Need Your Opinion on First Revolver Purchase: 649-5

[giants1]

I was at my LGS today and saw a used, not fired much, and well-taken care of S&W 649-5 in stainless steel for $700. It's on consignment, so I'm not subject to the 1-in-30 California law, meaning I can pick it up 10 days after I start the paperwork.

The LGS knows the seller and believes that they had sold him this revolver, but they don't have access to the date they sold it to the seller (I'll swing back and ask them to look it up, if that's really important for me to know). There's nothing wrong with the revolver; the owner is moving to Hawaii and is liquidating all of his guns; he has about 5 for sale there. The LGS said that the owner took good care of all of his guns, rarely shot them, and cleaned them well.

It's well cared for, almost immaculate, and has black grips (I forgot to check whether those are OEM). I am concerned about recoil given the short barrel, but the LGS reassured me that it's not THAT bad because it has smalls (aftermarket?) ports in the top of the barrel, which I saw. The LGS added that the prior owner had the LGS do lots of custom work on all of his guns. For example, they had an off-roster Glock 19, Gen 4 with an upgraded barrel, sights, I believe trigger, and other work done for $1,400.

Back to the 649-5, it also has a shrouded hammer, so I can apparently fire it double and single action. It does not seem to have the lock. It fits well in my hand.

I'd like to buy my first .357 Magnum.

I'm in Northern California and don't see very many new or used S&W revolvers at LGS or the Big Box Sportsman's Warehouse. California has a roster that hand guns must be on to be sold through FFLs (though consignments and private party transfers are exempt), which means that the variety of revolvers is limited. The state also has a scheme to remove 3 on-roster hand guns for every new hand gun added to the rosters. There is a court case challenging the constitutionality of it, but the courts here are slow to decide those sort of cases, and not usually favorably. I'm not getting political, just giving those of your who are out of state a frame of reference for the supply and demand out here.

Addendum: I bought it, based on the helpful comments from others here.

I'm thinking of having it as a collector's item and maybe back-up hand gun for at home carry.

It's on-roster, but S&W's website said that they no longer make it. I also found one vendor, which is out of stock, that says it's a Lady Smith, though that wasn't on S&W's website and I didn't see that marking on the revolver.

Does anyone know why S&W stopped making it?

What are your thoughts about this revolver fitting my needs and the price?

 

[John Patrick]

That price would be a just a bit high around here.

A 649 is a great J frame snubby, but be aware that at about 23oz, shooting full power 357 magnum ammo isn't going to be a joy. Standard pressure 38spl ammo will be very tolerable, and fun.

 

[giants1]

Thanks. Where are you at and what price is reasonable where you're at?

 

[John Patrick]

Oops, meant to include location in my post.

Maryland suburbs of Washington,DC. There was a nice condition 649 for sale for a couple of months in a local shop. If it had been there last time I was in the shop I would have bought it, though I'd have tried to negotiate. Ask was $624.99, iirc. (The had a 642 as well, with an asking price of $674.99, iirc,) That shop knows their guns and their pricing on used guns has always been a wee bit high but reasonable.

I took photos of the guns and price tags for another member, but have since deleted them. I'm going to look in my PMs to see if I sent a PM with prices or maybe sent an email with pics.

ETA: Searched PMs and nothing, must have deleted PMs on the topic. Searched email using 649 and found nothing. Sorry.

 

[krsmith58]

like John Patrick said. a bit high for my part of the world. on the other hand, how often will the opportunity present itself. I've only been infected with the S&W virus for about three years and haven't had the chance to buy one.

it is on my list of wants. it's a long list. i would try to bargain it down a bit if i could. most of the time i crack and open the pocket.

let us know and pics if you get it. good luck, krs/kenny

 

[giants1]

Thanks. I don't think they allow photos to be taken or haggling over prices.

I'll add this to the beginning of the post, but I've been in the gun buying market since August 2021 and rarely see S&W revolvers for sale. My Big Box Sportsman's Warehouse, which is a 1.5 hour drive from me, doesn't have many S&W revolvers for sale very often, thought they have lots of the common pistols, eg Glock 17s and 19s.

 

[Glenn54]

What part of Northern California are you from? As far as the revolver, if you've been looking that long, I'd buy it since the guys on here suggest it's a "reasonable" price.

 

[giants1]

The San Francisco Bay Area.

I've been looking at guns starting around August 2021, but at revolvers off-and-on only for a few months and not as much as I have other firearm types.

 

[John Patrick]

One member has an interesting saying about paying a premium for a gun you want in today's market with its rising prices for S&W revolvers. Something like, "You didn't pay too much for the gun, you just bought it early." He's not wrong.

As one of our members posted above, I'd probably end up cracking and bust out the wallet.

Looking in the classifieds here on the forum might provide more opportunities to buy revolvers. And then there is Gunbroker, GunsInternational, etc.

 

[AlHunt]

A look through gunbrokers sold listings would give you a place to start, value-wise.

I don't normally advocate "buying too early" but in your case, even if it's 50 or a hundred bucks over the national market, what's the opportunity to even buy one in your part of the world worth?

If you really have a hankering for it, you'd miss it more than a weeks worth of lunch money in your pocket.

 

[jdlii]

Given the state in which you live, the red tape involved and the price of everything in that state, I would suggest that you proceed to the check out counter. Buy it now or miss out for who knows how long.

 

[H Richard]

The reason currently not made by S&W is it wasn't a big seller. Since they are in business to make money they switched their assets to making M&P's and Shields, etc which are selling as fast as they can make them. Should there be a demand again, they may make them again.

I recall back in the 80's I wanted a Mod 41. Couldn't find one anywhere. Story was they made 500 and then switched to another model to mfg. After 2 years the 41's were sold out and they tooled up and made another run of them.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Long time Revolver Guy say, decide if you want that Gun.
Don't get tangled up on the price.
The 649 and all the Humpbacks are kind of unique guns.
They could be called an acquired taste sort of like drinking Scotch.
For many moons I never had one but I do now.
But I traded for it.
I found it excellent with 38+P and a little hard to handle with 357s.
And I have fired Thousands of 357s.
But overall an excellent carry and self defense piece.

 

[Hapworth]

Odd gun, as described. A 649-5 should have the lock. I don't believe there was a Lady Smith variant. Nor do I recall a factory ported version.

Cali prices always skew stupid high so I don't pay that much mind if you like the piece and want it.

As a first .357, you might want to consider something more substantial in size and weight. But as a small defense piece it would serve well, and there are reduced power .357 loads that are excellent in snubby J-frames as far as controllability goes and have good ballistics; as for .38, the world's your oyster.

As a -5 it's not really a collectible, so I wouldn't factor that into the calculation, though obviously anything in Cali is more desirable because of the roster.

The inconsistencies reported on this one is the sticking point. No lock -5? LS variant? Ports? Doesn't quite add up and sounds like either there's some misunderstanding to clear up or it's a modified piece and that may give you pause and it may not.

If it's truly in good shape and is the configuration you believe you want, go for it. Probably wouldn't be too hard to move if it's not your thing.

 

[Georgia1911]

I would not say a 649, or any other J frame 357, is a great option for a first revolver, especially if you do not plan to carry it. I do have a 640 Pro, which is similar in size and weight though with a different action so I speak from experience. I know the availability bias is strong, but I would advise to look for at least a 4" K frame to enter the world of S&W revolvers.

 

[giants1]

Thanks, everyone.

I checked it out, learned how to check timing, found that it came with a Crimson Trace laser on the grip (dull LED, but still works). I liked it and felt comfortable, so I bought it today, pick up in a few weeks after the paperwork clears.

It's actually still on the California Roster, but will expire on 1/1/2023, so it will be off-roster and hopefully more valuable after that.

After I bought it, I stopped by another LGS (first time there), and they didn't have any revolvers, which made me feel better about the supply shortage.

It definitely has a key lock, is not marked as Lady Smith, definitely has two small linear ports near the front of the barrel, and the serial number is CEV6239. Does anyone know the date of manufacture?

I'm going to learn the manual of arms, including the use of speed loaders. the LGS recommended HKS and I have speed strips. Can you recommend speed loaders and pocket/IWB holsters?

And what and/or how many batteries does that Crimson Trace LED take?

 

[Glenn54]

Congrats giants1 on your first revolver.

 

[giants1]

Thanks, Glenn54! I'm stoked about it, though it may not be perfect, and can't wait until I can take it home.

 

[GerSan69]

$700 with a CT laser is a good price. The laser uses coin-style batteries inside the grip. I don't recall which, but most sizes of that type battery are sold in many groceries, Targets or Walmarts. As for speedloaders, you may find that speed strips are a much easier method to use. J-frames are notoriously difficult to use with speedloaders.
Congrats, the 649 is an excellent little carry or backup revolver.

 

[giants1]

Thanks.

I'm going to practice with both speed clips and a speed loader and see which reloading technique works better for me. I haven't really decided whether it would be a safe queen or back-up in EDC/SHTF; I suppose that would depend on how I fare with the manual of arms and whether I buy a 686 in 4".

Apparently, a gunsmith, probably the LGS that sold me the 649-5, ported the barrel (two small, linear holes on the top of the barrel). I know that this aftermarket modification prevents it from being a factory/OEM revolver and turn off purists, but would that actually lower its resale value?