Prices falling . . .

[Cardboard_killer]

I scored a 15-2 today for $280 OTD. Grips were in poor shape, and there is some bluing wear here and there, but nothing too extensive. Lock up was like fort knox though.

I stripped it down and it is now in parts over my table waiting for sonic cleaning and some trigger work. The target grips are an interesting thing. It looks like a previous owner had adjusted the left grip for speedloaders and/or to fit his/her hand. They also recut the checkering, I think. Then used some kind of shallac on them, which pooled in the checkering. And it all looks like it was done 40 years ago, with chips and wear. I am going to try to save them, but I don't want to spend too much time on them. At least the checkering is acceptable after getting the shellac out of the grooves, so no worries about recheckering.

Pictures to come in a week or so.

 

[S&W45Colt]

Prices falling? In general, no.

Try to find a nice model 19 snub for the $450-$500 they were going for last year. It'll tell you all you need to know.

Look forward to seeing your find, sounds like you got a deal!

 

[Snakeshift]

Prices falling? In general, no.

Try to find a nice model 19 snub for the $450-$500 they were going for last year. It'll tell you all you need to know.

Look forward to seeing your find, sounds like you got a deal!

I'm really glad I scored my 19 snub when I did. They're like unicorns around here now, rarely spotted and when you do find one they're priced out of this world.

 

[opaul]

CB Killer........looking forward to seeing your posts. You need to put up a before so we can determine what a good job you did!

 

[usm1rifle]

Given the condition you quoted, I would have thought about it but I would have passed. Too rough a "diamond in the rough" for me.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

All the higher end guns are going up in price quickly.

 

[fyimo]

Pricing is based on Condition and location with S&W revolvers in excellent condition still commanding top dollar.

 

[clevolver]

I passed on a 15-3 I looked at recently. The seller described the finish as "75%" and was asking $450... the left side (which was all that was pictured in the ad) looked fine, better than you'd expect for "75%" so I had hopes that he was being conservative in his condition rating...

but the right side (which I didn't see until I had it in my hand) was a mess... looked like it had been left sitting on its side for a long time in a metal drawer that had attracted condensation, or something. Just ugly.

He came down to $350 when I said I wasn't interested. I'm not sure what a fair value for it might have been, but personally I might have been willing to part with $150-200 for that one -- if I didn't have other things to spend it on. Which I did, so I passed.

If you don't care how it looks, or plan to turn it into a project, and it's mechanically in order, then I guess it doesn't matter so much how it looks. I don't mind a little wear on my shooters, but signs of neglect or abuse on a gun I'm thinking about purchasing, I will walk away from.

 

[jack the toad]

Pricing is based on Condition and location with S&W revolvers in excellent condition still commanding top dollar.

+1
And IMO for most models, still appreciating. They may not be selling but the advertised prices seem more. Even lower end models are higher due to the increase of high end (more desirable) models. Trickle up effect???

 

[Old TexMex]

Rising prices make trading a good option for us. I hate turning a good Smith & Wesson into cash. Hate it. Won't do it, not unless a dire emergency.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Rising prices means buying is the best option--trading is only a good option if what you trade is worth less than what you get. Trading a revolver you spent $200 on but is worth $400 for a gun you could buy for $400 is not a good trade, it's an even trade.

If S&Ws are still appreciating putting all your spare money into buying now is the right thing to do.

 

[hotrod150]

I see lots of guns advertised locally online under "want to trade". When I ask if they have a cash price, it seems like at least half of them respond that they're only interested in trading. Since I don't have anything I want to trade away, I try to convince them that if I trade them some cash for their gun, they can then trade that cash for whatever they want. "Nope- trade only"!
I don't get it.

 

[arjay]

I don't get it either,that is the point of money lol.

 

[gm272gs]

I typically buy just about any older Smith & Wesson I can find, for less than $300.

 

[Jagrmaister]

I typically buy just about any older Smith & Wesson I can find, for less than $300.

Unless you were buying beat up and ugly, you wouldn't be buying anything around here for that price point.

 

[Old TexMex]

Rising prices means buying is the best option--trading is only a good option if what you trade is worth less than what you get. Trading a revolver you spent $200 on but is worth $400 for a gun you could buy for $400 is not a good trade, it's an even trade.

If S&Ws are still appreciating putting all your spare money into buying now is the right thing to do.

First off, if anyone has "spare money" I'd like to see it, that's not a problem I have. I can always find a job for cash.
What I mean is.....
If I trade one I don't want as much as one someone else has, and they want mine..... Trading is a good option. I don't have to make money to be happy, I have a job for that. What makes me happy is getting the gun I'm lookin' for at the time...and if another man gets the gun HE wants at the same time, it's a super deal.
Trading's a good option.I don't have to make money to be happy, (or call it a good deal).

I used to know a man who wasn't happy if he didn't screw someone on a trade. He was miserable....

 

[Old TexMex]

Just mathematics here: say I buy a 29 for 200 dollars, and a buddy of mine bought a 19 for 150. We both had these for a few years, but he wanted a 44magnum and I wanted another snub 19.... So we trade. Now we all here know what either of those two guns would've cost us had we bought them for cash, but we didn't, we traded. We both got a bargain.
Now if someone wants to pay me the overpriced amount a 2 1/2" 19 for a 29 I don't want, that's ok too.
As far as "trade only" I'm not sure about that, unless profit for handgun transactions happen to be illegal for an unlicensed individual.

 

[BJoe]

Prices falling? In general, no.

Try to find a nice model 19 snub for the $450-$500 they were going for last year. It'll tell you all you need to know.

Look forward to seeing your find, sounds like you got a deal!

I recently found a 19-3 nickel for $575 and a 19-2 blue for $600 both 2 1/2" but in 60-70% condition on a GOOD day. Excellent P&R 2 1/2" 19's are pushing $1000 with box and papers.

I hit 4-5 gun shows a month in 3 different states. If you got them hang on to them, if not if you find an excellent example pay whatever it takes. I have my 'list' of always wanted guns and when I see them I buy them. Remember they ain't making any more. You never pay too much, just sometimes buy too early.

 

[Sgt 127]

I've considered trading off a few if mine. For silver and gold. But, that's all I would trade for.

If somebody bought thier gold at $450 an ounce, it will work out well for them if they get the 3 1/2" 27 I paid $350 for back when I got it.

 

[jack the toad]

I've considered trading off a few if mine. For silver and gold. But, that's all I would trade for.

If somebody bought thier gold at $450 an ounce, it will work out well for them if they get the 3 1/2" 27 I paid $350 for back when I got it.

Based on current gold prices (spot), I'll give you $350 worth of gold for your M27.
Yeah, I know I'm a smartazz sometimes but doesn't hurt to ask. If nothing more than for a chuckle.