I decided to to to the Raleigh NC gun show today. It was better than usual and I saw some decent S&W revolvers, some even reasonably priced. Ran into Ladder 13 and OPaul and some other good friends.

I had just about decided to give up as all the nicer revolvers were duplicates of what I already had or just not up to my OCD standards, then I spied this.




Apologies for the quick Iphone photo. Don't have my light box set up. Will do better photos later.

I probably bought it early, but when will I find another one, with one small blemish and with the matching box?

At $1000 OTD, How much too early did I buy it??

Glad you picked this up! I actually saw that very gun and checked it out. Not being that familiar with that model I wasn't sure about the purchase, but I was mighty tempted. That is a very nice revolver.

I actually went back to look at it again but it was gone.......you must have picked it up within 30 minutes after I saw it.
Congrats'

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Patriots Forever!!

I learned a while ago that if you quibble over the price and pass, you will end up regretting not buying it. A nice 547 is almost impossible to find at even higher prices. I have a nearly identical 547 purchased years ago. It is fun to shoot and rarely encountered. It will reach near 357 velocities with some 9mm loads. I found six HKS speedloaders on a bargain table in a Sportsman's Warehouse five years ago so accesories still may be found. Since it is not new in the box you can shoot it without guilt or lowering the guns value.

You did the right thing. Have fun with your new purchase.

WCCPHD, you did pretty good. That's a great gun and you'll enjoy shooting it. I sold my 3" about a year and a half ago for a bit more than you paid w/out the box, etc.

Here's my 4" I had out last week and had a good time shooting it. Very accurate. I've added a T-grip to it since this pic was taken.

Attached Images

20151202_004854 (Copy).jpg (182.7 KB, 119 views)

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

If it was on one of the auction sites you may have bought it late.
Congrats on getting it.

Way to go. I have never been to the gun show in Raleigh. I am planning on going to Greensboro next week.

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S&WCA #3012

Nice find!

Prices for that gun are rising! I looked for years till I finely found a 3" in very good shape only 50 miles from my house about 2 years ago. That was the only 547 I ever saw in this area!

I paid the hang tag price for it but would have paid more if it was required. I kind of think the rather large dealer did not know what he had. I know if I went to sell it (Which I'm Not) I would be asking at least $350 more than I paid for it

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

congratulations.

based on a couple of 547's I have seen locally over the last 2 years, you did not pay too early. you paid just right on a seldom seen model.

A quick look at the big site shows very few under a grand, and many quite a bit more. I'd say "well done" for picking up a nice example for your collection of 3" Smiths!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Is the hammer broken?

FWIW, I don't think you were early at all. It's a pretty uncommon and great piece to have snagged.

Not to mention the best thread title I've seen around here lately.

Congrats on the acquisition, glad you shared it with us.

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America First

The hammer on that gun is not broken. I also have a 3" Model 547 and the hammer on my gun looks like that one. They are kind of a "semi-bobbed" hammer, and different from most other k-frame guns.

Kenny

I heartily agree that you didn't buy too early. Great snag. Find yourself a pair of round butt target stocks: it will look like it did when it left the factory, and you'll still be into it for a great deal.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Does anyone know why Smith made this particular model with a shortened hammer spur?

I have a pair of the round butt targets. Was this what it originally shipped with or did it ship with the magna grips? Based on the "Spec Ord" number the gun was shipped on January 23, 1984 so it was a later production gun.

Thanks.

Bill

Raleigh has shows by two promoters. This was, by far, the best one.

I'll be at the Greensboro show also. Won't be able to buy anything as my gun fund took a big hit, but might do some trading.

Bill

The designers thought there was a possibility the hammer would kick back, so they shortened the spur so it wouldn't bite the web of the hand if it did. It's because the nine millimeter is a tapered rimless cartridge.

There is also something called a "backing pin" that's part of the action that forces the case forward when the cartridge is fired.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

It was a good show! I'll be in Greensboro next weekend. I think I may be selling my pre-rail 4513TSW and a NIB model 38.

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Patriots Forever!!

Well done! Wish I had beaten you to it, but I really don't need another 547.

There was a 547 for sale here locally at a shop for $1400. It sat for a few months but eventually did sell (I have no idea if the price was negotiated down or not). The rarity and unique features are neat but it didn't turn my crank at that price.

I'd say you did good on the price. I just happen to have a speed loader for a 547 sitting in my box of parts. I bought it cheap and will eventually own the gun to go with it. I always keep my eye out for a S&W 9mm model 547 at any gun show or pawn shop I visit.


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GOOD JOB!!! A 547, is something that I have lusted over. Not not really sure why??? Regardless, they are not showing up for sale too often, so acting on it now was wise! Bob

According to the SCSW, the three-inch guns shipped with "round-butt target stocks with speed loader cutout." The four-inchers were square butts that shipped with walnut magnas.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Very nice!
And I knew it....... as soon as I move out of the area, you scoop up all the good stuff!

Congrats Bill!

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Thanks. I should have looked it up myself. When I cleaned it up and removed the grips it was obvious the magna grips had been on it for most of its life as there was an obvious "line" that "flitzed" out easily. I have a set of the "banana" grips that I will put on it as I like the look and feel of them. The last revolver that I was issued, a Model 13, had these grips and it was extremely comfortable to shoot. And, with the three inch barrel was probably the most comfortable carry gun we ever had. Save the abbreviated hammer the 547 looks exactly like it and that is one of the things that drew me to it. That and the fact that a 940 is my EDC.

The factory paperwork that shipped with the gun says, "... round butt checked walnut target with speed loader cutaway."

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I can verify that the hammer does indeed rebound enough to recock itself (The cylinder doesn't turn, though!) during the firing sequence. Mine has a glued on trigger stop which, at initial install, was just the right height to let the trigger back under recoil so that the hammer would re-engage the SA sear notch on the hammer.

Great find! I have seen exactly two around here in the last nine years that I have been looking for one. November 2015 I saw a 3" shooter, no box, $1,399. November 2016 saw a 4" in the box shooter grade at $1,500. Enjoy that bad boy.

Interesting!
Anyone else have this happen to them on any of your 9mm revolvers?

The back-thrust phenomena is not evident with guns that use moon clips.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Congratulations on that find. I probably couldn't have resisted that one.

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Very nice Bill, you did very well.

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Sure you did

Since they only made something like 10,270 of them, and that was thirty years ago, I would say that the laws of supply and demand are going to ensure that most of us never even see one!!

I think you got a great deal.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Based on the link below I guess I got a pretty good deal. The condition of this gun and the one I bought seem comparable and I got a box. The one below had the correct grips (but I already had a set that I bought some time ago for $45).

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/615733768