Is this gun worth this much?

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Raptor1680

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Good Morning to all. Im new to the forum and to the Smith and Wesson family. Im looking for a M 19. I found this on line. They are asking 1599.00 for it. They say is brand new never fired M19-3 with original box and paperwork. I have been searching online because I have visited all my LGS and they dont have any of this guns around.
I have been doing some research and I have seen several of this revolvers that "LOOKS" new or only shot at the factory with asking price of 1500 and above. I am very skeptical about this prices. Looking around in the forums, some of they say that a nice condition m19 in 6" a good price is around 400-600 range a nice 4" around 600-800 plus and even more for a 2.5"
Is something like this worth this much?
Thanks in advance
 

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Welcome to the forum, Raptor1680. :)

In a word: no, that gun is not worth that much. Not if you use as your pricing guide market averages. If so, that 19-3 is tremendously over-valued. Even in the condition described. Even if you subscribe to the notion that you can't overpay, just buy too early (unless you're thinking in terms of decades). Even if you hold that a thing is worth what someone's willing to pay for it.

Even if all those things, that particular 19-3's price tag is ridiculous.
 
Probably not, to most of us. But to that small group of new in the box collectors, maybe. This gun is being marketed to the "safe queen" crowd(not to slam those that collect this type of gun but they are out of the reach of most of us) not the shooter folks. You do have to remember that this gun is atleast 30 years old, so it occupies a nitch that puts it in a premium catagory. It may not be worth the asking price but the seller may get it or close.HTH GB
 
Raptor, first welcome to the forum, and the wild and wacky world of Smith and Wesson ownership. As everyone else has posted, for 98% of collectors/owners, the M-19 you are asking about is way OVER PRICED, at this time. Who knows what prices will be in 12-18 months.

If you want a Nice shooter grade M-19 you should be able to find one for half of the asking price of the one you are looking at.
 
I think that the concept that it's premium priced for the safe queen collector crowd is the only possible reason that it's at such an elevated price. If you can find a M19 at a gun show or other used market you'll find a price tag under 50% of that.

***GRJ***
 
Thanks to all for the replies. I absolutely think is way to much money for a gun, especially one that I might take a few times to the range. I just wanted to hear that from the experts like you who have been here all the time and really know if this guns that are 30 years old really are worth that much. In my opinion the problem is that there are people that will pay that much money and more. I have been to GB and see the prices for a M29 that surpass the 3000.00 for a gun.
Nothing wrong with that if you have that kind of money I guess.

Thanks all for your advice. I guess little by little I will be able to start building my collection.

raptor
 
Think of it this way. There are many good deals out there on very nice (90% +) Smiths. Or pick a well used, honest working gun as a shooter.

Be careful in your inspection procedure and don't let some holster wear or a turn line throw you into a hissy fit and you will end up with some nice affordable guns that you can be proud of and enjoy.

I have NIB guns in my safe. A few. They are investments. I have several of some models. Investment and shooter grade.

Decide where you want to be. Model 19's are a touchy subject with me. Most have been abused by owners who pushed a **** load of magnums through them for no reason. Some were test beds for the wacko handloader crowd of the 1970's, pushing handloads well into the area where they should have used a N frame.

If you absolutely have to shoot magnum rounds buy a L frame and go to town with it. It will outlive you.

I have a 1953 pre 19 Combat Magnum that was only fired a couple of times during its life, with the box and all the goodies and i didn't pay what they are asking for that 19-3.

Take your time look around and enjoy the hunt.
 
Thanks for the advice.
It is hard to reserach guns on line doing an inspection based only on photos, I have been to almost all the LGS in the vicinity and most of the gun shows in the area and I havent seen a M-19 or a M-29 to buy.

How long ago did you get the pre 19 Combat Magnum?
 
I can only echo the comments above. I'm usually willing to pay a reasonable premium for an exemplary example, but I still think this is too much. If it's really unfired, I'd be willing, maybe, to go $1,250 - $1,300, but not more.

I paid $725 a few months ago for a 19-3 2 1/2" that, while not unfired, was virtually so from all appearances. With box, papers and tools, it might have been worth $950.
 
Maybe I was just unconsciously lucky, but I bought a beautiful M-19-7 4 inch last year for $450. It is in almost new condition with just a hint of a turn line. Stop looking and give up the search and one will fall into your lap. That`s how it always goes for me. Whenever I try real hard to find something, it either eludes me or I end up overpaying, and having buyers remorse later.
 
Raptor1680 said:
Thanks to all for the replies. I absolutely think is way to much money for a gun, especially one that I might take a few times to the range.
raptor
Click to expand...

It isn't so much that it's too much money for "a" gun, it's just too much money for this gun. I freely admit I've paid $1600 and more for a gun, but it isn't a safe queen. I shoot it quite often. I don't have any guns I just keep around so I can show people how pretty they are.

