Model 19: Should I?

[Seven3]

I looked at a Model 19-4, 4 inch in a shop today. It has target stocks that show some darkening and wear, and some wear to the bluing at the muzzle as well as a spot on the left side of the barrel. There is also some freckling on the sideplate. Slight flame cutting, but bore and forcing cone look OK. It has obviously been carried and shot some, but there is only a hint of a turn line. The asking price is $499. I offered $350, and the shop owner refused, saying only that he had too much in it and couldn't get close to my offer. I left without the gun. I don't think it is worth much more than my offer, but now I'm not so sure. What is the most you would offer for the gun in the described condition? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[rburg]

Around here, you won't touch one for $350. They just cost more than that. Those are prices from the past. In all fairness, I did buy a like new one with a ported barrel for $500 in December. A spectacular gun. But if I found one as you describe for $350, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I'm on the shop owners side, your offer is just too low.

 

[srgvaz]

Keep looking at that price with the description you mention that is to much. The price would be right for a better example without the flame cutting and rust.

 

[Rolando]

I think if you looked around you could find one for $450. $400 if you're lucky. $350 will be hard to find in a shop. Maybe at a show or in the paper but at that price it wouldn't last long. I'd snatch one up if I saw one for $350.

 

[Seven3]

This gun isn't anywhere close to "like new" condition. It seems fine mechanically, but it has cosmetic problems. I would be OK with the worn bluing on the barrel, but the freckling and patina on the sideplate (and some on the back strap as well) was the reason for my offer. It will probably need to be refinished. That said, while I wasn't going to pay $499, I would have paid more than $350 if he had made a counter-offer. I didn't want to bid against myself.

 

[diamonback68]

I picked up a mint, nary a mark, condition 19-4 a couple months back for $425, was really happy to get it at that price.

 

[kennyb]

i picked a 4" 19-3 up this december for $550 but its unfired in the box with paperwork and tools...

 

[kennyb]

I looked at a Model 19-4, 4 inch in a shop today. It has target stocks that show some darkening and wear, and some wear to the bluing at the muzzle as well as a spot on the left side of the barrel. There is also some freckling on the sideplate. Slight flame cutting, but bore and forcing cone look OK. It has obviously been carried and shot some, but there is only a hint of a turn line. The asking price is $499. I offered $350, and the shop owner refused, saying only that he had too much in it and couldn't get close to my offer. I left without the gun. I don't think it is worth much more than my offer, but now I'm not so sure. What is the most you would offer for the gun in the described condition? Thanks in advance for your advice.

why not split the differance with your dealer?offer him $425 all he can do is say no....

 

[Ken NC]

I just got a 19-3 4 inch blue for 425. Very little wear, timing good, little/no end shake or flame cutting. Pronounced cylinder ring and I've seen tighter cylinders, in terms of side-to-side play. (but still I've seen tighter). I did feel that was a good deal.

I have seen 19-3s which look great but have some mechanical issues. On this one, assuming ALL the mechanical issues are good, I still feel like his asking price is on the high side. I agree with your thought that it would be worth meeting somewhere in between.

 

[Seven3]

I just got a 19-3 4 inch blue for 425. Very little wear, timing good, little/no end shake or flame cutting. Pronounced cylinder ring and I've seen tighter cylinders, in terms of side-to-side play. (but still I've seen tighter). I did feel that was a good deal.

I have seen 19-3s which look great but have some mechanical issues. On this one, assuming ALL the mechanical issues are good, I still feel like his asking price is on the high side. I agree with your thought that it would be worth meeting somewhere in between.

My offer was intended as a starting point, but he didn't seem to want to deal much. I think I will take a look around and see what else I can find. If I don't have any luck, I may make another run at this one.

 

[dmar]

Let it sit a couple of weeks, at that point he'll probably be open to a lower price. If it's gone, then his price was/is more fair than you thought.

I think he's about $50 -$75 too high, although tough to tell without pictures. It seems like most decent Smiths are $500 and up these days, especially in a shop. I really don't think you'd find one for $350, unless it was a real beater, or someone really does not know what they have...

Good luck with it...

 

[S&W-Keeper]

$499 is to much for the 19 in the shape you described.Keep looking they are out there.

 

[dark star]

I picked up a 19-3 LNIB with dox and tools for $425 about a year ago...I thought I got it for a steal.
It is beautiful

 

[Swelfelo]

$500.00 should get you one in much better condition. Of course, you can always whip out your Blue Book and try to bargain him down. 95% condition is about $400.00.

 

[Fuego]

The shop owner knows that the Model 19 is in demand, and he could sell if for more if he hangs on to it.

$450 would be a gun show haggling price starter in Portland OR. At that price, it is unlikely to be on the table at the end of the show.

 

[Seven3]

"I think he's about $50 -$75 too high, although tough to tell without pictures."

That's about how I had it figured, too. That's why I started about $50 to $75 below, to see how he responded. The reason for my post is that when he didn't make a counter-offer, I wondered if my estimate was way off. He's probably waiting on a better offer, and he may get it, but the gun has been sitting there for over a month. I'm in no hurry, and plan to shop around some. If I don't find anything else, and the gun is still there, I will make him another offer. Ain't negotiation fun?

Thanks to all for your input.

 

[cantpickone]

I looked at a Model 19-4, 4 inch in a shop today. It has target stocks that show some darkening and wear, and some wear to the bluing at the muzzle as well as a spot on the left side of the barrel. There is also some freckling on the sideplate. Slight flame cutting, but bore and forcing cone look OK. It has obviously been carried and shot some, but there is only a hint of a turn line. The asking price is $499. I offered $350, and the shop owner refused, saying only that he had too much in it and couldn't get close to my offer. I left without the gun. I don't think it is worth much more than my offer, but now I'm not so sure. What is the most you would offer for the gun in the described condition? Thanks in advance for your advice.

I just won an auction online last night for a model 19-3 that looks just fine in several photos w/Hogue soft grips and is described as a good shooter for $356.75.
I should also mention that it will cost me $25 to ship and $20 to receive it from local FFL. So I'm really at $401.75
That was my maximum bid. Had it gone any higher I would have let it go.
I have not seen it in person yet, but will post about it when I do.

 

[4inch357]

I wouldn't give that much for one in that kind of condition either. Keep looking.

 

[Yurko]

In my neck of the woods, for $500 you could get one in very good condition.

The price does seem a bit high, but I could see going $450 -$460 out the door

 

[redlevel]

I paid $300 otd for this one last week. It has cosmetic issues, but everything mechanical is fine. I wouldn't quite put it in the "beater" category, but "shooter grade" definitely fits. For what it's worth, prices on Model 19s seem to be down $50-$100 in my neck of the woods in the last 6 months. I was lamenting early this year that there was no such thing as a good $400 Combat Magnum, but I have bought one for that price and one for less in the last four months.

When you start talking about refinish, you need to consider that you can add the price of a quality refinish to a $400 gun and have close to $600 in it, and it remains a $400 gun. Pay $600 for a near pristine gun, and it is worth $600. Refinishing is almost always a bad idea in my estimation.

Here's my $300 19-3 . . . .