stumped beyond reason

JasonMcD

Inactive
Hi guys this will be my first post on this site, I look forward to see what comes ahead.

Ok, i have a straight trade no cash that can be in place all I need to do is say the word. The trade is my very early model S&W 686 no dash no ''M'' AAK4XXX 6'' barrel stainless steal with original wood grips excellent condition. No box or papers. For a Rugger Vaquero 45 Colt color case hardend frame. Possibly with 100 rounds of ammo, but no conversion reel to 45 acp. He said they no longer make this model and original asking price was 650. The main deal is I'm not sure if it is worth it, I know my 686 is only going to go up in price, and it was also my first handgun. I need some advice because I am, like I said, stumped beyond reason.
Should I make the trade or keep my S&W and just save for a F. LLI Pietta 1873?

Thank you in advance.
 
I regret most of the sales and trades I've made over the years.

There are lots of Rugers but only one "first handgun"
 
Yes I'll just wait. And since you said that all my trades and sales i have regretted at one point or another lol. I'll figure out some way to get my single action. I guess my next question would be Ruger or Pietta?
 
Really wish I had my first, a Beretta 70 in 380.:mad: Especially since your Smith is kinda outa print, sq butt, beautiful grips and a nicer finish than a new 686.
 
The 'case finish ' on the rugers was simply awful, it will not last over a long period of time. Ruger dropped the finish after only a short period of time.

If you want the ruger, save up and buy it. But, don't trade away one of the best double action 357 revolvers ever made...ever!
 
So the finish on the ruger is horrible, I'll probably save for the pietta. Cheaper anyways I do want the blued finish hope it can last.
 
mikejonestkd said:
The 'case finish ' on the rugers was simply awful, it will not last over a long period of time. Ruger dropped the finish after only a short period of time

This is my 1996 vintage Vaquero in .45 Colt. This "awful finish" that will not last long has looked this way for over eighteen years. Fired just under 3,000 rounds through the gun, cleaned with Hoppe's No.9 and oiled with my motor oil/machine oil mix. Has spent the last couple of years in my workshop as my companion.




"Awful finish" is in the eyes of the beholder, but short lived? I don't think so.


Shucks, I even bought another one, though this is used so I have no idea the use its seen. It is a New Vaquero, though:



Bob Wright
 
Last edited:
Hang on to the 686. Whatever's "special" about that Vacquero isn't NEARLY as special as that 686. And if a .45 ACP cylinder is something you want for a .45 Colt thumb-buster, they can be had, later.

You know that guy better than I do, but it SOUNDS like he saw you and thought you were an easy mark. I could have it wrong, of course.
 
I'll join the chorus and urge you to never get rid of your first handgun -- especially one as nice as an old 686.
 
I've had two 686's. Sold the first to a friend, because he liked it & it helped my finance my NIB 686 purchase. Had to sell the second one because of later financial needs & I ABSOLUELY REGRET HAVING TO SELL IT.
I'm not sure if the Vaquero is convertible like the Blackhawk but if you want both the 45LC & 45ACP, get the Blackhawk. If the Vaquero is convertible, then you can probably by the 45ACP cylinder.
 
I still have my first gun. I plan for things to stay that way.

In general, if you're stumped about whether to sell/trade or keep a gun, I'd always recommend keeping it.

Even when I'm sure I no longer want a gun, I've sometimes changed my mind after selling/trading. If there's any question in my mind before selling/trading, I figure the chances of seller remorse is about 100%.
 
I traded my first rifle to my brother and even though it was only a $10.88 J. C. Higgins single shot 22 from Sears, I wish I still had it.

I recently traded my first handgun to my next door neighbor and I wish I had kept it even though it was a used Hi-Point C9.

You can have a lot of gun but you can only have one first one.
 
Yep I'm with the masses KEEP that 686. And I don't personally think your choice of a Pietta 1873 is a bad one but I may be a bit biased [emoji3] . I wanted a SAA and chose the Traditions 1873 Frontier (Pietta). The fit and finish on that gun is fantastic. I was confident in my choice as I am familiar with Piettas quality as I own quite a few of their cap and ball revolvers as well. They build some fine firearms and are worth every dime. No they won't stand up to the Super hot loads that a Ruger can, but they will take any modern standard pressure 45 Colt Load.
0bb51cba142772ca72e874a7f89305e4.jpg
 
I confess to being different. I gave my first gun to my first(and only) son. I thought about waiting until I was dead, but how would I enjoy that? He is grown and learned to shoot with it. It is a Hi-Standard Military .22 built in 1946. The look on his face was worth 2 first guns!
 
That's really what I intend to do with all my guns, is to give them to my future son/s. One because I can make sure they get appreciated, and two it'll give me an excuse to by myself new guns lol.
 
Back
Top