28-2 pricing craze seen first hand

[Engineer1911]

Ammo

I've resigned myself to that fact that I am now only capable of buying one or two guns a year instead of three or four like I used to because of the inflation. ..... I'm not just accruing like I did in my younger days. All about perspective I suppose.

But are you finding ammo, components, powder, or those elusive, unobtainium 22 LR catridges?

I "stopped" buying guns, but I still can't afford 22 LR for $75 per brick -- of any size.

 

[Checkman]

But are finding ammo, components, powder, or those elusive, unobtainium 22 LR catridges?

I "stopped" buying guns, but I still can't afford 22 LR for $75 per brick -- of any size.

I was hoarding 22 back when it was "weird" to do so. I felt weird doing it as well, but not any more. I also do lots of dry-firing. The days of burning hundreds of rounds a month (that was a lot for me at least) are over. Irritating, but it is what it is.

 

[Checkman]

revolvers don't seem to be all that popular around here...at least with younger shooters. There might be a shelf or two of revolvers... new Rugers and the Smith "classics", but that's it. Everything else seems to be semi-autos of every size, caliber, and shape.

I remember when about the only semi-autos you'd see in a shop were Colts, Brownings, and maybe a Smith or two. Now semi-autos are like coathangers in a closet.

Kinda disheartening at times for an old revolver guy like me.

I feel your pain.

 

[Frank237]

Back in the Spring I had three M-28's on my table at a local Show.

Two 6" guns , tight but 90% finish from cheap holsters.All original magna grips. Had both priced at $450.

Had a single 4" gun, much nicer shape, probably 95%+ and it was at $550.

No boxes or other items.

NONE of them sold. Barely even looked at or handled.

I was going to sell them here but their owner (estate deal) didn't want to deal with shipping, etc.

 

[Frank237]

I know some of us can remember when the 28 was considered sort of like a boat anchor.

Bill

I CARRIED one on the MT Hwy Patrol. It FELT like a boat anchor after several hours.

 

[Nalapombu]

I too get really depressed at these prices. S&W handguns, which were THE gun for the WORKING POLICEMAN and Dad wanting to protect his home and family, are too expensive for all but the well heeled to afford now.
I can understand the prices for the 27 and the Python, there weren't that many of them made and they are PREMIUM pieces.
The 28, hell there were literally MILLIONS of them made over the decades. Darn near every cop in the USA had one on his hip at some point in his career.

To see that those revolvers that you could buy for $250 not all that long ago are now priced at $700 is just plain INSANITY.

I'd love to have one, but I ain't going to pay that kind of money for one. So I guess I won't ever have one. I'll survive.

When you see USED model 28's selling for the SAME MONEY as USED Colt 1911's, the END is near. Go to CHURCH QUICKLY.

Nalajr

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Saw a used average condition one(4") at the gun show yesterday. Marked $995.00. Dealer must be "smoking" something.

 

[Watchdog]

Back in the Spring I had three M-28's on my table at a local Show.

Two 6" guns , tight but 90% finish from cheap holsters.All original magna grips. Had both priced at $450.

Had a single 4" gun, much nicer shape, probably 95%+ and it was at $550.

No boxes or other items.

NONE of them sold. Barely even looked at or handled.

I was going to sell them here but their owner (estate deal) didn't want to deal with shipping, etc.

I'm genuinely curious. How was attendance at the show, and did you make any other sales off your table? Did anyone even give the 28s a serious look?

 

[aphelion]

aphelion, you're in Idaho, come get this bad boy.

Thanks, but I have plenty already. I'm with you, 800 bucks is more than I would want to pay. But I have been accumulating S&W's for over 40 years. But if I was starting out and really wanting one, from that perspective $800 might not seem so outrageous.

 

[Frank237]

I'm genuinely curious. How was attendance at the show, and did you make any other sales off your table? Did anyone even give the 28s a serious look?

Not a large show but still hundreds of folks passing through each day for two days.
I sold several long guns, a 5903, 4" M-66, a 4" M-10 and a few other handguns.

I had a few folks giving the 28's a serious look. DO recall the guy who so kindly offered me $350 for the 4" gun. LOL. Gotta love the lowballers. Hope springs eternal in their minds, that the seller is an idiot I guess.

