How valuable are model 61 Escorts? Passed on one in Indiana

[rjm6120]

My wife and I just got back from a couple days in French Lick, IN. Of course, we managed to find a small handful of gun shops in our travels to and around the area while we were driving.

In neighboring West Baden Springs there was a pawn shop that we stopped in. The owner was friendly and helpful. Had some semi-autos and a small amount of modern revolvers, nothing special. He did, however, have a 61-2 Escort in nickel with faux ivory grips and the blue zippered case it came in. This is the first time that I have ever seen one of these and it looked to be a very nice example. The area on the slide serrations was a little dirty but the rest of the gun was immaculate---not a scratch or dull area anywhere on the gun. The blue zippered case was in perfect condition, not a tear or worn down area anywhere. I really don't think this gun had been fired and was likely kept in a drawer or safe, in the case, its whole life.

I was very intrigued by this gun and was strongly considering buying it---my wife gave me the green light if I wanted it. Shop owner said he had it in the display case a long time and was willing to let it all go for $370 (gun + shipping to my KY FFL). Transfer fee would have added $25 so that would have made my total investment $395.

After a bit of deliberation I decided to pass on it, as this was not a gun on my want list and I would rather have other guns that are on my list first. So if anyone in the French Lick area is looking for a nice Escort, there you go.

So, how valuable are model 61 Escorts? I believe I read on this forum that the -3's are more desirable. I'm not asking if I made the right decision to pass on it, just curious if, at this time, Escorts have any desirability/decent value and how reliable these little guns were with the .22LR cartridge.

 

[shoot summ]

There have been several posts about the 61.

It seems that S+W got them dialed in on the 61-3, prior to that they had a reputation of being problematic. I have a blued 61-3 and it runs without any issues.

Prices are all over on the 61, a nice nickel 61, with the case seems to bring $300-$400 on GB regularly. Sometimes one slips by for less though, a nickel 61-3 sold for about $240 recently, the cases seem to get around $40 on ebay. magazines are really expensive.

 

[KSDeputy]

I bought a new blue one when they were first introduced. I sold it, I can't recall if it had any problems, or if I needed the money to buy another gun. I have a number of .22 pistols and revolvers now, so I would not spend that amount to buy one.

 

[BC38]

There have been several posts about the 61.

It seems that S+W got them dialed in on the 61-3, prior to that they had a reputation of being problematic. I have a blued 61-3 and it runs without any issues.

Prices are all over on the 61, a nice nickel 61, with the case seems to bring $300-$400 on GB regularly. Sometimes one slips by for less though, a nickel 61-3 sold for about $240 recently, the cases seem to get around $40 on ebay. magazines are really expensive.

Ditto on the 61-3. Mine works very well too.

FWIW, I picked up a nice blued one - not pristine but in very nice condition for $200 OTD a few months ago. Sounds like the nickel ones go for more than the blued version, but I wouldn't pay 4 Benjamins for one - even a pristine nickel specimen. But I'm not really "into" nickle guns either.

 

[indigo22]

A local gun shop in the NE has had three of them pass through the shop in the last year with one still there. Asking price was $375 each time one showed up. That is a bit more than I would spend myself. Others snatched the first two up. I have avoided asking them to remove it from their case so I could look at it. Money is burning a hole in my pocket but there are items with higher priorities on my list.

Edit: Now another one added $285 Must be in rougher shape...

 

[PALADIN85020]

I did a write up on the Model 61 Escort pistols here:

History of the Model 61 "Escort"

John

 

[BC38]

Interesting article John. Thanks for the link and for writing it all up in the first place. LIKED it

 

[raljr1]

I bought a 61-1 back in September for $300 at a local shop, it's blue. I would have paid more for nickel with the case.

 

[Breakaway500]

I stumbled onto a 61-3 and decided to buy it. It's a quirky gun..but does function well (with choice ammo)and accurate enough to hit something close. The -3 has a forged frame (so I have read) and I have bought a second one just because there is something about them that appeals to me. I doubt they will ever be a big collector item,but then again,I have no crystal ball. I'd buy another mainly because I like them, and they are easy to buy on a budget.

