I took a S&W 19.4 2.5' to gun show this afternoon. I actually bought it off this forum a couple of months ago. It was a shooter with some freckling on the side plates. The grips were not numbered. In fact they were not well finished.
Anyway, I stuck it in a period correct box (not original) and went off hoping to get $600 and expecting to bring it home. (It wouldn't break my heart if it didn't sell) I was in the building 5 minutes and I had $650 in my hand... Wow... That gun was worth $450 at best. IMO. That's crazy!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

So if you got $650 just 5 minutes after going in why are you not showing off a new to you gun that you got at the show?

Just kidding with you. Things are kind of crazy right now.

There's a mint 19-4, 2.5" barrel, round butt, no box, $1299 at a local pawn shop. Crazy?

I wonder if he wants another one, I've got a 19-3 2.5" I'd let go for that!

Does it have a rolled up Ben Franklin in each chamber?

Guess i'll hang on to my 19-2 snub for awhile. Maybe i can trade it on a Python someday.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

About the other gun...my wife "challenged" me to sell one and not come home with another.. (she goes to the shows with me usually). I was sweating and shaking the whole time we were there. Withdrawal and anxiety
I found at least 6 different guns I would have been interested in... no, a lot more but they were all way over priced. But in the end I, or actually my wife prevailed... I walked out with a set of pre-war magnas and some shoot n see targets. And 6 1/2 crisp Ben Franklins
I am saving for something special

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

We have to start goin to shows together. I brought both my guns back home with me. I think I left the show at noon and you got there abt 1pm. Thats great, lookin for a nice M&P target? See ya at the NE Ohio bunch in 2 weeks. Larry

Last summer, I dropped $1,100 on a M.I.B. M19-0 4" with papers and tools. Shipped 2-1960. I thought that a bit much, but it sure is a beauty. I would not sell it back either. A little hard to find. Big Larry

OK, you asked if M19's were hot. Well, I went to a big gun show yesterday close to where I live. Saw some good deals, saw some over priced ones, but also saw some priced right on where the market is now on the M19's. But, there was one, a M19-3, 4", blued, original grips/stocks, box, unopened tool kit, papers, everything was pristine. A really good looking piece that was being advertised as like new. It was really nice. As much as I wanted to buy it, I could not get over the fact that HE HAD IT PRICED A $950! I mean, come on, $950 for a blued, M19-3, 4"? I know the prices have jumped, but really, $950? The M19's are hot, but not surface of the sun hot!

Got a very nice 19-4, 4"; maybe 95/95+% for $525 orig clean condition no box or papers. Low round count and clean S&W target grips...love it

I guess I should feel fortunate to have found a 19 no dash 4" with magna's for under $400 recently.

Nipster who did you steal that from? That's an unbelievable deal!
Have you been hanging around 00buck2? He seems to have the midas touch for scoring great deals

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

LOL, the only reason that happens is because I,m still learning and I dont realize what I bought until I get it home.

Now that I want a model 58 they have become really expensive. I know I passed on a few in the last few years at a good price, of course I wasn't looking for one then.

That's just about blue book for the virgin 19-3 JCS&W described.

What's causing the insanity?

More people finding out just how great the K frame is? They just don't make 'em like that anymore. Also, it's hard to stop with just one.

When you consider what the asking prices are for the current production revolvers, $600 for a model 19 is a bargain.

The days of the $1000 snub 19 are closer than some realize. Regards 18DAI

And people scoffed at me when I said "Buy every single $400 Combat Magnum you can find".
This was three years ago. Heck, soon people will be saying "Buy every single Sigma you can find".

I bought a 19-5 model 19 NIB unfired for 475. It has 4 inch barrel and is nickel finished. I have original box and tools. I am not sure what it is worth but it is a nice gun.

Right place, right time. I just happened to wander into a pawn shop and saw it. It was the same place I picked up my pre-model 10 for $250 and a NIB 10-5 for $300. They also have a 581 that will be mine as soon as funds become available.

I dont think you will EVER hear people say that...

Sure. I'm just saying, there was a time that I personally laughed at the idea that 5906 pistols would be $400.

If the government ever gets around to selling all the old 1911's they have, that market will tank too.

Oh, and Beretta 92's too when that time comes.

Last gunshow I was at had a 19-3 Nickel 4" NIB $1000.00.

Just got a no-dash 66 4" police trade-in locally for $275. It was your typical cop-gun; scratched, dinged, pachmyers, but it is in great shape and shoots beautifully.

The only thing the blue book is good for is ripping sheets out of and starting a fire with. It's completely unrealistic. That said, I'm not getting obamaized (election) again. The values I paid for guns in 2008, fell 20-25% by 2010.

If you think that will ever happen I have some beautiful beach front property in Arizona I'm sure you'd love . . .

I going out on a limb and making a prediction: It's still there.

Half of that price is too high. Speaking of "High", that would be a way to decribe the seller.

While not NIB, I know of 2 LNIB 19-3 6" they are asking $700 for, I am sure they could be had for $600. One blue, one nickel. If they were 4", I may have made an offer. When I see asking prices for over 1 grand, I just

I haven't been back to check but I am sure you're right.

Gosh, I bought a VG-Excellent 19-3 a couple of years ago for $300 and was wondering if I did OK.

