Value of 19-4

[Iggy]

Cutter,

There, we got you properly straightened out.

Keep it, shoot it, clean it, and enjoy it. That's what it was made for.

 

[smitty_bs]

Keep it!!

IMHO it's worth $600 with the extra grips and adaptor.

 

[stonecutter2]

If you don't use it but decide to keep it and tuck it away, I'd sell the rubber grip, the Ahrends and those late model factory stocks and find a nice set of correct magnas for that gun. The right stocks will run you $50 or less and you can pocket the rest. Put the T-grip on it and you've got a real classic in great shape.

Question - how can I ID a "correct" pair of magnas for my 19-4? Are there any characteristics I should be looking for? Many of them look very much alike. Thanks!

 

[stonecutter2]

Cutter,

There, we got you properly straightened out.

Keep it, shoot it, clean it, and enjoy it. That's what it was made for.

Can do!

I've been trying to get the Ahrends grips off, but obviously I don't want to damage them. They're on there really good. Any tips? I remember them "snapping" onto the revolver quite firmly when I installed them. And I don't see any spot where you could sort of pry them apart.

 

[Blademan]

I bought this model 19-3 a couple months ago. No box but the seller shipped it to me in a wooded box, I think that he made. The gun is beautiful. I went back and forth with the seller, and ended up paying $450 shipped to my FFL. I think you should keep your 19, I made the mistake of selling a few and I am very pleased with this one. This one is a keeper.

 

[-db-]

Question - how can I ID a "correct" pair of magnas for my 19-4? Are there any characteristics I should be looking for? Many of them look very much alike. Thanks!

The magnas you have in your photo are the current version S&W is using. These are outsourced plasticated/laminated stocks without metal locating washers on the reverse they started using in the 21st century. Ideally, you'll find a set of '80s-era factory K-frame round butt magnas with silver locating washers on the backside and without a serial number (I believe they stopped serializing stocks by the time your gun was produced). You want something like these:

 

[stonecutter2]

Thanks, I think I found some grips that would work. I like the idea of having a set of grips that matches (pretty much) the timeframe of when it was made. The laminated ones definitely aren't as nice as a set of real walnut grips.

I did order some grips from Sarco Inc sometime back for $6, the description for them was S&W GI walnut round butt grips, from Model 10's. They're in okay shape, but condition-wise wouldn't match up with my revolver. Also one of the washers is black, but the other is silver? Is that just a mismatched set of grips, or is there a reason they'd be different?

 

[-db-]

That would be a mismatched set.

 

[PH-2]

'cutter,

Don't go pryin' on the grips, you will mar either the beautiful gun or the beautiful grips - or both!
You can back the screw out some and gently tap the screwhead with the plastic screwdriver handle to "pop" the offside grip loose, or you can e-mail Kim Ahrends (I know his grips fit "gootntite") for his recommendation. I have found Kim and Judy to be very responsive.

Personally, I go 'tother way -- I will pull factory grips on a quality gun and place them in a zip-lock marked with the gun's I.D. and use the (still manufactured) replacement grips for everyday wear n' tear use.
Original K/L frame S&W magna grips are easy to find.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

[bigmoose]

A few months ago this board encouraged me to buy a 19-3 that I saw in a gun shop, but did not know much about. Money well spent, I appreciated the advice I got here. I aint selling her either. They are beautiful revolvers.

 

[5Wire]

I have a 19-5 which I intend to hang on to as long as I can. It's almost as easy to pocket carry as a J-Frame and quite a bit easier than an L-Frame.

I have a small track on the 2-1/2 inch Model 19:

Smith & Wesson Model 19 2-1/2 inch barrel. Revolver in .357 Magnum,.38 Special, Plus . Bluebook of Gun Values (32nd Edition) indicates between $325 in 95% condition and $550 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 27 recorded prices for this model gun from $395 to $795 over a period of 4 Yrs 2 Mos ending June 22, 2011. The average price as of that date was $531. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $457.

I don't have a particularly high data count Average Price Trend Chart for this but I think it's safe to say the snubby 19 is increasing in popularity and the average price is trending upward.

The monthly count seems to be increasing, too, probably to take advantage of prices being obtained. That could be good news or bad news depending on whether or not the model remains in demand. Either way, prices will almost certainly increase for a while.

