I need to be talked off the ledge....

[rjm6120]

OK gents, I made a quick stop at an LGS on my way back from doing some errands for work. In the used case was a beautiful 6-inch model 57 no dash .41 magnum (not sure if there were dashed models of 57's). P&R, target hammer, target trigger, target stocks. The most amazing, smoothest action I have ever experienced on a revolver. If this gun has been fired, it has been fired extremely little. The only blemish I saw on it was slight bluing loss on the edge of the muzzle. No box or paperwork. I'm thinking 98%+ finish.

They said it had been in the case 4 days now, had a price tag of $799.99 + tax. I tried to talk them down to $775 OTD just to see what would happen but they didn't bite, but were cool about it. They said they had to have it at least 14 days before they could entertain lower than tagged price offers. I fondled it twice, did the (ir)responsible thing and walked away. Just a bit too much money right now to be pretty much a safe queen, but wow am I regretting now.

Bottom line, my question is for the gurus, what would the value of this gun be? I'm pretty sure I walked away from an investment and that their asking price was fair. Thoughts and chastising for walking away without it are welcome! I could at least hope they still have it in the case tomorrow!

Ray

[jrd1976]

From that push I just gave you, you should be hitting the ground about now.

[bruner1981]

From the prices I've seen, the one you looked at is priced low compared to others in similar condition. And I'm sorry, I'm not good at talking people out of buying guns. I'm an enabler. Buy it!

[BAM-BAM]

Jump...Jump....Jump.............

[Riccur]

You may want to post this over in the "Wives of Obsessive Gun Owners" Forum, here you will not be talked out of anything starting with an S & ending in a W.

[gmborkovic]

Did you hear me yell...JUMP?

[GyMac]

You know you want it! If you pass, you will forever be sorry.

[bigmoose]

It may not necessarily reside in the safe all the time as a brooding queen. With a little care that gun can be brought to the range now and then with no ill effects. I do it with mine and they still look like the day I bought them.

[rjm6120]

Yes I heard the chorus of "jump"s coming from all directions! So in the condition I described, I'm guessing $900+ for value right now. Thery're kind of all over the map on GB.

[jsfricks]

Take $800 cash and set it on the counter. I'd bet they would bite. Either way it sounds like a good deal. See, it's easy to spend someone else's money.

[Bahamaroot]

You could go back in 10 more days and see if it's still there and make another offer. You see that's not going to happen though because your going to go get it right NOW!

[Cal44]

I agree. Jump.

[44wheelman]

Must not have spoken to you if you let it pass for what amounts to less than 10%....I dunno, you might find another one for less, you might not. A .41 mag is not one of those jump off the shelf caliber guns, I agree that it seems to be priced at market price (after taxes).

Why do want it... do you shoot .41, wanna shoot .41, or just ogling it for it's value, attractiveness, & quality?

Point is: it wouldn't be worth it to me to just buy it for a strictly potential monetary gain. If I was looking for a .41, well that's different.

[rjm6120]

Originally Posted by 44wheelman

Must not have spoken to you if you let it pass for what amounts to less than 10%....I dunno, you might find another one for less, you might not. A .41 mag is not one of those jump off the shelf caliber guns, I agree that it seems to be priced at market price (after taxes).

Why do want it... do you shoot .41, wanna shoot .41, or just ogling it for it's value, attractiveness, & quality?

Point is: it wouldn't be worth it to me to just buy it for a strictly potential monetary gain. If I was looking for a .41, well that's different.

I dunno 44, it sure seemed like it was screaming at me from under the glass! As for your other questions, this purchase would have been mostly for an investment, admittedly---this gun was something to behold. Am I looking for a .41? No, but I am trying to keep an eye out for quality used Smiths whether I shoot the caliber or not. It's still calling to me from 15 miles away, so maybe that means something!

I must admit if this was a Model 28, priced around what those go for in decent shape, I would have snagged it since I'm really into .38/.357's right now.

[Tom_R]

If you want a .41 Magnum, that baby was worth the asking price.

If it is something you truly WANT, call back and have them hold it.

If you don;t handload for 41 Magnum, you may be best served letting someone else take it.

But as described, it was definitely worth the asking price.

[Xfuzz]

Don't know the tax bite ....but can't be more
$90.00 bucks or so above your offer.

Based on the model I would do it.

[BC38]

As others have said, this is NOT the place to come to be talked out of buying a S&W. Unless it is OUTRAGEOUSLY priced, people around her are going to encourage you to BUY IT.

That said, it sounds like it might be a good investment gun. Though if I were buying it for an investment I'd want to see the price about $100 lower. I'd probably wait until they are ready to deal on it, and if it got snapped up first, OH WELL, can't have them all...

