Found exactly what I was looking for when I did a random stop at a local shop, a very nice old Smith, Model 57 no dash, N-Prefix. Now my wife was out in the car so I choked. Just checked it out, talked to store owner a bit, and left. Would this $899 price tag be just a reasonable price or is it a very good deal? I know you can't see a lot from the pic but it is in very good condition. Only marks some holster wear on the sides of muzzle and the cylinder ding on frame above the trigger. Nice lock-up. Is it normal to see the standard grips along with TT and TH?

Be honest with me, we're messing with my marriage her lol. My only other N-Frame is a Nickel 29-2 so my safe is just screaming for this baby.

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It's a tough gun to find. Haven't seen one since I sold mine back in 1975 to help make a down payment on my house. Remember, it's a Pawn Shop and he is going to make a killing no matter what you pay. I'm not saying that $899 is not a good price. I'd offer $550 just to rattle his cage. If you do a lot of business there and know the owner well, he will deal with you. I would want the gun for $650 after some negotiation or would likely pass since I'm not looking for one. After it sits in his shop for a few months, he will be ready to deal. It's a chance you take with Pawn Shops. Most people don't have that kind of money to buy a gun at a Pawn Shop.

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Dr. B

Thanks Doc

I let a beautiful 1994 M686 with the 4 and 1/4 inch barrel sit in my local Pawn Shop for nearly a year. It actually sold and came back after several months. I know the owners (brother and sister) pretty well. When I made my offer of $465, the brother wouldn't take it. His sister was standing behind me. I picked up on her mouthing the words, "Let him have the d**m gun!" That's how I brought this one home. You never know if you will get the gun or not when you low ball the price. I wouldn't budge on my offer. Also, don't believe the owner when he says, "I'll just keep it. I don't have to feed it." They are all in business to make money and turn their money fast. It's called cash flow.

Attached Images

M686-4 1994.jpg (123.4 KB, 113 views)

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Dr. B

Just the gun with no accessories? I'm thinking case or box , tools , paperwork. If not seems high to me.
I just saw the serial number. I think that should be in a presentation case and have Target stocks.

Pawn shops I buy from sometimes hold their price for 30 days (corporate owned ones) but will almost always at least deduct the sales tax; so in this case $899 OTD. On the other hand, other shops pretty much expect to knock off 10-20% from the time they put an item out and if you're a good customer they'll do better. Exceptions are hot items that they know they can sell fast. S&Ws where I shop fall in to that category. Even so I'd expect to buy that one for $800 OTD. I would argue that the stocks are not original, should be targets I think (maybe diamond targets given it is a no dash 57) and ask for a price reduction. Anyway, nice gun, it would be calling to me even without the correct stocks. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Great feedback, everybody. I'm very glad I had the chance to listen to voices of reason here, and settle down a bit.

Check to be sure it is not a -1. Also check that it is P&R. The serial number is close to the -1 start up. I've seen a couple 27-2 stamped guns that were pinned and not recessed or recessed and not pinned.
Sounds confusing but keep in mind the 57 came out in 1964. The -1 model 57 started in 1982.

It's recessed, no pinned barrel. I took a good look, just "57".

To me that changes things a lot. That price is way to high IMO. Personally I would pass on it.

Use the wrong stocks as a negotiating point!!! That should help.

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Good shooting.

And the information just keeps on coming. I am privileged to have access here.

I've been looking at 657's on the auction sites for a few months, which means I see a lot of 57's, too. Unless there is something special about that pawnshop 57, $899 is too high IMHO. I've seen many plain-jane 657's and 57's listed at above $800 sit for many weeks with no takers.

I just picked up a very nice shooter-grade 657 6" barrel with target trigger and target hammer for $750, which I thought was a fair price:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/620018803

Here's a nickled 57 in its wood presentation case with all the accessories which sold for $845:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/598747625

Here's a shooter-grade 57 which sold for $716:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/605033111

JMHO

Walk in with 7 $100 bills. No sale, give it a few weeks. 57s are unjustly underrated vs. the 27s and 29s...but that works in your favor.

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50 Years of DSOTM

I like this strategy. My wife's already picked up on my desire for this revolver. She's not stupid and I do wear my heart on my sleeve. Only catch is that she will demand that I make a sale of my own to compensate. Poor timing for me given a wedding coming up in October that we're paying for.

Sounds like the perfect time to give yourself a nice wedding present. No doubt you have earned it at this point.

I was recently, about a month or so ago, looking for another 57. I had sold mine a few years back, and sorely missed it. The LGS had two that were priced around a grand, I passed on them on recommendations from here. Glad I did, I found at the local cabelas a new 57-6. I walked with it out the door for 875. I will not part with it. I know the history of this, it has none.

I would hold out for $700. I got Ia 57-1 on this site about 5 months ago for $700. Pawn shop probably doesn't have $400 in it. Money setting still isn't what pawnshops are really about. They would rather be getting 15-20-% interest on that money than have the gun setting. Plus, now days revolvers are not hot movers like the bottom feeders and 41 mags are kinda odd balls now days. Don't jump on me, Fine caliber, but not going to sell like a 357 or 44 mag, unless the right guy or a S&W nut comes along.

57s always came with target stocks. First were the cokes and then the diamond targets. This one is a transition gun so it may have had either football cut outs targets or the speedloader cut targets.