Guns have a purpose in my life. That purpose it to be shot...to enjoy them for their end purpose. Some of them are pretty guns. I get home from the range and clean them and guess what? Yep, you guessed it. They're still pretty.
 
I'd want three or four really nice Model 19s for that price!

The last Model 19 I bought was a nice 19-3 snubby for about $350.

Yes, I know that I got a good deal! :D
 
I bought a very nice 19-4 4 inch from Cabelas recently.

It was not NIB, but it was lightly carried, and was probably a nightstand gun, and not shot much at all. I paid $650 for it, which was too much, but once I held it, I had to have it.

As everyone else had said. Don't pay that much for that gun.

For that amount of money you can get a very, very nice 27-2.
 
I sold my 19-3,2 1/2 in barrel,98%,blue finish, in box with tools and paperwork to my friend recently for 700.00.i would say in my opinion that is marked twice what it is worth.if it were a 19 no dash or a 19-1,or rare barrel lenth then it would be a whole different story.
 
Agreed, thats top end for NIB collectible that is 100%.... but once you pop the first cap, its fired.... I have seen lately around 600-700 for a 19 in good clean shootable shape (I settled on a 66, 2.5" for 650, with a few minor nicks) I don't really like SS, but I don't like waiting worse..... set yourself a reasonable budget and stick to it... the right gun will come along (probably NOT on gun broker). Try your local "gun trader" classifieds.... you may be able to get a deal there.....
 
Don`t forget to check out the Pawn shops that`s where I found my M-19 .They can be a great source and they will negotiate.
 
The online auction sites are very much like the French Quarter after dark - you better know what you're doing and there is danger lurking around every corner. Buying there as a newbie can be very costly. You not only need to know your guns and gun values, you need to know your enemy, er, I mean the seller. They come in all flavors, from the reputable and honest, to the down right crook. It takes a lot of experience to know the difference, and experience is expensive. Patience is essential, as is knowing what you want and what is a fair price so that when the right deal comes along you are ready. One final note, a large percentage of the claims many sellers make lie somewhere between unverified and knowingly false. Even the truth is often stretched. Think of the descriptions as resumes - ever read a resume that wasn't mostly inflated or flat out B.S.? A good rule of thumb is to count the exclamation points, ALL CAPS, and the word 'Rare'. When those things appear ridiculously often, RUN!!! :eek:
 
Unsurprisingly, this auction ended without the "buy now" price of $1599 chosen or the hidden reserve met. Highest bid was just over $1100.

It's relisted with a "buy now" price of $1495, reserve again hidden.

A Gunwatcher search originally listed this auction at $1999, so at least 1) folks who know better are holding off, and 2) the seller is noticing that and adjusting accordingly.

Now, so long as someone with more money than sense or experience doesn't come along...

Interestingly, in the seller's description, he says the Model 19s were "the most durable 357 magnums ever made", and "a gun that you could never wear out by shooting it."

Maybe that's why it costs so much? ;)


EDIT:

If anyone checks out the listing, is it my tired eyes or does it look like that 19-3 has a non-serrated service trigger?
 
Last edited:
jack oconnor said:
Don`t forget to check out the Pawn shops that`s where I found my M-19 .They can be a great source and they will negotiate.
Click to expand...

I found my md 19-4, pinned and recessed, 6 in. barrel, nickel finish in about 95% condition in a pawn shop marked $700. This was about 6 months ago. After some fierce negotiations I walked out the door with a $550 price. I was happy and they were happy!
 
S&W is selling the Model 66 again. It's a stainless M19, and a brand new one will cost you less than half of the asking price of that gun.
 
Mr Raptor ... You would be well advised to post a WTB ad in the Classifieds section, and deal with established Forum members who: a) Know their S&Ws; b) Will be square dealing with you; c) Will sometimes offer a three-day no fire inspection period. Watching auctions with "get rich quick" prices are amusing to observe, but are unrealistic to participate in. A clean 19-3 as you described can be found for $800+ depending on various factors. The auction seller is either a dreamer or a crook.
 
My real world experience.

I will generally agree with other opinions that you should be able to find a nice collectable shooter for half that much or less. It wont be as hard as finding Bigfoot but it probably will require some time, effort, and a little luck.
 
I've seen nicer ones for less. $1,500 for a model 19 is ridiculous. Just a few weeks ago saw a 19-3 Texas Ranger commemorative, which is one great looking revolver, had the original wooden box and matching knife sell for $525.
 
I'll add to the chorus in saying that the price on that gun is way out of line. I just picked up a 99% 19-2 with all the goodies for $625. I even hesitated at that price because I thought it a little high.

Just keep looking, one will show up sooner or later at a fair price. In my case, it took a few years, but I did get one.
 
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