 

[beagleye]

There's a 98% 6" 28-2 in asheville, no box, marked $799, the owner quickly offered it for 5 bills plus tax, seems fair in these times. If anyone in WNC wants the lead on it PM me. I need to get it out of my thoughts. I just spent $1250 on a BRNO 22.

 

[Twiki357]

This thread is making me a very, very happy camper. I just bought a 4 inch 28-2 in about 80%+ condition with original stocks 4 weeks ago for $399+ tax.

 

[crsides]

Saw a used average condition one(4") at the gun show yesterday. Marked $995.00. Dealer must be "smoking" something.

Hey Mike.

I saw that one too. Tyler T grip adapter. He said it was a family gun, but it wasn't MY family so .... It was pretty nice and likely a first year gun S115xxx. I offered $500.


Charlie

 

[txbrill]

I think that the shortage of used "classic" Smiths is because of the introduction of the lock in the new ones. The perception which I believe is valid is that the pre lock guns will gain the stature of the 5 screw or pinned and recessed or just pinned. The high prices are just a indicator of things to come. The pricing issues are all over the place I have been buying guns for more than 40 years and never know if the seller is just nuts or has them priced high to be able to come down. Many years ago I stopped asking the price if a gun was not marked. GunBroker has added to and the problem and also helped the problem, I have been guilty of getting all caught up in a bidding war and then coming to my senses. They are a good source of info if you look at the closed auctions and see the actual selling prices, not just the comical asking prices.

 

[Bill A]

True, they were kind of the low-brow, working guy's gun... That satin finish is now considered pretty stylish.

I've got a 6" 28-2, and it's in 'like new' condition. Because of the condition, I have never fired it...

I too have a 6" I've never fired for just that reason; but also a 4" that I do shoot. I like the old satin blue as found on the guns of the late 40's/early 50's, but the finish on the 28's never struck me as being in the same class. Maybe it's the polishing that makes the difference.

Bill

 

[Watchdog]

Something to think about...

This is interesting:

A 4-inch 28-2, apparently lettered, with matching number stocks just sold on GB for $955. No box, no tools...just the gun. There were 43 bids on the gun.

So...$955, plus shipping, plus the FFL transfer fee, and maybe even state tax if the buyer was in the same state as the seller...and someone most likely has over $1K in a Model 28.

Will wonders never cease?

 

[Watchdog]

Not a large show but still hundreds of folks passing through each day for two days.
I sold several long guns, a 5903, 4" M-66, a 4" M-10 and a few other handguns.

I had a few folks giving the 28's a serious look. DO recall the guy who so kindly offered me $350 for the 4" gun. LOL. Gotta love the lowballers. Hope springs eternal in their minds, that the seller is an idiot I guess.

Thanks for the additional info and the smile about the lowballer person.

 

[rz625-8]

Iwould pay only $450.00 in any condition. They are out there and maybe when dealers price them selves out of business,they still won't know why. Pricings are way out of line these days. As a wholesaler,if I find them at the rigt price from the factory or other wholesalers,I will buy. Other wise,the wholesalers wile be lucky to pay those pricings for the revolvers they don't make anymore.

 

[ibewbull]

1974

I visited a LGS I hadn't been in for quite some time today. They had a very nice 6" N serial numbered 28-2 in the case, and right there in plain sight was a price tag for $800 stating it was unfired. Light turn ring, no box, no papers, no tools, just the gun, and if it's unfired, I'm a banana. I wouldn't mind having a 6" to go with my 4", but a 6" at double what I paid for my 4" isn't going to happen right now.

What can I say.[/QUOTE

WOW you paid $400 mine was $145 new in the box. It was my first Smith and I would not sell it at ANY price.
That was 2 weeks pay for an E-4 then. Now I can get one for a weeks pay. If I still worked.

I saw a beater M 15 at the gun show $425 Way high and well used. Not a deal.
A M-12 4 inch at $350 85-90% tight but finish worn a bit.
Moral is you can ask anything.
Looking for a fair deal is part of the fun.

 

[gunny4053]

This thread is making me a very, very happy camper. I just bought a 4 inch 28-2 in about 80%+ condition with original stocks 4 weeks ago for $399+ tax.

Did you kiss the seller after..... well, you know. In today's market that's pure theft. Good job, and congrats.

There are good deals out there, just becoming few and far between.