Just got a 19-5 4" .357 Combat Magnum.

[computerdynamics]

Hey,
I just got a gun from a customer that couldn't pay his bill. It's a Model 19-5 ser. #ACD4xxx with a 4" barrel, nickel plated and in brand new shape. It has large grips and he said it was a "Combat Magnum". He said it had a target hammer and trigger and gonco alvez grips? Has been sitting since 1990 if that's true? It is spotless! I had to take the grips off to get the ser. # and it's stamped Nov. 8 '83 on the grip? Trigger and hammer are like a rainbow and trigger is smooth. He owed me $250 and I was wondering if anyone knew how old it is and if that was a good price?
Thanks,
Tony

 

[ben1]

Get on gunbroker and see what they are bringing. I have a 2 1/2 inch and a 6 inch 19-3. They are worth much more than 250.00. like twice +. Nickle brings a premium as well. You have one if not the best 357 made. Beautiful gun. If you want to turn it list it here and it will get grabbed up like a grasshopper in a spring creek fishing hole.

 

[JCS&W]

Looks like the M19-5 was shipped between Jan and Oct 1983, but it could very easily have been Nov 1983 as is stamped on the grips. The M19 is known as the Combat Magnum. The large grips are called "target grips" and those have the "speedloader cutout" which is different from the "football cutout" on earlier models. Goncalo Alves is the wood from which quite a few grips were made. To my eyes, those do appear to be Goncalo Alves grips. Don't quote me, my eyes are not as good as many of our members and my knowledge on grips is no where as good as many of our members. The hammer and trigger are case hardened. Do not try and polish the trigger and hammer because that beautiful rainbow effect you mentioned, will be gone. All M19's, that I own and have owned, have a very good triggers. From the picture, which has a glare, it looks great. It can be difficult to photograph nickel finishes. If it has been sitting since 1990, it could probably use a cleaning, polishing and wax. But, that is just me. To me, the M19 is one of the best looking Smiths. But that again is just me.

As for the price, well...you basically stole it in my opinion, but let's just say you did exceedingly well. You have a very nice Smith. There would be many members here, including me, that would take that M19 off your hands and allow you some profit. Congrats on the acquisition!

 

[M29since14]

No target hammer there, just a standard one for the Model 19. The gun has what some of us call the "Border Patrol" trigger, others call it the "Combat" trigger. A target trigger, as we generally think of them is .400" or .500" wide and is grooved, but some folks refer to any trigger that is wider than the standard one as a target trigger.

In any case, very nice looking Model 19 and at $250 trade value, it was definitely a deal for you. I would hang on to that gun. You'll not likely get a nicer one at that price - unless you get really lucky.

 

[M3Stuart]

He got more from you than he could have gotten at a pawn shop but considerably less than he could have gotten had he sold it at a gun show or online.

You made an outstanding trade. As previously mentioned, any of us would GLADLY take it off your hands for more than $250!

Good for you! I've been in your situation before as a tradesman, and while I may have needed the cash at the time, you're sure to recoup your investment with a little effort - if need be.

 

[scout II]

Very nice looking model 19.I wish my customers had that good of taste in revolvers and wanted to swap work for guns.

 

[Hapworth]

You now owe him about what he owed you...

That might be on him for not knowing the value of what he was using to pay a debt, and clearly you were owed and it was gracious of you to accept something other than cash, but you might consider some way to make the balance a little more equal, just to be an especially good guy.

 

[zonker5]

Beautiful gun. If you want to double your money......

 

[computerdynamics]

You now owe him about what he owed you...

That might be on him for not knowing the value of what he was using to pay a debt, and clearly you were owed and it was gracious of you to accept something other than cash, but
you might consider some way to make the balance a little more equal, just to be an especially good guy.

I've waited patiently for three months on this account and even given him some phone support at no charge. I'm in business just like he was. Not trying to be mean but I can't support every customer that is shot down by ths economy. He was a customer for over 14 years and I've helped him plenty here and there. I feel If I did get a bargain I've worked for it and earned it.
Tony

 

[GJHIII]

Sweet! As has been said; nice of you to take a trade for a debt. So now to the important matter, "How does it shoot?". Your kindness has surely been repaid.

 

[Hapworth]

I've waited patiently for three months on this account and even given him some phone support at no charge. I'm in business just like he was. Not trying to be mean but I can't support every customer that is shot down by ths economy. He was a customer for over 14 years and I've helped him plenty here and there. I feel If I did get a bargain I've worked for it and earned it.
Tony

Perfectly fair reasoning, given the added background.

Perhaps one day he'll be able to buy it back from you...

 

[CajunBass]

Very nice Model 19. You got your money back with interest.

 

[computerdynamics]

It's a pleasure to shoot and sights were fine without adjustment. The .38's were like a lamb with almost no recoil and i got about a 4" group at 7', first shots. It just got better from there. The .357's were a surprise!! There was a lot of recoil compared to the .38 and a huge fireball with each shot. I still was able to shoot ok but had to settle down between shots... ; ) Beautiful gun and I'm going to keep it. They really make a sweet revolver.
Tony