Could be somebody removed the targets to sell separately to maximize their profit. Football targets could cost $200 upward to replace, while I think the speedloader cutouts would be a little sell. Cokes are upwards of $600 or more and diamond targets are priced at $350 give or take. All depending on whose selling.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Thanks Nightowl

Haggle the price then put it on layaway. Make payments.

Me personally I'd use my plastic. Anything under $1k for a n frame in that condition is a buy. There way higher lately.

I am guessing that they will take seven bills for it. But the way to approach it is to go in there with the money in hand. And just tell them, "I will give you seven bills cash for that gun here and now. But that offer expires when I walk out of the door."

You might be surprised what happens.

The 57s here in Texas are easily a grand plus for the no dash. And they don't turn up that often. I compromised on a 57-1 since it was local and I could examine it. Price started at 850 no box or anything and we settled at 700. I would not miss out on a 57 no dash for a hundred bucks or so. I doubt you can get that gun for 600. At 700 it is a steal. My serial is a N942000.



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$700 OTD would be my best offer AFTER starting MUCH lower and haggling. Let him talk you into the $700 price.

I know you want it and I get that! But, if he will not move to your price, sit it back on the counter and walk away. It'll still be there when you come back in a few weeks. The longer it sits,the more he wants it GONE in order to make room for something that will sell.

I've let guns that I really wanted sit unsold for months or even a year or more until we could strike a deal. Patience & willpower on your part are the key to a successful negotiation. Good Luck!

Best,
Charles

If its PeR its a fair starting point in regards to price but I would try and get it cheaper. It looks like a newer model to me. Possibly a classic. If it is a newer model i would stick to 700.00. If they will not go that low I would keep looking. You might have to look for awhile but you should be able to get more gun for the money. I bought a 57 no dash with presentation case correct grips last year on GB that was in great shape for 850.00 plus shipping. It was not a safe queen but it was a 95% pistol. You just have to keep watching.

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S&WCA #3012

Have to agree with the above posters...although it is a 57 it is actually a 57-.5 as this gun was made during the transition to the non-P&R 57-1. This gun should be made about 1981. I had a nickel 4" just like it, non-pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. I've also seen the opposite with a pinned barrel and non-recessed cylinder.

The missing Target Grips is also a $150-.

My suggestion is to look on GunBroker and see what good clean 6" 57s and 57-1s are selling for, split the difference and the deduct $150 for the missing Target Grips....which is probably going to be in the $700-750 range...

Bob

Walk into the shop with cash , only as much as you want/can spend. lay down $500 in cash and start dickering , add a $50.00 bill and offer to meet him halfway....$700.00 to $750.00 would seem about right.
Be sure and point out the detractions, but do it in a nice way...being ugly won't help...Be Nice.
Cold hard cash is sometimes a great motivator , my price for my services is affected by cash!
Gary

Agree that that is about a $700-750 gun, tax and all.

Model 57s have to be one of my favorite handguns. They're a pleasure to shoot, soft if loaded light or a handful if loaded up. I would have to agree with some of the above OTD at $700. It may be a Model 57 n/d but it's barrel is not pinned and the stocks are not correct. That being said it is still desirable if the price is right and its mechanically sound

In my case, I would have sent my wife in to see the 57. it would have soon disappeared. (She was an addict to fine SW's. Do I ever miss her, passed from cancer in 2013) BTW beautiful 57. Jewelry- not interested. Gun store-candy store.

Eric R:

Gary offers good advice here - I couldn't have said it better myself. The only suggestion I would add is to wait about a week or so before trying to buy the piece. As he gets closer to the end of the month, the pawn shop owner is going to be calculating his profits and losses for the month. If he's had a good month, he might be feeling good and cut you a break on the price. If it has only been a mediocre, or even a bad month, he might be very willing to deal with you. Cash is definitely king.

Best of luck to you, and please let us know how you make out on this deal.

Regards,

Dave

Sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Sorry for your loss.

Any pinned and recessed N Frame that is less than a grand, in that condition is a great buy.

If you want it, snag it, because it is a good deal.

I dont think that 899 is a good deal at all. It's not a P&R gun, doesn't have original grips or box or tools, and it has at least one but I think 2 blemishes I see, and a very well defined turn ring. It's seen quite a bit of use. 41's are sort of a niche cartridge and not as many people seeking them as a .357 or .44. My absolute top would be $650 and not a penny higher. I'm actually not even looking for one so probably wouldn't even try to get it. If it's your dream gun and you've been looking hard for it, maybe 800 is a price that you could justify...but to buy it just because it's there...listen to others and make a lower offer and walk away if it doesn't sell. I would bet that gun will sit for quite a while, until he comes way down or someone who has an affinity for 41s or that particular model happens to stop by. Please dont think I'm bad mouthing the 41 cartridge, or the model 57...they just dont garner the love that other models and cartridges do.

I agree with the $700 price. I bought a p&r 57 last year that was in the box in almost unfired condition for $800. Mine was an 8 3/8" which I think sell for a little less than the 6 1/2. I think the comments about this one having the wrong grips are correct. I've noticed over the years that every time I get in a hurry and think I have to make a quick move either buying or selling it cost me money. That being said I love my M57.