19-4 What Should I Pay

[DocB]

My local pawn shop has a P&R 19-4 with rubber grips and a 4 inch barrel. The problem is that it has been refinished with a durable finish that looks just like stainless steel. The hammer was done. The trigger was done. The black strap on the rear sight was done too. It is absolutely beautiful. The markings really show no sign of being ground down and the edges are crisp. I've just never seen a gun like this. It's not shiny. It's a duller matt finish that is perfect in every way. I am perplexed by the gun since I do not normally buy refinished Smiths unless it's a factory job with the star to indicate that. What should I pay for this thing. I am pretty sure I can get it for $500, but don't really know what a refinish is worth. If it wasn't such an amazing looking gun I wouldn't even ask. What is it worth? What should I pay?

[Peak53]

Refinish is a subtraction from standard price. If you just HAVE to have this shiney gun, then go for it. But, consider waiting for an original finish at the same price

[DocB]

The problem is that I'm seeing the P&R 19's with 4 inch barrels in "beat to death" condition for $750. I really stay away from them. Most are so bad you wouldn't even let them in your car for the ride home.

[ischia]

Ditto Peak53, Why not go for a 66? or a nickel 19-4. For myself, $350 tops as a shooter but even then WAY down my list of "gotta have it" Yes,it's shiny and perhaps well done but it's still a Bubba re-finish.

Ischia

[Hapworth]

DocB, sounds like a brushed or matte hard chrome refinish; if done well, it's handsome, superbly durable, and in my opinion one of the few non-factory refinishes that looks good on a revolver.

A refinish only diminishes the value for a collector. Whereas I agree that no one is likely to recoup the cost of a refinish, there's no reason why -- if the revolver is in otherwise good mechanical shape and all within spec -- a good refinish isn't a bonus and can have added value to a potential buyer.

$500, not a bad price; haggle on principle and take it home.

[Tom_R]

If it is hard chromed, and it looks nicely done, $500 is a fair price.

You have a pinned and recessed shooter in .357 that is well balanced, good looking, and you do not have to worry about scratching it.

My model 19-4 is a real beauty, but it stays in the safe as I want to keep it in nice shape.

You would have no such worries.

I think you would enjoy it as much as any of your other guns.

You know you want it.

[hardcase60]

DocB,
There is an aftermarket finish called "Armoloy" that could very possibly fit your description. Google "Armoloy of Fort Worth". Under the tab "Protect your firearm with Armoloy" is a pic of what appears to be a 1911. Armoloy is not exactly what I would call a bubba refinish. Back in the stone age those in LE who could afford it had a lot of Model 19's done that way. That finish could withstand the rigors of daily carry in an open holster forever. I too don't pay much attention to refinished S&W's but a P&R 19-4 with that finish for $500.00 would probably get my attention. Do what your heart tells the mind. Best regards, hardcase60

[sturtyboy]

I've have a few refinished models and really like them. One is a Custom Combat 29-2, 2.5", Magna Ported. It has a real nice hard chrome finish.

I don't mind a nicely done refinished example. I have many other nice originals it doesn't matter to me. I'm keeping them all anyway...then my kids will get the enjoyment.

[r3captain]

Originally Posted by DocB

It is absolutely beautiful. The markings really show no sign of being ground down and the edges are crisp. I've just never seen a gun like this. It's not shiny. It's a duller matt finish that is perfect in every way.

That gun is obviously YELLING at you. If the action is acceptable to you by all means go for it, I certainly would for 500. And it sounds like a durable finish so it's probably yelling... SHOOT ME!

[DocB]

I passed. He wanted $565 OTD. I was good for $450 plus tax.

[Camster]

Originally Posted by DocB

I passed. He wanted $565 OTD. I was good for $450 plus tax.

Reasonable on your part.The problem with a refinished gun is that you don't know how rough it was before the work.Who takes a perfectly nice one and has it done?I think that the finish was less than wonderful before the work,that the gun could have been no better than the beat $750 guns that you've encountered.

[BE Mike]

For a shooter, I consider a hard chrome or Armoloy finish to be a plus. I once had a model 28 with a brushed hard chrome finish that I had done. It was a very durable and attractive finish. If I needed a 4" .357 mag. shooter, I probably would have sprung $565 OTD for it.

[AimHigher]

I suggest that you carefully check the single action trigger pull and cylinder lock-up when cocked. If all checks-out as acceptable to you, then $500.00 is a reasonable price for a 19-4. I just worry about the extent of some trigger jobs.