Was on my usual gun store haunts, and ran across one of these guns.

Mechanically excellent, and the finish looked good, too. Just needed a cleaning, and probably a light polishing as the bluing had some weird splotches that looked like they came from sitting in a holster and would possibly polish out.

Had target stocks, and no box. Blued finish, and 4" barrel. Not a "beater", but definitely a "shooter". Price was $599.

Just wondering if this was a good deal or not. Hard to judge from sites like gunbroker because many of the guns there are 95% + condition and have presentation case, etc.

Sounds like a good deal, if you have the money now I doubt you'll regret it, but since it is marked $599, I would assume they have a little give on that. I would probably try something along the lines of, "Can you get me out the door for $550??". If taxes and fees put it past 7, I would walk, but that's just me.

Sounds a little high for a shooter grade. . .but then the price of every S&W I look at seems high. I bought a six inch 57 no dash in nickel last year for $600 which is in 98% condition and thought that was a good price at that time. $600, negotiated down a bit if possible as beagleye suggests, is probably a pretty good price.

I think that's a decent price in today's market. The 4" ones are not seen often, especially if they're pinned and recessed, as this one is.
I have a 4" no dash I bought in the late '90s for about $250. That is one of my favorite N-Frames. I carry it sometimes in a LOBO IWB holster.

Just somethin' cool about the .41 Magnum.
Jim

A lot enters into whether or not it's a "good deal". Why do you want it? To shoot? To collect? To re-sell? If the latter two choices,I would say no. In the condition you describe,with no box or docs,it wouldn't qualify as collectible. Also,it might take you a while to realize any profit from re-selling. Now,if you want a shooter,that's a different story. The 4" no dash is a desirable caliber and bbl length and a hoot to shoot. When is the last time you saw one at anywhere near that price? How long might it be before you see another? Lots of variables there that only you can quantify.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

If it's mechanically sound and the timing is on at that price it's a steal if there is no pitting or rust.

If the mechanicals are good, its a good deal. If its an early one and the grips are original (cokes), then you are buying the grips and getting the gun for free! A no dash is more desirable, though I really don't know why. It would already have gone home with me!

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Even older, even crankier....