Is $700 an OK price for this 6" M&P .38?

[Wyatt Burp]

I have a hankerin' for a 6" M&P/pre Model 10/Model 10 .38 Special and found one that looks like this 1946 version (picture found online). Ii has the same hammer and stocks as this gun and a better finish but still not minty. Based on this less than great description and photo of it, in your opinions is the $700 price tag about right, decent, or too much? Thanks in advance, compadres.

 

[ralph7]

Looking at the nebulous pic towards the end of the barrel, I would say no.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I agree with ralph. These aren't rare and it shows some "character" which is collector-slang for wear. Probably in the $400-500 range.

 

[lihpster]

Too much. You can do better. Keep searching.

 

[Muley Gil]

If it has less wear than the one shown, I still think $600 would be a better price.

 

[ken158]

Keep looking - they made a zillion and are out there for fair prices

 

[JP@AK]

I won't debate the statement that $700 is a bit high. But here are a few things to consider.

1. That one is not one of a "zillion." It is one of about 180,000 that were assembled in the immediate postwar period (1946-1948). It will have an S prefix serial number under about S990000 and above about S813000.

2. It is wearing original stocks of a style that were only made from 1946 until 1952.

3. It has the 6" barrel, which was the length least installed in the postwar M&Ps from 1946-48. The order from most to least was 4", 5", 2" and 6".

4. A few short years ago, you could have bought that gun for around $400. Now many of them are selling for around $600, even with a bit of muzzle wear like the one in your picture. Five years ago, I was buying them like that one with the original stocks, original box and HH for $600, and $400 for one without the box.

If you want just any old M&P from before model numbering, sure, you can hold off for one in the $400 to $500 range. And you will find one. But for one from that particular period with original stocks and 95% original finish, $600 isn't bad at all considering today's prices.

You just have to decide what you want and what you can afford.

 

[tops]

I've saw a bunch with 2 or 4 in. barrels. Don't ever remember a 6 in. I had rather spend a little more to get something I want when I find it and not spend a bunch of time and money looking for something cheaper and maybe never find it. I'll bet that over spending a few dollars won't have anything at all to do about you eating next week. Larry

 

[CH4]

It’s $300 to $400 more than I’d pay, but I am not looking for one.

 

[lkabug]

It's a bit over priced. But.......you have a hankering.
You might find another soon or perhaps not. At $700 vs $600 is a 16% premium.
You could do worse.

 

[heeter3]

I cant count how many times I found one I wanted Wyatt but waited to pull the trigger and when I went back it was gone and I never found another that I liked as much for the same price.Just sayin.Good luck on whatever move you make.By the way I've got one just like your looking at that my brother got me and it shoots and handles as good as anything I have.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Agreed, it's a little pricey. The .38 M&Ps are pretty common...I picked up my "Nawlins Special" (nickel version with MOP stocks, ca. 1950) a few years ago for $350. I might have gone $400 if it had the original stocks, but it looks cool with the MOPs. I would think a fair price would be ~$500 if the finish is nice, and it's mechanically sound with a good bore. If you really like it, see if you can get the price down to around $600. Good hunting!

 

[4K2022]

I won't debate the statement that $700 is a bit high. But here are a few things to consider.

1. That one is not one of a "zillion." It is one of about 180,000 that were assembled in the immediate postwar period (1946-1948). It will have an S prefix serial number under about S990000 and above about S813000.

2. It is wearing original stocks of a style that were only made from 1946 until 1952.

3. It has the 6" barrel, which was the length least installed in the postwar M&Ps from 1946-48. The order from most to least was 4", 5", 2" and 6".

4. A few short years ago, you could have bought that gun for around $400. Now many of them are selling for around $600, even with a bit of muzzle wear like the one in your picture. Five years ago, I was buying them like that one with the original stocks, original box and HH for $600, and $400 for one without the box.

If you want just any old M&P from before model numbering, sure, you can hold off for one in the $400 to $500 range. And you will find one. But for one from that particular period with original stocks and 95% original finish, $600 isn't bad at all considering today's prices.

You just have to decide what you want and what you can afford.

Always informative posts, with plenty of food for thought. “Just any old M&P,,” and then “from that particular period,,” speaks volumes to Me. I’ve heard it said many times, condition, condition, condition and I agree. And then there’s the “particular period” dimension which usually means SERIAL NUMBERS. If that’s the case, the hunt becomes more focused for the buyer. Then barrel length, do I intend to buy a six inch gun and move on, or do I WANT to own one of each eventually? The OP posted a picture of a gun but it’s not at all the gun he’s looking at, just similar. When I evaluate the gun pictured I believe like many $700 is high. As a buyer if you are conscious of dollars and cents (like me) I know I have to ante up when buying online, and finally the transfer fee. How much is to much? I don’t think anyone can say, all we can say is,, “it’s not worth it to me.”

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Burp, have to agree with 4K2022. I have been looking and not seen a lot of this year, 6" with matching stocks. Yea, $700 is a bit stiff. $600 is more appealing, but you dont have a choice. If you want it, just go get it and enjoy.

 

[Drm50]

To much. If you aren’t in dire need to fend off an attack, keep looking there are a lot of them in the woodwork. That one looks like $400-$450 to me.
Even at that I wouldn’t turn my head but if it didn’t preform at that price you could skin out even, if you sold.

 

[AJ]

Well, did you or didn't you? Inquiring minds want to know........

 

[Targets Guy]

Given today's prices not crazy high.


I own s/n S944068 and it shipped Nov 1947. I paid $375 for it in 2017.
Someone has messed with the front sight and sanded off the checkerboard from the original stocks. No box. It is a good shooter but not as nice as what you are describing.



I'm guessing this is like the box it shipped in but it is not the original box.


cute dark skin boys

 

[Ameshawki]

Recently paid $600 for a similar but later piece. About that condition. Six inch 10s are hard to find. I looked for a couple of years, off and on. Got tired of looking. Decent 10’s are pushing $500. Deals are getting hard to find. The beat to hell police and security trade ins are mid-300 if you can find one.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Well, did you or didn't you? Inquiring minds want to know........

No, I’m not getting it. I remembered a 6” pre war M&P and checked it out again but it was .32-20. also $700.

 

[Skyhunter]

I'd been searching for a "nice" Model 10 with the 4" tapered barrel for a number of years. I wasn't interested in police trad-ins or "beaters", I wanted a clean, minty Mod 10.
In the time I spent searching, I saw one with a 5" barrel - none with a 6" barrel. There may be "lots of them out there" but in my time searching Western Tennessee and NW Mississippi, the pickings for what I sought were pretty darn slim.
I found this one about 18 months ago. Initial cost, shipping, and transfer amounted to $660.00.
The price for your revolver of interest may be a bit high at $700, but IMO, it may be never before you find another - just my opinion, but I'd buy it now!

WYT-P
Skyhunter