Model 520

[Dennis The B]

At the Michigan Antique Arms Collectors' show today, I was doing my usual perusal, but not really finding a lot of my favorites. Lots of Winchesters, etc., but the show is usually not a haven for S&W collectors.

A lady there was displaying a number of firearms her late husband had collected, and one of those was this Model 520. No box, etc., but the revolver is absolutely pristine. There's no turn line, and doesn't appear that it's had any rounds put through it, since there are no marks at all on the recoil shield. It wasn't that much of a deal @ $850, but I just couldn't let this one go by the board.

It has the original numbered stocks, and is a really gorgeous revolver. Enjoy!

 

[wetdog]

Good move. I would have bought it .

 

[ikor]

Yep...I'da been on it like a duck on a june bug! Nice gun!

 

[DWFAN]

The fact that the stocks are numbered to the gun is quite a feat. I haven't run across one yet that had the correct numbered stocks. Prices on these don't fluctuate much. From what you paid to maybe a high of $1200. Be happy. You got a good deal. Not to many people shoot these or convert them to a big bore and don't shoot those either. Nice pistole.
DW

 

[bamabiker]

At $850 I think you did just fine and the matching stocks is icing on the cake.

 

[SJshooter]

I think it is a great deal. There's one for sale in the classifieds of this board right now for $1595. I've seen them go on gunbroker for slightly less. Unfired, even better. Love that gun, and want one bad (just not $1595 bad)

 

[Doug M.]

If I could find the one I stupidly sold, $1K would not be out of line.

 

[Art Doc]

Cool gun. First one I saw was at the Columbus, OH show around 1994. NIB priced at $300. If I hadn't been struggling to survive on $16,000 a year income I would have bought it.

Most of these are encountered in new condition. When they were released for sale everybody knew the story and that only 3,000 were made and bought them as collectibles. I have only seen a couple that were ever fired. I would have shot mine.

 

[jackvs1]

Well here is my S&W 520, its in really good shape and it came with the original paperwork,box & grips, which on one side states "357 NYSP 4in". The other side is your basic iformation with serial number N558xxx. It also has a typed note from S&W made out to original owner that states the M-520 was patterned after the Model 58. The M-520 was originally ordered for the NYSP but they never took possession of them and only 3,000 were made.

 

[oldafsp]

This information on the Model 520 was related to me by a retired NY trooper a few years back.

When the 520 was proposed to the NYSP, prior to acceptance, several evaluation guns were sent to Albany. Apparently, the person in charge of the firearms division, who by the account told to me, was the driving force in not having the 520 approved.

Apparently he was a truly lousy shot. And was steadfastly convinced that adjustable sights were the only acceptable sights for the troopers. He was high enough in rank to make his displeasure for fixed sights heard all the way up the food chain.

As told to me, this guy couldn't hit a barn if he was standing inside of it.

And as we all know...fixed sight revolvers are just so totally inaccurate...

For what it's worth.

 

[03clyde]

This information on the Model 520 was related to me by a retired NY trooper a few years back.

When the 520 was proposed to the NYSP, prior to acceptance, several evaluation guns were sent to Albany. Apparently, the person in charge of the firearms division, who by the account told to me, was the driving force in not having the 520 approved.

Apparently he was a truly lousy shot. And was steadfastly convinced that adjustable sights were the only acceptable sights for the troopers. He was high enough in rank to make his displeasure for fixed sights heard all the way up the food chain.

As told to me, this guy couldn't hit a barn if he was standing inside of it.

And as we all know...fixed sight revolvers are just so totally inaccurate...

For what it's worth.

There may be a smidgen of truth there because the agency did opt for the adjustable sight 28-2. However, that model's in-service use was very short - from 1979 to 1981. If I recall, there were beaucoup complaints about the rear sights getting knocked out of alinement. They replaced it with the fixed sight 681 which lasted until the Tupperware years, er, Glock years.