Ran into a 2.5" blued model 19-3 with a round butt yesterday at one of my regular shops. The revolver was in 90% condition and the lock up was excellent. The tag said it came with the box and two sets of stocks, and all for $399. It was a consignment gun so I was pretty confident I could get them down to $350.

When I saw the whole package though, I was disappointed. The gun was all that was advertised, but the box was not original (numbers were written over on the label) and the stocks were both rubber Hogues (or something like that).

I usually jump all over these deals, but something made me pass. I don't have an extra pair of good quality k-frame round butt stocks (so I would have to buy a pair) and I don't need another mismatched box. I didn't think I would stealing the gun for $350, but I thought that the price was pretty good.

Should I rethink my decision? Any input would be helpful.

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Ash

That's still a little high for a "shooter".

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Dick

It's a fair price for a 2.5" model 19, depending on your local market, but with careful shopping there are others out there in the same price range...so your guilt with passing on it need not be lifelong .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Murphydog is wise. In this local market $399 (out the door) would not be bad for a shooter in 2 1/2"s. But as Murphydog says -- there will be others -- and if you had really liked it, you would have bought it, so all's well.

One more thought -- the seller would be better off to just sell the gun as "no-box" so expectations would not be unduly raised. No wonder you had a bad taste in your mouth.

Locally, a 2.5" 19......IF you can find one, P&R to boot, for less than $400 IS a steal. Box or no.

Buy it, shoot it, love it. Regards 18DAI.

Simple answer, no.
For all the reasons stated above. Be patient, the right one will come along and you will be happy to buy it with no doubts or regrets.
JP

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I must need to move. I would have been all over that. Oh well.

Jacksonville thinks they are a big up north city.
Couple days ago, I bought locally a new, and I mean new, in the box with everything 37-1 for $300.
Bob, you need to move farther south into Seminole country.

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Dick

I have not seen a snub 19 under $500 for a year or more.

It would depend. Living in a "fat chance of CCW issue" county in Kalifornistan a concealable handgun has not been high on my list of priorities. A 2.5" K frame would fill a hole in my accumulation and just about any S&W in good condition is a steal at <$400 in my neck of the woods.

I'da probably been all over it if I had the cash. The box or lack thereof really doesn't matter to me. I usually just give any S&W that are resting in their boxes an admiring glance because I know they're going to be out of my league pricewise.

I probably would have used the rubber stocks as a haggling point as well as the modified box. Might have made an offer "without the box."

A model 19 with 2 1/2 " barrel for $ 400 is a pretty good find. I just paid about $ 450 inc. tax for one with the wrong grips, no box or papers . After buying the correct grips I'm in mine for about $ 500 .
If I could find them for $ 350 , I'd probably buy ten of them !

Lewis

I'm not clear on just what the city of Jacksonville thinks it is and I have lived here for the last decade.

I'm not sure what kind of day it's turning into when I have to agree with SP... I found my 2.5 19 for around that price and I thought I stole it.

I'd have to agree with others that any decent shape 2 1/2" Mod 19 for less than $400 is a good buy.

Wow, a real split of opinions. I really appreciate the diverse responses.

I have a 2.5" Model 19 already, but I could always use another. It was the kind of sneaky bait & switch box that really soured me. The gun and the price were fine. I may head on back down there this weekend, and if it still there, I will try and get it for $350.

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Ash

Even a shooter grade model 19 snubby for $350 is a heck of a price in the Tampa area. I'd buy 2 at that price.

Rick

It seems this is a real "glass half full" situation. Those against the purchase are looking at the deal's negatives, while those in favor are looking at what is actually there. If you ignore the presence of the miscast box and those abominable grips, you have a very desirable revolver. At $350 that is a good stand alone deal in this neck of the woods, so I would seek out appropriate grips in the $50 or so range and figure I had a very desirable shooter for about $400. JMHO and worth every ¢ you paid for it!

Froggie

How about this: If you are a hard corp collector then it is something to be passed up. If you are a passive collector and shooter then it's something to look at for sure. If you want to own one heck of a great combat magnum in what you seem to think is a good condition then you can't go wrong.

I follow a consistent formula..

1. Desirability of the gun.

2. Condition of the gun.

3. Included extras with the gun. Orig box, orig grips, orig options, "un-messed with" status.

4. Frequency the model, bbl length and finish are seen in my area.

5. Market value of the gun should I change my mind.

Would I buy this 19? Not unless I could handle the gun or see numerous pictures to be able to draw from my own conclusions. I've learned after decades of experience condition assessments of a gun can be miles apart from one person to another unless I'm very familiar with the seller..

The internet and digital cameras have become the best marketing tools available for gun trading and sales. Sellers really need to use them, and others who are buying or making estimates of value expect them to be used...

JMHO

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Terry

Always trust your gut.

You said it didn't feel right; then it just wasn't meant to be.

Still a reasonable deal. Not a very difficult task to acquire a Factory set of Magna-grips and an era appropriate box if so desired. A cleaning kit and instructions sheet are also available if you look. If the gun itself is OK, don't feel too bad.

You might be able to barter the box in the Classifieds for a set of grips ...

I went back to the shop to take a closer look. The lock up and timing seem to be perfect, but when I carefully examined it, the finish is not as nice as I thought. It is a more realistic 85% gun in appearance, but I bet it would make a great shooter or carry piece. I think that $350 is a good and fair price for the revolver, but I decided to take a pass.

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Ash

While $350 is a fair price for the gun, if it doesn't feel right to you, then it's not right. Simple as that.

Patience will yeild the results you desire....man, that sounded like a fortune cookie.

In Southern FL, Dade County, that would be high, I recently looked at two 19-3's, two and half inch barrels for $339, with box, and $299 no box. I passed on both, with this economy there are alot of guns lately on the market, and you have the option of being very particular.

Welcome to the forum jane. Over here in central Fl south of Orlando prices are much better than what I see at gunshows, forums and auctions. The economy is down and soft, but some still think they can charge outlandish prices for their guns and still get it. I hope they enjoy carrying INVENTORY!

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Dick

Congratulations, samandglove1, on what is oftentimes a very difficult decision to make. Seeing a very desirable gun like a 2 1/2" Mod. 19 can cloud an accurate appraisal by causing us to disregard obvious flaws because we want it to be what it simply isn't..

I try to always go by the old adage... "The easiest person to sell something to is yourself..." That is so true when it comes to handguns we really want badly...

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Terry

YOU buyin' guns AGAIN??

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

Yup, I can't help myself. I get the herd pared down like I want and then along comes a "an offer I can't refuse". What's a poor gun nut supposed to do when people waive porno in front of you. And, it thus renders me helpless to help another gun nut like you Sal. I'm just not "walking the walk". Mea Culpa.

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Dick

Former Florida Resident- Firearm prices are MUCH lower in Florida than here (Tennessee). However even if I was still in Florida I would have JUMPED on that deal.
Jimmy

Hi all,

Yes, I too would have jumped on that....For me as an extra carry piece. A quick trip to S&W for a beadblast and re-blue...And still out the door for under $500.

JMO,

Take care,


JJ