This may need to be in another place but I have sold a few guns and was wondering if anyone had between $1000.-$1500 to spend on a revolver which one would it be. It doesn't have to cost this much, but I don't want a safe queen but one that will retain its value and be a great shooter. I am not planning on using it for concealed carry.

Probably a Python if I could get one for that.

Just to say I owned one.

But have a 6" Python.....

An early python,a 4 or 5 screw pre 29,a pre series 70 colt government,this list could go on forever.

Colt Magnum Carry or Special Lady. Both hold value and are going up as we speak.

I never go in search of a certain gun, it's a sure way to over pay, instead i gust go looking and see what interesting turns up.

I'd Buy high condition even if it were a shooter.
I think you can usually keep a 98-95% gun in that condition as long as you don't holster it and wipe it down with Hoppes #9.

So a K22 first Model. Or K22 3rd Model, or a Heavy Duty would be high on my list.

I had a 98% K22 that I shot a bit without degrading it's condition. Don't clean the bore too much or you will accidently put more wear on it than shooting it.

I'd definately be a condition shopper if I had $1000-$1500 to spend.
You get a shooter and a collector all at once. Always buy "condition" is my way of thinking.

Emory

Colt SAA in .32-20, 4 3/4" barrel. Keep shootin'

If you want a shooter which doubles as an investment then don't buy just one gun.

Although higher value guns are nice, when you get into the 1K and above mark you move into a smaller demographic of potential buyers.

I would find something I could use and that I KNOW will increase in value.

Ammo prices and availability WILL continue to rise and many guns can be fad-ish. One gun I would bank on as a very solid investment is a model 617 no dash or a pre lock version with the 10 shot cylinder in steel. The 4" guns seem to always bring more money at auction but I would take a 6" too.

For $1500 you should absolutely be able to buy a 4" and a 6" LNIB. You can shoot them till the cows come home and if you ever NEED to sell them, they will bring top dollar and be gone as fast as you can list them.

Of course, we all have a wish list but I believe you were asking about gun you will enjoy while investing your money wisely. I think the 617 fits that description perfectly.

Be sure to let us know what you decide.

A.

Since I already have 2 Pythons it would be a toss up between a Colt SAA in 45 Colt, S&W model 27, or a S&W model 29 (the 27 and 29 would have to be pre-lock).

Model 28's model 17's model 48's model 57's I know you'll like that one
model 58's model 18's about any 4 or 5 screw one need more?

I'm a big fan of the 627-0, .357, 5.5 inch barrel, full lug, unfluted cylinder, and the only stainless gun that Smith made with a checkered topstrap. Great range gun, drives tacks, gets plenty of looks at the range, all stainless so its easy to maintain, and they only made about 5000 of them so value keeps going up.

I don't plan on ever getting rid of mine.

P.S. It is a model of 1989 so its all pre-lock/MIM. Nothing but quality.

__________________
Son of a Gun...Smith

Well I like to spend other folks money almost as I like spending mine. So here is my.02cents worth. Seeing how you like revolvers with the caliber that starts with 4, here we go, 2403 Lew Horton gun blued 44 special, and if you still have some money left over another 24-4 with the 4" bbl.I have one and some of the members here have multiples. And if you really want the set, get the 24-6 with the 6.5 inch long bbl. See how it worked out?. You now are stone broke but you now have the complete set 3", 4", 6.5" and they will slowly be going up in value. What better deal could you ask for? Frank

IMHO I would purchase a NIB early K-22 if one could be located
for sale. That or a 3 1/2" 27-2 to go with my other one. So i'd have
a matching pair.


Chuck

__________________
They hold no Quarter

I'd get a Model 27-2 with 5 inch barrel as they are beautiful revolvers, great shooters, and have great balance.

I agree!

A model 27-2, blue with a 5 inch barrel.
Even a 4 inch barrel would do just as well.

To me, a decision like this is highly personal. What do you like caliber- and size-wise, and do you have a priority between shooting or collecting? New or used?

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Personally I would pick up any of these:
686 SSR
627 Performance Center
29 or 629 Mountain Gun
Model 57 in 6 inch
325 Thunder Ranch

I'd go with S&W, definitely pre-lock. I would not hesitate to buy used, as long as it's in good condition. Then it would be sent to one of the better gunsmiths in the country for custom work. Some cartridges like .45 Colt are candidates for a caliber conversion, where there is perfect control of the chamber, cylinder throat and bore dimensions. A good solid six shot .357 can be obtained for a reasonable price and then converted to a bigger bore with proper dimensions.

Dave Sinko

A Dan Wesson 715.

But it never ends does it?

I also want a Colt Anaconda and Python some day.

Out of all 3 of those I'd pick the 715 first.

That would be easy for me, any S&W prewar 44special. A 3rd model or Triplelock would have first billing. But, if wishes were horses, we'd all take a ride!

A 27-2 or a Python. Regards 18DAI

There is definitely truth to that, but the $1000 figure (in today's market) may be becoming a bit dated. But I agree with the idea of looking for something that is not at present at the height of a popularity curve.

