642, 442, 637, etc... Are these guns of any value to "always keep and never trade"? Not as a collectors item or something that will increase in value, but more along the lines of this: never get rid of a S&W revolver that is in good condition.

It seems to me that there are so many out there, that if an owner wanted to trade toward something else, why not... you can always get another j frame later. Are they now as run of the mill as plastic semi autos?

It's all about "time for something else"

Does it work for you, then why not?

If I showed you some pictures of guns I no longer own..

Personally I sell very few and even so will occasionally regret doing that (sometimes their value went up dramatically, couldn’t find another, etc.). Rarely I have more than one of a specific model, or a fellow collector is looking for something to which I am not particularly attached. Otherwise, I think long and hard about selling anything and usually talk myself out of it. Food for thought.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I don't see a rise in value of the newer alloy J frame revolvers, especially the ones with the internal locks in the near or distant future. Although I own a 642-2 as my EDC. It is a working gun. It seems to me that buyers are more willing to spend extra cash on the older models without the internal lock or all steel frame revolvers. To this day I still regret selling my 6" 686 I bought new in 1992.

There was a time in my life that every gun I ever bought I still owned. Then one day I realized that I had guns I didn't particularly care about that were excellent sale bait for the funds to buy something I really wanted so I started doing that from time to time. That's how I acquired my grail guns such as my Browning Hi-Power, 4" Model 19, 4" Model 25, Beretta Onyx, and a few others not even in the grail category. I owed a friend $900 for a poker debt and I gave him my much disliked 3" Model 629 (Lew Horton - late 1980s). He was happy and I was done with a gun I wasn't fond of, Smith & Wesson or not.

My point is, if it is a part of a collection, even if it's a "working gun" (I have a M642 that fits that description, too) then, no, as a general rule, I'd keep it no matter how unexciting it is. Otherwise, if there was something else I wanted, sure, I'd sell any gun that didn't fit into a collection, or was just special to me in some way, or have a specific use that I couldn't replace easily.

I’ve got a couple of guns that will be in my safe when I pass on. The rest I just shoot and buy and trade. No sentimental value. Just a fun investment.

Any of mine built since 1980 are fair game to go away, no matter the frame size. I won't likely sell any of my older ones.

No, J-frames aren't run-of-the-mill shooters like plastic semi autos; no revolver is.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I've bought and sold more guns than I care to think about. Many I have regretted selling, specifically a M60 I bought in 1978 as a rookie cop and carried as a backup/off duty piece until 1992 when I traded it for a +P+ rated 640 (which I also stupidly sold. Point is, both are very hard to find at user prices. So now I have a 642-1 and a 638-3 that my wife or kuds can sell or do whatever with after I'm ashes on the mantle.

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Support your Police, & NRA

Dumbest thing I did was trade a 4” model 686 pre lock for a new 642. I know better now ☹️


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All my life I collected guns with the thought I'd sell them when I retired so as not to be broke.

At this time I'm retired and broke but heavily armed.

I don't see any future collector's value in my 442. It's kinda like the Glock 19 of revolvers to me.
That said- it would be one of the last pieces to go. It's travelled quite a few miles with me.

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Because of the metric system?

Have yet to sell one. I have gifted several to family.
If I started selling what would I do with the extra safe. If you sale can you still be called an "accumulator?"

I have gotten rid of many guns.
Plastic, aluminum/steel, scandium, SS, etc.
Many I've regretted.

But, I do not see myself getting rid of my new
637-2.

I feel your pain. I sold a pre lock 6" 686. But you can always buy a new 4" 686, with the internal lock. I own one and the IL is a non issue with me and it's still one of the best revolvers out there IMO.

There are now several revolvers I don't see myself ever getting rid of and those are my 4" heavy barrel model 10-8, my EDC 642-2 and my 4" 686 bowling pin killer.

I will always regret selling a 66-? 3" that came with spalted maple grips or something very similar. I have never seen anyone on any forum post a picture of this revolver.
Stupid is as stupid does, that was a pretty baby.

Semper Fi

Years ago..... 70s- and 80s ....... one could walk into any LGS and see new and used Model 19s and 66s ..... 2 1/2 and 4 guns...... almost any day of the year.

In about 2000 I decided I wanted to replace a couple of K-frame revolvers ..."I use to own".............. took me, IIRC, almost 6 years to find those four nice revolvers..... in LGSs.


I wouldn't assume any gun you sell will be easy to replace...... heck I haven't seen a model 10 in the LGS in 2 years......

OP here... I could probably benefit by trading the 442 in towards a different pistol that I would get more use out of carrying.

The dilemma is in thinking that I shouldn't ever trade away a decent S&W revolver in good working condition. Even though I know that three local stores all have them for sale and I could buy another one this afternoon.

The newest S&W I own is now 20 years old (649-3). But it is my most carried gun. It serves my purposes and I would not think of selling. I've never had much interest in the newer J frames. I'm sure they are just fine and I might even buy one someday, who knows. I also don't view them as being particularly collectible or as any kind of good investment. Currently, 100% of my gun budget goes to the older revolver models and 3rd Gen semis.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

my 442 has been a friend since 2006. i would NEVER get rid of it. its got honest wear, and has been 100% reliable... can't say that about any of my bottom feeders. value wise? probably be lucky to get 300 for it, even with Wilson springs, duracoat, and a full action job, with goodies to boot. still my go to when i can't go to anything else... collectible? no. trusty? YES!

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why? why not?

I would not trade a good shooting gun regardless of the type. I used to have "your attitude" towards Model 10s and 36s and an numerous other brands. BIG MISTAKE! Don't sell or trade guns. Rather accumulate guns.

Here's thought for you. At one time, Colt D frames were a dime a dozen. I traded a few of those off. Then Colt left the revolver business that they pioneered. Ever price a Diamond Back? There is no law thats states S&W will remain in the revolver business. If they left that market, what do you suppose would happen to the price of that 642?

A couple points:

Have you had to present your 442 in a bad situation? If not, how do you know you'd "get more use out of carrying" a different pistol or revolver?

If you have a 442 in good working condition I'm not sure assuming a new one purchased from one of your lgss would perform equally as well.

Food for thought.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Thankfully, no, I have not had to present it. I only carry it infrequently as a pocket gun. I mainly carry a plastic 9mm IWB. However, I could use a smaller pistol for jogging (LCP) that would fit in a pocket without having to use a belly band or fanny pack.

And yes, you're right, another 442 might not perform as well as the one I currently have.

I've owned 2 different 642s that I sold for 2 different reasons.
The first I was unemployed and needed to feed my family. So I sold a gun.
The second I traded off for a 3" model 10.