How Much Is a Smith & Wesson 686 Worth? (2026 Value Update)

How We Calculate Used SW 686 Values

The SW 686 value is affected by the gun’s condition, its variant, and its accessories or upgrades.

Condition and Value

Condition always affects the S&W 686's value. The less it has been used, the higher its value.

You can have professionals grade your gun’s condition for valuation. Most of them charge a fee. At Cash for Arms, we do free gun appraisal and even offer firearm valuation online.

To see how we professionally evaluate your firearm (for free) and turn that condition into a payout, view our 3-step selling process for a guaranteed FFL offer.

After you discover the gun’s grade, you can value it using these tiers.

New or mint

• Top of the value range, just below retail prices
• Never used, no wear or use marks
• Perfect function

Excellent

• About 10% less than mint
• Used only a few times, nearly invisible marks
• Perfect function

Very good

• About 20% less than mint
• Fired occasionally, mild but visible marks
• Perfect function

Good

• About 30% less than mint
• Used regularly but with care
• Clear use marks but perfect function

Fair

• About 40% less than mint
• Used regularly and without care
• Clear use marks, including signs of reckless handling
• Mostly smooth function

Poor

• About 50% less than mint
• Severely abused or neglected
• Poor aesthetics and possibly non-functional

How We Appraise S&W 686 Models

The Smith and Wesson 686 has a lot of variants. These range from the no-dash (original, or first) model to the modern 686 Plus revolvers.

Keep in mind that these can also appear with their own subvariants. For example, there is both a Smith and Wesson 686 Plus 6 Inch model and a 686 Plus 4 Inch model.

Smith & Wesson 686 No Dash Value (Original 686 Model)

The average used Smith & Wesson 686 No Dash is worth $400 to $800. Collectibles like Lew Horton 686 revolvers can be worth around $1,600.

This is the original S&W 686, made for most of the 1980s. Collectors love them, especially the earliest ones.

Note that some were recalled by Smith & Wesson in 1987 to get repaired for a cylinder binding issue. These guns will have an “M” stamped on them to document the repair.

Smith and Wesson Classic 686 Hunter Value

The average used Smith & Wesson 686 Classic Hunter is worth $600 to $1,000.

This version was released in 1988 in a limited production run of 5,000 units. It sported a 6-inch barrel and a distinctive non-fluted cylinder.

Smith and Wesson 686 Black Stainless Value

The average used Smith & Wesson 686 Black Stainless is worth $500 to $1,000.

The 686 Black Stainless is another limited-production run of the gun. Only 5000 units were made in 1989. There were options for either 4 or 6 inches for the barrel.

The name came from the midnight black finish on the stainless steel. While sometimes mistaken for the blued SW 586, these have a more matte look.

Unfortunately for those seeking a shooter instead of a collectible, the finish also wears fairly easily.

Smith & Wesson 686 National Security Special Value

The average used Model 686 National Security Special is worth $350 to $700.

This was another variant of the gun with the black finish over stainless steel.

It came with either a three-inch or four-inch barrel and was made for export to Germany. Eventually, some units found their way back here!

Smith and Wesson Model 686 Target Champion Value

The average used SW Model 686 Target Champion is worth $350 to $700.

This was made from 1992 to 1996 by S&W’s Performance Center. It was meant for export like the Security Special, but unsold units again found their way back here.

Its most distinctive features are the bead-blasted finish, six-inch match-grade barrel, adjustable trigger stop, and walnut grips. It also came with the wider half-inch target hammer!

Smith & Wesson 686 Power Port Value

The average used S&W 686 Power Port is worth $350 to $700.

The Power Port has a factory-ported barrel, but other than that, is exactly the same gun. These were made for several years, starting from 1994.

Smith and Wesson 686 Plus Value

The average used Smith & Wesson 686 Plus is worth $320 to $650. The brand-new Smith and Wesson 686 Plus retails for $999.

The 686 Plus is currently the main version of the 686 still in production. There are subvariants (which we’ll discuss later).

But generally, these come with adjustable sights, 7-shot capacity, a key lock, and synthetic grips. The standard barrel lengths available are 2.5, 3, 5, and 6 inches.

Smith & Wesson 686 Plus 3-5-7 Magnum Value

The average used Smith & Wesson 686 Plus 3-5-7 Magnum is worth $340 to $700. The brand-new SW 686 Plus 357 Magnum sells for $1,019 at retail.

This is almost exactly the same gun as the standard S&W 686 Plus. The main difference is that it’s slightly heavier because it uses wooden grips instead of rubber ones.

Smith and Wesson 686 Plus Mountain Gun Value

The average used S&W 686 Plus Mountain Gun is worth $400 to $1,000. The brand-new SW 686 Plus Mountain Gun sells for $1,199 at retail.

This no-lock seven-shot revolver is a Lipsey’s exclusive. It has a lightweight tapered-profile barrel, gold-bead front sight, and Tyler Gun Works premium walnut grips.

This is a model that holds value well. Because it’s a premium firearm in the line, we use a secure gun shipping and buying system to ensure every transaction is fully insured and legally compliant.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center 686 Plus Value

The average used SW Performance Center 686 Plus is worth $400 to $650. The brand-new SW 686 Plus Performance Center retails at $1,189.

This gun offers a Performance Center-tuned action, interchangeable sights, and a non-fluted cylinder.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Pro Series 686 Plus Value

The average used SW Performance Center Pro 686 Plus is worth $450 to $650. The brand-new SW 686 Plus Performance Center retails for $1,179.

The Pro Series is described as the line between the standard production and Performance Center models.

The most noticeable difference it has compared to the non-Pro-Series Performance Center 686 Plus is the fluted cylinder.

How Accessories Affect What We Pay for Your 686

A few accessories can bring up the price Smith and Wesson 686 value.

Upgrades like cerakoting or refinishing are less likely to do so, thanks to the uncertainty of buyers wanting those.

Original Box and Papers

The value of these depends on both their condition and the gun they come with. Values are higher for boxes and papers for collectible models.

Value: Around $10 to $25 for the matching box and papers.

Grips

Aftermarket grips are only valuable if they’re of excellent quality and from known makers. If your grips don’t fit into that category, prepare for a haircut on value.

Value: Around 30% to 50% of the accessory’s original value.

The Process to Sell a S&W 686 to Us

Selling a SW 686 shouldn't be complicated. Whether you have a Plus Value or one of the Plus Mountain Guns, we provide a streamlined process that handles the heavy lifting for you.

• Step 1: Get an instant quote based on your gun’s specific model and condition.
• Step 2: Accept our offer and ship your gun with our prepaid label.
• Step 3: Get paid the same day we validate it.