smith & wesson 357 magnum classic hunter
I HAVE A SMITH & WESSON 357 MAGNUM CLASSIC HUNTER I BOUGHT NEW IN 90 OR 91.MINE HAS THE 6 INCH UNDERLUG BARREL. PAID $465.00 FOR IT AND I THINK THEY MADE AROUND 5000 TO 6250 OF THEM.I NEVER SEE ANY OF THESE FOR SALE OR HEAR ANYONE EVEN TALK ABOUT THEM.
I KNOW THEY WERE NOT AS POPULAR AS THE 44 CLASSIC HUNTER MODEL.
I DON'T INTEND TO SELL IT. IT WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO MY SON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS FROM MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER.
I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE WHAT IT'S WORTH. ALSO WERE THERE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS IN BARREL LENGTHS, BLUED OR STAINLESS STUFF LIKE THAT.
APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS---CLH
I KNOW THEY WERE NOT AS POPULAR AS THE 44 CLASSIC HUNTER MODEL.
I DON'T INTEND TO SELL IT. IT WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO MY SON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS FROM MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER.
I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE WHAT IT'S WORTH. ALSO WERE THERE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS IN BARREL LENGTHS, BLUED OR STAINLESS STUFF LIKE THAT.
APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS---CLH
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quote:http://www.lasc.us/FryxellALoveForTheClassics.htm
Also in 1988, S&W made 5000 L-frame 686s in the Classic Hunter guise -- 6" full-lugged barrel, unfluted cylinder, "semi-target" hammer, smooth trigger, Hogue monogrip on a square-butt grip-frame, with the stamped barrel reading ".357 Magnum". Not surprisingly, the 686 didn't make quite the splash that the 629 did -- the .44 Magnum has been the mainstay of the S&W line for 3 decades running now. And while the 686 is a handsome and accurate revolver, the little Classic Hunter just didn't have the sales stamina that its big bore brother had. I found mine sitting unwanted in a pawn shop, priced well below what the regular 686s were selling for (huh?).
A second source confirmed that the entire run of these was in 1988.
All 686 guns (by definition) are in stainless steel.
I strongly doubt that a limited run of 5000 guns came in variations of finish or barrel length.
In terms of pricing, that will depend on the condition of the gun, as well as whether or not it comes with the original box and accessories. As the author above suggests, these guns should not command LESS than the cost of a plain-jane 686.
As a basis for comparison, one recently sold on the auction site for $689 (Auction # 149114235, 12/4/09). This one was described as like new in box.
Another one recently sold for $600 (Auction # 155165296, 1/23/10), also with original box, though this one wasn't quite new, and the box was a bit worn.0 -
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INPUT! I WENT DIGGING THROUGH A BUNCH OF STUFF DOWN IN THE BASEMENT AND FINALLY FOUND MY RECEIPT IN ANNOTHER
GUN BOX. IT WAS 1989 AND I PAID $444. AND SOME CHANGE. INLESS I AM IN A DESERATE SITUATION THIS CLASSIC HUNTER WILL NOT BE SOLD ANYWAY,STILL WORTH MORE THAN I PAID FOR IT. I THINK IT WILL COME OFF THE SHELF THOUGH AND BE HUNTED WITH SOME. I HAVEN'T KILLED A DEER WITH A PISTOL YET. ALSO SAW TWO DIFFERENT 44 CLASSIC HUNTERS AT A LOCAL GUN SHOP (A BLUED 8 & 3/8, AND A 6 INCH STAINLESS 44).IT'S TAX TIME YOU KNOW (GOIN TO HAVE ASK THE WIFE ABOUT THAT).BOTH OVER $700. I HIT YOUR LINK AND THAT WAS A GOOD READ ALSO. THANKS AGAIN CHRIS HEISHMAN
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:http://www.lasc.us/FryxellALoveForTheClassics.htm
Also in 1988, S&W made 5000 L-frame 686s in the Classic Hunter guise -- 6" full-lugged barrel, unfluted cylinder, "semi-target" hammer, smooth trigger, Hogue monogrip on a square-butt grip-frame, with the stamped barrel reading ".357 Magnum". Not surprisingly, the 686 didn't make quite the splash that the 629 did -- the .44 Magnum has been the mainstay of the S&W line for 3 decades running now. And while the 686 is a handsome and accurate revolver, the little Classic Hunter just didn't have the sales stamina that its big bore brother had. I found mine sitting unwanted in a pawn shop, priced well below what the regular 686s were selling for (huh?).