I recently bought a 29-3 Classic Hunter that sat in the case at the LGS for 2 months priced at $799. One day when I stopped by "just making my rounds", they had marked it down to $689. I knew they were ready to deal, and I ended up getting it for $600 plus tax.

Maybe this one will work out just that well for you - if you're a patient!

[varmint243]

Gun deals are like women, If you miss out on this one, there will be another one along shortly.

I really wouldn't worry too much about it.
If you buy it, you have a nice firearm at a fair price.
If you don't buy it, you will find a firearm next week that you want twice as much.
Either way works

[JohnAC]

Buy it!

And here's a 4" 57 no dash to help you along...

[Wyo]

It's only money. You can always get more money. When's the next time you'll get another chance at a nice 57 like that?

[rjm6120]

Thanks, as always, very much for all the input. That's why I like this board and the members on here so much....good people not hesitating to give their thoughts and wisdom.

I'm going to say my prayers tonight and hope it's still there; going to head back there tomorrow. If it's not, I snoozed and lost and it wasn't meant to be. We'll see!!

[Igiveup]

I think that is an excellent price for the area I live. Tax can't be much more than $60 or so. This model is not seen very much around here, I would jump on the offer. I have screwed up too many times not to buy when I see it.

[Engineer1911]

A stoughtly loaded 357 mag matches the bottom loadings for 41 mag, and a light bullet load in 44 mag matches a heavy 41 mag.

Why ride in the middle of the street? Get a 44 mag in addition to your 357 mag revolvers. Forty-four mag has store bought ammo on the shelf, you will find once-fired brass at the range, 44 spl is a milder alternative.

The 41 mag fans just leave me confused with all the rah-rah about an orphan round -- no ammo, no brass, and no bullets -- just a big price tag compared to 44 mag /spl.

[Nightowl]

I saw one in a gun shop about 5 years ago at that same price. Does that help?

[muzzleblast]

Don't do it unless you are willing to resign yourself to "needing" a 4" M57, 8-5/8" M57, 3" 657 and a M58 to keep it company. ;-)

MB

[g-dad]

OK, you said your prayers last night. Today has come and mostly gone. So where are the pics??? Don't leave us hanging!!

[rjm6120]

Originally Posted by g-dad

OK, you said your prayers last night. Today has come and mostly gone. So where are the pics??? Don't leave us hanging!!

I know g-dad.....busy Saturday....no pics because no gun. After catching my breath the rest of the day yesterday, sleeping on it and thinking this morning about what I REALLY wanted, I decided to let it pass because I would MUCH rather have a model 27 or 28 as opposed to a 57. So I will save my $$ for now and set my sights on one of those two models, or maybe both. Besides, ~$850 including tax is more than what I can really financially handle right now.

Again I appreciate everyone's insight/input! Sorry for the let down, I know everyone was expecting pics!!

[SS57]

No need to be sorry sir. You will know when it is the right time/model to buy. I really don't need pics either because I just have to open my safe to admire a few very nice 57's and 657's. But let us know when that right 28/27 comes along.
And of course we will need pics then.

[Engineer1911]

You really only need two revolver calibers: 38 spl / 357 Mag and 44 mag (44 spl if you really think so) which give you plenty of options.

When you reload and cast bullets, your options are wide open for performance levels on your ammunition. The 38 spl / 357 mag caliber is obvious because of J-, K-, L-, and N-frame revolvers. Now those gleaming N-frame 44 mag revolvers offer some real savings. You can use MAX 44 spl load data in a 44 mag case, and get a mild recoil like 38 spl in a "fist filling" gun. Also, that 45 Colt (45 LC) load data works just fine in a 44 mag case but use .430 diameter bullets. I have a modified Lyman mould that drops a 250 grain bullet. When I use 45 Colt load data, it is a real thumper but no brutal recoil. Use the Lee or Lyman 215 grain bullet, and you duplicate 41 Mag performance.

Yup, I know. The purists and perfectionists will fuss about "published load data", but it works flawlessly with a common sense close enough approach. Let that orphan 41 mag sit on the shelf with its pricey / non-existent ammo, and enjoy the other affordable N-frame -- 44 mag.

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by rjm6120

...I decided to let it pass because I would MUCH rather have a model 27 or 28 as opposed to a 57.

I too love the 357's and have focused my accumulating on the 357/38 and the 22 LR's, but then I look in my safe and somehow there are a bunch of 44 Mag's (where the heck did they come from???) and this one 41 Mag





...But it was all scratched up and lonely, I just had to bring it home where it would be loved.

[jmace57]

Next time go to the racetrack for the Gambler's Anonymous meeting!