Model 59, at the Houston show

goldwinghg · #1 05-19-2018, 05:09 PM

I ran across a very nice,in the box Model 59 today,at the Houston Gun Show. The guy said he had it on consignment. $640 out the door was his best. I thought that was alittle high. I was thinking $500 to $550. What are your thoughts on it. This gun was about as clean as new.

Bubba2014 · #2 05-19-2018, 05:47 PM

Those guns had a lot of problems with jamming.

REVCHARLIE · #3 05-19-2018, 05:49 PM

I was thinking more like $300-$350.

StakeOut · #4 05-19-2018, 06:22 PM

I sold a LNIB Model 59 with the 2 original 14rd mags still wrapped in the vapor paper to a dealer that had tables at a show in Round Rock TX late last year for $500.

The days of low prices for excellent to NIB Model 39-2 and Model 59 are over.There's some well used and mostly without original grips/boxes/papers/cleaning kit for $350 to $450 but even those are drying up around here.

In 2016 there were many to be had at prices that would now be considered steals.

Danby · #5 05-19-2018, 06:42 PM

I paid $310 out the door for mine just a few weeks ago. However, no case or paperwork... but minimal rounds through it.

FirebirdV8 · #6 05-19-2018, 08:34 PM

If the condition is right, the price is reasonable, but a little on the high side. Of course for that price, it should LNIB.

ken158 · #7 05-19-2018, 09:14 PM

They made a bunch of them and unless you just have to have it, wait for one under $400.

hkcavalier · #8 05-19-2018, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StakeOut

I sold a LNIB Model 59 with the 2 original 14rd mags still wrapped in the vapor paper to a dealer that had tables at a show in Round Rock TX late last year for $500.

The days of low prices for excellent to NIB Model 39-2 and Model 59 are over.There's some well used and mostly without original grips/boxes/papers/cleaning kit for $350 to $450 but even those are drying up around here.

In 2016 there were many to be had at prices that would now be considered steals.

Well...

I got a fairly nice pre-39 for $400 last year. But the seller listed it as a "regular" 39.

Just be patient.

Wise_A · #9 05-19-2018, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba2014

Those guns had a lot of problems with jamming.

Come tell that to mine.

Honestly, it's the single most beat-up gun I've ever shot. I got it for $225, and I have to use miserable Pro Mag 10-rounders because five extra rounds would make it an unstoppable death machine.

I can not think of a time it ever suffered a stoppage.

What I will say is that the sights are meh, and the trigger has a nasty habit of pinching the hell out of my fingers if I try to actually shoot it double-action.

Imissedagain · #10 05-20-2018, 07:50 AM

Bought one new in 1980.
Always Ball until my son ran a JHP in 2008 and with a gentle polish on the ramp parts..... no more issues.
Thin extractor and heard that they could fire if dropped.... but rock solid otherwise.
Trigger similar to Sig DA/SA in feel.
Prudent to have a DA/SA with a Decocker/kinda Safety in a collection.
Staying on target or close.... and not hitting the ceiling/clouds is why its wise to get familiar with the trigger.... load one in mag... then two....
Getting good at it..... not all ranges allow that level of fun.

TTSH · #11 05-20-2018, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldwinghg

I ran across a very nice,in the box Model 59 today,at the Houston Gun Show. The guy said he had it on consignment. $640 out the door was his best. I thought that was alittle high. I was thinking $500 to $550. What are your thoughts on it. This gun was about as clean as new.

As I posted last September...

Quote:

It's really more a piece of Smith & Wesson history now than the very best gun you can buy today at any price. Only one for sale in my area is $599; however, I must admit that it's in very close to brand new condition. It came from a collection of over 600 handguns and most are virtually as-new. As a collector piece, it is probably worth the money. As a gun bought to be carried or otherwise used for personal protection today, you can likely find something cheaper or for the same price that you may like better.

That pristine perfect Model 59 did sell and I would guess at its tagged price. That entire collection is treated as consigned and there are no dealer breaks being given. Too bad too because there are a few S&W's left in that collection that I'd love to own.

Imissedagain · #12 05-20-2018, 09:02 AM

What are the favorite/best replacements for the M59?
Any favored by handloaders?
What about same action, size, all steel and bigger calibers?

Reason for asking is several of our firearms will never be used and will be sold/traded for appropriate actions and calibers for
"brown bear country"..... better ring than.... need protection from Bambi's dad.

Classics are Kool but as I told the kids..... buy a new Jag or Vette, lift it up a bit and drive it.

noro · #13 05-20-2018, 09:04 AM

Think that price is a little high. Found one NIB with tools for 400
just last yr. Also found a 39 a few yrs ago for 295 which was a
gently used police trade in.

If you're really looking for one, I'd a shop around a little more.

Sevens · #14 05-20-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imissedagain

What are the favorite/best replacements for the M59?
Any favored by handloaders?
What about same action, size, all steel and bigger calibers?

Reason for asking is several of our firearms will never be used and will be sold/traded for appropriate actions and calibers for
"brown bear country"..... better ring than.... need protection from Bambi's dad.

Classics are Kool but as I told the kids..... buy a new Jag or Vette, lift it up a bit and drive it.

Well, not exactly sure what you are asking for in a response--
Specifically you asked for a replacement for the 59, and same action, size and all steel? That answer is simple, it's the 5906. Bigger caliber -- 4566 (nearly same size) or 4506 (longer.)

None of 5906 or 4566/4506 is "appropriate" for bear country unless maybe you were to explore .45 Super. I mean a 9mm is better than nothing against a bear but to me it seems like a signal gun to call for help as long as the bear left you with a working arm, hand and trigger finger.

Truth is, if not for nostalgia and appreciation of history -- I simply cannot find any good reason to own a 59. I have mine and I am fond of it, but for those who aren't attracted to the enjoyment of a "themed collection", a 59 is best forwarded to the next happy buyer.

I don't agree with any fake news headlines that say "bah, all the deals are gone people!" That's nonsense that gets proven wrong regularly and repeatedly. One of our forum regulars got a great one, nearly NIB just last week. What, from a poor clueless widow?! --NO!!-- From the for sale area of THIS forum.

The 59 is nowhere in the realm of scarce, plenty of solid deals will continue to present and honestly... it will NOT get worse, it will continue as more guys who bought them in the 1970's part out their collection... or kids and grandkids of those gentlemen do.

Too much doom and gloom about the market, don't buy it.

4T5GUY · #15 05-20-2018, 07:28 PM

I like the "nostalgia," and the "theme" of the 59's. A must have.

I have three of them, and they all shoot/function great. The nickel one was the most expensive, but not that much above the ANIB one I got a couple of years ago for $450.00. (Simpson's, non-import.)

Jim

kennethg · #16 05-20-2018, 08:27 PM

Some of the reliability problems have been exaggerated of the years. The early ones did have problems. This was because the demand was so high among LEO's that a lot were produced and quality control was not up to par. Usually a good and thorough cleaning solved most problems. Paying close attention to the extractor. Metal shavings were the culprit in a lot of these pistols.