A second source confirmed that the entire run of these was in 1988.
All 686 guns (by definition) are in stainless steel.
I strongly doubt that a limited run of 5000 guns came in variations of finish or barrel length.
In terms of pricing, that will depend on the condition of the gun, as well as whether or not it comes with the original box and accessories. As the author above suggests, these guns should not command LESS than the cost of a plain-jane 686.
As a basis for comparison, one recently sold on the auction site for $689 (Auction # 149114235, 12/4/09). This one was described as like new in box.
Another one recently sold for $600 (Auction # 155165296, 1/23/10), also with original box, though this one wasn't quite new, and the box was a bit worn.0 -
Turn off your caps lock please.
CP0 -
woodsforme,
First, let me say I am a serious S&W fan - I own several & have yet to see a 'bad' one!
The 'CLASSIC' printed on your gun is merely marketing hype.
A true classic is an item that stands the test of time without going out of style in usefulness or looks.
A good example of a true 'classic' is Levi's 501 jeans. They aren't bell bottom, not peg-leg, nor full cut. Always above style, standing the test of time, & still in demand some 100 years & counting!
In guns, classics are;
M1911-A1
Winchester 1992
Browning Hi-power
Mauser M98
Colt SAA
& several others that are often coppied but seldom duplicated.
Smith & Wesson is in the business to sell guns. If a distributor wants 'classic' inscribed on their special order lot of guns, they do it. That little bit of marketing hype does not necessarily add collector value, it's the S&W name & quality that does that. BUT - true classic status goes to the whole hand ejector line because they meet the tests of time & style.
Jim
P.S. congrats on owning a super fine hand-gun, ENJOY!0 -
very good statement! i have a very good classic. 1985 i bought a ruger government model mark 11 target with a bull barrel 6 & 7/8.
this pistol never got put up. it's bluing is a little worst for ware and i can't even tell you how many rounds have went throgh it. it shoots as good as the day i got it. it even tormented rifles when my dad and i shot in alot of 22 matches years ago. i put a burris scope on it and it would compete with my dads remington 541 t set up for matches.he usually edged me out though. but really all mark 11 pistols are good quality and durable. just one of many like you said-classics.
thanks for your reply! clh
quote:Originally posted by cussedemgun
woodsforme,
First, let me say I am a serious S&W fan - I own several & have yet to see a 'bad' one!
The 'CLASSIC' printed on your gun is merely marketing hype.
A true classic is an item that stands the test of time without going out of style in usefulness or looks.
A good example of a true 'classic' is Levi's 501 jeans. They aren't bell bottom, not peg-leg, nor full cut. Always above style, standing the test of time, & still in demand some 100 years & counting!
In guns, classics are;
M1911-A1
Winchester 1992
Browning Hi-power
Mauser M98
Colt SAA
& several others that are often coppied but seldom duplicated.
Smith & Wesson is in the business to sell guns. If a distributor wants 'classic' inscribed on their special order lot of guns, they do it. That little bit of marketing hype does not necessarily add collector value, it's the S&W name & quality that does that. BUT - true classic status goes to the whole hand ejector line because they meet the tests of time & style.
Jim
P.S. congrats on owning a super fine hand-gun, ENJOY!0 -
Chris,
By JOVE, I think you really understand quality above style!
Your Mark II is like the old classic "takes a lick'en & keeps on tick'en".
Happy bullet holes, Jim0 -
thanks for the reply, u know that mark ii still goes with me in my truck where ever i goe. since my eyes are giving way alittle (problem with little stuff close up) i put crimson trace laser grips on it. it was worth the money! out to 25 yds just point and shoot,i can use my sights after that cause it easier on my eyes. (to contrary to get glasses). 25 year old mark 11 with some new technogoly on works just like a brand new one-just not as pretty!
plinkin on-clh
quote:Originally posted by cussedemgun
Chris,
By JOVE, I think you really understand quality above style!
Your Mark II is like the old classic "takes a lick'en & keeps on tick'en".
Happy bullet holes, Jim0 -
quote:Originally posted by cussedemgun
woodsforme,
First, let me say I am a serious S&W fan - I own several & have yet to see a 'bad' one!
A true classic is an item that stands the test of time without going out of style in usefulness or looks.
