Not the new stuff thats easy to out here. I'm looking for the older stuff like mofel 16's. About the only older Smith's hit the local gun shops is when their owners pass away and no one else in the family wants their guns. Where are you folks hiding the good stuff.
Where to find S&W revolvers.
- Thread starter ladyT
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
mg357
Absent Comrade
Welcome to the forum from illinois also thank you for your service.
JCS&W
US Veteran
ladyT, welcome, thank you for your service, and I feel your pain. Older S&W revolvers, in decent, not even good condition, are hard to find in my area. Different parts of the country seem to have more of certain models than other parts of the country. To find older S&W revolvers, takes time, patience and a willingness to buy when you find one. I will tell you where I look, LGS, Pawn shops, S&W Forum, local gun sites, internet auction sites (be careful here), and I tell everyone who will listen that I am a S&W revolver fan. Post a WTB (want to buy) here on our site. I guess what I am trying to say, look under every rock. The hunt is sometimes more fun than the purchase. Just my opinion, but I do not believe there is just ONE place to look. Good older S&W revolvers are out there and at decent prices. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
Good luck finding what you want.
Good luck finding what you want.
mc5aw
Member
There's about a dozen forum members who account for 90% of the pre-IL S&Ws ever produced. The rest of us mortals are relegated to searching for the other 10%.
WOW, with over 3 million M&P revolvers produced, (and that's just one model) those 12 guys/gals must have some outrageous gun rooms!!!
I've done well at finding them at local estate and consignment auctions. It takes time and patience but older S&W's show up on a regular basis. But I realize that my neck of the woods, Pennsylvania, is an area with a rapidly aging population coupled with a long and proud history of firearms use being a normal part of life. There are a lot of sales going on through out the year. My second best source is one of my local gun shops. The owner knows that I'm interested in older revolvers. He's a good guy to do business with. There are other LGS in the area with whom I do not do as much business with simply because I feel that they are not as interested in me. It's important to shop around for a GS that you feel comfortable doing business with.
John
John
Florida Guy
Member
I keep an eye on local gun forums.
I've found a few guns that way, where the seller was not far away from me, and I drove to meet them.
I've also sold a few this way.
If you keep it local, you can handle the gun and make sure it's what you're looking for.
Gun shops are my last resort due to pricing.
I've found a few guns that way, where the seller was not far away from me, and I drove to meet them.
I've also sold a few this way.
If you keep it local, you can handle the gun and make sure it's what you're looking for.
Gun shops are my last resort due to pricing.
Don't overlook local auctions. A lot of area's have an auctioneer who will work with a FFL and put together a all gun/sporting goods auction once or twice a year. We have two in our area, about 90 miles apart and each have two a year. I have acquired close to a dozen over the past few years from these sources, one in particular a real collectable, the others mostly very nice representative examples of different models in 85% or better condition. Make a list of all the gun shops and pawn shops within a 50 mile radius, and pick a nice day with a buddy and "make the rounds". Never know what you may find, and have a nice day of it. Gun shows within 100 miles are usually doable also, and again you never know what you may find.
Lots of folks here shop Gunlist, Gun Broker, Armslist (my most recent 19-3 find) and the like. I've also gotten to know some of the owners at local pawn and gunshops, and they will give me a buzz if something particularly interesting comes in. A hint on that, learn as much as you can about the particular type of gun you are interested in so you can speak knowledgebly (One of the local shop calls me their "revolver guy" because most of the folks their are only familiar with the new stuff).
Gun shows are a great place to see thousands of guns under one roof. The smaller towns can have good ones sometimes, but the bigger cities have bigger shows. Check them out, and pick up cards or contact information from the sellers who have what you are interested in. This is just another example of Networking. Enjoyable Networking.
Jim
Jim
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Be glad you don't live in Kalifornistan. Thanks to our "approved" handgun roster we scramble for the Free States' scraps. No importing, no internet sales, VERY few pawnshops with FFLs... Poorly refinished, mechanically sloppy M19s sell quickly at $500.
I've seen the photos. He might be exaggerating, but only a little bit.
mc5aw
Member
I've seen the photos. He might be exaggerating, but only a little bit.
If you've seen the extent of what allen-frame, photoman and paladin have in their collections, you know I'm not exaggerating.
Last edited:
ogilvyspecial
Member
An old gold prospector said something to me once that could easily apply to finding guns.
When I asked him where the best, most likely, places to find gold were, he said....
"Gold is where you find it."
When I asked him where the best, most likely, places to find gold were, he said....
"Gold is where you find it."
Welcome aboard LadyT.
Try any and all gun shops, any and all shows no matter how small. Sooner or later one pops up. Patience. The quest is as good as the catch.
If you really want something badly, post an add on this Forum or others. Huge audience.
I used to complain about the computers, internet, high tech and such but never even saw a model 16 let alone own one.
I now have a half dozen thanks to this new fangled internet.
Good luck.
Try any and all gun shops, any and all shows no matter how small. Sooner or later one pops up. Patience. The quest is as good as the catch.
If you really want something badly, post an add on this Forum or others. Huge audience.
I used to complain about the computers, internet, high tech and such but never even saw a model 16 let alone own one.
I now have a half dozen thanks to this new fangled internet.
Good luck.
ladyt- the tulsa show is coming up in the near future. you will see more in two days than you can carry home,if you have the bucks to spend.also the winter las vegas show is excellent. mainly as stated earlier, hit some shows and travel to the good ones if you can.your local gun people can tell you where those shows are in your area. good luck.
Old Corp
Member
Working p/t at a LGS as your 'retirement job' helps a little.
Doesn't really help on income though.
This I know.
Doesn't really help on income though.
This I know.
I just keep an eye on the joesalter.com site. That's where I was able to find my Model 15. Also recently bought an almost pristine H&R revolver from about 1900 (still haven't nailed down the exact manufacture date). Having a C&R license helps. From the day I decided to buy the H&R 'till it arrived by FedEx was less than 48 hrs.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I was actually considering this. The pay wasn't real great but it occurred to me I would probably never cash a paycheck anyway.
