I have this 36 that's in great condition. Was wondering what the value might be. Don't really need the money so it's not something I have a lot of interest in selling. What I don't have is a 66 pinned and recessed in great condition. So what would be chances of working out something on one? Still would like cash value too. I can't even buy a new 36 which has Hillary Hole and firing pin on hammer for less than around 700.
JR

Yes, your flat latch Md 36 really is in great shape! Barely even a turn line. Do you have the original box with tools and papers? That always helps the value. Also it doesn't appear to have the original diamond magna stocks that would have been supplied in 1961. Even without the box, docs and original numbered to the gun stocks, your gun might sell at around $400. give or take. Good luck in your quest of a 66!

I would hardly sell a gun for 400 that a new one that's not even close in quality cost 700. Guess it will be with me a long time. Funny since I have seen rusty ones selling for 400-500 around here.
JR

What a nice gun. I saw a similar one (flat latch, nice condition, but not quite as nice as yours appears) a few months ago and let it slip away - Florida pawn shop, asking $395. Should have snapped it up at that price. (Prices do vary from one region to another.) I agree with your assessment of the quality - hang onto it, enjoy it, and for gosh sakes, don't let it join the rusty ones!

The last gun show in this area had a few in less condition than yours going for $500+. I'm talking much newer with plenty of honest holster wear. The thing about snubby's is that they are generally carried far more that fired. So its not unusual to find one in great mechanical condition but well worn finish wise. I have a two year old 442 that looks like it's been thru WWII, it's worn in a holster about 17 hours a day, every day. You have a really nice specimen there. If it was me I'd just keep it.

I would put it between $500 and $600 on today's market in my area.

Nice revolver!!!

Even in the great condition that the gun is in, it would only go in the 500 dollar range around here. Hard to believe I know, but there just isn't the demand for Jframes, unless it's an early .22. Most of the folks I know carry a newer 442, and brand new ones can be had for well less than 400 bucks nowadays.

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Even older, even crankier....

I think you have a $600 revolver.

I think it is around $450 tops since it has the wrong stocks.

I passed on a beautiful 38-2 at $419.95 today.

You are right a 442 is cheap but also not in the same ball park. They are not all steel for one. I couldn't even begin to compare the two and I have one.
JR

I got a S&W 32-1 back in February in a trade. It looked as nice as your gun, and had the original box, papers, stocks. It was worth about $350.00 on a good day, as a new J frame can be had for $400.00 and it comes with a warranty. I bought some Buffalo Bore ammo for it and gave it to my daughter-in-law. It is a quality gun, just not highly valuable.

In my area, your gun is worth about $300.00 for the above same reasons.

I will be glad to buy 3 or 4 like mine at that price..just point me to them. Especially one 50 years old.
JR.
I guess 66's and 586's aren't collectible either since S&W is making them again. I hear people tell others their gun isn't worth anything until they are the ones selling.

What you are seeing here is the typical triad of gun values - "what I would pay for it", "what I feel it is worth", and ""what I would take if it were mine". As you can see there is a 100-150% difference between the low and high estimates. Best to look on a site like Gunbroker for completed auctions that sold...you may not find the exact gun but one or more will be close.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If it were mine,I'd either find the proper grips,or add nicer aftermarket grips,such as Spegels.
The grips that are on it currently,particularly the right panel,really pull down a very nice gun.

That is an exceptionally nice 36. I think that both you and the people who are low-pricing the gun have legitimate points. If I wanted that gun, I might pay $600 for it if I had to, but what the general population considers functional equivalents do actually sell for less, new.

To me, however, your gun has far more class and can not be easily replaced. However, around here, when it can, it doesn't always cost a lot. I recently bought a cherry Model 37 SB blue, no box, for $350. I admit that that is a very good price, but it did happen, just a month ago, in a brick-and-mortar gun store.

Exactly how much you can get for it depends on a lot, may take time, and may not be any more than $450. You and I know that it would not be wise to let go of it for that, if you don't have to.

I have to tell you that I feel somewhat vindicated for all those posts I made a few years back, when NICE Model 10s and 34s were $200, when I said, "These ARE the good old days." The gap between reliable selling price and reliable replacement price is much smaller now, but it's still there. Mostly, this is probably not the time to sell.

You've got something worth holding on to, but you will not be paid what it's worth if you are in a hurry.

I don't have any intention on selling. Couldn't replace it even though others claim I could. Like I said S&W lust the new all steel 36 in the high sevens.
I just was interested in a fair market value on a beautiful flat latch from the early 60's. Around here I have seen rusted 36's go for close yo 400.
JR

I recently posted a 586 with adjustable 4 position front sight. Someone told me it was worth 550 and then wanted to buy it. You can't even buy a regular 586 in that condition close to that. These guns are pretty uncommon in 586.

That's a very nice M36 and worth $500+ IMO.

I would hang on to that one and keep an eye on eBay for the correct grips.If I was gonna sell,I'd price it at $700 obo and see what happens.

You appear to take offense where none was intended, I simply stated facts. You do not mention where you live, prices vary with location. Here are a few pictures of my mid 1960's S&W 32-1 and the box to show you the condition.



I have no idea if S&W 66 revolvers are collectible. I had two 66-2's, gave the 4" away and sold the snubbie. I prefer the 3" HB, RB, S&W 65.



I was never interested in the L frame guns and cannot comment on their prices or desirability. S&W 19's and 27's tend to be the most desirable revolvers in metro Atlanta. These two S&W 19's got passed on to a forum member.

That's a nice 32. It's still not in condition of mine. It has wear around the rim at back of the cylinder , holster wear on the barrel and nicks here and there. It may be minute to a shooter but just Sayin. Mine barely has a cylinder ring. Maybe I did expect the gun was worth more than it is but it's certainly not a 300-400 gun. I rarely see S&W revolvers for sell around here snd when I do junk is ridiculously priced out of sight. Friend was looking for a 3 inch 65 recently. It was pretty well scratched in the finish and the guy was asking 700 with no box and wouldn't cut it a dime. Kept saying it was a collectible. Prices are getting out of sight with collectors driving them.
JR

JR - you have a nice Chief Special and you came here asking for assistance.
Approx. 25% of this thread is you commenting on Posters responses.
It's obvious that you are fond of your revolver and you already know YOUR value of the gun, so why did you ask for assistance?

around here without box,docs,and wrong grips....$400....

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

All I asked is show me a flat latch in that condition for 400. Would love another one. I can put an arbitrary price on anything. Not trying yo be a butt. I just haven't seen anything close and they were a lot higher.
JR

I wouldn't take less than $750 for this one, which I believe is also 1961 vintage.


I don't have box or papers either. Value is in the eye of the beholder. And, as always, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. You just have to find that right "someone".