s&w model 915 value today
- Thread starter stumpie
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The 915 was S&W's first attempt to lower production costs and drop the price on a duty-sized pistol. It was the first "Value Line" pistol (their words.) They were made for less than 3 years, 1992-1993 or so, but in that time they made a HEAPLOAD of them.
These pistols are much loved and great work horses, but they have never carried a "collector" premium, not ever. All of their value is in using them.
Without original box AND absolute mint condition, a 915 is worth maybe $300-$350 tops.
I have two!
These pistols are much loved and great work horses, but they have never carried a "collector" premium, not ever. All of their value is in using them.
Without original box AND absolute mint condition, a 915 is worth maybe $300-$350 tops.
I have two!
Steve, Thank You its nice to find a quality pistol with a price tag that wont break the bank
The 915 is also very popular right here in this area of the forum and you will soon see other owners chime in.
How did S&W lower the 915 cost? Well, the flagship cornerstone full-size doublestack duty 9mm 3rd Gen was the 5906. In comparison to that flagship model, the 915:
--aluminum alloy frame instead of heavy stainless
--slim sided non-stepped frame
--low cost black finish, not as durable
--single sided non-ambi thumb decock lever
--low cost non-Novak fixed sights only
--no options, no variances, all 915's shipped the same
The truth is... S&W kind of screwed up. They ended up making the 915 "better" than they wanted. This is evidenced by the fact that they were only offered two years and then S&W went much further in cost cutting, the "Value Line" 915 was replaced by the Model 910 which is not near the quality of the 915.
915 (and 411) owners were the big winners.
How did S&W lower the 915 cost? Well, the flagship cornerstone full-size doublestack duty 9mm 3rd Gen was the 5906. In comparison to that flagship model, the 915:
--aluminum alloy frame instead of heavy stainless
--slim sided non-stepped frame
--low cost black finish, not as durable
--single sided non-ambi thumb decock lever
--low cost non-Novak fixed sights only
--no options, no variances, all 915's shipped the same
The truth is... S&W kind of screwed up. They ended up making the 915 "better" than they wanted. This is evidenced by the fact that they were only offered two years and then S&W went much further in cost cutting, the "Value Line" 915 was replaced by the Model 910 which is not near the quality of the 915.
915 (and 411) owners were the big winners.
I'd agree with Sevens estimate of around $300-$350. I also have two 915's and love them both, but the market for these has been flooded with re-imported 915's for years that can easily go for under $300. That unfortunately (for the seller) brings the price down on the nicer examples, though as a buyer I love it. My second 915 is one of the nicer ones and I got a good deal on it. The 915 is easily my favorite double-stack pistol to carry.
Denver Dick
US Veteran
A pristine example out here comes with the California Premium. 915 pistols from outside of California (as with all non-roster handguns) aren't available here due to the restrictive state laws. Thus, only 915 pistols sold on consignment by California residents are available for sale. Moreover, because they show every ding and scratch, truly pristine 99%+ examples of any S&W blue/black alloy framed pistols aren't that easy to find. Around here a pristine example (with one 10rd magazine) will range around $500, and will generally sell within a few days of being set out in the counter.
I omitted a lot of your detailed, informative post. Just wanted to chime in on the above portion -- I think the 1994 AWB contributed quite a bit to the move away from the 915 / 411 to the 910 / 410. And with new models introduced in response to the AWB law, there was another chance to further reduce costs in the face of the polymer revolution.
I'm a 411 owner - bought it new in late 1993 or early 1994 and still have it. It was my first handgun, and I just lucked into buying it without much real insight. Now it has sentimental value in addition to any market value it may have.
With that admission, I'll say I agree that these pistols were real values at the time and remain so in most markets.
I'm also a CA resident. And I'd jump at a decent 411 or 915 and have been keeping my eye out for the same for a few years now (in particular, I want a 915 since I have a 411). Tough to find these days in CA, and a solid 3rd gen buying opportunity in restrictive states. In CA, it seems easier to find something like a Cal Parks 4006 than a 411 or a 915 (retired folks selling or estate sales). There are even more CHP 4006s (that, perversely, are generally not available for sale in CA when being retired from service unless private sale from an officer that bought his/her duty weapon) that have filtered back into CA than there are 411s or 915s. Still not a "collector" pistol, but a solid firearm that just isn't seen very often.
squidsix
Member
I have a 915 slide on a 6906 frame and it is one fine shooter!
