purchase permit?

We not only recommend a wheelgun as your FIRST gun, we strongly recommend that wheelguns be your ONLY guns. :D
 
You may keep your eye open for a used Colt. I have a King Cobra .357 6 inch stainless, that I picked up for $300 . Great shooting gun. My dad owns a 686 with an aimpoint scope. He picked up the combo for $400. Depending on your gun shop, I have noticed some have a harder time selling revolvers.
 
I'd recommend a S&W and Ruger as a close second.
Will you notice the difference between a Ruger and a Smith? You'll notice a slightly better trigger on the S&W, and they feel a bit better balanced in hand (subjective of course), But other than that? probably not. If you want to shoot really hot loads (like Buffalo Bore) then you'd probably prefer the Ruger. If you don't have to shoot the hottest loads around, you won't notice a durability difference between the Gp-100 and the 686.

Will you notice a difference between the Ruger or S&W and the Taurus, IMHO, yes. Everyone, that's EVERYONE I know who's bought a Taurus has had to have it serviced.

Also, i don't know how prices are up there in Hell (purchase permits for crying out loud!), but here new Rugers are about the same price as new Tauri. used Tauri are considerably cheaper than used Rugers, and there's a reason.

As I've said in other posts, I've never shot a Colt revolver, so i can't give a positive or negative feedback on them.
 
Yea fellas...purchase permits. Cost ya about two dollars and the officers/stations who are "good" about it will get you one in about 2 weeks. No CCW either...forget it. I've seen some nice used 686's and GP100's being auctioned, but I still can't make a bid cuz I don't have that darn permit yet. Woe is me. Thank you all for your help, though...the guys at the few gun shops near me are such elitist pricks that I make every effort to avoid even talking to them.
 
I have a 686 6" and 8" barrel. I paid $350 for each of them used. The 6" is a -4 w/ the 7 round cylinder. The 8" is just 686 (no dash anything) w/ a standard 6 round cylinder. Both are extremely accurate and have the smoothest action.
 
I have a 6" 686 that I bought new in the late 80's. It is a sweet handling revolver. Paid $275 for it then. I've come close to selling it a few times, but always chicken out! I honestly doubt I'll ever sell it - it is the first firearm I ever bought. But - if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy a 4" gun as I find them more versatile.

I have 3 Ruger revolvers: an old .22LR Single Six, a .44MAG Super Blackhawk & a .357MAG SP101 with a 2½" barrel. I bought all those guns used (at different times), & they are all good shooting guns.

I had a Taurus .38 Special snub nosed M85; sold it to fund another purchase but it was a nice shooting little revolver.

If it were me: I'd look for a good used 686; I'd choose a 4" but if you want a 6" go for it. My 2nd choice would be a clean Ruger GP100. I think a Taurus would be a good choice - but I'd only buy a new one, or 1 that I was certain was only a few years old. I think Taurus has made great progress in their manufacturing over the past few years - but it will take a few more years before the QC issues of the past fade away (like it did for S&W).

Oh - & that purchase permit thing. Man, I don't want to criticize anyone's home state, but you have to get out of NJ. Move up here to PA - if you have a driver's license & you're clean, you can decide to buy a gun when you wake up Saturday morning & have it in your home in as little time as it takes to drive to the gun shop, buy it, & get back home. We are also a "Shall Issue" state concerning CCW permits too - the way things should be for law abiding citizens.
 
Many wheelgunners group them into two groups: 1) Colt, Smith, and Ruger; 2) everything else. Simple.
 
Man don't even get me STARTED on my home state. I can't even tell you how bad I want out of here, but I just landed my first real job out of college and it's in NYC(I live 20 minutes outside of Manhattan), so it looks like I'll be here for at least another few years. And I called this afternoon about the purchase permit. Apparenly there is even MORE paperwork that I have to go fill out now. And once I file it, the firearms officer will find time one of these days to type up my info. And then two to three weeks later I should have my permit. Is this a joke or what? It's easier to get a damn gun illegally than legally around here.
 
Hey Dogfighter;
Try looking for a Dan Wesson. You can get the mod 15 or the 715, the 715 is stainless and with the interchangable barrel option you could have several guns in one.

Scott5
 
I just picked up yet ANOTHER questionairre from my local PD that I have to fill out for this permit. They have more questions on this thing than the Spanish Inquisition.

Have you ever been convicted of listening to Genesis without Phil Collins? If Yes, please explain.
 
Dogfighter, you must be near Newark- correct? I travel to that area a few times a year - we have a facility in East Rutherford - practically in the shadow of Giants Stadium.

When riding from the airport to the plant & looking out the windows, it always reminds me of the footage at the beginning of "The Sopranos"!
 
I'm actually closer to East Rutherford than Newark. I live right near Paramus. My mother works in Carlstadt and I travel past Giants Stadium quite often...and past the Bada Bing Club(Satin Dolls) on Rt. 17 also.
 
Buy a used 686 4". Ruger GP-100 4" would be a close second, and an excellent gun.

Pass on the Taurus unless you just want an economy gun.
 
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