The 'CLASSIC' printed on your gun is merely marketing hype.
You think YOU'RE a Smith fan? I have a Smith and Wesson coffee mug on my desk I bought at the gift shop of the Smith factory in Springfield MA! [:p]
On bad ones, not every gun that says "Smith" on it is good. Smith adopted a shotgun design early that was pretty flimsy. Also some of its .22 auto offerings weren't that great. Where Smith really shines (and has built its reputation) is in double-action revolvers.
I do want to chime in here about "classic". When I was in college my literature professor defined "classic" (in the literary sense) as something timeless that expresses a truth about human nature. I think that's a good definition.
For a gun, I'd say a "classic" gun is a timeless design that is highly functional and well-recognized in appearance. It has to look right and work right.
In this case, I would argue that a Smith 686 actually *IS* a "classic" gun, in the literal sense of that term. Its a well recognized design, its highly functional, and indeed its one of Smiths most popular revolvers to this day.
Is the gun a "Distinguished Combat Magnum", as Smith actually designated the model during its introduction? Its a good gun, but I'll chalk that name up to a bit of marketing hype.
Now, is the 686 a "Classic Hunter"? Well, going back to the definition, that label might apply to a gun that is a recognized classic that is used for hunting. In this case, its debatable whether or not the .357 model 686 fits that definition. I'd argue that it probably does, actually, since the design is a classic, and I suspect that the 686 is the most popular hunting *357* in the world.
On the other hand, I'd say the Smith model 629 really *IS* a "classic hunter". The model 29 is one of the most recognized revolvers in the world. Everyone knows the "Dirty Harry" gun, and its every bit as much of a classic as the Colt Python. At the same time, the model 29 (or 629) is probably the most popular hunting revolver in the world. You just look at it, and know its a hunting revolver!
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good points made, i knew when i bought my 357 classic hunter i would never part with it. i had missed out on the 44 at the time and it was a good lookin revolver anyway. the action and trigger pull are excellent. i had a nice shooting range then with my first wife and i could group pretty decent in a pie pan so to speak just sittin on a picinic table at 100yds. i wish i would have kept a ruger superblackhawk i got cheap, blue 8 & 3/8 barrel. i bought a nice set of grips-that thing shot well also.made good money off of it. some designs like 686,629,superblackhawk etc.. don't need to be changed and just look bad to the bone!
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:Originally posted by cussedemgun
woodsforme,
First, let me say I am a serious S&W fan - I own several & have yet to see a 'bad' one!
A true classic is an item that stands the test of time without going out of style in usefulness or looks.
The 'CLASSIC' printed on your gun is merely marketing hype.
You think YOU'RE a Smith fan? I have a Smith and Wesson coffee mug on my desk I bought at the gift shop of the Smith factory in Springfield MA! [:p]
On bad ones, not every gun that says "Smith" on it is good. Smith adopted a shotgun design early that was pretty flimsy. Also some of its .22 auto offerings weren't that great. Where Smith really shines (and has built its reputation) is in double-action revolvers.
I do want to chime in here about "classic". When I was in college my literature professor defined "classic" (in the literary sense) as something timeless that expresses a truth about human nature. I think that's a good definition.
For a gun, I'd say a "classic" gun is a timeless design that is highly functional and well-recognized in appearance. It has to look right and work right.
In this case, I would argue that a Smith 686 actually *IS* a "classic" gun, in the literal sense of that term. Its a well recognized design, its highly functional, and indeed its one of Smiths most popular revolvers to this day.
Is the gun a "Distinguished Combat Magnum", as Smith actually designated the model during its introduction? Its a good gun, but I'll chalk that name up to a bit of marketing hype.
Now, is the 686 a "Classic Hunter"? Well, going back to the definition, that label might apply to a gun that is a recognized classic that is used for hunting. In this case, its debatable whether or not the .357 model 686 fits that definition. I'd argue that it probably does, actually, since the design is a classic, and I suspect that the 686 is the most popular hunting *357* in the world.
On the other hand, I'd say the Smith model 629 really *IS* a "classic hunter". The model 29 is one of the most recognized revolvers in the world. Everyone knows the "Dirty Harry" gun, and its every bit as much of a classic as the Colt Python. At the same time, the model 29 (or 629) is probably the most popular hunting revolver in the world. You just look at it, and know its a hunting revolver!0
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