vonn
US Veteran
Let us know what you decide ,range report,and pics if you reblue etc. Good luck!
Is it worth fixing? S&W 38 SPECIAL CTG
- Thread starter dabels102
- Start date
Rick_A
Member
That's a fair price. I'm a bit frustrated right now as I'm shopping for a shooter grade M&P, pre 10, or model 10 myself and there are a few local guns with 50% finishes that folks are asking excellent condition auction prices for that've been on the shelves for YEARS. I picked up a Pre 27 and "baby" J reasonably but can't find the most common revolver on the planet at a good price! 
I think for folks mistake the auction craze for realistic face to face retail prices.
I think for folks mistake the auction craze for realistic face to face retail prices.
Rick_A
Member
I'll add that I think a gun should keep its character. After all, it's earned it's marks and that's the closest to telling its story as there is.
firebyprolong
Member
Every body needs to own a few ugly 38s
Buy it, clean it, shoot it, put a wonder sight on it and enjoy. My dog -ss ugly pre 10 that I picked up for the same price is one of my favorite knock around guns. Ugly guns get a bad rap most of the time but you need to look past the finish on a shooter grade. If the lock work is in good shape and It locks up tight go for it. You sure couldn't put one together for 175 $. Other might disagree but i would take it on as a project. Re blue or not.
Buy it, clean it, shoot it, put a wonder sight on it and enjoy. My dog -ss ugly pre 10 that I picked up for the same price is one of my favorite knock around guns. Ugly guns get a bad rap most of the time but you need to look past the finish on a shooter grade. If the lock work is in good shape and It locks up tight go for it. You sure couldn't put one together for 175 $. Other might disagree but i would take it on as a project. Re blue or not.
MOONDAWG
US Veteran
Here's another vote for buy, clean it, and shoot it "AS IS"...go for it!
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If you want to use it "as-is" then I'd say it might be worth the $175 if it functions perfectly in all other areas.
Because of the high cost of refinishing, Gun-smithing, and parts, it is simply NOT worth throwing lots of money at - at least IMHO. For less money than it would cost for the restoration you could just buy a nicer and better example.
Because of the high cost of refinishing, Gun-smithing, and parts, it is simply NOT worth throwing lots of money at - at least IMHO. For less money than it would cost for the restoration you could just buy a nicer and better example.
Green Frog
Member
To be somewhat contrarian to the general thread responses, if you want a good solid basis for building a project, you probably won't do any better. If you want to practice refinishing and renovating, that seems like a very good candidate. All the complaining about ruining value is specious since you don't seem to want to make a collectible out of it, you want to stretch your gunsmithing skills. As I read between the lines, you aren't planning on taking this $175 gun and making a $500 collectible out of it, just have the satisfaction of improving the appearance of a beat up older gun. I would encourage you to go for it, advice probably worth exactly what you paid me for it! 
Froggie
Froggie
It'd be your gun, do as you want. It is a good candidate for a project and at a good price too. You certainly wont be hurting it's value as a collector. And a refinish will enhance its looks.
John
John
usnrigger
Member
I agree, I have refinished my fair share in the condition shown above and probably some worse. It's truly a joy to bring something back, and the finished product is something to be proud of. If done with care and asking for help here you should increase the value with some hard work and maybe a few dollars. The knowledge you gain and pistol you finish will out weigh both labor and dollars you spend on it.
Jdavis
Member
I would buy it at that price and refinish it myself. I like my guns to look as good as I can make them. There is little collector interest in the revolver so, no worry about loosing value. Your work could only enhance it. Once done you have a good shooter that you saved and can take pride in. Here is one that I did.
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It does not appear that you have a rare or unusual gun. If you want to refinish it, I say go for it. You hear a lot of people say that it will reduce the value if refinished. If it's just a gun with no collector value that seems like contrary advise. I have seen refinished guns and have been more attracted to them than a similar gun with a worn finish. I would pay more for a reblued plain Jane than a worn looking plain Jane. So with all the talk of reblue looses value, I don't see it with the more prevalent non collector types that buy these. It will be worth it to get more oo's and ah's from your non collector friends that see it than the pooh poohs that the few knowledgeable collectors that see it will give you. And there you have it, more free advise.
Jack Flash
Member
If you want to buy it because you want a project and don't care much about the cost in time, by all means, go ahead. Nothing wrong with that. You can look at it like you are paying tuition to the "Autodidact School of Gunsmithing". 
I just doubt that it is actually worth $175 as it stands. It would be nice if he sold it to you for less. But there is no question that if you are careful and do a decent polish and re-blue, it will be worth more. However, when you count up all the time you spent on it, don't be surprised if you only make a dollar or two per hour, if that. Your time and money, your decision. Best of luck.
I just doubt that it is actually worth $175 as it stands. It would be nice if he sold it to you for less. But there is no question that if you are careful and do a decent polish and re-blue, it will be worth more. However, when you count up all the time you spent on it, don't be surprised if you only make a dollar or two per hour, if that. Your time and money, your decision. Best of luck.
bigsteve113
Member
I have a very similar one, C prefix. I shoot the snot out of mine and it lives in my truck! Get it, great shooters!
