Model 19-4 Value

[goldwinghg]

I am looking at buying a S&W Model 19-4. The gun is in pristine condition. It has target sights, and trigger. The Blueing is in excellent condition. It comes with a box (not sure that it is the original), and the S&W paper they use to wrap the gun. I am looking to buy to add to my collection. The shop that has it is wanting $625, and won't come off any. Is it worth what they are asking.

Thanks for your thoughts and comments!

[Iggy]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you made it.

You'll get some good info here.

[CraigJ]

Just paid $660 for a 19-3 6" with no box! About 98% though!
CraigJ

[Jack Flash]

$625 sounds high to me. I guess it depends how badly you want it. Pristine condition with a box does have to count for something.

[DOEBOY1]

I paid about $400 or so for both of mine. I would wait it out. Doeboy

[Vulcan Bob]

Welcome to the forum! That sounds a bit high to me but the 19's seem to have dried up around here for the moment so I havent seen any recent prices. It all boil's down to how badly you want it. I myself have overpaid a bit for one that I just had to have.

[H Richard]

I think that's a little high. I see them in the $475 to $550 range in the condition you describe, but they do get fewer and fewer. If it is really "mint", with box etc. you could "buy it a little early". The value will catch up eventually.

[DGNY]

The 2.5 inch specimens do run more, so, if it is a snubbie and shows little to no wear..... And if the grips and box are numbered to it, you may not be too far off. I note that you want it as a keeper example.

Problem is, many here have bought them over the years when they were more affordable, and many of us are bargain hunters.

Regards,

Dyson

[chp]

Originally Posted by DGNY

Problem is, many here have bought them over the years when they were more affordable, and many of us are bargain hunters.

Agreed. There is a difference in price paid for buying a nice handgun when you happen to come across it - and when you take your time and keep your eyes open and look for a while.

[Iggy]

Another factor is that you may wait a long time to find another as nice as the one you are looking at.

It's a personal decision and not always and easy one..

However, comma, I'm betting you will be kicking yourself in 6 months if you don't buy it.

[S&W-Keeper]

I think that it is $100 to high.

[jtpur]

I wanted to buy a 19-4 I saw at gun store...He wanted 595.. It was in good condition but had some flaws. I offered 475...he countered with 500 but I chose to pass. To spend that much what the shop is asking the gun would have to be in New In Box and have everything original and then its a bit steep in my opinion.,,,,,but its worth was someone is willing to pay for it

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Another factor is that you may wait a long time to find another as nice as the one you are looking at.

It's a personal decision and not always and easy one..

However, comma, I'm betting you will be kicking yourself in 6 months if you don't buy it.

My experience, exactly.

How many are you going to buy, how much time and money is it going to cost you to keep looking, and what might you save if you do happen to find another one - maybe not as nice? Add that stuff up and then tell me how much sense it makes to quibble over $50-100, for something you really want.

Of course, if you don't want it that bad, then you have the answer, too.

[ncbengal]

I paid $500 for a 19-4, 6" in also mint condition considering it is '78 vintage. So far, with some loads it outshoots my 686. I just don't push it too hard.

[dmar]

I consider that to be the 'fair' price range. If it's really in like new condition, with box and docs, I don't think that $625 is out of line. This is not to say that you would never run across one for less, but good luck, and who knows when...

Like others have said, it's not easy to come across nice 19s these days, and I've seen run of the mill ones going for $550(+) all the time. In fact, it's rare to see any quality K or N frames going for less than $600 in gun shops these days; maybe it's just where I live...

I'd be all over it for that price, if I wanted it. Plus the 19s are great guns; good luck with the decision.

[arkdweller22]

... with a nice 66-1 that I saw at a gun show. It was a snubby with a pinned barrel, recessed cylinders and a bank vault lockup. Built in 1980. It was the only mod 66 at the show! It was in almost new condition with a shiny bright bore.
I haggled and played the negotiation game and got it down to $600 OTD.

I considered it a generally decent deal; "generally" being the key word. Because TO ME it was a great deal. I really liked the gun and really wanted it. The price was worth paying FOR ME. At the end of the day, that's all that counts.

My advice: If you really want it, buy it. You won't regret it. I don't.

