4 screw Terrier value/scarcity

[Widetrack]

While at the Ft. Worth gun show today I noticed a very nice nickel 4 screw Terrier for sale. The owner seemed to think the gun was worth $750.00 and I wasn't willing to pay more than $500.00 so we dickered around a little and he came down to $600.00 but it was still a bit steep to me so we went our separate ways. Since then I've been wondering whether I should have gone ahead and got it at 600.00. Gun will probably be available to me again next week at Mesquite show. No pics but I would say about 95% finish with near perfect stocks (unsure if they are numbered to gun), no box or other extras. What do y'all think? Fair price at $600.00 or walk away? Thanks for your help.

[Texas Star]

95%? Is the nickel already beginning to flake?

I personally won't own any nickeled gun. If you buy one, remember that some solvents will affect the plated finish.

And the Terrier is a poor substitute for a Model 60 Chief Special in the better .38 Special caliber. This stainless gun has it all over a nickeled one in a more anemic caliber for which ammo is more expensive and harder to find.

That's the real world answer. If you're a collector looking for a nostalgia piece, your mileage may differ.

NO, I wouldn't pay his price, and think that $600 is still too high. Some of these dealers have been too affected by the artificially high prices they see on the Net.

[Rpg]

I'd be sorely temped at $600, depending on condition.

But nickel is my favorite finish.

I wouldn't buy a stainless steel handgun.

All a matter of taste, of course.

[Engine49guy]

IMO While $600 is about full market value for a clean one right now if you are on the hunt for a nickel Terrier 4 screw they dont pop up for sale very often .

I recently stumbled on a clean blue 4 screw for around $400 which I fealt was under value.

[Widetrack]

I guess one thing I'm really trying to figure out is how long will it be before I run into another as nice as this? Usually don't care too much for nickel finish but this one is pretty nice but I would be as happy or happier with an equally nice blue gun. Just how common is the 4 screw version of the Terrier?

[Rpg]

You won't see another for years, unless you buy this one.

Then you'll see one next month.

[.455_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

And the Terrier is a poor substitute for a Model 60 Chief Special in the better .38 Special caliber. This stainless gun has it all over a nickeled one in a more anemic caliber for which ammo is more expensive and harder to find.

I guess that depends on your point of view. My early 50's Terrier is a frequent CCW piece, with the noticebly smaller I-frame offering improved pocket carry and concealability than the J-series, especially the modern "magnum" frame size. The .38 S&W can be plenty potent, with the Fiocchi and Buffalo Bore loadings leading the pack. I kinda view my Terrier as a pocket .380, along the lines of a LCP/P3AT, that I can actually shoot accurately (25 yards single-action anyone?) and has 100% reliabilty.

[Widetrack]

Rpg, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Not only will I see another right away, but with my luck, it'll be nicer, in original box and $100.00 or more cheaper!

[Art Doc]

Just because somebody said he wouldn't own one...











Oh, and I have a Terrier, too...

[ky wonder]

Originally Posted by .455_Hunter

I guess that depends on your point of view. My early 50's Terrier is a frequent CCW piece, with the noticebly smaller I-frame offering improved pocket carry and concealability than the J-series, especially the modern "magnum" frame size. The .38 S&W can be plenty potent, with the Fiocchi and Buffalo Bore loadings leading the pack. I kinda view my Terrier as a pocket .380, along the lines of a LCP/P3AT, that I can actually shoot accurately (25 yards single-action anyone?) and has 100% reliabilty.

i shot my terrier this weekend at 100 yds with winchester 145 grain round lead and had no problem hitting a gallon milk Jug size target at that distance with 50% of my shots and missing close when i did miss


now i would look close at the small gun but if that little terrier was wearing her original factory finish and looked that good i would have taken it home at $600, if it was a nickel one with the half moon front sight i would not have set it down at his original asking price, and have turned down $700 for my blue one , i love the small i frame guns and they did not make that many of them to start with

[Rpg]

Originally Posted by Widetrack

Rpg, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Not only will I see another right away, but with my luck, it'll be nicer, in original box and $100.00 or more cheaper!

I'd be surprised to find a high grade Nickle terrier very often.

If you don't want it , I'll buy it.

[Engine49guy]

Hondo44 is one of our resident Terrier experts ,
IIRC the post war Terrier went through several changes prior to it becoming the 3 screw J frame version .

Here is a Dec 1950 with a flat mainspring in satin blue with a coil spring 4 screw in bright blue that shipped in Nov 1955.
IIRC there is another version that goes between the two .

[Widetrack]

Originally Posted by ky wonder

i shot my terrier this weekend at 100 yds with winchester 145 grain round lead and had no problem hitting a gallon milk Jug size target at that distance with 50% of my shots and missing close when i did miss





now i would look close at the small gun but if that little terrier was wearing her original factory finish and looked that good i would have taken it home at $600, if it was a nickel one with the half moon front sight i would not have set it down at his original asking price, and have turned down $700 for my blue one , i love the small i frame guns and they did not make that many of them to start with

Had it had the half moon sight, we wouldn't be having this discussion 'cause I wouldn't have set it back down either! For some strange reason, quite some time ago, I decided to try and assemble a collection of the different versions of the Terrier. Took a while to find my first one:

I knew that one was a bargain at $700.00, just wasn't sure about the availability of the 4 screw version. Gun looks exactly like the one on the right in Engine49guy's picture except nickel with some swirls in finish that I think will polish out. I guess I better go look him up at the Mesquite show next week. Hope he hasn't been reading this or I won't be able to get it at $600.00!