Should I have bought this?

[Frieda's Boss]

Been looking for a K22 Outdoorsman for awhile, and finally bought one online which I should have in the next week! Of course, the day after I buy this one, I spot one locally. Feel like I know the market pretty well for these guns, but only in good - very good condition, because that's what I've been shopping for...but not sure if I missed out on a deal, and maybe should go back & buy my second Outdoorsman of the week, this one a well used model.

Sorry I didn't take pictures, but is what it is for now. It was a K22 Outdoorsman, that I'd expect would make a great shooter, but had alot of wear. All numbers matched. No box, papers, tools or anything with it, just the gun. Service stocks- Do not know if they match the gun, but are correct with silver medallion, and worn about like the gun is. The subjective part is always hard without pics, but I'd describe the gun as 75% original blue remaining. Most of the worn blue is from around the grip area. The blue is also worn on the front of the cylinder & barrel. The rest of the gun has most of its bluing, but it is a bit dull. No big scratches or dings anywhere. One or two small areas of very light rust(grip area). Looks like it was used alot, but action is tight and feels good. Humpback hammer. The store has it on consignment, mislabeled, and is asking $750. I think I can get it for at most $700, maybe less. Sales woman said it has been there quite awhile.

So without pics, but gun as described above, did I possibly miss a great deal at $700? Would you have sprained your wrist pulling out your wallet for that deal, or is $700 about the going rate for an Outdoorsman that has alot of wear? Any thoughts? Seems pretty low to me, but maybe not.

 

[raljr1]

Depends on why you want it. if you want to shoot an old outdoorsman to hell and back, then you should have bought it. If you already bought a nice outdoorsman and you think this one is too good to pass up, skip it. It ain't.

and without pics, who knows

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

See if you can put it on layaway to give you time to think about it…if the deposit is refundable.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Hard to provide an accurate assessment without a pic.
But - you seem to be more than a little reluctant.
That makes me think you should wait for a better gun!

 

[Frieda's Boss]

Depends on why you want it. if you want to shoot an old outdoorsman to hell and back, then you should have bought it. If you already bought a nice outdoorsman and you think this one is too good to pass up, skip it. It ain't.

and without pics, who knows

I plan on shooting the nicer one I already bought alot. Will see if it is as nice, and original, as the pictures showed when it arrives, haha. I wanted a pretty nice, but not 100%, Outdoorsman, that I could admire as well as shoot. This more worn out gun that I am wondering about... I think I just never see them locally & thought if well worn, shooter Outdoorsmans were worth $1000, & I could get one for maybe under $700, I might just buy it for the deal...but sounds like you are saying that likely isn't the case. Probably should wait for the one I already bought to arrive before I decide, in any case.

Also, happy to be discussing guns I am buying, or thinking of buying for a change, instead of just drooling over everyone else's guns on here...this will be the first old Smith I have bought, to go with my only other 2 S&Ws- my 442 that I carry, & my late great uncle's .38 Single Action, 2nd Model. Couldn't be more excited for my K22 that is on the way!

 

[Frieda's Boss]

Hard to provide an accurate assessment without a pic.
But - you seem to be more than a little reluctant.
That makes me think you should wait for a better gun!

Yeah, I am hesitant. Thought maybe it was a great deal, especially since they just have it marked as a pre-17, and the sales woman said it had been there awhile & the seller would probably come down. Thinking it is likely a fair or good price, but not a steal or anything like that.

 

[raljr1]

If you are going to shoot the one you got on GB i would definitely pass on the poorer on. It will not appreciate like the nice one, and unless you drag the nice one thru the mud in a holster, it will always be worth more than a finish challenged gun. Unless you have money you don't know what to do with. The only guns I have ever not made a few dollars on were guns I bought because they were bargains because of finish issues.

Robert

 

[22shtur]

I owned a 95% K22 Outdoorsman. For a shooter, it was not what I wanted. The rear sight was a small u, the lock time was long. I guess collectors that don't shoot them, like them.
If you're looking for a great shooter, S&W made improvements and manufactured the Model 17. If you're into just shooting for pleasure the Outdoorsman will be fine. Shoot the one you have coming before buying another.

 

[balin]

If it is what you want it is a steal.

 

[mchom]

I appreciate your dilemma ! But Raljr put it well. Prob best let it pass unless they really come down on it.

 

[rct269]

I don't know if this helps you in this situation, but the more you know the better off you are.

I had two (.22) Outdoorsmans in my collection of target guns. Both were top of the line condition, guns only, no boxes, etc. They sold within the last 3+ years like so:

#659434, shipped January 28, 1937----------$1750.

#646192, shipped March 20, 1934------------$2500 (Had King Cockeyed Hammer.)

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Retired W4]

Offer the nice lady 5 Ben Franklins and let her ponder the situation.

 

[kev74]

What kind of enablers are you guys.

The answer is always "Yes! You should buy it!"

 

[RKmesa]

Yup ... I'd have bought it ... but then again, I am a K-22 ADDICT...

 

[Eddie Southgate]

If I had found it and thought I wanted it I would have offered $550 and see what they came back with. I don't worry about making money later if buying something I want now . For that matter if I like it enough and I can get it for what I can afford I don't worry about losing money cause I rarely sell anything I buy anyway. I'm in it to enjoy the guns and the shooting not to collect or make money. Till I retired I worked 8-12 hours a day 5-7 days a week for 50 years to make money , the guns were my time away from that grind.

 

[chiefdave]

That's not a bad price for a 1st series Outdoorsman 22 unless it's one step away from a trotline weight. I have one that is only in good condition and it would take close to double that for me to part with it. A post war K22 is a much better plinker.

 

[rct269]

Actually, Richard is a pretty much you name it ADDICT-----engraved stuff ADDICT for sure and certain. Then comes anything spiffy-----and REALLY SPIFFY--hence the saying, "Some's good, more's better, and too much is just right!"

I dare say he will keep right on keeping on---but just in his spare time of course.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[raljr1]

Yup ... I'd have bought it ... but then again, I am a K-22 ADDICT...

Hoarder!!!

 

[T44spl]

Outside of the shooter grade condition of the gun in question, How much of a premium does the Humpback Hammer add to the value of the gun in question? If his original purchase gun is collector grade condition then having a shooter grade gun with a humpback hammer is justification for buying another gun, providing it can be had for a decent price.
Most collectors, & accumulators here seem to have multiples of many guns, duplication that they always seem to justify for one reason or another. So if OP can comfortably afford it and you live in a locale that's somewhat unrestricted and you want it, and can get it at a reasonable price then go for it.

 

[younggun22]

Yup ... I'd have bought it ... but then again, I am a K-22 ADDICT...

This is slightly disgusting.

… and I’m very jealous