Smith 686-3 3”?

[Enfielder]

I bought a 686-3 with a 3” barrel sight unseen from an estate thinking it was a 4”. It is in flawless, maybe unfired but at least fired little, condition in the blue and white cardboard box with Pachymar grips and the original wood furniture. All the paperwork seems to be there, too.

Rare? Worth thousands? I really wanted a 4” but it’s a sweet little weapon.
I’ll post pics when I get it from the dealer.

 

[UncleEd]

Sometimes revolver barrel lengths are
listed without taking into account the
frame where the rear of the
barrel is mounted. That usually
brings it to 4 inches.

Remember, forcing cone to muzzle
in measuring revolver barrels.

 

[ontarget]

3 inch or 4 it's still an excellent revolver. I'm sure you will be happy with it.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would be happy if it were a 3” but a 4” would be fine with me as well.

 

[e rex]

I have a 686-4 4", you'll like it. I mostly shoot .38 Specials with my cast 150 grain 358477 over 5.4 grains Unique. But the darn thing will shoot about anything well.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The 3" barrel may give it a small premium just because they are less common but the values would still be close to each other. There is a bit of a cult like following for 3" barrel revolvers with larger frame sizes.

$1000 for a pre lock with box sounds about right.

 

[ArkieVol]

I had both 3" and 4" until a couple of years ago when I sold the 3" to someone who wanted it more than I did. However, I got to missing the 3" so badly I bought a new one last year. Both are excellent guns and I will not be selling either one anytime soon. The 4" is 6 rounds and the 3" is 7.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Right around a grand for a 3" prelock sounds right these days, a bit less for a 4".

 

[Old_Grouch]

I bought a 686-3 with a 3” barrel sight unseen from an estate thinking it was a 4”. It is in flawless, maybe unfired but at least fired little, condition in the blue and white cardboard box with Pachymar grips and the original wood furniture. All the paperwork seems to be there, too.

Rare? Worth thousands? I really wanted a 4” but it’s a sweet little weapon.
I’ll post pics when I get it from the dealer.

I had one in the early 90s. They were an overrun for a gummint agency, but I don't remember which one.
It's one of the guns on my list in the "I regret selling that one..." thread.

 

[bannockburn]

While I love my Model 686 with a 4" barrel, (I think of it as my "Goldilocks" gun: not too big, not too small, just right!), I would be equally pleased with one with a 3" barrel!

 

[Snake Plisskin]

Nice score, congrats.686 are sweet shooters...!!!

 

[Enfielder]

This is a bit embarrassing but as it turns out it was not a 686 at all. It is a 66 Dash three. I wasn’t bamboozled but the people selling the gun didn’t know anything about guns. I paid $600 for it. I don’t think it’s been fired. I have the original retail ticket for $349. I’ll play around with it.

 

[fxvr5]

A 3" Model 66 would be uncommon. How about a picture.

 

[Master Blaster]

The model 66 was commonly made in a 2.5" barrel.
If yours is a 3" then that would be rare.

I have a 2.5" 66-2 that is a great shooter.

$600 is a very good price even if its a 2.5" these days.

 

[RA40]

The 66 is still a nice little revolver congrats still! Enjoy. Our -3 mostly runs .38 SPL though letting the .357's fly is nice. I don't run cylinder after cylinder of 357's because it isn't as comfortable as the heavier 686. I get a bit wimpy so somewhere between 12 and 18 rounds, "that's enough." LOL

 

[Herman B]

...maybe unfired but at least fired little, condition in the blue and white cardboard box with Pachymar grips and the original wood furniture.

This is a bit embarrassing but as it turns out it was not a 686 at all. It is a 66 Dash three. ...I paid $600 for it.

Count your blessings, that's a very good deal! No reason to be embarrassed. Now ya' need that 686, maybe a 6 incher for variety.

 

[Riomouse911]

Smith & Wesson put out a series of their 686 called the 3-5-7. It had a non fluted cylinder with 3”, 5” and 7” barrels that look amazing.

Yours is older than that series, so I think it would be worth what the guys were saying, easy. As for a 3” 686? I think you did just fine.

Stay safe.

 

[Jonesy814]

The 2.5 and 3 inch model 66's are going crazy on gun broker. The 2.5" version is $900 and up. The 3" were high to start with and have now achieved orbit in the $1500-2000 range. There is one, real nice, for a buy it now of $3499

 

[Riomouse911]

The 2.5 and 3 inch model 66's are going crazy on gun broker. The 2.5" version is $900 and up. The 3" were high to start with and have now achieved orbit in the $1500-2000 range. There is one, real nice, for a buy it now of $3499

I can’t figure out why. I have a 2.5” P&R Model 19.... it was my off duty carry piece for several years until I swapped it out for a S&W 4013. I still have it, but haven’t shot it in years.

The 2.5” K frame magnum is okaaaaay to shoot... mainly due to a short sight radius and DNA altering blast and heavy recoil with stout loads. As a CCW, it’s not all that great to carry concealed because the hammer and rear sight inevitably snag on stuff. The 3” Model 13 is better to pack without the adjustable rear sight and it’s a bit easier to shoot with the 3” heavy barrel (4” is better still at the range or in the field).

$1,000.00 plus for a 2.5” Model 66? IMHO, no way for me. And I’m a S&W revolver nut!

Again, that 3” 686 is a sweet one. Go out and shoot it with pride.

Stay safe.

 

[chicharrones]

The 2.5 and 3 inch model 66's are going crazy on gun broker. The 2.5" version is $900 and up. The 3" were high to start with and have now achieved orbit in the $1500-2000 range. There is one, real nice, for a buy it now of $3499

Yep, I've noticed the same locally with used guns. The 4" and 6" Ks and Ls are slowly going back down in price, but not the pre-lock K or L snubbies. No matter if .357 or .38.

 

[Pat Riot]

A 3” model 66. Man, what a shame…
It’s really too bad about it not being a 686. I truly do feel for you @Enfielder

Kidding

$600 for a 3” model 66? Still a good deal. It should be a very sweet six shooter.

 

[Enfielder]

A 3” model 66. Man, what a shame…
It’s really too bad about it not being a 686. I truly do feel for you @Enfielder

Kidding

$600 for a 3” model 66? Still a good deal. It should be a very sweet six shooter.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[Enfielder]

I went to the gun shop with a Walter p-1 which I didn’t like and a Ruger Security Six with a 2 3/4” that was in not great condition. I left with a 66-3 in 3”. A model 10 which I had bought on GB and a 638 Air Weight which they traded even for the Walther and Ruger.
I have never owned any Smiths revolvers so I went big. I’ve carried an older Charter Arms undercover for years and I’ve always wanted the bodyguard.
I am happy. Pictures to follow.

 

[Enfielder]

Here’s some pics. It was a good day at the gun store. I’m most excited about the bodyguard.

 

[357 Terms]

a 638 Air Weight which they traded even for the Walther and Ruger.
.

Ruger Security Six with a 2 3/4” that was in not great condition

If you have any more of those Six series laying around for half 638 money let me know!!