2 inch M&P square butt

[Caveat]

This is my first post on this forum (I'm mainly a 1911 guy). I usually just lurk here for the info. I recently purchased a 2"bbl. M&P. I bought it cheap for a car gun. The gun had a light speckling of rust which I took care of with some fine steel wool and oil. I was planning on getting the gun tefloned to stand up to the humidity of the car. However upon consulting the Standard Catalog 4th ed. They remarked that the 2'bbls were scarce and the square butts were ever scarcer. I think I have a model of 1905 4th change (Thats the only M&P I saw that listed a 2 inch barrel). The serial number is C130XXX. I've already decided that I won't alter the gun's finish and will look around for another beater gun. My query is this- is this gun in this configuration rare? I was under the assumption that this was a common piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Caveat

 

[Caveat]

This is my first post on this forum (I'm mainly a 1911 guy). I usually just lurk here for the info. I recently purchased a 2"bbl. M&P. I bought it cheap for a car gun. The gun had a light speckling of rust which I took care of with some fine steel wool and oil. I was planning on getting the gun tefloned to stand up to the humidity of the car. However upon consulting the Standard Catalog 4th ed. They remarked that the 2'bbls were scarce and the square butts were ever scarcer. I think I have a model of 1905 4th change (Thats the only M&P I saw that listed a 2 inch barrel). The serial number is C130XXX. I've already decided that I won't alter the gun's finish and will look around for another beater gun. My query is this- is this gun in this configuration rare? I was under the assumption that this was a common piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Caveat

 

[smith17]

caveat:
Welcome to the forum. Actually, with the C prefix, the gun is post-war production, probably '49 or '50 shipment. The mention of the square butt in the 1905 4th is a misprint if I recall, regarding scarcity. However, the 2" barrel is much less common than longer versions and has quite a following around here. There are two trains of thought around regarding refinishing. One is that many of the guns of that era and before will suffer value=wise in the future from alterations. Another is that the K frame M&P was made in such quantity from the end of the 19th century until now that supply will dictate that refinishing one will be of little consequence. You could look around for a beater but then you will be faced with the same decision. It just never ends and then before long you will look around and wonder why you have no room for those 1911s. It never ends.
Good luck.
Ed

 

[Art Doc]

You have a nice gun. I am in the camp that advocates not refinishing. It doesn't make sense financially when you can buy a gun in nice shape for lass than it costs to refinish a worn one. Plus after you do the gun is worth far less than before you started. Wasted money.

Find a stainless DA auto pistol to keep under the seat. I have a 659 from the Atlanta PD that I got for $230 and it works great.

 

[Caveat]

I actually work in a gun shop so i got the gun for a great price. The gun is a little rough to be a collector but I'm probably going to keep it as is. I am relieved that the gun isn't super rare but there is enough honest finish on the gun to keep it. Thanks for all the advice...

 

[N_itis]

Although 2" barreled post war M&Ps are not uncommon, they have steadily increased in value recently.

I bought a very nice C6XXXX (C + five digit) serial number 2" barreled square butt M&P a few years ago for $325.00 which seemed like a bit of a stretch at the time even when you consider that a big reason why I bought it was the same "2" barreled M&Ps are scarce" comment originally referenced (I have since learned that this comment pertains more to pre war M&Ps than it does to post war M&Ps). Still, it is one of my favorite Smith&Wesson revolvers to shoot. It just points so instinctively and it is almost impossible to shoot poorly. I feel like I am simply pointing my finger at the target and effortlessly hitting it every time. Unfortunately, my wife feels the same way which is why I need to find another one.

Lately, the nice ones I have seen locally have been priced right around $450.00.

 

[wordsmith]

Originally posted by smith17:
The mention of the square butt in the 1905 4th is a misprint if I recall, regarding scarcity. However, the 2" barrel is much less common than longer versions and has quite a following around here. Ed

FWIW:
The info in SCSW-3 is correct, Ed, as regards the scarcity of the pre-war 2" M&P in square-butt configuration. A few collectors along with Roy have conferred on the matter, and the best estimate is that approx. one (1)% of the total 2" production was mfd. using the square butt frame. They are extremely rare...

David

 

[smith17]

David:
I stand corrected and my apologies to Mr Nahas and Mr. Supica. I honestly had missed the variation info at the end of the model that highlighted those particular examples and thought he was referring to the body of the text that says that square butt 4th changes are scarce (and I may be wrong about that one).
Ed

 

[threefivesevenmag]

I can't believe you're using it for a car gun.

 

[ladder13]

Originally posted by threefivesevenmag:
I can't believe you're using it for a car gun.

Must be a benz.