One more thing: Welcome to the forum. Please post to let us know if you bought it.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Arkdweller

[acl864]

If you're buying it because you want to resell it for a profit that's way too much unless you're planning to hold it for a good while. If you're buying it because you want to own a quality firearm to shoot and enjoy, it's just a little on the high side but not out of the ballpark. Go look at new revolvers and see what $625 gets you. For my money I'd rather have the vintage S&W.

[Switch]

My Mdl 19-3. Paid $150. The Professionally stamped "5" is from The Wasco County Sheriff's Dept. (Oregon). Holster wear on end of barrel is not as bad as picture shows.

[james56]

My M-19-4 is 1981 vintage as most 19-4's are. The writeing in the pic is wrong,I wasn't paying attention, have to change that. I paid $425.00 last month. Snatched it up immediately

[tocohillsguy]

Originally Posted by james56

My M-19-4 is 1981 vintage as most 19-4's are. The writeing in the pic is wrong,I wasn't paying attention, have to change that. I paid $425.00 last month. Snatched it up immediately

James56, that's a very good deal; at least a few hundred under market. It's not that easy to fine a P&R snub 19 around here. At the last show I attended I saw a non-P&R snub for $550, and it had a lot of nicks and scratches. The seller said he would want $800 if it was P&R. I just paid $500 for one (19-3) that has some holster wear, and that's below market around here. Everyone I see tends to use Gunbroker to establish the price. I imagine there may be some good deals around Vero Beach. I suspect the economy in Brevard is really in the ditch, and people may be hocking their guns for cheap.

[james56]

tocohillsguy
The handgun's Ive seen around here are still kinda high, when I seen this at my dealers store I said sold now!! He didn't even have it out of the display when I said sold. I just knew something was wrong with it but there wasn't not even a slight scratch We have a local Gun Show @ the VFW Fri. Sat. and Sunday hope to find something as good as the M-19
those are Badgers I robbed off my M617. It came with Pac's

[tocohillsguy]

Originally Posted by james56

tocohillsguy
The handgun's Ive seen around here are still kinda high, when I seen this at my dealers store I said sold now!! He didn't even have it out of the display when I said sold. I just knew something was wrong with it but there wasn't not even a slight scratch We have a local Gun Show @ the VFW Fri. Sat. and Sunday hope to find something as good as the M-19
those are Badgers I robbed off my M617. It came with Pac's

I'm surprised. I would think a dealer would know what it's worth and would price it accordingly or sell it on line. I bet you could flip it for $650 in a day, and maybe $700. BTW, I can't tell from your pictures but that's a nickel isn't it?

[james56]

tocohillsguy
Yes it's nickel, I was surprised also but he's a good guy and usually we come to some good deals. I wont sell any more gun's even to make a buck anymore, cause I end up not getting what I really want in exchange. Ive learned over the year's, that's what happens in my case LOL

[tocohillsguy]

Originally Posted by james56

tocohillsguy
Yes it's nickel, I was surprised also but he's a good guy and usually we come to some good deals. I wont sell any more gun's even to make a buck anymore, cause I end up not getting what I really want in exchange. Ive learned over the year's, that's what happens in my case LOL

Well, darn. I was going to offer to trade my $500 19-3 straight up for your $425 19-4. A quick $75 profit for you!!! Moreover, you would have a revolver you can carry discretely with pride, instead of that flashy pimped gun.

[Jack Flash]

I have to admit that what Iggy and others have said makes sense. ("How long will you wait to find one like it, and how much will you pay then?")

But you can get carried away with that kind of thinking. What is the max? $700? $800? $1,000?

[Iggy]

goldwinghg

So the question is, What did you decide?

[tocohillsguy]

Understandably I think many on this forum are bargain hunters. For better or worse, Gunbroker is now the source for pricing. That means prices are more national than regional, and anyone willing to pay a high price for a gun has set the market and expectations for every would be seller.

[NFrameFred]

Originally Posted by tocohillsguy

Understandably I think many on this forum are bargain hunters. For better or worse, Gunbroker is now the source for pricing. That means prices are more national than regional, and anyone willing to pay a high price for a gun has set the market and expectations for every would be seller.

