1959 Model 48 at Local Gun Store

[press-1-for-english]

Stopped into the LGS on the way home today and saw this 22 magnum in the used showcase. Box, papers, and tools but no cleaning rod. Drag line on cylinder but barrel and charge holes are pristine IMHO.
What are your opinions on their price of $1199.99? There may be a little wiggle room but I didn't ask yet.
The serial number is K371819. The salesman said there is no rust under the grips.

 

[bigmoose]

With the red ramp front sight (very uncommon option back then) and those beautiful diamond target stocks, I'd say get back there tomorrow and buy it. Early model 48s are wicked scarce with the box etc. In other words, I really like that price for that package.

Good luck, and oh by the way, run don't walk back to that gun shop.

Oh, and looking at the photo again I noticed TT and TH. It just gets better and better.

 

[press-1-for-english]

Thank you for your positive comments.
Is the .22 Magnum known for its accuracy?
I've never had a .22 magnum and have no experience with them.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Well...

I paid about $450 less recently for a little later one with a Patridge front sight and matching magna stocks, not as clean but nice.



If the box is numbered to the gun and the rest is original, maybe?


Get in there and bargain! They don't show up that often...

 

[Mbrgr1]

Thank you for your positive comments.
Is the .22 Magnum known for its accuracy?
I've never had a .22 magnum and have no experience with them.

Tack Driver out past a .22 LR, the 48 is one of the most fun guns I have!

 

[RSinOR]

Model 48

Don't hesitate....go now, buy. I've got one from the same year.
Gun only, no red ramp front sight, same barrel length.

It's quite accurate and a very nice to shoot. Take it to the range every once in awhile. You will really enjoy it.

That vintage doesn't come up very often.

 

[Dave.357]

I have one , same year unfired .
No box or anything.
I would pay that in a heartbeat for that one.

 

[CH4]

Super nice example. I believe 1959 is the the first year for the M48.

 

[Baxter6551]

Hope you get it press 1. It's a beauty.

 

[SVT28]

That's a nice package especially with the stocks. No one's mentioned it yet but I like it being a 4 screw. That would be a buy for me

SVT28

 

[cruiserdan]

Buy it now. A bargain in my view. I have a pair of 1959 48s. They will never leave me. I have never seen one with a red ramp.

That serial number is in between mine. It has a right-hand thread ejector rod that places it prior to mid December 1959.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I have a near-mint 1960 4-screw 48, and love it. It just had magnas, standard hammer and trigger, no box. Bought here on the forum probably 10 years ago. I'd jump on that one were I you and had the wherewithal.

 

[cruiserdan]

Super nice example. I believe 1959 is the the first year for the M48.

Correct...

 

[7.62match]

When is the last time you have seen one in that nice of condition. I would buy it.

 

[Rpg]

OP asked about the 22mag. It's plenty accurate, but not the target accuracy you get from a regular old standard velocity 22lr.

Now for the not so great parts.

The ammo is very, very expensive. Although the 22 magnum has better range than the 22lr, there's no practical difference when shot in revolvers. The 22mag comes into its own when used in a rifle.

The 22magnum is incredibly loud in a handgun. It will deafen you. I'm not being facetious. It's painful. You need to wear very good ear protection such as earplugs under electronic ear muffs. Even with that hearing protection, a long shooting session is likely to leave the shooter's tinnitus tuned up for days.

This relegates the 22mag to the range. It's no good for carrying in the field to pot the occasional grouse or rabbit because I'm not going to carry a gun I have to either deafen myself shooting it without ear protection or I have to get geared up with hearing protection while the grouse flys off.

 

[alwslate]

The only handgun I have ever owned in .22 mag is a three screw Ruger convertible Single Six with a 4 5/8 " barrel. A rare model. But chronographing .22 magnum ammunition makes me agree with Rpg. The velocity out of a revolver just doesn't justify the expense. The .22 mag is really a rifle ctg.

 

[PaulDoc]

Well Press-1, I hope you made the trip and snatched that 48. As others have said you don't see the non dashed models often. I've got a 4" no dash that I just had out to the range. Shot wonderful however it had the ol' tight extraction due to the tight chamber tolerances some examples had. Just beware that you might have the same experience. It's an easy issue to fix. Some polishing or reaming the chambers will eliminate the problem. I love my 48. It's very sharp looking and reminds me of a combat magnum. The bluing is just beautiful. BUY IT!

 

[Retired W4]

I'll toss my $0.02 in. I recently sold my high shooter grade no dash (8 3/8") for $1100. That gun was among the most accurate revolvers I've ever shot. I still have examples in all three barrel lengths of various engineering levels and I love them. My new 8 3/8" has the optional 22 LR cylinder which is nice but totally unnecessary.

If you have not already bought it I would suggest you get back to that shop with the cash.

 

[M29since14]

I haven't seen many S&W revolvers lately that would really tempt me but that is one. I wouldn't call the price remarkable; neither a bargain nor too high to consider, IMO.

I'm a bit surprised at the reaction of our knowledgeable contributors. The .22 WRFM is a bit loud in a revolver, but I think it offers a bit of worthwhile improvement over a .22 LR in the same barrel length, and it is loaded with better bullets. Additionally, I have never found it wanting in accuracy. My own Model 48 will shoot 7/8" groups at 25 yards, or at least it has in the past. I have never shot a K22 that well and I've shot a lot of them. I also have a Model 651 that I think is very accurate - moreso than any of my other rimfire kitguns.

That's a very tempting revolver, to me.

 

[Buick]

The M48 is hands down my favorite Smith!
As long as I stick to a 6" barrel (or longer), the noise level is a non issue for me. Highly accurate and gives .22 lr RIFLE power in a handgun...perfect for the woods and fields.
Shoot a squirrel or rabbit with an M48 and a K22, there is a distinct difference in killing power. Enjoy those M48s!