28-2 pricing craze seen first hand

Not many N frames are being made. They might have them in their catalog but mostly J,K,L frames are what you seen most of for the newer guns. Plus that S&W quality has been slipping, more people desire the older guns. Most of us do on here so what does that tell you?

James
 
A buddy of mine just picked up an unfired 28-2 with box and papers for $595 plus tax. It is 99% plus and flawless. I would consider that a great buy considering the crazy prices right now in Texas. I recently picked up a 27-2 Nickel in 98% condition with a 8&3/8 inch barrel for $800. Not a steal but good price for a near mint 27-2 around North Texas. The N frame P&R are all over the map.
 
This past spring I paid $695 for my m28's & $795 for my m27' s. Paying $800 isn't that bad just look at the prices online. One of my local sellers wants $1,000 for a m28. I feel $800 is cheap. Just wait another few months like after Christmas to spring and look at the prices then.
It's only paper money and were buying a piece of history were the prices will only increase. Loosen up your wallets guy's anything under $1k will be a great buy, even $800 is good right now. Times are a changing. Don't forget those $100 Benjamin Franklin's talk show him seven new ones for that $800 gun. Haggle.....
 
srv1 said:
Not many N frames are being made. They might have them in their catalog but mostly J,K,L frames are what you seen most of for the newer guns. Plus that S&W quality has been slipping, more people desire the older guns. Most of us do on here so what does that tell you?

James
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I'm very happy with my brand new s&w n frames. There's nothing wrong with my new ones. For $699 on sale just leave them for me.

S&W has dropped more N frame models from there line up what does that tell us? Let's not buy any new s&w revolvers so s&w will end up like colt offering us nothing is that what everyone wants?
We're boycotting the only gun manufacturer still offering us there REVOLVERS that are 100 year old designs. Plus they offer us a lifetime warranty? What's wrong with you people? Do you want them to move there manufacturing over seas or to south America too?

There's not one thing wrong with my new N frames. I enjoy the new and older s&w guns.

Why should a pay more for used when I can have a new one? My new m58 shoots like a dream.
 
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BigBill said:
I'm very happy with my brand new s&w n frames. There's nothing wrong with my new ones. For $699 on sale just leave them for me.

S&W has dropped more N frame models from there line up what does that tell us? Let's not buy any new s&w revolvers so s&w will end up like colt offering us nothing is that what everyone wants?
We're boycotting the only gun manufacturer still offering us there REVOLVERS that are 100 year old designs. Plus they offer us a lifetime warranty? What's wrong with you people? Do you want them to move there manufacturing over seas or to south America too?

There's not one thing wrong with my new N frames. I enjoy the new and older s&w guns.

Why should a pay more for used when I can have a new one? My new m58 shoots like a dream.
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Do not try to twist my words. I never said their was anything wrong with the newer N-frames. Also, most of the new S&W's are priced way too high and that leaves people to buy the older ones. I get it, costs more to make but the market is the market and the company either has to make what the customer wants or go out of business.

James
 
GB completed auctions

Two + years ago on GB, a 4 inch M29-2 'unfired' (gun only) sold for $1,200. There were excellent pictures, deep blueing, and nice presentation -- but was it really worth $1,200 or was it bidding egos?

Fast forward 3 weeks, a different 4 inch M29-2 in identical condition including presentation case, documents, and tools is up for bid on GB. Two days before the end of the auction, I entered a max bid of $850. My winning bid was $825 + shipping. I made the bid because it was "cheap" compared to the previous auction and the presentation case was in perfect condition.

About 4 months later, we attended a gun show in Atlanta and found a 6" (or 6-1/2") M29-2 with paper box, docs, tools, and two pair of magnificent grained grips for $825. The seller needed money for an emergency. He lived 20 miles from me, but we had both driven 150 miles to attend the show. Sales and Marketing is a strange "science" when it comes to selling S&W revolvers. :confused:
 
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I have a 4" Model 28-2 and a 5" pre-war Heavy Duty. I'm keeping them. It's because of the insane rise in prices that I am now collecting 38 Special K frames - mostly Model 10/M&P. Prices have gone up on them as well, but just not as dramatically (based on my personal observation - purely anecdotal). I've also noticed that when I can find them the Colt Official Police tend to be a bit more reasonably priced than other Colt revolvers.

