.357 13-1, 'Day Arms "1500"' - Need Info

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wildrage

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Hey All:

I recently moved to PA from the communist state of NJ, and started acquiring some guns. My first gun was a Glock 19, which is a fine gun, but I longed for a gun like my dad had - a S&W .357. I went to Cabela's and came across a used 13-1, Serial 2D36XXX. The guy that sold me the gun took notice that the trigger was worked for target shooting and was amazed they were selling it so cheap (or so he said). The gun has an (obviously) not stock barrel marked 'DAY ARMS CORPORATION "1500"'.

Can anybody tell me anything about it? Any idea of what it's worth? I've got a feeling I overpaid...


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Looks like it as been modified for competition. Day Arms is/was a custom pistol shop in Texas, I believe. No idea what could be considered a fair value. Clearly, it has been lowered in the eyes of a fanatic M13 collector, but it's been considerably enhanced for a shooter, IMO.
 
Your pictures piqued my interest, so I did a little internet investigating. Old habits are hard to break. Anyway, here is:

Day Arms was located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2006 it was Powder Horn Gun Shop. It was still in the same place 2412 SW loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 210-674-5220. David Day son of Bob Day was running the shop. Bob Day was killed in an airplane accident several years prior to 2006 just after restarting production. Apparently he did a lot of custom work on Colt's, specifically 1911 .45's. One of his innovations appears to be a the Day Conversion which added the more utilitarian .22 Caliber round, as a separate attachment for use in target shooting and cheap practice. At one time Bob Day was the lead pistolsmith of the USAF Marksmanship Training Unit at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Facebook reflects that Day Arms Corp is still located at the same address with the same phone number.

Your revolver is referred to as a slab-side revolver for Practical Police Competition (PPC). Typically competition guns are pretty expensive to have built.

There is another S&W owners forum on which is there is some pics of a Colt Python which look amazingly just like your Smith. That revolver is referred to as a "frankenpython"

You may have purchased, at the very least, a interesting piece of firearm history.

hardcase60
 
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Thanks for the info. Being that I'm new to revolvers, I sort of wish I had gotten something more stock - but then again, I guess it's also neat to have something unique when you're out on the range...
 
You'd have to pry that one from my cold, dead fingers.
I'd leave it just the way it is, and shoot the living heck out of it.
True, it's not "original", but it is improved as a shooter.
It's also a lot more scarce than an all original model.

Comp guns are expensive to build, and I'd keep it as is.

That was built for a cop who really liked to shoot and was probably really damned good at it.
If it was meant to remain stock, the owner wouldn't have sunk a bunch of money into improving it. :)

That's one heck of a range toy. I'd be proud and thrilled to own it.

BTW, I really like those grips.

Ya done good. Ya got a good deal on an expensive comp gun.

If I bought a 1965 Corvette Grand Sport, I wouldn't dream of getting rid of it, or converting it into a stock 'Vette.
 
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That thing is super-cool. I like how the cylinder is release is cut down for speed loaders. It looks alot like the one on my 66-4 F Comp, but I'm sure it pre-dates it by many years. Congrats on your purchase.
 
You bought some serious bragging rights, with that revolver.
Much like going to a used car dealership and coming out with a race car.
 
PPC revolver

There are going to be a lot of us old PPC shooters that are going to get the "warm & fuzzies" looking at that work of gun art....it is a precision piece of equipment, and although you are not familiar with PPC guns, you made a great buy.....load it with 38 wadcutters and it will shoot nice tight little groups of full caliber holes, if you can hold a group that tight. Nice.
 
You walked into the dealership looking for a sports coupe, and walked out with a race car.
 
Very nice! The "1500" refers to a perfect score on the PPC course. Now you have a goal to strive toward :).
 
Thanks guys! You really built up my confidence. I paid $500 for the piece which seemed a little steep for a .357, but then again, its hard to put a price on something thats custom like that. The gun instantly got my attention at Cabela's, and when the guy took it out, started inspecting the action, he was very impressed. He kept on re-inspecting it, as if he couldn't believe it, and told me he was jealous. I wasn't quite sure if it was a sales pitch or not...but either way I really like the gun. Now I just have to find some .38 ammo...its been hard to find near me.
 
At $500.00, you can bet the owner who had the custom work done just had a stroke. In the right hands that revolver can knock fleas off a dog and never cause the dog to even flinch.

hardcase60
 
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Good deal

wildrage said:
Thanks guys! You really built up my confidence. I paid $500 for the piece which seemed a little steep for a .357, but then again, its hard to put a price on something thats custom like that. The gun instantly got my attention at Cabela's, and when the guy took it out, started inspecting the action, he was very impressed. He kept on re-inspecting it, as if he couldn't believe it, and told me he was jealous. I wasn't quite sure if it was a sales pitch or not...but either way I really like the gun. Now I just have to find some .38 ammo...its been hard to find near me.
Click to expand...

For your purchase price you did very well....that gun is set up to shoot wadcutters.....enjoy it.
 
wildrage said:
Thanks for the info. Being that I'm new to revolvers, I sort of wish I had gotten something more stock - but then again, I guess it's also neat to have something unique when you're out on the range...
Click to expand...
First off, welcome to the Forum, and to the free world of Pennsylvania!
The nice this about living on the free side of the Delaware river is that you don't have to wait a month, or have a FOID card to purchase your next gun.

I don't know much about the gun you purchased, but from reading the different replies I think you did well. I'm sure you'd have no problem selling or trading that gun for more than you have into it, but I'd hold on to it if I were you. Since you are just getting into revolvers, it might take you a little time to get accustomed to shooting them. Once you do, I think you'll really appreciate that gun.
 
Did you kiss the seller first, or buy him dinner after? :)
You, my friend, got a great deal, IMO.
Since that gun is a race gun, it's value will be as a race gun or as a shooter.
Collector gun prices won't give you a good value of the gun, because it is worth less to a collector (except to a collector of race guns).

As a shooter, you got a peerless revolver.
I would have been on that gun like stink on poop.
I'd have whipped it out (my money) so fast, it would have burned the seller's hands.
If I were you, I'd be shamelessly BRAGGING about the race gun you just stole.
You've earned that right, so go ahead and gloat.
We can take it. We envy your purchase, but are happy for you.

Come down to GA and we can shoot your race gun next to my stock 15-3.
As great as a stock K frame is, you'll have a whole new love and respect for yours.

Be prepared to be disappointed by all other revolvers. That thing will spoil you.
 
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