 

[4T5GUY]

Well, because of all of you, I started looking for one. Four
months ago I started watching one in a pawn shop. It finally
came down in price, and I offered, (and got it for,) $179.00.
It's not perfect, it's a 61-2, and the grip has that common
crack, but I thought it was a fair price.
I got the pouch on E-Bay, ($45.00,) and the original instruction
paper on Gunbroker, ($15.00,) so I'm into it for $239.00. I'd
probably not get that much for it, but that's OK.
Thanks for all the info on the Model 61.

 

[Class III]

I picked up a blued 61-3 without a magazine at a LGS three years ago for $75.00 OTD as the seller knew mags were next to impossible to find (And so did I). I looked all over the internet for a factory mag or two and finally found ONE new blister packed at another LGS. That ONE mag cost me $85.00. My 61-3 has been 100% reliable with the factory mag and whatever ammo I've loaded it with, everything from CCI sub-sonic to Remington Yellow Jackets. Last weekend I found a Triple K aftermarket mag at an estate sale for $10. I'll find out how the Triple K mag functions this weekend.


Class III

 

[TTSH]

I found this one advertised at a local (MA) shop. Not cheap by any means... and not even sure what version... but looks to be in very nice shape. I already have one in the safe but I think it might like a brother.

 

[rjm6120]

Sounds like a few of you got some good deals on 61's! I still think about that gun but maybe I'll luck into something at National Gun Day in Louisville next weekend that'll help me forget about it.

 

[murphydog]

There have been a large (20+) number of model 61s online on auction in the past 4-6 months, from a single dealer. Most were NIB and sold in the $325-350 range.

I shot a 61-3 with several different factory magazines and ammo and it would not function; cycled but the striker (hammer?) would not reset.

 

[dben002]

As best as I can recall they were only available in Europe and were considered dogs.........but I'm old and my memory sometimes fails me...

 

[Breakaway500]

I like dogs.

 

[BUFF]

I must have all the bad Escort luck. I bought my first, a nickel 61-3, on 11-16-77 and still have it. I have swapped, bought, sold and traded my way through at least another half dozen. Right now I have that first 61-3 and also a 61-1 and a 61-2.

I have never been able to fire an entire 50 round box through any of them without a stoppage of some sort. Apparently, I was not alone, as S&W made 3 major sets of revisions to the Escort in the short time they produced them.

In his book, "THE HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON," factory historian Roy Jinks discusses the gun and it's changes and closes it out by saying that the company finally discontinued the Escort because they didn't feel it's production was in keeping with S&W's image as the manufacturer of the finest handguns in the world.

I see them as an interesting footnote and a reminder that companies are best suited to keep doing whatever it is they do best.

 

[Breakaway500]

I have found the magazine spring to be the cause of most feeding issues. Many times the last round will not feed. I stretch the magazine spring and problem solved.

 

[SuperMan]

I've had four over the years in both blue and nickel...except for the one I have now, a -2 blue, I don't know what the - numbers were...

The first one was nickel and would only run target velocity ammo... The second one was blue and only run high speed ammo... The third would run anything...

The -2 I have now was in an original S&W holster for $175.00. Have not shot it that much but as I recall it prefers good quality high speed ammo...

I also really like the off-shoot of this gun...the 422, 622, 2206, 2213 series of guns. Have had several and all have been very reliable and accurate...

Bob

 

[Stranglehold]

Funny...I picked one up while traveling a handful of years ago. Heard a small northern Michigan gunshop had quite a few vintage S&W revolvers from an estate and worked our vacation travel to include a stop with a pocket full of cash.

Alas, by the time I got there those pre-model number K-frames were gone...all that remained was a LNIB Escort. Made the trip...had the cash...you know how it goes...

For the life of me, I can't remember exactly what I paid, but it was less than $300.

Roe