Model 19 Mistake???

22lrfan

22lrfan

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I may have made a mistake on a 6" barrel, nickel, 19-4 today. I saw it in a pawn shop and was in love until I saw the price. SN starts with 57K so according to SCSW it should be an '80 model. The nickel was nearly perfect, just has a bunch of fingerprints on it. It was priced at $750. I've bought several at this pawn shop and they won't budge a penny on the price till it's been out for at least 30 days so the OTD price would be $802.45. I've missed several at this place waiting for them to hit the 30 day mark. I jumped on Gunbroker a few minutes ago and was shocked that the nickel 19's start at $850 and go to over $1k. I had no idea they were that high. So should I bite the bullet and go get it tomorrow or wait and hope it's still there in three weeks?
 

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Also is that the normal front sight for a 6" gun? My 2 1/2" and 4" 19's have ramp front sights.
 
I own a nickel plated 19-4 with 6" barrel (36K). I love it. It is the most accurate of my 6" guns with the possible exception of the model 14-3. It is certainly the most accurate shooting the .357 rounds I've owned. The other models 13/65/66/586/686 were/are fun to shoot but when I want to feel good I take the model 19 to the range.

Your picture shows a fine looking revolver. That price seems a hundred dollars high to me here in central Florida. Having said that I would buy it if I wanted it. Best to you in your decision.
 
22lrfan said:
So should I bite the bullet and go get it tomorrow or wait and hope it's still there in three weeks?
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BiteTheBulletAndGoGlobal.jpg
 
Wow! Price for the nickel ones really up there. Maybe not too many produced? I know the blued 19 snubby with round butt went for around $180 back in 78. Way more these days I am sure.
 
It’s a pawn shop and I have no pity on them because they invest about half of their asking price. Take some 100 dollar bills and lay 5 on the counter... then maybe throw a 50 and then a few 20’s... They play a game with buyers, so I like to play back! Always make an out the door deal. Don't let them add tax back on the deal.
 
ken158 said:
It’s a pawn shop and I have no pity on them because they invest about half of their asking price. Take some 100 dollar bills and lay 5 on the counter... then maybe throw a 50 and then a few 20’s... They play a game with buyers, so I like to play back! Always make an out the door deal. Don't let them add tax back on the deal.
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99% of my guns come from pawn shops and I've done that many times. This is a chain and 30 days is the owners policy. I know the guy at the gun counter well. He and the branch manager have no leeway to drop the price till it hits the 30 day mark.
 
murphydog said:
Always use the online auction Search function, and look for completed items that sold. Asking $850-1100 for an average condition early 1980s model 19 is...optimistic.
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There were only two 6" nickel 19's in the completed auctions. A 19-4 with box/paperwork sold for $915 and a -3 without box sold for $1095. I'm not sure what's driving the price up on nickel 19's. I've already have 2 1/2" and 4" nickel 19-4's. This one would fit in perfect.
 
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A Model 19 is never a mistake.

Just a play off of your thread title.

If a person likes nickel 19s it's ok, if not an outstanding "deal."
 
Lots of people think the “buy” is the essence of purchasing a gun.
From my perspective, a good deal always feels good and offers some bragging rights but the purpose is to own the gun and enjoy it.
If you really want a 6” nickel 19 P&R do not let $100 dollars stand between you and what you want. The $100 is subjective. Opinions vary on pricing.
 
Buy it!

Just go buy the gun! Whats a couple of bucks one way or another, the shop might put the next Smith up for you to see before anyone else does. Good will has value too.
 
This is the way I look at it.
Bud's gun shop on the internet is selling the new classic model 19s for $758 plus other expenses getting it to your door. If you go shoot a box of ammo thru it, it is now worth about $500. If you shoot this original "classic" 19-4, take it home and clean it up, you haven't lost one dime in value.
Just my 2 cents worth;
Mike
 
Buy it?

Buying a pristine S&W Revolver at slightly over "book" just means that you'll have to keep it a little longer to see real profit if you decide to sell it.

Buying guns for resale and because you want one are two different things entirely. Never buy a gun for resale unless you can get it below 10- 20% of average resale.

Some times buying a gun to complete a "collection" means paying a premium.

And before you know it you're 70+ trying to find buyers for your "special" pieces that you've cherished for 30-40 years!

Cheers,
 
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22lrfan said:
There were only two 6" nickel 19's in the completed auctions. A 19-4 with box/paperwork sold for $915 and a -3 without box sold for $1095. I'm not sure what's driving the price up on nickel 19's. I've already have 2 1/2" and 4" nickel 19-4's. This one would fit in perfect.
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_____________________________________________________
That is a nice 19 you are considering. $800 OTD seems to be good price IMO...But I'm also a certified NickelHolic and Model 19 lover. I've purchased many S&W's at Pawn Shops in my area and some are more generous in negotiating than others. As you mentioned, when they 1st bring a gun out for sale, they don't play much on price. Most the time they will knock the tax off that helps lower the OTD price. As to Gunbroker auctions...I always take into account there is the additional $20-$50 shipping cost plus FFL transfer fee. The Pawn Shops I've dealt with don't charge a transfer fee when I buy gun from them. Always wondered if that is fairly standard with pawn shops in other areas of country.
Anyway, good luck on your decision. Can always call it your Memorial Day present.
Ray
 
Yes the partridge sight is correct. My partner on the Police Department I was on in the late 70’s carried one exactly like the one you are looking at. Go buy it before someone else does. Like others said, is 50 or 100 dollars worth the missed opportunity on a revolver you would like to see in your collection. You might find another next week. You might find it in 30 years

It took me 30 years to find the 66-2 2 1/2” in the same prefix as the one the government issued me and destroyed upon turning it in. The one I found was 43 digits apart.

The guy wanted 850. A little high but I looked 30 years. It’s in my safe.

Only you can make that decision.
 
This is my only nickle S&W. I wanted a 6-inch blue 19-3,butthis was too pretty to pass up. It was almost -- but not quite -- an impulse buy, but it has really grown on me. This one is a dash 3, TT, TH, WO. Note the Patridge front sight.

The real problem with it is that it makes me want a 5-inch nickle M27-2.
 

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I found this one a few years ago and don't regret a single dollar spent. It's been pictured before, but hey ...
attachment.php


Oh, wow! I just used Handejector's instructions to insert a full sized image directly in the post and it worked! Thx HE!!
 

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hogblue said:
Well please excuse my misuse of the terminology. I stand corrected
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My friend, no one was slamming you, lest you go away thinking that is what happened here.

We just see this particular mistake all the time and it stems from the fact that many people do not know that sight was named for its designer, Mr. E. E. Patridge. He introduced it to target shooting in the late 19th Century.

I like to show the graphic because once you see it, you cannot un-see it. Better than just being told, I think.
 
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