All a matter of perspective.

[Old TexMex]

I bought 2 27-2s a year ago for $1200. I've been offered $1000 for either of them...so what!
Ask me the value (or price) of something today, what I paid for it three years ago is irrelevant, unless we're speculating on what it will be worth in the future in dollars.

1966: The Apollo Project cost $27 billion
To do it today would be $400 billion....even though EVERY component used is MORE available, so rarity is not an issue, it is the value of the dollar, and all currencies tied to it.

Van Gogh gave paintings away, or paid bar tabs with them; that's a function of rarity (not even condition).

If you let a triple lock pass for $500 ten years ago because it was only 80%....well, you had stronger faith in the value of a dollar than me.

Interesting and educational link here:

Measuring Worth - Relative Value of the US Dollar.

 

[Modified]

Have they nearly tripled in value in 3 years?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: A K-22 Target Masterpiece is a gun every gun lover needs to own. The SCSW has done wonders in popularizing S&Ws, and anyone who gets their hands on a proper pre-model S&W realizes that the satisfaction you get from such a fine gun absolutely blows away anything you can buy today.

Everyone who knows anything wants a K-22.

I bought my first one for $400 a few years ago, and since then I can't find one anywhere for less then $650. I had one in the box in about 95% condition, it was a duplicate so I sold it. It went for $900 in my local shop within 2 days.

One of the things about them is that they are actually worth that. When you compare what you are getting to a new gun $900 is still a good price. S&Ws have just been undervalued, wonderfully so, for years, and are starting to catch up to the reality of what they are compared to new guns.

 

[DanDolfn]

I think it's a massive case of rumors being elevated to facts, kinda like the toilet paper shortages that happen from time to time. And I suspect there are people who benefit from encouraging those fears.

 

[DanDolfn]

The other thing to look at is simple inflation. There are some apps on line that will give you conversions from year to year. The other day I saw an auction where the original sales invoice was shown as $310. I did a conversion and in today's $$, that was somewhere around $1100.

 

[JSR III]

One of the major factors in todays prices is the internet. Before the computer age, the only way that you would see a gun for sale from across the country was maybe Shotgun News. Back in the day when I had a subscription, the S&W section was fairly small.

Today, most everyone is on the interweb, including most dealers, so every time a gun goes up for sale or sells, everybody has access to that info. I missed out on a mint in the box .22/32 last week that went for $2510. A few days ago, another surfaced without the box asking $2,600. The plain janes can usually be had for $500.

Last night I went for my u know what on a first year 22 Outdoorsman in the box in new condition. I am sure my desire to own was partly fuled by my second place finish last week. Without the internet, I would have never even known about these two guns and would be 3K richer.

 

[fireball228]

Even higher priced k-22s are worth every penny, when you shoot them you know you are holding perfection in your hands...

 

[Erich]

What's reassuring is that these revolvers are going to become dirt cheap in 20 years when the boomers get serious about dying off and few of the younger folks give a hoot.

 

[Wingmaster]

About a year ago I paid $700 for a model 17 no dash with no box. I had a hard time paying that much until I shot it, but It shot good enough to lessen the pain.
If I was the one standing in line, I probably would have never went into the show. I would have spent my money outside and been happy to do it.

Wingmaster

 

[Modified]

What's reassuring is that these revolvers are going to become dirt cheap in 20 years when the boomers get serious about dying off and few of the younger folks give a hoot.

Nope.

The young folks are being introduced them and that's part of what is driving up the price. I know a lot of under 30 guys who are into guns and all of them want a K22 now.

 

[Crabtree]

Its "all a matter of perspective"....indeed. When boxes, stocks, sight tools et al sell for hundreds you can expect the guns to bring at least as much.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Nope.

The young folks are being introduced them and that's part of what is driving up the price. I know a lot of under 30 guys who are into guns and all of them want a K22 now.

I agree 100% with this,Quality speaks for itself.As long as S&W keeps turning out the Junk they make now(Can I say that in this section?)the old quality Gun's will always bring a premium.This same thing happens in ALL collectibles,All the veterans say these crazy prices will never last and the market will tank any day now.....It never happens though.Why aren't the old timers selling all their Guns now if the market is going to bottom out? Feel free to PM me with your pre war N frames for sale

 

[Modified]

Feel free to PM me with your pre war N frames for sale

None of my pre-war N frames are going anywhere buddy, just you keep walking.

Seriously though, the quality of the old smiths is addictive. I've introduced quite a few guys to old smith and wessons with my favorite gateway drug: The Pre-Model 10.

Within a year they have more old S&Ws. Once you know what constitutes good, it's hard to really enjoy bad guns ever again.

 

[Rebel Soul]

Made it 30 posts before someone called new Smiths junk - which of course is preposterous. Next time, follow that statement with ASOMG...it'll have more bite that way.

It's simple supply and demand. Colt couldn't give away Pythons now they are worth their weight in gold. Even though Smith is still producing revolvers, there is still a finite amount of any given model from any given year and some are indeed out of production. An old Smith is a piece of history you can actually own. I think nostalgia plays a part, and certainly the internet makes it easier for anyone to be a "collector".

There is literally no real world test where a factory 1968 Corvette beats a factory 2014 vette in any measurable category. The 2014 is hands down a better vehicle. Ask a collector what they prefer and most will say the 68...why? Beauty - which is subjective...nostalgia...rarity. There isn't a right or wrong answer - just your preference.

The same is true for new Smiths. Anyone who knows about firearms knows that new Smith revolvers are superior production guns. In some ways, they are better than the older ones. Now ask a collector and beauty, nostalgia, and rarity come into play. Anyway - like I said, supply and demand - business 101.

And ASOMG is "and stay off my grass!"

This is my opinion and in no way should be construed as fact. I also don't have the express written permission of MLB or the NFL.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

You are right internal locks and MIM wins hands down.How silly of me to think that my Registered Magnum trigger pull is smoother than a new "Classic Series" Model 27.

 

[Rebel Soul]

Do you even know what a MIM part actually is? You can find info on this very site about it. I'll take the word of an engineer over your internet expertise every day.

And the lock? Really? I'll just stay off your grass, sir.

 

[Old TexMex]

Do you even know what a MIM part actually is? You can find info on this very site about it. I'll take the word of an engineer over your internet expertise every day.

And the lock? Really? I'll just stay off your grass, sir.

If you're entitled to your opinion, so is anyone else...unless the moderators say otherwise. Getting personal is for the "other " forums, I believe.
Y'all get to arguing and they lock the dang thread.....

 

[Rebel Soul]

If you're entitled to your opinion, so is anyone else...unless the moderators say otherwise. Getting personal is for the "other " forums, I believe.

With all due respect, my posts have been respectful. I'm also not the one who broke the bashing policy.