Around here, all S&Ws are popular, but there are still S&W bargains to be found elsewhere - friends, local gunshops, etc. I would be more of the mind to look for high-condition bargains than for a specific model, as Avery11 says. My first choice would be any of the target-sighted magnums, mainly because that is what I like to shoot. What you like to shoot should be a big factor in your decision(s), since you appear to be planning on shooting whatever you acquire.

Tucker Gun [in Tucker GA] has a Colt DSII for $1000. It's almost as valuable as the Magnum Carry.

Saw and got to touch an Anaconda the other day. It has been used, but was in great condition. They wanted $1100, which didnt see that bad, but I dont really know Colt values. I just know every time I see a python they want way more than I have in my wallet.

An early 686 (no dash to -4) will retain it's value and be a great shooter. They are not rare so I won't put them in the collector class, but you can't go wrong with one, and they might just be the best bargain in revolvers today.

I would go with a Model 64 or 65 pre lock/mim!
Fun to shoot, reload for, ease of carry (if you can) & an all around good revolver...
Sure wished I could find the 64-4 in 4" barrel!

__________________
A true american

S&W 610 or a 624 would be my choice.

The question is too open-ended!

"A great shooter" ?!? For what? .38? .22? .357? .44spec?
At what range? 7yds? 15yds? 25yds?

You can quote me on this: "When you don't know what you want, anything will do". So just buy a pre-lock 686, 617 or 629 (in 4") and be done with it. If you shop it, you might get all 3 for 1500 beans.

__________________
But then, what do I know?

if i had a $1000-1500 to spend and wanted a fun shooter, i'd look for a vintage custom built PPC revolver from the 1970s-1980s

alot of competitive, great gunsmiths trying to outdo each other in building the most perfect revolver they could ~~~ with one of these just add your choice of grips and the right load and go shooting, they get more accurate the more you shoot ~~~AND YOU CAN'T BLAME THE GUN anymore

these PPC guns are kinda a niche market and see some real nice examples under a $1000




.

assuming I didn't already have a 581 and 681, I'd get a blue 581, nickel 581, and a 681...

since I do, I'd get a nickel 581 and a 27, 5" or 3.5"

I might be misunderstanding, but are you saying one shouldn't wipe down with Hoppes #9?

Also, what to you constitutes damage causing bore cleaning?

Excellent advice.

---

Regarding the original post: I'd have a hard time reconciling making an investment grade purchase and using it as a shooter, carry or no.

I'd just look for a great gun to own; with a healthy budget to do so, I'd snag an NRA "excellent" or better example of a Model 66 3" -- that gun does everything.

Pre Lock 610

Any of these:
Lew Horton 3" 24, 624, 29 or 629
27 3.5" or 5"
Pre 29 6"
Python 2.5" or 3" (yeah I'd probably have to double the $1500)
Any variation of the .44 Military/21

Any Colt revolver in good condition would be a good investment. I like snubbies and have a couple of Detective Specials, a Cobra and an Agent. If you're patient you could get 2 or 3 for $1500. I think that the fact that they're great concealed carry guns as well as collector pieces enhances the value and salability.

I don't think you would go wrong with one of these in cherry condition. It's a Model 27-2, 3.5" barrel, with all the bells and whistles - target trigger and hammer, red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and presentation stocks. It would be one of the last revolvers I'd ever part with.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My personal favorite is a Smith & Wesson model 57, I shoot them regularly and enjoy them alot. As long as I maintain them properly, I don't feel that shooting them has had any detrimental impact on their value. However, you would not fare badly with any Smith & Wesson blue N frame revolver that is a pre-lock design. The 27, 29 & 57 are all excellent and will only increase in value, yet all are enjoyable to shoot.

Good luck with whatever you choose,
Steve

I paid around $1100 for a LNIB S&W Model 520 last year. I expect it to be a good long term investment. I couldn't argue with any of the other choices mentioned here. I'd jump on a 686 CS1 if I could find a good condition one for around $1000...probably not $1500. And then there is always the good ol ever elusive 3" Model 19. Doubt you could get one of those for $1500 unless it was a beater.

If you like this configuration (and I do), you should look for one of the original Model 520s: Fixed sight, 4" barrel, .357 Magnum on the N-frame. They didn't make too many of them, and most are squirreled away in collections. I still regret passing on the one I found over twenty years ago. I didn't like the fixed sights at the time because I was infatuated with the concept of adjustable everything. What a dope....

I know of a 25-12 serial# 0000 that may be in your price range.

Any early 4" N frame in whatever bore size you like

Your search is over, THIS one.

Dan Wesson pistol pack with multiple barrels. Value has gone up a bunch in the last couple of years.

my next piece will be a 4.2" 629 im on a waiting list for a group order, gives me time to pick out my moradillo hogue grips...or kingwood...or maybe...new springs and definately polished to a high sheen...ohhh cant wait.
-well thats what i would do anyway..

or one of these. had to buy 2, 1 for each kid.

Attached Images

scientia.jpg (92.3 KB, 24 views)

How about a S&W 686, and a lot of ammo to go with it!

__________________
Endowment Life Member NRA

a model 15 a model 64 a model 19. all with poor bluing. that way I could all three for less than the cost of one safe queen. I once re-blued a model 15, @#$%@ thing didn`t shoot a bit better

__________________
The absence of pain is...death

Colt Anaconda in 45 Colt and never look back!