[Woodsman]

I went into a gun shop last week, they had 3 686s there. A 6 inch, 4 inch and a 2 1/2 inch. The 6 and 4 were priced at 699, the 2 1/2 750. I was sure this was a mistake. I asked the the clerk, why so much for the shorter barrel than the longer ones. Now it gets good. He told me that the shorter barrels sell less and makes them harder to come beye. Is that a crock ? Anyways doesnt it cost more to make a longer barrel, than a short one ? Maybe ive missed something here, or he was just retarted, Your thoughts.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I'd think so. CCW guns are in demand so the prices are up. The long tubes are not as popular today as many years ago.

 

[18DAI]

Those prices are high, for my part of the country anyway. A 6" 686 will run $475 or so, a 4" $495 to $550 depending on dash #, and box ect.

The 2.5" run $575 to $595 unless it is a pre lock 7-shot, then it is $650.

The most expensive are the 3" pre lock 686. Those regularly bring $700 plus, locally. Regards 18DAI.

 

[gunhacker]

It all boils down to supply and demand, and also how many of each barrel length were produced.

The 4" & 6" are the fairly common configurations. As mentioned, before the "shall issue" CCW laws came about, there wasn't too much interest in the short barrels, so the production numbers ended up being less.

Now that the demand for them due to the increased number of people that have been able to obtain a concealed carry permit, as well as the demand in general from the increase in the number of people buying S&W (pre-lock) revovlers period, adds a premium onto the price... 4$700 for the 4" & 6" ones? Wow.... even with the high prices we have here in California, that seems on the high side.

 

[David Lapell]

Lat year I picked up a 686 from a dealer for next to nothing in the 8 3/8" barrel. He told me that he couldn't get rid of the thing because of it's barrel length. He said if it was a 4-inch gun, it would have gone for more and alot faster. To me a 6-inch 686 is less desirable than a 4-inch, as is the opinion of most guys I know who are looking for or already own .357 Mag revolvers.