I made a huge mistake... what were yours?

[TrouDeLoup]

I've Made a Huge Mistake - GIF on Imgur

Not really, but I am consistently reading about better deals on here from avid piece hunters.

Essentially I am overpaying for two 19-3s, but they were my first and I consider it part of a learning curve.

What missteps or lessons have you learned over the years, the hard way, about collecting S&W Revolvers from 1961 - 1980, when it comes to buying?

 

[nate-dogg]

I learned to do my own research on the gun before I buy it instead of believing what the seller says it's valued at. I know that seems like a no-brainer, but when I was first getting into guns years ago I bought a couple and then looked up the value after I made the purchase and realized that I over paid significantly. You live and you learn.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I've learned that you never pay too much for a S&W, you just buy them too early.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Muley Gil]

"I made a huge mistake... what were yours?"

Are we talking about guns or ex-wives?

 

[bigggbbruce]

I just plain don't buy if I don't buy under market(.)

and trust me I do just fine.

example: Earlier this month, need to correct the tools, ppwrk under padding not even folded.

29-2 $480 Y'all need to learn how to hold your water. Quit paying so much.

 

[TrouDeLoup]

Salt in the wound!

Did it take you a while to know where/how to look?

That's gorgeous.

Edit: in fact it is so nice, I literally cannot fathom how someone was willing to part with it for $480. Who are these sellers? Are they exclusively uninterested children from estate sales? Blind pawn brokers? I am missing something or not tapped into the right network.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Did it take you a while to know where/how to look?

That's gorgeous.

Thanks it was a nice find.

I've visited every local advertising media I can find. I have never bought a gun that I couldn't hold first..Just my rules..

Recently I posted an ad to buy S&W revolvers. The very first day I bought a 27-2 w/ presentation case. 19-5 snub and a 17-4..

Some I keep, some I don't.
My hobby pays for itself..

 

[Toyman]

My big mistake was buying some nice pre WW 2 S&W revolvers and now it is time to sell them but I am having mixed emotions about selling.
If I had not purchased them in the first place I would not be in this situation but I would not have enjoyed owning them.

 

[Narragansett]

I've Made a Huge Mistake - GIF on Imgur

Not really, but I am consistently reading about better deals on here from avid piece hunters.

Essentially I am overpaying for two 19-3s, but they were my first and I consider it part of a learning curve.

What missteps or lessons have you learned over the years, the hard way, about collecting S&W Revolvers from 1961 - 1980, when it comes to buying?

That I sold my 101.00 new model 28, my new 15-3 for 100.00, and my model 65 bought new for 135.00

 

[Eddietruett]

"I made a huge mistake... what were yours?"

Are we talking about guns or ex-wives?

Bet I overpaid more than you did!

 

[Muley Gil]

Bet I overpaid more than you did!

I wouldn't bet on that. Child support on three kids, two daughters getting braces at the same time, paying off exes cars, etc. The list goes on and on and on...

 

[Wee Hooker]

Thirty years of collecting has taught me that :

1) Vague statements such as "like new", "excellent" and "hardly fired" are likely icing on the BS cake unless the seller is willing to provide (very) detailed descriptions and pictures right up front.

2)Overpaying is OK. Overpaying for disappointment, isn't.

 

[yfdcap]

I learned to not wait for GREAT deals. They are to few and far between. I go to gun shows, gun stores, auction sights and everything else that is out there. I just do not see very many of these deals(really none like others seem to get) anywhere around here. I have seen some take advantage of people who were left a gun by a departed loved one. I do not like to see that. Life is short. If I want a gun I buy it. Saving a hundred or two while waiting years is wasting shooting and enjoyment time. You can not get that back at any cost. Some love to brag about how cheap they got their gun and that's fine. I think it gives others the idea that they will get the same deal. Maybe they will and maybe they wont. Mean while I will be shooting the guns I love to shoot. I will happily pay a little extra if need be. I say don't wait. Get what you want and have fun. Before you know it, it will be to late.

