mod 53

snoopdawg45 · #1 09-12-2013, 01:49 PM

Ok Guys tell me if I made a mistake or not. Looked at a Mod. 53 in the box with all the paper work and tools, with a matching 22 cyl. It was an early one and didn't look like it had been fired with diamond stocks. He was asking $2000 and I walked. Did I make a mistake or not.
John

Jebus35745 · #2 09-12-2013, 02:25 PM

The prices on S&W's keep crawling higher and people are paying more then I would on any given model. I think you did OK walking away. Being that nice some will say to buy it. We'll see, Larry

sandwtrader · #3 09-12-2013, 05:42 PM

I would have walked away. I had the same gun package offered to me for $1000 about 6 years ago and had to fight with myself but eventually bought it. If I sold it today, I might make $200. I'm sure its a nice gun but you can get that package for a lot less,

Mike McLellan · #4 09-12-2013, 06:05 PM

I'd love to have a Model 53. They're cool, they create extraordinay fireballs & sound effects, and they're K-frames, which I'm dog nuts crazy about. The trouble is the ammo. Where I live, I could NEVER get any. Add to that, the problems with charge-hole hygiene, and the fun factor slides way down. As much as I'd like one, I'd have to pass, unless it was a steal. $2,000.00 seems a long way from being a steal.

Smithhound · #5 09-12-2013, 07:21 PM

I think $2k is a bit steep as well, but in 10 years?? With the box etc I'd think around $1400 would be absolutely top dollar. Also you didn't mention what barrel length (unless I missed it), if you want the best ballistics out of it hold out for an 8 3/8" barrel, you're giving up too much with a shorter tube unless you like the fireball etc. Ammo is a problem as are cases, bullets etc. 53's are a labor of love, you'll spend alot of time at the loading bench, which isn't a bad thing really.
Good luck.
RD

bigmoose · #6 09-12-2013, 07:31 PM

In my opinion, Smithhound just about nailed it. The Model 53 is a very cool revolver...one of my favorites.

perrazi · #7 09-12-2013, 08:03 PM

my favorite of all the smiths

Walter Rego · #8 09-12-2013, 09:22 PM

Having recently purchased a near new 1961 Model 53 with a box and all contents except two of the six .22 inserts, red warning tag and the tapered swab, I naturally was curious what the current market value was. I found a few fairly recent closed auctions for similar packages and they sold between $1400-$1500. The extra .22 cylinder is worth something but $2000 is still a few hundred too high. I would check GunBroker and AA for closed/completed auctions, print out the results, show them to the seller and ask if he will take $1500.

galena · #9 09-12-2013, 10:05 PM

I think the price is too high. I got mine for $126.50. Of course, that was in 1965 and I don't have the .22RF cylinder. Seriously, I would never sell mine. I have a small stash of factory ammo remaining and worked up a decent load that keeps me happy. I would look for a shooter unless you want a collector piece for investment. It will appreciate but it will take awhile to get very much higher.

glenncal1 · #10 09-13-2013, 09:51 AM

If truly unfired with the complete package of accessories

$2000 is still a few hundred high IMHO but they ain't making any more of them so who knows. A K-22 with an ejector shroud is just cool.

snoopdawg45 · #11 09-14-2013, 10:47 AM

Thanks Guys:

I finally did something right. I thought it was high but was not sure.

John

GM4spd · #12 09-17-2013, 08:38 AM

You shoulda bought it! The way money is today it will
cost more tomorrow and you still won't have it! Especially
if it had the rim fire cylinder,I don't shoot the jet but
rim fire is great. Pete

pawncop · #13 09-17-2013, 09:48 AM

One consideration I believe. You never pay too much, you may buy too early. I do think you would bought way early in this setting.

Gunhacker · #14 09-17-2013, 05:58 PM

The M53 is a tough call... in one sense you can try to work the price lower by arguing that it is a "Niche" gun with ammo availability an ever present issue along with the added handicap that other revolvers don't have, which is the "must do" charge hole hygiene to keep it from jamming... and it is only in demand by the most ardent of S&W fans.

On the flip side... it IS perhaps the most unique DA revolver S&W pushed out the factory door, no longer made and being priced as such.

To make an informed decision based on the financials... how many firearms do you own? How much did they all cost? Divide the number you own into the total cost, that gives you the dollar cost average for each one... the average number should be lower than the actual price (and value) for any single gun that you have.

Now do that again with the M53 and the $2K added in to the equation... does the dollar cost average come in lower than the $2k price?

Well, depending on how bad and how long you've wanted one, and how often you've seen or had access to one in that shape, with what is comes with... if you have the funds, buy it.

Why? Because it's here now... and you may not be when another comes around? Yeah, that's really terrible and morbid sounding but.... 'ya know... who really knows?

Because if the dollar cost averaging says you're are still coming out ahead in the total scheme of things, that helps to make paying the higher price more palatable... at least it does for me when I compare what my dollar cost average is for what I have put in my collection over the years versus what the market values would be today.

Years ago I bought a performance center 4006 that was part of a special run of only 12 made. I paid around $1500 for it and at the time I thought I was stark raving mad to do so. But now, after time marching forward and other purchases made since then at better prices, my dollar cost average for the gun is hundreds lower than what I originally paid... and I ended up with a very limited and unique gun that I'm proud to call mine and enjoy.

I also have a M53 I bought in the same shape, and with everything the one you're looking at comes with... I paid over $1200 for it almost 7 years ago, that was considered high. But between today's prices and it's dollar cost average... that price sure does not seem so bad (to me) now either.

Anyway... just a different perspective and possibly some potential food for thought.

jcelect · #15 09-19-2013, 11:20 AM

I own and shoot many model 53s, WITH RELOADS ONLY! One of the problems, back in the day, was barrel erosion from the flame cutting effect of the very hot factory loads. This occurred even if the gun was shot very little. Many of these guns were sent back to the factory for a replacement barrel but the factory no longer has barrels. If you reload reduce the load a little and the flame cutting, sticking brass, and headaches of shooting these will go away! Here's a couple from the collection!

jcelect

tjpopkin · #16 09-20-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McLellan

I'd love to have a Model 53. They're cool, they create extraordinay fireballs & sound effects, and they're K-frames, which I'm dog nuts crazy about. The trouble is the ammo. Where I live, I could NEVER get any. Add to that, the problems with charge-hole hygiene, and the fun factor slides way down. As much as I'd like one, I'd have to pass, unless it was a steal. $2,000.00 seems a long way from being a steal.

The ammo problem is mute......
Remington has sporatic bursts of manufacture for Jet brass, but they do still make it. I have thousands, so getting some is easy. Very easy round to reload. The powder of choice is H110 (about 14gr...my data is at home and I am at work) and Small Pistol Magnum primers. My loads are accurate, and leave a great impression at the range.....LOUD (like 44 mag +++), no recoil, and spectacular FIRE. I have all three barrel lengths, but a NIB 6" with tags, unfired and for sale @ $1500 (no extra cylinder....which is a waste of time... I have them on the other guns and never use them....if you want to shoot a .22....shoot a K-22 or other).

This is an 8.375" barrel gun....honest!

FOR SALE