A sweet pair of .41 Magnums - buy or pass?

[cmansguns]

Hello Forum;

Today I ran into a 76 year "old" man (I'm 72 so considerably younger) who had just this morning decided to sell a pair of Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum's for sale locally, FTF preferred when I called him.

I met him and took a detailed look at both, here's what I saw,

Model 57, .41 Magnum, 6 inch blue, P&R, w/o adjustable rear, red ramp front, TH, TT, beautiful Goncalo Alves Target stocks. N prefix serial number, asking$1,000..... my opinion = 95%-98% gun, no box, no tools or docs.

Model 58, .41 Magnum, 4 inch, blue, fixed sights, Service Magna's, N prefix serial number, asking $1,000... my opinion = also a 95%-98% gun, no box, no docs, no tools.

Talked a little bit and he thought the 4 inch Model 58 was "rare" because very few have been seen around here and he knows all the local LGS (including some big ones). Feds and Staties & local agencies never jumped on the .41 Magnum in Virginia but I don't think that qualifies for rarity.

Both guns had a very, very slight turn line and really sharp and crisp bores. The bluing on both is a very high polish, deep blue which made the Model 58 really stand out vs. my Model 28 with its utility flat satin blue. As he said they were $1,000 each. This seemed quite high to me unless they were one or both with "S" prefix, or had boxes and docs/tools so I told him I would think about it, but now after checking SCSW 4th I am passing and won't be making a counter-offer.

I know there are Members that love the .41 Magnum, but is it not now a fairly "obsolete" cartridge? Ammo expensive (compared to factory .357 and .44 Magnum)? I really didn't need another odd caliber to stock/shoot, but my S&W collection doesn't have any .41 Magnum's so I had to at least look.

If any of you have an interest in either of these, you can PM me and I'll give you the mans cell phone number if you are Virginia and want to see if you can strike a deal.

Sorry....I didn't think to shoot some cell phone pics, but they were both.

Appreciate any opinions on the .41 Magnum revolvers, or this mans pricing.

 

[S&W59]

I'm not familiar with the firearms, but if he's insisting on a face to face cash sale, make sure you do this in the parking lot of a police precinct and make sure the officers inside know what you're doing and why. If they have a problem with it, find another precinct that they won't care. I would hate for you to get Craig's Listed by someone offering a sweet deal and not being what they said they are.

 

[jrm53]

I don't believe the 41 mag is out dated or obsolete, if any one thinks that then they have never shot one or handled one. If I had to just have one large S&W the one I would keep is the model 57. I have three of them but I also load and cast my own Keith type bullets. They will do every thing well, but then thats just me. Jeff

 

[jimmyj]

TOO HIGH !
$1600. Tops

 

[Jeff423]

TOO HIGH !
$1600. Tops

I agree with Jimmy. It seems like the revolver market has softened. I recently bought a 57 no dash in similar condition to the one described but with adjustable sights for $800 otd.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[M29since14]

I'd have to agree. With no box, docs, etc. available for both guns it would be hard to imagine getting $2000 for the pair, but stranger things have happened. That said, I sure wouldn't hesitate to make an offer. The N-frame .41 (particularly the target version) is, I think, one of the better sixguns S&W produced, even if not as popular as the 29. It's a gun that was made for shooters (and handloaders) - not so much for talkers and armchair enthusiasts.

 

[apollo99]

I would start at $1500 for the pair, I don't think that's an insult, as the revolver market is indeed softening. I wouldn't go over $1600 for the pair as the value isn't there. If you can get them for $1500-$1550 you are doing good. That would also mean you have to start reloading 41 magnum.

 

[clang444]

meh. Top dollar on guns that shoot a round you don't really want to get into. I would wish him luck selling the guns.

 

[ken158]

Ya can't buy them all and at that price, I would pass. Even at $1500 for the set that makes them too much to flip or trade up.

 

[Smithboomer]

I'm a big fan of the 41 magnum, but the prices he's asking are too high.

 

[GB]

I agree, a little high. But, if you want them, grab a handful of C notes and make him an offer. Maybe a hundred less than you think they are worth(to you). If he appears interested sweeten the pot with another Ben. Worst that can happen is he will walk away. You can always put the money back in the sock. However, after re-reading your post, you don't seem all that excited about the guns so maybe you should walk away. At fair market value, there isn't much money to be made unless you are willing to hold them awhile.

 

[merl67]

My cardinal rule in buying guns even if I think I might sell or trade later on is buy what I like. That way if I am stuck with it no big deal.