 

[ExRanger714]

Without airing my personal "that was a stupid thing you just did" stories please bear in mind that I'm no expert but you asked.

If face to face take your time in performing your evaluation after you have studied exactly how to evaluate whatever the gun at hand. Take the time to learn what can be fixed easily, what isn't worth fixing or will never be fixable. Meet at a safe place because it's no secret that one typically has hundreds of dollars on them when making a gun deal and he warned you he was bringing a gun.

If you can shoot it, shoot it.

Always check K frame magmums for cracked barrel and any Airweight for a cracked frame.

Don't buy anything with burred screw heads unless you are looking for one to rebuild or restore.

If online ask questions and consider the depth of the answer as well as the time it took to get a response. Ask for more/better and/or specific photos. Under the grips is a photo you rarely see but can speak volumes and you can see the sideplate screw that is hidden. If the seller is not cooperative it could be a bad sign.

See if there has been a recall or service bulletin on prospective purchase, what it's over and will you miss the gun if S&W takes 90 days to fix it?

Get enough sn to date it and see if it is age correct; i.e. no MIM parts on a '67 revolver.

Three day inspection periods are nice but be prepared to go/no go it at your ffl post evaluation and have the cash on you to send it back after inspection if it's a no go.

When bidding put in your maximum bid considering shipping and local ffl fee and walk away. Do your best not to get into a last minute war with somebody that just popped in because it could be sham bids just to raise the price.

Numrich, Kuhnhausen and SCS&W are your best friends. So are the good folks on this forum and, between them, they know it all.

And if both of us are lucky there will be a lot of great info posted shortly.

I wish you many Smiths in your collection and the permanent aroma of powder smoke on your clothes!

Regards JD

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I thought I paid a bit too much once.

Pretty little nickel Chiefs Special (not a Baby) with a relatively low serial number. Turns out is was delivered to the S&W Sales Manager in August '54 -- one of the first "Model of 1953" Chiefs.

I'm still amazed the provenance wasn't maintained through the years.

Sometimes you just get lucky.

 

[Eddietruett]

I wouldn't bet on that. Child support on three kids, two daughters getting braces at the same time, paying off exes cars, etc. The list goes on and on and on...

I got a list like that! And 2 in college at same time! But I keep remembering what a buddy told me. "Divorce is so expensive but worth every dime"

 

[Willyboy]

Bad Buys

I am convinced you could buy a Registered Magnum for $100 and sell a beat up model 10 for $1000, and someone here would post they did better.
Willyboy

 

[yfdcap]

I am convinced you could buy a Registered Magnum for $100 and sell a beat up model 10 for $1000, and someone here would post they did better.
Willyboy

A lot of truth there.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I'm sure that I made a mistake once, or possibly even twice, in buying Smith & Wessons, but at the moment I do not remember them. All of my mistakes have been in selling them.

 

[one eye joe]

I've learned that you never pay too much for a S&W, you just buy them too early.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

YOU ARE ON THE MONEY, Pizza Bob ! ! ! ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, I HAVE PAID MORE THAN I WANTED TO, FOR A COVETED REVOLVER. IN EVERY INSTANCE, THE STING OF THE INITIAL COST, WAS SOON ECLIPSED BY THE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP, AND THE ENJOYMENT OF SHOOTING......

I HAVE NEVER SOLD A QUALITY FIREARM---COLT OR S&W, AND LOST MONEY......

ON THE OTHER HAND, I SOLD 3 TAURUS REVOLVERS--WHICH I PURCHASED IN QUICK SUCCESSION, BEFORE I FIGURED OUT THAT THEY WERE JUNK--AT LESS THAN 1/2 OF WHAT I PAID FOR THEM. NONE OF MY LGS DEALERS WOULD EVEN TAKE THEM ON CONSIGNMENT. I ENDED UP TAKING THEM TO "KITTERY TRADING POST" IN MAINE. THEY WILL BUY ANYTHING, AND GIVE YOU CASH, ON THE SPOT. I WAS THRILLED TO BE RID OF THEM ! ! !