I am looking at buying a S&W Model 13-3 with 4" barrel. Seller priced it at $385. Is this a good buy or is it overpriced. Pictures attached:

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i can't say for certain without seeing the gun in hand and making sure it functions correctly, but $385 sounds like a steal!

From the seller:

"Excellent action, tight lock-up and good timing - retired service revolver from the end of the service revolver era (for most) in the 80's. If you're looking for a collector's example of the Model 13, this probably isn't it; but if you want an inexpensive no-lock S&W .357 with a great trigger for more utilitarian purposes, this is it. It has the usual service revolver wear, but I have seen much worse. There is some loss of nickel plating at the muzzle, and the finish has light surface scatches here and there, but the steel is all there. A little spotting behind cylinder as illustrated in the second picture. This is all easily resolved if you want to bring the gun back to something close to what it looked like new, but I liked it as is." "But I think it has been carried a lot, and shot very little. The bore looks perfect to me, and the cylinder doesn't have any play in it. It is functionally 100%."

If it is in good working order, that price is not outrageous. Guns can have so many hidden flaws that it is hard to make a valuation-from-a-picture without a caveat.

Just from looking at the pictures, I can see two things that may detract from the selling price. One is that it has Pachs instead of the more desirable factory wood stocks. The second is that it looks like someone nickeled it (or re-nickeled it) and nickeled the hammer and trigger in the process. How much this bothers you is your decision.

I note that the seller does not address these issues. If it is as he describes, that may not be a bad price, but I would pass.

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You're shy a few manners.

If you're going to buy it to shoot it, I would say the price is good. It isn't collectible grade, so the hammer and trigger is a non-issue for me.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Sir, if the hammer and trigger are nickle plated, as it appears, this is a sure sign of a non factory refinish. Now if you want a great shooter I think you will have a hard time beating the asking price.

Yes, I forgot to mention that this will be a home defense gun for me.

If you're looking for an all-around shooter/woods gun, a 13 would fit the bill perfectly. Since it's kind of a beater, at least cosmetically, you could do any sort of refinish project with it and be happy with the result. $385 is about the top of what I'd give...325-350 is more like it. But I wouldn't let it get away over $35 if I really wanted it.

Also, I was wondering if the SW 13-3 has a transfer bar or otherwise a mechanical device that would prevent the weapon from firing if the hammer, while lowered on a live round, would fire without the trigger being pulled? ie dropped.

Magician all late model S&W revlovers have the hammer block safety. I believe they were put in around the early 1900's.

I would grab this gun for a shooter and home piece. I carry a 4 inch blued one now and paid $700.00 for it as new in box.

A little mothers mag polish that revolver will look great.

Pete

Robertson Trading post has a bunch of re-imported blued 13s (CAI import mark) in the low 400s.

Robertsons is one of the few online dealers I've seen who give each gun a complete inspection and state the BC gap, timing, etc in the description.

They sell on Gun broker and Guns America.