To trade or not to trade?

[Mosbyranger]

ok, the dilemma... I have nice SS Security Six, 4inch, straight shooter. My brother in law has a S&W 686 no dash, completely out of time and in need of some TLC from a smith. He has offered a straight up trade. I have about $450 into the Ruger. Opinions?

 

[Sam1911]

Hmmm...I'm a S&W guy, but I can't really see how you're going to make out on the deal. By the time you send it off and get it fixed, you could be totally upside down on the deal.

Why not suggest he call S&W and see what they'll do for him? At the very least they'll make him an offer on the work (or what it's most likely to need anyway) and he can either decide to send it off himself, or not. If he doesn't want to handle that, at least you'll know where you stand.

 

[orionengnr]

What Sam said.

As much of a Smith fan as I am, I'm still not thinking I'd make that trade.
How about keeping the SS and offering him $350 or so for the 686?
50/50 chance S&W will fix it free, providing it has not been deliberately abused...

 

[skidder]

I'm a Security Six fan.
The Security Six is the same size as the k-frame Smith. Much better size/balance over the L-frame IMO. I wouldn't trade my stainless 4" Six for a fully functional 686. Now if it were a 19/66 in good shape? I would have to stop and think on that.

Your brothers got it figured out. He knows what a great gun you have. If you go through with the trade? You will know what a great gun you had.

 

[Onward Allusion]

No. Not a good trade. Whenever there's 2 comparable guns and one requires work, they ain't comparable any longer. Now if it were a 100% functional 686 in SS, then I would jump at the deal.

 

[dakotasouth]

On board with what Sam has to say here. I vastly prefer Smith & Wesson over another revolver manufacturer, because that is my preference. BUT, a functioning revolver of good quality for a non-functioning revolver of potentially good to grand quality is not a good trade in my opinion.

 

[Texan Scott]

Why would you trade a working gun for a broken one?

 

[kvtcomdo]

Good Ruger for Non Functioning S&W

Never.

 

[bannockburn]

Another naysayer here. Sorry but as much as I enjoy the S&W L frame design I wouldn't trade a functional Security Six for a non-functional Model 686.

 

[silvermane_1]

What Sam said.

As much of a Smith fan as I am, I'm still not thinking I'd make that trade.
How about keeping the SS and offering him $350 or so for the 686?
50/50 chance S&W will fix it free, providing it has not been deliberately abused...

^orionengnr hit the nail on the head, even though i'm ruger biased i would do what orionengnr suggested.

 

[flotter390]

I'd say talk to S&W first and see what they say.

Fred

 

[shafter]

I'd stick with the Security Six.

 

[22-rimfire]

Three reasonable possibilities come to mind. (1) Since so many like that Ruger model, I'd probably keep it. (2) Flotter made a good point if you're interested in looking further into it. (3) Or have your brother get the timing fixed on his S&W and then talk trade.

 

[CajunBass]

I wouldn't trade a Security-Six for a 686 in good working order, and I'm a Smith & Wesson guy.

But I freely admit that I just don't like the 686 for some reason. No real idea why. They just never interested me.

 

[buck460XVR]

Have your brother contact S&W. If it's a no-dash and hasn't had the modification done, they can do that and fix the timing issue at the same time. Odds are they will send him a pre-paid mailing label. Once it comes back, shoot it and see how much you like it. Around here a working 686 in good to very good condition is worth about $550. Whether or not it's worth trading your SS for should be quite obvious to you once you shoot it. Either way, your brother will have a working Smith to shoot or sell to someone else.

 

[Pointshoot]

buck460xvr beat me to it. If the crane where its marked 686 isnt marked with an "M" the gun hasnt yet been recalled and modified. S&W will do that for free. They may even do the timing work for little money (or free). Who knows maybe youll catch someone in a good mood that day. At minimum your shipping costs are covered.
I like both models of guns mentioned. Around these parts, you cant find a 686 for $450. I have a pre lock 686+ and will never part with it.

If a guy could swing it, I'd try buying his 686 no dash and keep the Security Six. Later, if need be, you should have no problem selling etither of them.

This is a tough one, both guns are great. Its a personal preference. I assume youre talking 4" barrels in both of them. I wouldnt trade a 686 pre lock, pre MIM for a Security Six. Theres about a $200 value diffence between them IMO.

 

[Mosbyranger]

Well, thanks to all who weighed in. I'm gonna keep the Ruger, there is something to be said about a simple rugged design that keeps on functioning regardless. I do have a 686 dash something ( it's not in front of me now) so I'm not hurting in the Smith department.
MR

 

[cwl1862]

I can't see for the life of me how that would be a good trade for you..... Keep your Security Six.

 

[clang]

How the heck did your Brother-In-Law screw up the timing of a 686? It's either been worked over by Bubba or beat to Hell and back since that is one tough gun.

Either way, I wouldn't want it. The 686 is a very fine weapon and worth finding a good example, but I would look somewhere else.

 

[PRM]

Call S&W and see if they can give you a ball park over the phone.

My biggest plug for their Customer Service was earlier last year. I purchased an older first year production Model 649 that was a police trade in. Got it at a bargain. After my first trip to the range, I discovered the frame stud needed replacing. The cylinder would slip over it while cleaning if you did not hold it tight. If you tipped the gun up to eject the empty casings it would slip over it. The gun had quite a bit of end shake. S&W replaced the frame stud and corrected the end shake for a grand total of $62.00. Turn around time was a couple of weeks on mine.

If you like the S&W - I'd make a few calls on what it would take to bring it back to spec.

 

[BSA1]

Just another angle...

Is this your wife's favorite brother...

OR

The black sheep in the family???

Just saying differently what has already been said.

 

[montanaoffroader]

Keep the Ruger.