I agree with the one poster, and others, who have noted that the days of sub $400 S&W's are long gone. Sure, every now and then someone may come up with a bargain (I still do) but on the whole that time/price range is in the past.
Look at the prices asked for the new models, look at the quality, or lack thereof, and the amount of complaints due to two piece barrels, cracked forcing cones etc. There is no reason that a fine old pre-lock Smith will not start bring as much, or more, than these poorly made new models are fetching. SemiAutos are the only thing keeping S&W in business right now and I believe they know it.
I was lucky enough to get into this hobby nearly 30 years ago, I've amassed many fine old guns, every now and then I'll let a couple go for what I consider a huge profit, and I'm a happy guy for it. I tried telling everyone I knew to buy all they could some 20 years ago and was looked at like I had two heads, I did and am pleased beyond belief.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

So let me ask the forum.

What is the consensus on the current "market value" of well worn, shooter grade guns? I see several of these with quite a bit of holster or other wear, rubber grips and other flaws and, while mechanically sound, I dont know that one could be expected to fork over north of $400 or $500 for what is currently a "hot" gun. I am starting to see model 28's slipping into this category too.

The market is crazy right now, I know. Even common mass produced recent guns are going for absurd prices. I saw a Gen 2 Glock 17 marked $450 yesterday in a LGS. It was in good condition, but it's a Glock at the end of the day, and a Gen 2, which the grips on were not the best (all pre-Gen3 sucked IMHO)

Insanity no. Folks are realizing that the M-19 is the ideal carry a lot shoot a little revolver. A marking ploy or not the the original name “Combat Magnum” was and is very accurate.
I have a - 3 I was issued in 1974, that is showing its' age. I don't believe I will ever get rid of it, but I don't want to shoot is much anymore, so I was able to order a - 5 from a forum member last week. It should be here in the next week or so, and I'm starting to get excited.

About a year or a little more ago my LGS had an absolutely awful M19. It was poorly refinished, the S&W logo was half polished off, the finish itself looked like bad Parkerizing & it had a 100% turn line.

The price marked was $529. Dunno what it actually went for, but it went fairly quickly.

Agreed. I got my model 66 4 inch at a steal at $350. New Smith and Wesson wheelies are starting $600 or so.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I guess the gunshows are really getting out of hand now. I've got a factory nickel 4" barrel pinned and recessed cylinder 19-4 in very good condition I need to let go from its corner of the safe. Someone tell me what all I need to do to post in the for sale section as far as the legalities of shipping and transfer and I'll get that puppy gone for $550!

About three weeks ago, I bought a 19-3 blued 2.5" piece at a Huntsville show. It had Hogue Goodyears on it, and a trigger shoe. Some light freckling in places, but once I removed the trigger shoe, and put on some Eagle rosewood magna style grips, it really looks good, at least to me. Sold the Hogues, and I'm into this gun for about $400.00 total. I've already got a Lobo Gunleather pancake holster to fit it, so I didn't even have to buy leather. Thought I came out pretty good.

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MARK

The 19 snub is nice and here's mine...the problem is I don't shoot it or carry it because of the finish. I just can't bring myself to do it as long as I have several 66 alternatives. It is my only gun I don't shoot and not sure that I want another safe queen...the second one would really have to move me!

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Hi all, this will be my first post , I like to know a fair price expected to pay on a model 19-4 6'' pinned and recessed in excellent condition.
Thank you,

Well, I bought one a couple of months ago for $595, no papers or box, and think I got a pretty good deal on it given what prices have been running on line and around here (MD-So. PA), especially.

I just picked up a nice 19 - 4 2.5 inch with the bianchi holster for 340 out the door. It has some holster wear, rust cleaned up like it was never there. This will be a carry, shooter so I'm not going to do a thing to it.

I would say $400 range without the goodies.

Lemmee know when you find one for that - I'd be glad to own another.

one just went for $900 on GB 19-4 2 1/2 with all the goods! paid 750 for mine last year. I think this sight is driving up the prices. good for sellers bad for buyers.

Paid $650 OTD (I bought it from a guy I know) for my 4 inch 19-3 last month. It is very clean in the box with papers. It did have some issues that I resolved and I spent another $80 on some nice target grips.

So yeah.... prices are going nuts right now... especially for P&R guns....

One large shop in my area has a 19-3 4 inch with about 3/4ths of an inch blue worn from both sides of the muzzle. Gun also has some faint scratching on the cylinder and stocks. Other than those issues it is a clean, tight gun that I would love to own as a shooter, just not for $595 plus $10 fees and 6% PA sales tax $640.70 out the door. Heck, just add another $850 and you can leave with the 6 inch Colt Python priced at $1,399 ($1,492.94 out the door).

I picked up a 19-5 2 1/2" in about 95% condition for $375.00 about 6 months ago from a local dealer.

About 2 years ago, I bought a 19-3 for $300 in excellent condition, no box or papers, Goodyear grips.

I'm a S&W fan but when M-19 prices start touching $1,000 I'll leave them for someone else

I don't have a 19, I may have to be happy with my 1989 vintage 2.5" 66

This is also the reason Ruger Six series guns with 2 3/4 barrels are hitting $600+ in nice condition, it's "spillover" from people who don't want to pay for k-frame .357's.

I have been saying for the past 4 years "Buy all the Ruger DA Six series guns you can find!" and those have almost doubled in price since 2008......they were the "K-frame .357 knock off" or so called, for so long and now they are coming into their own market.....especially the stainless models. It won't be long until a NIB stainless 2 3/4" Security Six is a $1,000 gun and even Exc. + examples now have gone past $700. I just saw a .38 Special 2 3/4" Speed Six go for $500 on GunBroker,since the .357's tend to bring more these days someone got a "deal" lol. My days of picking up 4" Service Six .38 Special security trade-ins for $200 are pretty much over=)