I had a 915 for a long time but parted with it when a 5904 fell in my lap. Honestly, if I were blindfolded I would not be able to tell the difference between 5904 and 915. Shooting results are the same also.
I paid 400 for mine and parted with it for 400, in Seattle a few years ago.
I had a 915 for a long time but parted with it when a 5904 fell in my lap. Honestly, if I were blindfolded I would not be able to tell the difference between 5904 and 915. Shooting results are the same also.
I paid 400 for mine and parted with it for 400, in Seattle a few years ago.
In todays world with crazy gun prices I would think 400 dollars would not be out of the question for a 915, I paid 300 for mine and was very happy to do that .
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Ozark Marine
US Veteran
I like the S&W 915 I bought at a gun show 4 years ago for $300.00 OTD.
1 mag no box.
Not a safe queen for sure, and friends said I paid to much.
But now even beat up re-imported ones are $300.00 and going up.
1 mag no box.
Not a safe queen for sure, and friends said I paid to much.
But now even beat up re-imported ones are $300.00 and going up.
RufusG
Member
Pretty nice one on a local board right now for $240 with one mag. That seems like a ridiculously low price for a real gun of a proven design made out of metal from here in the USofA.
scoobysnacker
Member
I got mine off Gunbroker for that, with a second mag.
The prior owner had swapped out the safety (left side only) and slide stop with a 5906, so those are stainless accents to the blued pistol.
Since we're wondering costs, here's another exercise: what would these go for if still being produced? $500, higher? Would the 5906 be pushing a grand (consider that for Beretta and Sig, having a stainless frame means the gun is going to cost a LOT).
For the old-timers, where did the S&W 3rd Gen sit in comparison to Berettas, Sigs etc at the time, pricewise and in preferences?
Edit to add- I'm looking at Genitron, and while the listings are limited (they have the 5904 and 910, but no 915), they list years in production, suggested used price, and MSRP. Looking at prices for various guns, I get the impression the MSRP is probably last year in production. I guess I could then plug it into an inflation calculator to see what current value would be, based on that.
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Late last year, I picked up a 910 and a 915 together for $500 from a retired Law Enforcement officer who lives near me. Excellent pistols. But, in my opinion from what I see locally down here, a 915 is great condition will sell for anywhere from $250-$400, depending on how many mags comes with it, box, etc.
Got my first in about 1993 as a low cost, rough use, utility pistol ....... to baby my 3913 and 6906.
I've accumulated a couple more ...... sold one to a friend who needed a hi-cap 9mm for Y2K......... like Squidsix I built a FrankinSmith "6915" ( 6906 lower w/ 915 top end) kind of a S&W CCO.
One frame with a good bit of "ring rash" has been Cerikoted a matt-stainless. for a two-tone look........ two others 'anib" sit in the safe for TEOTWAWKI..... or a simple SHTF event.
Price? All were used.... IMO two were "Sock drawer" guns ....depending on #of magazines included .......... $250-325....... bought between 1993 and 2013.
I have Beretta and Sigs and other 3rd Gen Smiths........915s are right up there......"Value Series" in name only; great guns............ Novak used several 915s to build custom guns in the 90s.
I've accumulated a couple more ...... sold one to a friend who needed a hi-cap 9mm for Y2K......... like Squidsix I built a FrankinSmith "6915" ( 6906 lower w/ 915 top end) kind of a S&W CCO.
One frame with a good bit of "ring rash" has been Cerikoted a matt-stainless. for a two-tone look........ two others 'anib" sit in the safe for TEOTWAWKI..... or a simple SHTF event.
Price? All were used.... IMO two were "Sock drawer" guns ....depending on #of magazines included .......... $250-325....... bought between 1993 and 2013.
I have Beretta and Sigs and other 3rd Gen Smiths........915s are right up there......"Value Series" in name only; great guns............ Novak used several 915s to build custom guns in the 90s.
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