19-3 is $800.00 priced right?

[Engine49guy]

Jim you should buy that nickel 19-3

to the OP
IMO the bads are as a shooter the 19-3 has its gas ring on the yoke vs the cylinder so is slightly more prone to cylinder powder fouling than the 19-4 , As a high condition collectable gun while I dont think they quite hit "Zillions" the 19-3 had the longest revisional run and being extremely popular for LEO use in its day (unless you could beg borrow or locate a Model 66 or were willing to shell out the extra $ for a Python) you do see more 193's up for sale than any other revision.

That being said not all 19-3's are created equal as little changes occurred during the run that did not warrant a revision, The best 19-3's IMO are the ones like Aguilas that were made in 1968-1969 as they are closer to the 19-2 sans diamond grips and improved rear site screw location, they have the best blueing and older style "Big Butt" ampersands with beautifully crafted dark marbled black washer GA targets with high gloss finish and the old style pinned ramp base. (if real lucky it will have the earlier style presentation grips with deep escutcheons) Around 1970-71 the ramp base becomes integral with the barrel and by 1972 the large ampersands change to the modern style , by 1975 the grips are visibly less appealing (IMO) and by 1976 the blueing is not the same as the early 70's (again IMO).

If the gun your looking serials to 1969 with OEM 60's era smooth presentation grips I would buy it at $800, If its a 1976 with the later orangish grips I would pass at the same $800 unless it truly "Spoke" to me or was some rare variation.

BTW for $800 you can still find high condition early made 66 no dash guns with SS rear site which is a bit more rare than a 19-3, again the older the better .

 

[backer]

In California, a 4" 19-3 in 96-97% condition, with the box, paper work etc. will easily bring $795 and maybe a little more. A shooter grade, without the box, will likely sell in the neighborhood of $600. But thats California.

 

[Bajadoc]

A bit too much.

 

[Jamesatrange]

I appreciate all the feedback. I wanted it but thought it was high as well. This dealer is always a gentleman to me and was honest in saying he paid high. He's given me great deals when he pays low. So I didn't think he was trying to take me for a ride... By posting certain questions it allows me to learn from the vast knowledge out there and get a feel that if I ever hit a time that I need to sell that I won't get beat. Of course that is always a gamble when buying or selling. I wish I was posting a pic with a sweet buy price. Oh well that day will come. Lol

 

[jimbo728]

Engine 49,
I would have bought the 19-3 I decribed in a second had I just not purchased a 629-3 Classic from another Forum member. To make maters worse, the same LGS had a NHSP Model 10- 3, a heavy barrel .38 for 500. Diamond Magnas, just plain nice.
Jim

 

[pharmer]

In 1977 I bought a 4" 19-3 from Meltzer's in Garfield NJ for $194. Using the US inflation calculator that is $764.01 in current money. Certainly in the ballpark. Joe

 

[JimHartman]

Take a look at the for sale forum there is a 19-3 4" for sale.

 

[tlr16]

Sounds high I just got this one for $550. There's a 6in also for 600 but needs grips.

 

[BigBill]

The k38's Combat Masterpiece 4" & k38 Target Masterpiece 6" are much higher. $750/$1,200. The seller is confused. It's not a m27 or m28 either. But really does the m19 Combat Magnum fall into the same category as the others?

 

[Tom_R]

It is high. $650 is as high as I'd go.

But do this, keep checking in, and see if it moves.

Chances are, he may drop it to $700.

Well for a real nice Model 19 with Smooth Targets, I'd go $700 if I was in the market.

 

[G-Mac]

There's one in the Classified section of this forum right now. Asking $650 or best reasonable offer....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/442426-wts-s-w-model-19-3-a.html

 

[Walter Rego]

In California, a 4" 19-3 in 96-97% condition, with the box, paper work etc. will easily bring $795 and maybe a little more. A shooter grade, without the box, will likely sell in the neighborhood of $600. But thats California.

Being a fellow Californian, I agree with the assessment above. Older Model 19's are not on the "approved list" so the only way to get one is through a Private Party Transfer or if you can prove it's a C&R and can find someone to ship it here. Those factors add up to at least a 20% premium for older S&W's here.
That being said, there was an early 1970's, 98% condition Model 19-3 four inch with original box and papers at a gun show here last weekend marked at $599. It was gone within the first hour of the show.....

 

[jtcarm]

For $800, I'd expect 90%+ and at least the box. Maybe 95% or a nickel finish.

But I don't really shop 19s, or collector grade, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Jim NNN]

The OP may have already made his decision to buy or not buy the gun, but for what it's worth:

I agree that $800 is probably too high, but the few "$400" prices given on this thread are definitely too low. Especially for a nice one.

Yes, you can occasionally find an ignorant seller who lets a gun go for that, or a widow who's selling her late husbands collection who's told by predatory buyers that "it's only worth $400," but that in no way reflects the market value of very nice model 19's. Best wishes.

 

[5Wire]

I think it's high, too. I have a track on the pricier snubbie model that might give you and idea for comparison:

Smith & Wesson 19 2-1/2 inch barrel. Revolver in .357 Magnum,.38 Special, Plus P. Blue Book of Gun Values (35th Edition) indicates between $325 in 95% condition and $650 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 108 recorded prices for this model gun from $417 to $1060 over a period of 5 Yrs 5 Mos ending August 20, 2015. The average price as of that date was $606. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $457.

The last 10 prices I have for this model since 2/10/2015 range from $450 to $750 averaging $659, so I'd say the average prices are going up for this variation.

 

[bob richardson]

$450-$550! These guys must be buying some real "rattletraps" for those prices.A clean,tight 19 with nice wood and no box goes for $600-$800 around here.[ Chicago]