 

[cmansguns]

Thanks all for the comments. In the end today, I did meet at a very public place in this small town, guy was nice enough but I did pass mostly because I do shoot the heck out of my own N frames (Model 25-2, Model 28-2, Model 29-2) and they look as good as they shoot (a heck of a lot better than me). The guys' guns were all of 95%, well cared for, but that price was over top end for me ( I had 15 Benjamins on board but did not make the offer) and I don't reload. I did check 2 of the big 3 LGS this afternoon, and like posted above....41 Magnum isn't stocked on the shelves.

So.....for me....the Model 57 and 58 go into that arena where the 22 Jet is......beautiful S & W's, but I would need a real steal on the price for me to add to my accumulation.

 

[moralem]

The seller was a bit early on his prices......enough time and those will be 1000 guns just like a 27........mine are nowhere near the condition you describe but I not letting mine go any time soon. And I can buy all the .41mag online I care to so no problem feeding them. There are plenty of .41 fans that someone will get a good deal in time.

 

[lebomm]

I would wonder why the 57 has no adj. rear sight. Seems to me that would take a fairly serious bite out of his ask. Bargaining chip, anyway, a grand feels a mite high to me, too.

Larry

 

[alaskavett]

I see there is some corfusion on this post. Yep, I think the ask is too high, but the .41 Mag is a great if not misunderstood round.. All Model 57's are adjustiable sight as built in the Motherland, and all Model 58's are fixed sight Models... I think the posters use of w/o has made some think it is without adjustable sight. in this case and use w/o is ment to be white outline.
Great guns both and yes, I shoot mine. Kyle

 

[M29since14]

Since ammo is easily ordered on line the old caveat about that being a strike against the .41 Magnum is not really operative. And, besides... it's a perfect reason to take up handloading.

If you don't want the guns, that's ok - but I wouldn't let the ammo thing slow me down. "Problems are made to be solved."

 

[ischia]

.41 prices?

Hello Forum;

Today I ran into a 76 year "old" man (I'm 72 so considerably younger) who had just this morning decided to sell a pair of Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum's for sale locally, FTF preferred when I called him.

I met him and took a detailed look at both, here's what I saw,

Model 57, .41 Magnum, 6 inch blue, P&R, w/o adjustable rear, red ramp front, TH, TT, beautiful Goncalo Alves Target stocks. N prefix serial number, asking$1,000..... my opinion = 95%-98% gun, no box, no tools or docs.

Model 58, .41 Magnum, 4 inch, blue, fixed sights, Service Magna's, N prefix serial number, asking $1,000... my opinion = also a 95%-98% gun, no box, no docs, no tools.

Talked a little bit and he thought the 4 inch Model 58 was "rare" because very few have been seen around here and he knows all the local LGS (including some big ones). Feds and Staties & local agencies never jumped on the .41 Magnum in Virginia but I don't think that qualifies for rarity.

Both guns had a very, very slight turn line and really sharp and crisp bores. The bluing on both is a very high polish, deep blue which made the Model 58 really stand out vs. my Model 28 with its utility flat satin blue. As he said they were $1,000 each. This seemed quite high to me unless they were one or both with "S" prefix, or had boxes and docs/tools so I told him I would think about it, but now after checking SCSW 4th I am passing and won't be making a counter-offer.

I know there are Members that love the .41 Magnum, but is it not now a fairly "obsolete" cartridge? Ammo expensive (compared to factory .357 and .44 Magnum)? I really didn't need another odd caliber to stock/shoot, but my S&W collection doesn't have any .41 Magnum's so I had to at least look.

If any of you have an interest in either of these, you can PM me and I'll give you the mans cell phone number if you are Virginia and want to see if you can strike a deal.

Sorry....I didn't think to shoot some cell phone pics, but they were both.

Appreciate any opinions on the .41 Magnum revolvers, or this mans pricing.

I do agree, both are at medium high retail prices. I have a NIB nickel model 58 Box tools etc. I would perhaps do well to get $1000 for it but who knows. All the large calibers are a tough sell. It's the cost of ammo.
Ischia

 

[oysterer]

too high...great guns, fantastic caliber but only useful to reloaders and therefor a little harder to resell. No one in their right mind can afford or even find 41 factory ammo.

I just bought a very nice like new 58 for $400 and a earlier in the year a full set complete all boxes and tool kit unfired model 57 for $1000.

I think $1400 for the pair is good for shooters without boxes. If they have turlines and burn rings etc $1200 - $1300 would be good. $1500 put you in a hole.

 

[hittman77]

Great guns and I'd like to add both, or either, to my stash.

He may be looking for a FTF sale 'cause all the retail shops have laughed at his prices.

He's got a solid $1200 to $1400 worth of old Smith's there.