Afraid there's a lot of truth here. The difference is ( and what I see constantly) is there is a distinction between someone filling a hole in a collection with a grail gun that is like new with all the extras who is willing to pay a premium and someone selling a beater in only 85% condition or less; but people tend to use the high price as a bench mark for their junked up guns and I think in that regard, Gun Broker setting the market expectations is disingenuous since a lot of that **** never sells. Scads and scads of them listed and nary a bid . . . .

[redlevel]

Back in October I traded a 10-5 rb with box, papers, tools etc, about 95% + $200 for a 98% P&R 19-4 six inch. I had about $350 in the 10-5, so that made it about $550 in the 19-4.

I passed on a four inch nickeled 19-4 P&R in about 85% condition a couple of weeks ago for $499 + tax. Wednesday, a 2.5" 19-3 advertised as "80 to 90 percent" was offered on a state forum. He was "asking $500" or trade. I emailed with a couple of trade offers, but no interest. I figured I would wait till next week and offer $425. I checked a few minutes ago, and he has sold the gun. I am guessing he got his $500 since I asked him his lowest cash price and he ignored that, saying he wasn't interested in my trade guns.

Bottom line===in Georgia at least, you will have to pay from $500 up for a shooter P&R 19. More for a very nice one. I thought I gave too much for my six inch, but now it looks like I got a fairly good deal.

[goldwinghg]

I bought the Model 19-4 4" for the $625. Alittle more then I wanting to pay, but you don't run across a gun as nice as it is very often. I am looking at a Model 15-3 4" nickel. It is nice gun, but not as nice as the Model 19. It doesn't have a box or papers with it. What is it worth? They want $390 for it.

[tocohillsguy]

Originally Posted by NFrameFred

Afraid there's a lot of truth here. The difference is ( and what I see constantly) is there is a distinction between someone filling a hole in a collection with a grail gun that is like new with all the extras who is willing to pay a premium and someone selling a beater in only 85% condition or less; but people tend to use the high price as a bench mark for their junked up guns and I think in that regard, Gun Broker setting the market expectations is disingenuous since a lot of that **** never sells. Scads and scads of them listed and nary a bid . . . .

This is true, but if you look at the completed auctions for those that actually sell you get a good idea. You can also see what someone was willing to buy it for even if it didn't hit the reserve. Of course, one can always point to a beat up 6906 with a buy it now price of $700, and claim that's the market, but they are being either dumb or disingenuous.

[NFrameFred]

Originally Posted by goldwinghg

. I am looking at a Model 15-3 4" nickel. It is nice gun, but not as nice as the Model 19. It doesn't have a box or papers with it. What is it worth? They want $390 for it.

If it's not beat up I'd pay that for a nickel 15 . . .

[ENGINE18]

I paid $525.00 for a 2-1/2" 19-3 ANIB three years ago and didn't know any better. I now just take it out of the safe and fondle it. I didn't even run a whole box of ammo through it. I can only imagine what it's worth now. I have yet to see one as nice as this one.

Nice ones are hard to find in my area, OR online for that matter.

[tocohillsguy]

Originally Posted by ENGINE18

I paid $525.00 for a 2-1/2" 19-3 ANIB three years ago and didn't know any better. I now just take it out of the safe and fondle it. I didn't even run a whole box of ammo through it. I can only imagine what it's worth now. I have yet to see one as nice as this one.

Nice ones are hard to find in my area, OR online for that matter.

I'd guess between $700-800.

[Iggy]

Goldwing,

I'm bettin' that in 6 months, you won't regret a dime of that purchase price.

[sw282]

si------------

[Jack Flash]

Originally Posted by goldwinghg

I bought the Model 19-4 4" for the $625. Alittle more then I wanting to pay, but you don't run across a gun as nice as it is very often. I am looking at a Model 15-3 4" nickel. It is nice gun, but not as nice as the Model 19. It doesn't have a box or papers with it. What is it worth? They want $390 for it.

I think you've hit on the crux of the matter. Condition is everything. Those last few percentage points make the price sky rocket. As condition drops, price drops too until at some breakpoint, it falls off a cliff.

The Model 15 may be a decent deal, but being "not as nice" is reflected in the asking price. Depending on how truly "pristine" the M19 is, it may be you got a smoking deal.

[guardman1945]

I HAVE A S & W 19-4 357 MADE IN 1978 NICKEL REAL GOOD SHAPE
550 ARCADIA IN, 4 INCH BARRELL