I've resigned myself to that fact that I am now only capable of buying one or two guns a year instead of three or four like I used to because of the inflation. But having I've adjusted to the changing times I find that I'm actually buying pieces that I really want. I'm not just accruing like I did in my younger days. All about perspective I suppose.
 
Just to briefly expand on my earlier comment of not being able to remember the last time I saw a Model 28 in an LGS:

I went around for some Saturday visits to the three largest LGSs in my area (no big box stores, btw). There wasn't a used 28 to be found at any of them. Matter of fact, of those three shops, only one had any older Smiths, period.

Expanding even further on that, revolvers don't seem to be all that popular around here...at least with younger shooters. There might be a shelf or two of revolvers... new Rugers and the Smith "classics", but that's it. Everything else seems to be semi-autos of every size, caliber, and shape.

I remember when about the only semi-autos you'd see in a shop were Colts, Brownings, and maybe a Smith or two. Now semi-autos are like coathangers in a closet.

Kinda disheartening at times for an old revolver guy like me.
 
Ammo

Checkman said:
I've resigned myself to that fact that I am now only capable of buying one or two guns a year instead of three or four like I used to because of the inflation. ..... I'm not just accruing like I did in my younger days. All about perspective I suppose.
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But are you finding ammo, components, powder, or those elusive, unobtainium 22 LR catridges? :D

I "stopped" buying guns, but I still can't afford 22 LR for $75 per brick -- of any size. :mad:
 
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Engineer1911 said:
But are finding ammo, components, powder, or those elusive, unobtainium 22 LR catridges? :D

I "stopped" buying guns, but I still can't afford 22 LR for $75 per brick -- of any size. :mad:
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I was hoarding 22 back when it was "weird" to do so. I felt weird doing it as well, but not any more. I also do lots of dry-firing. The days of burning hundreds of rounds a month (that was a lot for me at least) are over. Irritating, but it is what it is.
 
WATCHDOG said:
revolvers don't seem to be all that popular around here...at least with younger shooters. There might be a shelf or two of revolvers... new Rugers and the Smith "classics", but that's it. Everything else seems to be semi-autos of every size, caliber, and shape.

I remember when about the only semi-autos you'd see in a shop were Colts, Brownings, and maybe a Smith or two. Now semi-autos are like coathangers in a closet.

Kinda disheartening at times for an old revolver guy like me.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain.
 
Back in the Spring I had three M-28's on my table at a local Show.

Two 6" guns , tight but 90% finish from cheap holsters.All original magna grips. Had both priced at $450.

Had a single 4" gun, much nicer shape, probably 95%+ and it was at $550.

No boxes or other items.

NONE of them sold. Barely even looked at or handled.

I was going to sell them here but their owner (estate deal) didn't want to deal with shipping, etc.
 
I too get really depressed at these prices. S&W handguns, which were THE gun for the WORKING POLICEMAN and Dad wanting to protect his home and family, are too expensive for all but the well heeled to afford now.
I can understand the prices for the 27 and the Python, there weren't that many of them made and they are PREMIUM pieces.
The 28, hell there were literally MILLIONS of them made over the decades. Darn near every cop in the USA had one on his hip at some point in his career.

To see that those revolvers that you could buy for $250 not all that long ago are now priced at $700 is just plain INSANITY.

I'd love to have one, but I ain't going to pay that kind of money for one. So I guess I won't ever have one. I'll survive.

When you see USED model 28's selling for the SAME MONEY as USED Colt 1911's, the END is near. Go to CHURCH QUICKLY.

Nalajr
 
Frank237 said:
Back in the Spring I had three M-28's on my table at a local Show.

Two 6" guns , tight but 90% finish from cheap holsters.All original magna grips. Had both priced at $450.

Had a single 4" gun, much nicer shape, probably 95%+ and it was at $550.

No boxes or other items.

NONE of them sold. Barely even looked at or handled.

I was going to sell them here but their owner (estate deal) didn't want to deal with shipping, etc.
Click to expand...

I'm genuinely curious. How was attendance at the show, and did you make any other sales off your table? Did anyone even give the 28s a serious look?
 
WATCHDOG said:
I'm genuinely curious. How was attendance at the show, and did you make any other sales off your table? Did anyone even give the 28s a serious look?
Click to expand...

Not a large show but still hundreds of folks passing through each day for two days.
I sold several long guns, a 5903, 4" M-66, a 4" M-10 and a few other handguns.

I had a few folks giving the 28's a serious look. DO recall the guy who so kindly offered me $350 for the 4" gun. LOL. Gotta love the lowballers. Hope springs eternal in their minds, that the seller is an idiot I guess.
 
