Model 57 value

[George B.]

My local dealer has a model 57 no dash,pinned and recessed, it has red ramp, target hammer and trigger with original grips, lock up and timing seem OK, there's not much wear at all on the finish. They want around $750 for it. Is this alittle high or is it a good price?

 

[4864]

What barrel length??

 

[George B.]

sorry about that, 6 inch barrel

 

[ljmvaw124]

That's a little on the high side - the no-dash guns ran from 1964 =>1980. Is it an S or N prefix serial number ? The S prefix serial numbers were the original production .......

 

[41 magnums]

57

What caliber? I have model 57 in 41 mag I was recently offered $900 and I turned it down

Mel

 

[GregG]

My local dealer has a model 57 no dash,pinned and recessed, it has red ramp, target hammer and trigger with original grips, lock up and timing seem OK, there's not much wear at all on the finish. They want around $750 for it. Is this alittle high or is it a good price?

Sounds like it's in nice condition, and something I would buy.

What it comes down to is the value you place on your time. For me, I would rather pay a little more for something in front of me than spend a ton of time searching and searching for the deal of a lifetime. I'm very busy though. Gas costs money. Time is money. Parking fees and gun show entrance fees too. If I was retired and got a lot of enjoyment walking gun shows it would be a different story. Right now I don't have the time and prefer to work.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

A little over a year ago I bought this S prefix 57 for $725, and that included the presentation case and never used correct tools. he gun was supposedly unfired, but when I received it, it had been fired a few times. No cylinder line on it when I bought it. It has the nicest case coloring on the hamer and trigger of any S&W I have ever owned. It is a darn accurate gun BTW-

 

[scorvers]

Gun4fun..................drool.

 

[GregG]

I go into lust mode when I see that pic.

I don't see the point of fretting about paying $50-$100 too much for one of these guns. They only go up in price, so it's just a matter of time before it is worth more than is paid for it.

 

[DCWilson]

About 18 months ago I paid $750 for this 8-3/8" barrel no dash with an N-prefix number. Dates to 1975, I believe. The stocks are later, but I never used them. I have some original Cokes and some Kurac neo-cokes that the gun can wear when it goes to the range or sits still for a photo.

First rate shape, very accurate. Happens to have been MagnaPorted, but I don't care about that one way or the other.

If you can get the gun you are looking at for a little less than $750, that's all to the good. But if the seller won't come down and you want it, that price is not hugely out of line.

 

[gilroy]

Sounds in the ball park to me if the finish is in great shape, as in close to new in appearance. If it were a 4", it would be even better. You will not lose money in the long run.

 

[srsmyth]

DC, I think MN pricing is outrunning CA now. I just saw a Mod 57 6" in excellent shape with the wood presentation case and it was priced at $1000, the seller was firm on that. So $750 sounds good at that comparison.

 

[GregG]

I can't let Gun 4 Fun and DCWilson have all of the fun.

To make the set of examples in this thread more complete, here is my S numbered 4" Model 57 with new Kurac grips.

 

[pownal55]

I paid 750.00 for my 6" model 57 no dash 99% condition with presentation case and tools and consider it a good buy.

 

[cjcutter1]

I paid $575 for my 57-1 last August excellent condition no box no papers.If you like it and can afford it get it.

 

[EQGuy]

I paid $180.00 for my 6" Model 57. That was in 1971 however. Since then I have bought a few more. The last one I paid $950.00 for a pristine 8 3/8" model 57 with case and tools. I paid $1,000 for a pristine S serial number 6" with cokes and velvet lined presentation case last year.

 

[WVfishguy]

I paid $530 out the door for this pristine 57 no dash a few months ago.

THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I saw the gun in a shop, immediately drove to my bank 50 miles away (100 miles round trip), returned to the shop with cash and bought it.

Since I bought mine, I have kept a very close eye on Model 57s on Internet sites and gun shops/shows, and I have concluded the average price of a 57 is between $900-$975.

 

[GregG]

Some people in this thread have gotten some great deals.

I paid about $550 for the gun pictured above a few years ago.

My very first 57 cost me $475 new in 1979.

 

[George B.]

I'd like to thank everyone for their responses, I bought it yesterday, here are some pics, If any one could help with a manufacture date I'd appreciate it, it's serial # N7078xx

 

[1943]

M57 transition

Here is a M57 Transition Nickel N877xxx . Picked it up last year for $500.00

Terry