Folks, I am in a quandary. I am considering the purchase of two (2) of the following. Can't buy all five or even 4 just now. (I meant FIVE tough choices!) Choices are between:
1. Model 18 .22 cal., 4" sn K641497 ('65) all orig. 97-98% no box
2. Model 25-5 .45 LC,6"nick.sn N825535,orig.DOB ? 98% no box
3. Model 67 4" stainless .38 sn 5K3631,all orig. DOB? 99% no box
4. Model 29-3 4" .44 mag sn AUH6820, all orig.DOB?98-99 no box
5. Model 19-4 4" .357 mag sn 60K9242 ('72)orig. box no papers
These guns are 1 owner(retired cop), clean, w/very slight turn lines w/ minimal /no holster wear. He's been VERY reasonable price wise, and I have $1,125 (no more) to spend. No one else bidding. Value and price appreciation wise, which two should I buy? Would like experienced input before I choose. Thanks!

I’d be most interested in the M18 and M19-4.

I wouldn’t pay more than $500 for the M19.

number 4 and 5

My recommendation, based upon your criteria would be #1 & #4.

I forgot to state that #4 (Mod. 29) and #5 (Mod. 19) are both nickel

Model 18.

Model 29.

I'd go for #s 1 and 5........ oh wait I've already got them!!!!!!!



Nickel............. ah what the ----!!!!!

I'd be in it, for the #4. I did purchase a #4(blued) recently, and those that follow some of my threads know exactly what happened there.
I once seen a 29-2 nickel and it was a thing of beauty. Perfect in every way. (I have a 27-2 nickel).
If #4 was a nickel, I couldn't pull out the money fast enough!

2, 4, 5, 1, 3. In that order.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

1, 3, 5, 2, 4....

1 & 3 FOR ME

I'm a 2. & 5. guy myself.

Can you talk him into listing the leftovers here?

(trying to think of a way to get pictures)

The model 18 and model 19-4 would be my choices; if they're in really good shape, they'd be the hardest two to find out of the bunch. Either of the two N frames (25 & 29) could eat up most of your budget. I have a few nickel plated guns and I'm sure that the 29 is dazzling, but it's going to be expensive.

George

I would buy the model 18 and the 29.

18 all the way for me. I’ve been wanting one for a long time! The second would be the 29.


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Model 18 (absolutely one of the finest production .22 revolvers ever), and the model 19. Both are p&r, perfectly balanced and elegant examples of the gun makers art.

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ol' country Jim

Model 18 and Model 25

I concur with mk70ss

Number 1 and 2, with the 19 in close third place

Kelly

The Model 18 is my first choice! What ever you like after that is yours.....

It would be an easy choice, the Model 18 and 25.

Best regards,

OK, M18 & M29.
The small boy & the BIG boy! LOL!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

If you can buy the two for your stated budget, the nickel 25 and nickel 29 are far and away the best value and the most difficult to replace. That would be an amazing buy! The others, all desirable guns, can be found more readily in the future. Don't let this pass you by (buy)

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I'm with mk70ss, buy the 18 and the 25. The others are more common and easier to find later. Plus those two are the most fun to shoot.

I'll take #1 and #4 for $1125 Alex.

My choices if budget is able would also be the model 18 and the model 29.

18 and 19 would be my choices.

Buy the Model 18 and the Model 19. The rest are nice, but these are the two to buy. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

#1 and #4 would be my choice.

Obviously we all like the 18, I second the choice of the 29 but the 19 would be a very close second. Good luck and let us know-with pictures LOL!!

45 LC and 44 Mag ammo is expensive if you don't reload. You want an adjustable rear sight. I'd buy the M18 and M19 in a heartbeat, and I already have both of them.

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S&WHF 366

1, 2 and 4.

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213th FBINA

For me, the Model 25 is 1st, simply because I don't really like barrels shorter than 6 inches. Of the rest, probably the 19 or the 29?

This is just me

Well, that ought to clear things up for you!

I have a 19, 25 and 29....of those I would let the 19 go before the 25 or 29. My 29 is nickel and the 25s blue.... my must have would be the nickel 25......the others are too short barreled for me......But if I had to buy two then it would be the 19.

1 2
I would get the 18 because they are great to shoot. Inexpensive ammo, size same as many others and close enough to N frames to help hone your skills for when you do shoot the big bores.

The 45 colt is really close to handgun potency as the 44 mag,, has less recoil and easier on you and your gun.

This gentleman seems to have been struck by a bolt of common sense----a rare commodity in our world.

All those calling for the selection of the .44 Magnum seem to have become afflicted with what I call The Fishing Tackle Syndrome. Fishing tackle, as I'm sure many of you will agree, is made to catch fish---right? Well actually it's made to sell to fishermen----much as .44 Magnums are made to sell to those who seem to have a need to say mine's bigger than yours.