Here's the chart:

Note the Average Price Trend as of June was about $540. I'd have more confidence in that if there were more data points, so I'd say that was high by as much as $40 for the average. Better examples of the model would command higher prices, especially with box, papers, etc.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Ahrends grips are very easy to remove if you know how. Right behind the trigger loop you will see a lip. I set a rag over the frame and loop. Then I take a slotted/flat head screw driver and put the edge under the lip of the wood behind the trigger loop. Gently use a lever motion with the screw driver by pushing down on the handle which will push on the wood lip with the trigger loop acting as a fulcrum. The wood should lift up and pop out. They are fit real tight sometimes and that is why they shouldn't be popped on and off all the time. They will begin to losen up with regular removal and being put back on. I love mine and think they are one of the best designs out there for shooting. The original magnas may look good and be factory correct but without a grip adapter I don't think they work at all. With a grip adapter they are usable but I so much prefer the Ahrends that I just put the magnas in bags and toss them in the back of the bin.

Iggy - those cocobolos are making me drool a little.

 

[dnonac]

I was thinking about selling mine last year but, on a tip, lettered it instead. Turns out it was one of 50 shipped to the State Department in March 1980. Serial is 80K84xx, probably just a bit older than yours.
My vote is to hang on to it.
Craig...

 

[molonlabe]

My dad told me one day he had bought a 357 from his cousin for a couple hundred. I asked him if he knew what is was as I expected a Rossi or Taurus for what he paid...and he said he thought it was a Smith.

Not only that..he told me it was shiny and not blued. Then he also told me he had it sold to another guy...well thankfully not long after that guy sold it back to me dad and I have it now.

So it is a 19-4 nickel snub that I plan to keep in the family as long as I am part of it. There is only one finish spot on the cylinder (looks as though it was in contact with something for a prolonged period of time) otherwise it is fine shape.

 

[moralem]

It is always interesting to see these old threads and what prices were like only 5 years ago.....

 

[Pa.Bill]

I have the Combat 19/357/ 6" barrel.
Just last week @ a Gun Show we were talkin about
it. they Q me about $500.00 ( Original Box also. Can't talk about box. some Mgr. here gets upset) I paid $208.00
it dates 1974.
Condition good to better then good.
Its been in 45 States, used from hunting to target shooting
Most reliable, I still shoot it once , twice week. Also picked
up a XL Hunter 357 to install a scope. ( can't on the 19)
Trouble is the 19 is more accurate then the Hunter.
Its my 1st civilian handgun. I would never sell it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Wow ......old thread........looking at the prices I was thinking how things have changed......... 25 years ago I bought a new 3 inch 66-3 for IIRC $270 out the door......with a nice action polish job included!!!! So figure the gun was about $225.......

Liked it so much bought a second........

flash forward to 2000 ...... decided I really needed to have a 4inch 19/66....figured I'd just stop in at a LGS and grab one....... none, zip, nada to be found ............. anywhere....................took me several years to "accumulate" the 19/66s I wanted ......even got another 3" 66-4 for $325!!!!!



can't remember the last one I saw in a LGS.........at least 4/5 years.

 

[Patches09]

I recently picked up a nice 19-2 blued snub. Checked the serial & found out it was made in 1966, which according to the SCSW was the first year of regular production of the 2.5 inch barrel. Needless to say it is a keeper-and a very handy shooter! And as 5Wire mentioned above, they are almost as handy as a J-frame.

 

[jalkl]

I’m going to sound a bit off here. Hold on to it for one huge reason. I don’t think you know what you have. Honest. That gun is pretty much the end of an era. You can find them fairly often on the used market so it isn’t that I’m trying to convince you that it is rare or anything, but in all seriousness it is one of those type guns that one day you will slap yourself for whatever amount of money you get for it. I bought my snub 19-4 and paid $450 for it. I have seen guys pay over $600 for them at gun shows. But I know one thing for sure. Mine is in the “from my cold dead hands” category of my firearms collection.

Agreed 100%, I sold a 66-1 combat that I've regretted ever since.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[5Wire]

Wow ......old thread........looking at the prices I was thinking how things have changed...

Here's an update on the used price chart to add emphasis to your observation...