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There's a 98% 6" 28-2 in asheville, no box, marked $799, the owner quickly offered it for 5 bills plus tax, seems fair in these times. If anyone in WNC wants the lead on it PM me. I need to get it out of my thoughts. I just spent $1250 on a BRNO 22.
 
This thread is making me a very, very happy camper. I just bought a 4 inch 28-2 in about 80%+ condition with original stocks 4 weeks ago for $399+ tax.
 
Mike said:
Saw a used average condition one(4") at the gun show yesterday. Marked $995.00. Dealer must be "smoking" something.
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Hey Mike.

I saw that one too. Tyler T grip adapter. He said it was a family gun, but it wasn't MY family so .... It was pretty nice and likely a first year gun S115xxx. I offered $500.


Charlie
 
I think that the shortage of used "classic" Smiths is because of the introduction of the lock in the new ones. The perception which I believe is valid is that the pre lock guns will gain the stature of the 5 screw or pinned and recessed or just pinned. The high prices are just a indicator of things to come. The pricing issues are all over the place I have been buying guns for more than 40 years and never know if the seller is just nuts or has them priced high to be able to come down. Many years ago I stopped asking the price if a gun was not marked. GunBroker has added to and the problem and also helped the problem, I have been guilty of getting all caught up in a bidding war and then coming to my senses. They are a good source of info if you look at the closed auctions and see the actual selling prices, not just the comical asking prices.
 
dmar said:
True, they were kind of the low-brow, working guy's gun... That satin finish is now considered pretty stylish.

I've got a 6" 28-2, and it's in 'like new' condition. Because of the condition, I have never fired it...
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I too have a 6" I've never fired for just that reason; but also a 4" that I do shoot. I like the old satin blue as found on the guns of the late 40's/early 50's, but the finish on the 28's never struck me as being in the same class. Maybe it's the polishing that makes the difference.

Bill
 
Something to think about...

This is interesting:

A 4-inch 28-2, apparently lettered, with matching number stocks just sold on GB for $955. No box, no tools...just the gun. There were 43 bids on the gun.

So...$955, plus shipping, plus the FFL transfer fee, and maybe even state tax if the buyer was in the same state as the seller...and someone most likely has over $1K in a Model 28.

Will wonders never cease?
 
Frank237 said:
Not a large show but still hundreds of folks passing through each day for two days.
I sold several long guns, a 5903, 4" M-66, a 4" M-10 and a few other handguns.

I had a few folks giving the 28's a serious look. DO recall the guy who so kindly offered me $350 for the 4" gun. LOL. Gotta love the lowballers. Hope springs eternal in their minds, that the seller is an idiot I guess.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the additional info and the smile about the lowballer person.
 
Iwould pay only $450.00 in any condition. They are out there and maybe when dealers price them selves out of business,they still won't know why. Pricings are way out of line these days. As a wholesaler,if I find them at the rigt price from the factory or other wholesalers,I will buy. Other wise,the wholesalers wile be lucky to pay those pricings for the revolvers they don't make anymore.
 
1974

gunny4053 said:
I visited a LGS I hadn't been in for quite some time today. They had a very nice 6" N serial numbered 28-2 in the case, and right there in plain sight was a price tag for $800 stating it was unfired. :eek: Light turn ring, no box, no papers, no tools, just the gun, and if it's unfired, I'm a banana. :rolleyes: I wouldn't mind having a 6" to go with my 4", but a 6" at double what I paid for my 4" isn't going to happen right now.

What can I say.[/QUOTE

WOW you paid $400 mine was $145 new in the box. It was my first Smith and I would not sell it at ANY price.
That was 2 weeks pay for an E-4 then. Now I can get one for a weeks pay. If I still worked.

I saw a beater M 15 at the gun show $425 Way high and well used. Not a deal. :eek:
A M-12 4 inch at $350 85-90% tight but finish worn a bit.
Moral is you can ask anything.
Looking for a fair deal is part of the fun.
:cool:
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Twiki357 said:
This thread is making me a very, very happy camper. I just bought a 4 inch 28-2 in about 80%+ condition with original stocks 4 weeks ago for $399+ tax.
Click to expand...

Did you kiss the seller after..... well, you know. :rolleyes: In today's market that's pure theft. Good job, and congrats.

There are good deals out there, just becoming few and far between.
 
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