Best values in "Pre-Model No." Smith & Wessons

[bushmaster1313]

I can only speak to the Pre-27.

IMHO, a Pre-27 with good honest wear and non-matching grips is a spectacular firearm at an approachable price. Ready and able to give tremendous satisfaction at the range.

What other Pre-Model Nos. give great bang for their buck.

[Targets Guy]

I am gathering together a lot of pre Model 10's. Just like them. Trying for one in each decade of the 20th century (1900-1950). I've got the 1900's, 1920 and 1930 to go.

[Dillyp]

Picked up this little gem for $500 a few weeks ago. I see a lot of k-38's go for very reasonable prices.

[Bill Bates]

I think in pre-models it is very hard to beat a Highway Patrolman when it comes to bang for your buck value. What other pre model N frame can still be had in very good to excellent condition for less than $1000, sometimes much less.

[paplinker]

For me its the four screw pre 17s-19s and 27s right when they started with that bright but dark carbonia finish.

[LLOYD17]

Reamed 38/44's. Collector value is nil but they still function just fine and look good doing it.

[TIMETRIPPER]

Without a doubt, the pre model 10/1905 38 Special revolvers. Nothing is more affordable or available.

John

[jmace57]

I was also thinking the M&P model of 1905s. You can buy a beautiful example of one from the 20s - 50s for $350-$400.

[raljr1]

I too see quite a few K38 at very reasonable prices.

[codenamedave]

I'm going to say a Victory Model that's been re-finished, so it's lost it's collector value. Got a non-runner a couple years ago for $170, and $20 worth of parts later I had a decent serviceable .38.

[two-bit cowboy]

I sure understand the K and N-frame popularity, but I'm going with the I-frame in .32 Long, and in particular the Hand Ejectors. I like the feel of the square stocks on the Regulation Police a bit better, but the prices are generally a bit higher. Hard to beat the looks of a round butt .32 in any barrel length.

Added the 32 family portrait. Here's the rundown, from the top (a bit obvious), all numbers match except the first one's stocks:

HE, 6", 1929, no-medalion walnut stocks (no sn in any light), mushroom knob
HE, 3¼", 1939, black rubber stocks, barrel knob
HE, 4¼", early postwar ('46?), walnut service stocks, barrel knob, 5+tension-screw
HE, 2", 1949/50, magnas, 5-screw
RP, 3¼", 1949/50, service, 5+tension-screw
HE, 3¼", 1952, magnas, 5-screw (almost as new)
RP Model 31, 2", 1958
HE Model 30, 2", 1958

[TIMETRIPPER]

I'll agree with TB cowboys assessment on the early I frame revolvers. I see lots of inexpensive shooters out there.

Their only drawback for the average shooter is the relative scarcity of ammo, when compared to the 38 Special K frame M&Ps.

John

[hkcavalier]

Most K22s and K38s I have seen have been well taken care of. I am lucky to have one of each. I think either is the best deal.

Yes, you can find $250 fixed sight .38s all day at pawn shops and such, but most of those show signs of a lot of hard use. I'd much rather plop down $600 for a nice K38.

[BAM-BAM]

IMHO.... it's the one you find in your local gun shop.

I've found that most Shops are just interested in flipping a gun as quickly as possible and making $100-200...... and putting their money back to work on the next gun they can buy and flip.

Rather use $400-600 to buy and flip 3-4 guns making $100- $150 on each than try to get " full collectors value" on a gun that may sit for weeks or months waiting for the "right" buyer to come in.

Just had this discussion with a LGS owner......guy wanted to trade a 3" 60-10 on a $700 Model 18........wanted $500 for his unfired J-frame w/ box and docs; telling the LGS that he could sell it for $600-650 based on his on-line research.

The owner called me ....... asked my opinion ..... I said $600 or so was probably doable from the "right buyer". (I think the call was really to see if I'd buy it.....I've got one)

His comment was that 95% of his customers who look at a model 36 or 60 for a small revolver; want a 2" J-frame, and wouldn't pay "collectors premium" for a "used" gun. They are just looking for a gun to carry or for a nightstand gun....... not collecting or accumulating....... and given a choice will almost always buy the cheaper gun. So he passed.........on the trade.


How many 1st posts have we seen about this old gun of my Father/Grandfather's ....... is it safe to shoot. We tend to think of guns as old if they are from the 1800s most folks think any gun .......older then they are........ is really "OLD" and maybe unsafe.................




From my observations;

6" guns (and longer) are slow movers.......

K and N frame .38s.... most buyers will opt for a .357 if available

anything in .32


....................... so are easier to get a deal on.

[OldSarge21]

I just found a pre-36 Chief Special at a local shop. It had seen some but like was posted above, it was local. No shipping charge, no waiting, no FFL transfer fee, no wondering if it had hidden problems the photos online didn't show. I grabbed it, a 4" model 64-5, and a LNIB 629 Classic the same day. I wish I could find a K-38 as beautiful as those posted above. Wow.

[Nesmith]

The Model of 1950 .45 Target (pre-26) with it's light barrel didn't garner much respect until it morphed into the Model of 1955 (pre-25) with it's heavy barrel. From what I've read, the Model of 1950 simply did not perform very well as a target gun and did not sell well. Although not many were manufactured, prices for the Model of 1950 .45 are reasonable, especially in shooter-grade. I purchased my fairly-decent shooter-grade a couple of years ago for $750. The .45 Targets I have seen tend to sell for less than half the cost of equivalent copies of the Model of 1950 .44 Special Targets (pre-24).