Located a 19-3 near my area.
Guy wants to sell but is firm on his price.
Model 19-3 target hammer trigger and stocks 4 inch barrel blue finish. Sn.# 4k719xx.
On close examination gun seems unfired and this is one on my wanted list.
Seller wants $950 so what does everyone think? to much?
I might consider this as the gun is mark free, but no box or papers.
What does everyone think?
Would anyone know the ship date?

Thanks,
Netcats

I just paid $875 plus shipping and FFL transfer. It will sell if advertised.

Sounds like a buy to me!!!

Seriously, put your I-pad down, and go get it NOW.

...Get it for RGNEWELL sees it. He never met a 19 he didn’t like.

Price might be a tad high, but by the New Year you'll look at it as a bargain!

The SCSW puts 4k7ooo in 1973 which was for me was a good year for for pretty girlfriends. That might make it good revolver.

$950? It might be the best price you'll ever see but I regret passing by an as new 19-3 for $225 out the door and I do not need any .357 bad enough to stretch my budget that far. The seller of the one that was $225 likely would have taken $200. He told me no one wants a nickeled S&W so was not optimistic about getting a quick sale. Oh yea, it was not last week.

They're nice guns. As far as the unfired claim goes, give it the finger test. S&W revolvers leave S&W with a sharp edge on the inside rear of the barrel or forcing cone. It does not take very many magnum cartridges to dull that edge.

If truly unfired, $950 is reasonable, but would be better with box and accessories.

If unfired after the factory, the cylinder face should have burn rings around three alternate chambers, If fired after the factory, each chamber will have them.

IMHO, if it looks close to unfired. Buy it.
Of course nobody ever said I was humble.

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A 2-1/2” nickel 19-3 sold for $825 on this sight recently only 7 minutes after posted for sale.

If it was fired a few times and then professionally cleaned and polished, there will still be a few signs left, like maybe a trace of flame cutting on the frame above the forcing cone. Those lines are hard to get rid of. If it was fired with .38 caliber rounds instead of .357, there may be some signs of carbon buildup in the chambers.

If the gun was sold in the early 70's with target grips, the grips will most likely have the extractor/football cutout as opposed to the later speed loader cut. If the gun was used, then the grips will probably have a slightly worn spot where the cartridge rim hits the football cut on ejection. If the grips were factory fitted, then they will be flush at the top back of the grip, and also at the bottom of the back strap. If there is some space at the bottom (heel of the backstrap), then the grips were added later.

Someone can probably correct me if I am off on some of that.

Not exactly true. I really don't care for 6" 19s.

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Nah, don't buy that 19-3. This is the best mine does with 158gr jacketed soft point Remington magnum ammo. Bought it in 1973....it gets better with age. $950 seems to be the going price for nice examples these days.

Robert

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

They certainly seem to go up in price with age, but $950 would be at the top of the range around here. A Model 19 with a pinned barrel, 2", and very light signs of use sold for $725 plus tax at a LGS, and one with a 6" barrel and period correct target grips has gone unsold at a couple local shows at 750. The 4" version seems to be the most sought after, and if almost unfired, and with the correct target grips, maybe, but I don't think it would sell quickly.

(I know, I keep forgetting to enable fellow addi... I mean enthusiasts, yeah, that, )

Hey guys,
Icalled the seller and I just need to go and pick it up.
Thanks for the moral support and the tips on what to look for.
I had already checked the foecing cone, very good rough edge.
Again thanks for the help.

Netcats

Edit: grips are footballs and fit is very good, small cut out not for speed loaders.

Interesting juxtaposition...

After posting a WTB on this sight a few weeks back, a few forum members offered 19’s for sale. I’d have to check the PM’s, but I don’t recall ANY offers under $900...and none that were in the condition that you described (well, maybe 1, bit it was quite a bit more expensive).

That pretty much describes me as well. It is why I narrowed my Model 19 searches to 19-2's. They, at least, are close to my own age.

Netcats, congratulations on a really good deal. The prices of guns are moving upward, not downward (at least for the foreseeable future) so your cost will probably be a bargain in 6 months!