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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 10-17-2018, 03:56 PM
bc1023 bc1023 is offline
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Default Unfired 520

My favorite local shop offered me a still unfired 520 357 Magnum for $900 OTD.

It looks like it was just built yesterday and totally mint with the box and papers. The bluing is outstanding. Even the box is mint. I believe they were all built in 1980 for the NYSP, but never delivered. I think only 3000 were manufactured. Its the only N Frame without adjustable sights. They were all pinned and recessed and all had 4" barrels.

I generally only buy 5-screw Smiths with no model numbers. However, it seems like a nice deal.

Thoughts?
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:03 PM
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Ah.... what's the address of this shop?

Pretty sure you know what you have to do here.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:11 PM
Triggerman66 Triggerman66 is offline
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I like 5 screw Smiths also but I still have a 520 from the early 1980s.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:12 PM
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Yeah price seems great

I do a lot of business in there and have for decades, so they hook me up. Like I said, I just don’t generally buy S&W revolvers of this vintage. In fact, it would be my “newest” model by nearly a decade.
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Old 10-17-2018, 04:39 PM
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As thoughts go... I don't think it fits with the elite guns you have. Sure, it's a solid gun, but it's no more or less solid than any 28-2. (and note, I'm a huge fan of the 28-2)

The 520 is one of these "oh, it's collectible!" guns not because it something completely fantastic... but only because it's a scarce oddity.

For better or worse, in S&W semiauto terms, I liken it to a Model 147A... in a 147A you have an outrageously valuable model because it was a rare production anomaly, and not at all because it was some thoroughly amazing piece of firearms craftsmanship. With the top-tier pistols you own and love, ask yourself which would you rather own/shoot/love, if the price or value were NOT part of the equation... a 952-2 or a 147A?

Sure, what I said sounds like a really negative take -- that's not my goal, honestly. It really is just how it occurs to me.

Again, in S&W semiauto terms (I suppose because that is the angle I see things from...), it's like a 4505 or 5905. These two are the very scarce blued versions of the seriously high production stainless 4506 and 5906. They are fine pistols in their own right, as a production S&W ought to be... but they are not 2-3-4 times better than a 4506 and 5906, even though that is where they sometimes trade, due to their scarcity.

The 520? It's a 28-2 to me... with a 2x-3x price tag. And yeah, I love a 28-2.
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Old 10-17-2018, 06:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
As thoughts go... I don't think it fits with the elite guns you have. Sure, it's a solid gun, but it's no more or less solid than any 28-2. (and note, I'm a huge fan of the 28-2)

The 520 is one of these "oh, it's collectible!" guns not because it something completely fantastic... but only because it's a scarce oddity.

For better or worse, in S&W semiauto terms, I liken it to a Model 147A... in a 147A you have an outrageously valuable model because it was a rare production anomaly, and not at all because it was some thoroughly amazing piece of firearms craftsmanship. With the top-tier pistols you own and love, ask yourself which would you rather own/shoot/love, if the price or value were NOT part of the equation... a 952-2 or a 147A?

Sure, what I said sounds like a really negative take -- that's not my goal, honestly. It really is just how it occurs to me.

Again, in S&W semiauto terms (I suppose because that is the angle I see things from...), it's like a 4505 or 5905. These two are the very scarce blued versions of the seriously high production stainless 4506 and 5906. They are fine pistols in their own right, as a production S&W ought to be... but they are not 2-3-4 times better than a 4506 and 5906, even though that is where they sometimes trade, due to their scarcity.

The 520? It's a 28-2 to me... with a 2x-3x price tag. And yeah, I love a 28-2.
No I get all that and I appreciate the well thought response.

At $900 OTD for one still "NIB", it makes sense. In fact, I'd basically expect to pay that for an unfired 28-2 in box these days.

Last edited by bc1023; 10-17-2018 at 08:07 PM.
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Old 10-17-2018, 06:37 PM
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Oh yeah, a 520 NIB for that price is probably a money maker.
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Old 10-17-2018, 07:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bc1023 View Post
My favorite local shop offered me a still unfired 520 357 Magnum for $900 OTD.
That is a very good price.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bc1023 View Post
... It's the only N Frame without adjustable sights.
No, there were a lot of others. The M58 for one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bc1023 View Post
I generally only buy 5-screw Smiths with no model numbers. However, it seems like a nice deal.
Thoughts?
My thoughts: If you decide to pass on it, please PM me with the shop's name and phone number!
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Old 10-17-2018, 07:41 PM
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Buy the model 520, then quickly flip it. You should make a nice profit.
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Old 10-17-2018, 08:08 PM
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Quote:
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No, there were a lot of others. The M58 for one.
I misspoke

I meant N Frame 357
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Old 10-17-2018, 09:12 PM
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The 520s are beautiful and that is a better price than I paid for mine almost 11 years ago...





The 520s are very unique with the slight taper to the barrel AND a ribbed barrel with a fixed groove rear sight. Really a cool gun. It's a no-brainer at that price for any 357 collector, accumulator or shooter.
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Last edited by RKmesa; 10-17-2018 at 09:13 PM.
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Old 10-17-2018, 11:59 PM
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I don't see how anyone can look at a 520, especially a NIB example at a GREAT price , and say that it isn't anything special .
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Old 10-18-2018, 07:18 AM
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That are neat guns, and even if it doesn't fit your collecting niche, it would be tempting at that price if for no other reason than to flip it for a decent profit.
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Old 10-20-2018, 02:50 PM
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I'd guess that to be a decent price for a shooter M520. You should snag that with every bit of alacrity of which you are capable.
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Old 10-20-2018, 03:03 PM
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What? You haven't bought it yet?
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Old 10-20-2018, 04:28 PM
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Buy that gun!
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Old 10-20-2018, 11:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKmesa View Post
The 520s are beautiful and that is a better price than I paid for mine almost 11 years ago...





The 520s are very unique with the slight taper to the barrel AND a ribbed barrel with a fixed groove rear sight. Really a cool gun. It's a no-brainer at that price for any 357 collector, accumulator or shooter.
I agree, interesting features, uncommon, can’t see how these wouldn’t be desirable
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Old 10-21-2018, 03:49 PM
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IME the vast majority of 520s encountered are unfired as they were instant collector items. Everyone knew they were limited edition. Well, 3,000 units which is sort of a lot but still somewhat limited.
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Old 10-21-2018, 04:01 PM
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Quote:
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IME the vast majority of 520s encountered are unfired as they were instant collector items. Everyone knew they were limited edition. Well, 3,000 units which is sort of a lot but still somewhat limited.
I have only laid eyes on two and they both looked unfired.
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Old 10-25-2018, 02:14 PM
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Old 10-25-2018, 04:13 PM
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Time capsule for sure! And that letter from 1980 is a fantastic item with it.
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Old 10-25-2018, 05:20 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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...so I will beat them to it: Now, take it out and shoot the snot out of it!!!
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Old 10-25-2018, 07:33 PM
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Wow! Fixed sights AND P&R! Sure wish I'd seen it first ...
One thing puzzles me:
Why was the dealer price redacted in the letter?
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Old 10-25-2018, 07:44 PM
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I would have been on that like a fatty on a sheet cake. It's beautiful and unique. Not to mention all business.
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Old 10-26-2018, 01:52 PM
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If they made 300,000 instead of 3000 the same reasons people love a 58 would make this highly sought after. Good size frame, substantial cartridge, nothing to hang up on a draw and easy to carry. I would not flip it quickly but would not be surprised to see a large value change in 5-10 years.
It kills me to write it but I would leave it unfired or no more than a cylinder full.
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