Well, the gun didn't actually walk up to me but my friend did. He knew I like these things. Two have showed up at a live auction here in Georgia but I was out bid on both of them, so I have been looking. One of only 3000. This one is unfired in the original box with everything, as many of these are. The stocks are not numbered to the gun but that is normal. This example has some very slight handling and storage marks, mostly on the wood, but otherwise it's in EC. The price was right and I didn't even try to beat him up on the dollars. Only a couple grail guns left on the list now.

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	520 007.jpg (251.4 KB, 828 views)
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What a beauty! Check out the case hardening on the hammer and trigger.

Good on you Tom! That was a good buying show, as you well know. Grail lists are a funny thing. Once you think you've filled out the list, there always seems to be more that mysteriously show up on the list that weren't there before!

I hear you friend. It's the truth,

Hard to argue price on a gun of that quality.
Nice find.

Love it,if you see one buy it, I got this one a month ago without the box and it had been shot just a bit.

Enjoy
Pete

Darn it! The 'LIKE' button won't come up on your post for me. No matter, that handgun deserves much more than just a 'LIKE'. What a great find. I'm glad a serious collector found that M 520, because it would be a shame for a 'modifier' like me to have it. IMHO, that model of Smith and Wesson is the epitome of the Third Generation designs. ...............

Thanks Big. I don't know what you might do to a specimen like this but it definitely needs to stay in its original configuration. I've always been a big fan of fixed sight S&W magnums, and this one is a real boost for me. My dilemma now is whether or not to shoot it! I will probably leave it at home for now with the knowledge that I am going to shoot it eventually. I will apologize to my daughter, who will end up with it eventually, and let her know that it's OK for her to shoot it. In a way howiema is lucky because his has been shot. No anguish in deliberation.

Very nice Tom. I wanted to come to the show but I didn't think anyone would take an I.O.U.

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Get off my lawn!

Congrats! That's simply beautiful......

Congrats on your newest!

That's a beautiful revolver.

Thanks guys. PoliceRevolverCollector showed up and I was able to meet him. It was a good buying show like Ken L said.

Very nice revolvers and worthy of the hunt. Congratulations. S&W really should have made more fixed sight N-frames, 3" ones spring to mind.

Drool. Great addition.

I found one that had been refinished so I can shoot it as much as I like. The 520 is great fun to shoot it is now my go 357. I'm not sure I could bring my self to shoot yours. Great looking revolver.

Wow...it is beautiful. Congrats. Sure wish S&W would make more like that model as it seems so practical. You did well!

That is Special, Congrats!

A M13 all grown up and ate its' spinach!

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

That's why I passed on the last one I saw several years back. NIB. But I have every intention of shooting one some day. (Could be the very same revolver you have now...)

That's beautiful! I remember a while back there was a tread, attempting to see how many 520's were accounted for, you can now add yours.

One "Like" isn't enough!

Congratulations!

The finish on that gun is outstanding. Great buy, I am guessing that your daughter will not loose any $$ should she sell it in the future.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Very Nice. 1st one I have seen! Great find! Enjoy that one!

very nice, I want one.

Very nice 520,I owned one for 30 years. Mine had been shot some before I bought it and I shot 500 rounds with it over the 30 years I owned it.

What is a reasonable price for a 520, "New in the Box"? just in case I ever come across one?

That's a great find! Ya done good.
I stumbled across one NIB at a gun show almost 20 years ago. It would have taken every cent I had to buy it and then some. So I passed.
Been kickin' myself for that mistake ever since.

Well, many thanks to the moron on the NYSP who nixed the original purchase of 3,000. His loss is our gain. Love mine.

Awesome

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Sure you did

That is a beauty, well done sir.

1250 and up

I retired from the New York State Police and have a LNIB 520, even the label has nysp typed on it. i don't like to discuss prices but it was 20% less then the estimate above. It was shipped in 1980.

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Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

I've heard $1300 to $1500, which is about what they were going for at the auction as I remember. For those who need to know, the right price is an even grand.

This may have been covered here in the past, but with your history I was wondering if you had any insight as to why the deal fell through. As I said, it could have been covered but I am ignorant of the details. 3000 guns must have been a big contract, even for S&W.

What gun show did you find this? Frank from Alpharetta. I gave up on the Atlanta shows a few years back.

RK show on Jonesboro Road this past weekend. It was a good buying show as several good guns came through. I sold nothing but ammo and some other junk. One of our guys picked up a beautiful 6" 57 nd for $800. I had several Colt OP's NIB from 1962 show up. I don't care for Colt revolvers but I could not turn it down. Missed a pre-12 NIB (star burst box). Oh well. More people coming through the door selling than buying. Nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned.

If 03clyde see's this thread he may be able to answer more thoroughly. Here is a theory; the N frame was just too heavy at 40 oz and we began to hire women. I believe that is not true; Smith & Wesson could not manufacturer and deliver the more than 3500 model 520's in a timely manner. So we went to the 28-2, 4 inch barrel, NYSP stamped. The weight was 41 oz so throw out the weight theory. Shortly after that we went back to a fixed sight revolver, the model 681, stainless steel on the L frame. That was also stamped NYSP. Then on to Glocks in 1990 to date.

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Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

I think I must be the only one with a well shot M520,bought it that way a couple years ago...under $600 at that time

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

So the 520 contract was a big order for S&W. So large they couldn't keep up with the required time table (small question mark here). After reading posts from those who shoot their 520's I am really tempted to accelerate my time table to shoot mine. With that in mind I should have tried to get a better price, which was, in my opinion, a safe queen price, but still good. No problem though.

Thank you for the history info on this great gun. Tom

I agree completely with you in that this handgun needs to be collected and preserved as the perfect example of the epitome of the third generation S&W "N" frame revolvers. And that brings up a big quandary for me personally. I 'need' to work with my hands in the gunsmithing/pistolsmithing field. If I go for more than two days without working in my shop I become very nervous. Therefore, I have no business buying a handgun or rifle that I can't in all good conscience modify. I have of course bought both that I won't touch except to shoot and clean. But, they will be the first to go up for sale when I know it is time for me to start cleaning out the safe.

Back to you questioning yourself as to shoot this handgun. IMHO, its yours, do what you want. But, there are lots of 27s and 28s in shooter grade out there. You might consider buying one and then shooting the heck out of it and 'saving' every bit of collector's attraction for this M 520 that exists now. ...............

I love the 520! It is a "bucket" gun. They are priced reasonably enough...not like those blasted Pythons.

Hope I'm able to get one before I leave this earth. Enjoy it!

I am kind of ignorant about these. How many were made & when?
That smacks of the .38-44 HD on steroids.
Beautiful gun, thanks for sharing.

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US RIDE FOR THE BRAND OR LEAVE

Beautiful pics of a very unique S&W revolver.

I am also looking for a S&W Model 520 in new or like new condition.

What were the dates of manufacture...?

JMV366

To answer a couple questions, they made 3000 of them all in 1980.

Very Nice!

Thanks Retired W4
That's a beautiful gun.

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US RIDE FOR THE BRAND OR LEAVE

Clue me in. What show? When is another one?

Beautiful revolver!!

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Georgia On My Mind

The RK show on Jonesboro Rd a few weeks ago. It's the largest in Georgia.

As I recall the story, The 520s were already ordered and in production when S&W introduced the L-frame revolvers. NYSP decided they liked the L-frames better and canceled the order for the 520s. So S&W sold what 520s they had on the civilian market.

Just returning to enjoy the pictures and information again. Nice.

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909