Picking through the pawnshops, gun stores, and gun shows it seems that good S&W 2nd and 3rd generation semi-automatics are getting as hard to find as good classic S&W revolvers. Is that your experience too, or am I just old and crabby. Thank you,

If you're like me, you were already old and crabby. Around here (Central Ohio) Good revolvers are any thing with a cylinder, The shops think any metal frame revolver is made of 24K gold! Smith 39's, 59's and 69's are the things of dreams!

Ivan

Those who have them, keep them. I am a Dan Wesson fan, see how many of those you find.

They are available. You just need to bring money, and lots of it.

'cuz us what's got 'em is keepin' 'em.

Thought I was the only one!Glad to see we're at least 2!
Qc

I am also a Dan fan, although my "collection" is quite meager. When I find them at shows they are either priced through the roof or very inexpensive. The few I find that are moderately high are easily dealt down. I get the feeling the market is pretty thin for Dans, not a lot of hunters.

This past weekend at the Reno Show I probably saw more FAIRLY priced S&W's than I can recall in years. Other than that...I agree. The nice stuff is tough to find, then over priced when You do.

Few bargains out there any more.

Define "good".

If you mean barely used or none at all with box and accessories...I guess so.

If you mean in general then no. I went through 3 stores today and probably saw a dozen or so. Most had no boxes and some holster wear but otherwise in good condition.

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Quite correct, but if I cannot find somryhing or if it is as cheap as the Police Trade in 640's for $329 on another thread. That rule may have to bend.

Good means something that you would buy with your money.

Over the past year or so the 1st gen 39-2s went wild on asking / selling prices. to me, I don't see why. There were many, many of those produced. Now the selling prices seem to be returning to a more reasonable value.

There are still "men of steel" here who love the steel S&W autos vs the plastics but there are plenty. Some solely opting for Stainless steel guns which seems to be a growing demand but there are PLENTY !

There is no shortage of 2nd & 3rd gen S&W standard production autos but as always, supply and demand (along with condition) raises the value.

The scarce and limited editions have justifiably and historically remained with higher values. e.g. Steel M39, pre-39s, early pre-39s, 147A, 52A, Performance Centers and some others, also, (as always) the Model 52s have always maintained value whether 52, 52-1 or 52.2. with the king of them all, the model 44 which is scarcer than hens teeth. The older 41s, 46s and any 41-1 (.22 short) are always in demand, too.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Old and crabby is the divine right of us older guys but adjusting our minds to common day prices as compared to what we paid new, 40 or 50 years ago, may not immediately reason to us but it is the supply and demand that drives the prices up. A good thing for us old and crabby guys.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I have Glocks and a bunch of HKs. For some reason I was never impressed about the M&Ps. I suppose they're a good gun but it just not the same as my alloy and steel frame S&W autos.

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9tenz

To get what you want, you'll have to peruse the gun auction sites.

I'm a price shopper not condition. So if its been through ww3 but still works and costs next to nothing I'd buy it.

Two things I look at. First the price. If it's too much money then the gun isn't for me. I'd rather buy a used one cheaper than a pristine​ one for more. Next I look at function. I'll glance at the finish but I really don't care about it.



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From what I hear from the shops in my area, you pretty much have to walk in the shop the day a good piece arrives in order to get it. The owners tell me that older smith and colt revolvers and semi autos don't normally last two days on the shelf.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I believe that, if I wait until I have the cash, anything really good is gone when I come back.

My local gunshop has a beautiful mdl 10-7, 4" pencil barrel, probably 95%+. He wants $450 for it. I know that is high but they are starting to become scarce.

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Can my S&W Mdl 10 shoot +P

If you add up all the rarely seen,hard to find,scarce,only xxxxx made and other same meaning marketing terms on items for sale they would surely outnumber the commonly found stuff.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN