I WAS GONNA SELL IT, BUT THEN SHOT IT AGAIN TODAY - 1ST TIME IN 12 YEARS - NOW WHAT?

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I have a beautiful vintage 6" barrel model 19-5 built in 1983. It is all original including the box and grips and I'd say it rates a 98% - 99% condition. I have rarely shot it and I doubt I have 20 rounds of 158 Mag's through it and maybe a total of 600 - 800 rounds of 38 spl. It also has the 3 T's and a w/o rear & red front ramp. It's basically a gorgeous revolver! That said, I think the last time I shot it was back in 2012 or so. I was going to list it for sale but figured I'd shoot it this morning to make sure I want to sell it. Well, the targets I shot this morning are below. 12 rounds single action and 12 rounds double action at 50 feet. The damned thing really shoots!

Now I am questioning if I really want to sell it. The only reason I thought of listing it was due to lack of use as I have many other 38 special target revolvers I shoot much more often. Will I really use it - that's the question. I will have to see what they are selling for now days and go from there. I have to be realistic about using it too. I did enjoy shooting it though! :)
 

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Here’s the thing Chief………… I have found that if I do my part 99% of S&Ws are fine shooters. So based on this logic WE would never sell any of our Smiths. I’m facing this now. I have a 70s Model 41 with cocking indicator that is hands down the most accurate handgun I’ve ever shot. But I haven’t shot it in probably 10 years. I intend to sell it soon.
 
Interesting, I'm actually in the same situation. I have a 6" 19-3 in nickel. Beautiful pistol but without the original grips. I traded a much used (by me) M60 3 incher for it thinking I was coming out ahead. It has now been a safe queen for the last ten years or so. I have seriously thought about selling it because I just never use it. However, when I do take it out it amazes me just how accurate it really is. Even more accurate (in my hands anyway) than my 8" M27-5. I've never owned a nickel pistol before, and I think I just never took to it. So yeah, great looking pistol that is probably my most accurate revolver that I just don't shoot.
 
... the last time I shot it was back in 2012 or so. I was going to list it for sale but ...

Now I am questioning if I really want to sell it. The only reason I thought of listing it was due to lack of use as I have many other 38 special target revolvers I shoot much more often ...

I'm downsizing mostly for health reasons. My Gun Safe is now about 25% full. I had several duplicates and triplicates of the same revolver. My children and grandchildren do not want any revolvers.

I don't think you will miss it since you had not shot it in twelve years. One of my most used pistols I sold off and I do not miss it at all and it was on my EDC rotation.
 
Sell it today and in a few months you will forget what you did with the proceeds. You may have fond memories of when you had it and wish you still had it. I think we all go through that and when you drag one out of the back of the safe and take it to the range you are glad it was still there.
 
For me at 68 years old it's about collectability. Every gun I have is collectible in my humble opinion. If you don't have a passion for it sell it. I could sell every plastic semi auto I own no worries. No way I am selling any of my old Smith revolvers, and I don't shoot any of them. It is like a car collector or a coin collector. Just admiring what I own is good enough to me. I know that's not the way most gun owners think. Don't get me wrong., My collection is from mostly the 50's to 70's
 
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I have a Remington 700 BDL in 35 Whelen that was my perfect elk & bear rifle for a couple of decades. It's in the safe, but I often feel guilty about not shooting it. I could sell it, but I guarantee the $350 I spent for it new came harder than the $1k or so it would bring now.
 
For me at 68 years old it's about collectability. Every gun I have is collectible in my humble opinion. If you don't have a passion for it sell it. I could sell every plastic semi auto I own no worries. No way I am selling any of my old Smith revolvers, and I don't shoot any of them. It is like a car collector or a coin collector. Just admiring what I own is good enough to me. I know that's not the way most gun owners think. Don't get me wrong., My collection is from mostly the 50's to 70's

I understand completely. 10 "not new" S&W revolvers in my collection. I shoot a couple, admire the rest. Five born before I did, five born in the 70's and 80's.
I could sell all my plastic autos as well.
 
I have maybe half a dozen "NIB" guns, many more unshot since the 20th century. I have often thought: "I should sell these and use the money for something else." Then I remember I bought them with "disposable income," today don't need the money and there's not anything I need. Except for the Goldenrod's 18 watts of electricity they don't eat much. Joe
 
Over the years and especially when I was younger I bought many guns just because I liked them! I have a bunch that I'd never use for SD, HD or CCW but I just loved the designs and build quality. Other than that - they have no practical purpose but I enjoy shooting them very much. I get a lot of joy shooting 100+ year old guns that work flawlessly.

The M19 in question here is just one I shoot maybe once in 12 years. I've got many 38/357 Smith's that I shoot often (including other M19's) so it's not like I will miss it too much. I also have a bunch of other guns I haven't shot in over 25 years but I just can't part with them. One is an as-new in the original box Colt Dick Spl. without a mark on it. I don't even remember the last time I shot it but it is just so purdy I can't fathom the idea of selling it. Got dozens of those kind - but the M19 is in a separate category in my mind. I think I am gonna see what they sell for and probably sell it along with a few others I forget I have.

I doubt my kids are interested in my collection so I have to time things right and so I can control what they get sold for. At 70 and still in very good health, I hope to postpone that as long as possible, but as we age we never know what tomorrow will bring.
 
Every time I think about selling a gun, I decide not too. I don't need the money at this point. So even if I don't shoot it much, what do I achieve by selling it now? Eventually I'll have to sell 'em all but won't before I have to. I'd say keep 'em all as long as you can.
 
I have regretted most guns that I’ve sold and even bought a few back when I really started missing them. I made a decision a few years back to never sell another one! I don’t need to, so why should I?

Fortunately, I have a son who shoots with me and will treasure them one day.
 
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