So----the bottom line? See paragraph #1 above.

Ralph Tremaine

I would have to say, 25-5 1st, then the 29-3. Only my opinion!. I have a 25-15. Really enjoy the 45 Colt. Have a 29-3, 6" that I enjoy quite a bit. Had a nickel 4" 29-2 that was BEAUTIFUL & problematic. It is gone! The -3 is great. Good luck with making your choices! Bob

The Model 18 definitely.

The Model 29 loses much appeal by being a -3 variant while the Model 19 goes up in stock by being nickel plated. That said, those 25-5s in 45 Colt are scarce and good guns. I think that might be my second choice.

One more thing: all of this advice is under the assumption that these all have factory original grips. Very important.

Number 1&2 model 18 & model 25

I would be trying to borrow money from a loan shark! Looks like he is selling these weapons all at a good price.
I would be after 1, 2, 4 and 5 and trying to find a way to get them.
I think 1 and 4 without seeing them. I would be seriously interested also in two and five. There is an investment value here.

#1 and #4 or #5.

This is my choice of order

1. Model 25-5 .45 LC,6"nick.sn N825535,orig.DOB ? 98% no box
2. Model 19-4 4" .357 mag sn 60K9242 ('72)orig. box no papers
3. Model 18 .22 cal., 4" sn K641497 ('65) all orig. 97-98% no box
4. Model 67 4" stainless .38 sn 5K3631,all orig. DOB? 99% no box
5. Model 29-3 4" .44 mag sn AUH6820, all orig.DOB?98-99 no box

40 replies and no one (directly) asked if your intent is collecting, shooting or both?

The model 18 fits into both categories. The model 19 would make sense for lower cost shooting and the model 25 for collecting. No bad options though.

Also surprised no one gave you their ages:

Model 25, 1981-‘82? Model 67, 1973. Model 19, 1980. Model 29, 1985?

Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'd ber interested in the Model 67. What does he want for it???

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Forum consigliere

29 then the 18

Well ! I'm overwhelmed by the responses, and I feel some background is in order. First: I met my retired policeman friend in 2016. He is a very private guy, and wants to sell these pieces as innocuously as possible. He DEFINITELY wants no publicity; I met him while working at a local gun shop but when the shop offered to buy all his guns, he was OTD in an instant. He wants a buyer who will keep the guns purchased and collect/use them. I just cannot reveal name/location as this is the way he wants it. He's in no hurry to sell--I've been actively buying for about 30 months now. He waits till I can dredge up the $$ and then we negotiate a price on the gun(s) I want.
So far I've purchased the following:
1. 4" Colt Python (99%, beautiful!) 2. 2.5" Colt Diamondback .38(nickel, perfect) 3. Colt nickel Detective Special .38 (Beautiful!) 4. Colt 1911A1 Commercial (1969, 98%w/box) 5. S&W 6" model 19 (blue, 98%) and 6. Winchester Model 94 carbine, 1954 vintage, 99%.
You can see why I can't afford to mess this relationship up.

He has guns he WON'T sell--a Model 57 .41 mag that he shot a drug dealer with in the late 1970's; a Model 66 S&W 4" police Commemorative, etc.

As a matter of fact I hope eventually to buy all 5 of the guns I listed in the original post, but can only afford two for now. I don't borrow money to buy guns; I'm a retired banker and really rather conservative.

Your thoughts, preferences and suggestions have greatly interested and intrigued me, and are very much appreciated.. So far, votes are running 2:1 for the 18, while the models 25 and 29 are tied at 15 votes each. I'm leaning toward the 18 and can't decide then between the 19 and 29....will keep you posted and will post photos of the two I buy. Many, many thanks.

You have I found a treasure OP. The guns are nice, but a good fiend is a far better. If he is working with you and in no hurry, does it really make any difference which you buy when?

Funny you should bring that up, Chukar. I phoned him Wednesday to arrange another meeting, and he asked me to hold off and call him in 2 weeks---because he thinks his wife is moving out of the house. I know things have been difficult between them for awhile. Didn't think at this late date that it would result in a possible divorce. AND who knows where that could lead as far as seller's state of mind, etc.? But this guy told me he still has all the guns he had before, and has no intention of selling to others.

We always said at the Bank there were only 3 ideal times to buy: Death, Divorce and Bankruptcy. I felt then and still feel that is cold. Don't want any of the 3 to happen to my friend. Keep you posted.

My first and second picks would be the Model 18 and the Model 67 both in 4". I have a 4" Model 66 and used to have a 6" Model 629. But in regard to the Model 66, I don't think I have fired one round of 357 in it; so the Model 67 fills the bill perfectly for me. And since I like shooting 44 Special accurately; I shoot them in my Ruger BH 44 Special. I never shot 44 Magnums in my Model 629, so I sold it.

I would get #2 & #4 the model 25 and 29

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9-11-01 lest we forget amen