Model 59 Price Range?

[Woody_in_MN]

I had a model 459 and sold it. Regret selling it. Now looking to replace it with a model 59, which is more plentiful. I am seeing Model 59's in good to fair condition at $350 to as high as $600 for a 59 in mint condition. I have been thinking about getting one in very good condition if I can find one for under $400. Is this fair market value for a model 59 in very good condition? Part of me feels I might be paying too much, as I bought my 459 in very good condition about 10 years ago for under $300. Thoughts?

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Woody, 59s are going to get hot, buy now. Im buying NIB nickles
with all the goodies.

 

[Sevens]

Haha, I will note that you registered on this forum almost 13 years ago and this is your first post. I'd welcome you, but you were here before me!

I'd say that a 59 in very very nice condition all around but without original box with matching emd label, papers, cleaning kit and extra magazine would likely top out at $450. This is mostly because S&W made sooooo many of these pistols, the "collectible" value is not high.

I own many 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gens (including a bunch of 39's and a 59) and my opinion is simply that I would much rather own a 59 than a 459. The 459 has three upgrades -- arguably a 4th.

1) firing pin lock makes it drop safe
2) some available with ambi decock lever
3) most have fully adjustable rear sight
4) far, far less 459's/2nd Gens made

I prefer the 59 because...
1) that lock makes the 459 trigger horrendous
2) I don't like the ambi decocker at all
3) I hate the look of 2/3rd gen adjustable rear sights
4) 459 only arguably "more collectible" because fewer were made -- it is not a "better" pistol in my opinion

To be fair, it isn't simply the firing pin lock that make 2nd Gen triggers bad... it's just what S&W was making at the time. Far less human craftsmanship went in to the 2nd Gen pistols and the most obvious result is that the single action trigger break is sub-par and the long double-action trigger stroke is an abomination. This is basically across the board. Doesn't matter which 2nd Gen model -- it's trigger will pale in comparison to a 1st Gen.

If you liked the 459 that you had, I think you'll LOVE a Model 59, and the market for 59's makes that venture even better because they are a fantastic value.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

Hi Sevens, true I joined many years ago. Used to shoot regularly. Just got out of the sport, but am picking it up again.

I do prefer the first, and second gen. I don't like the wrap around grip on the 3rd gen. Don't care about the box, but would like the original 59 grips in good shape.

 

[Sevens]

The original 59 grips are extremely thin and in my opinion, they don't resist wear very well. If the price on a gun you like is good but the grips look bad, I'd buy it anyway and then chase down other grips.

On the subject of other grips for a 59, I'm a huge advocate of the Uncle Mike's grip panels. These were also marketed in Butler Creek branding as well, I think. While I have long been a dedicated fan of Pachmayr on my S&W revolvers, I really don't care for Pachmayr on S&W pistols as most have some form of a palm-swell and they all end up too darn fat for my liking.

The Uncle Mike's grips look great, grab extremely well, are very durable, don't seem to decay in looks and they aren't expensive. My 59 and 659 both wear them.

Finding an extra set of original 59 grips shouldn't be difficult.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

My thought on original grips is to have them but store for possible resale. I like the looks of the Uncle Mikes.

 

[TTSH]

I am seeing Model 59's in good to fair condition at $350 to as high as $600 for a 59 in mint condition. I have been thinking about getting one in very good condition if I can find one for under $400. Is this fair market value for a model 59 in very good condition?

It sounds to me like you have done your homework and done it well. I would say that your own market research should be telling you whether or not you can find an acceptable condition Model 59 that will fit your needs for under $400.

I've said before that in my experience there tend to be two paths for these old Model 59 pistols with little in-between: You get the beat-up beaters and you get the pristine safe queens. I rarely, if ever, see anything solidly in-between those two extremes as I commonly do with 3rd Gens and 2nd Gens.

I'm not in the market for a Model 59. I have one... a safe queen that I will never sell. But if I did decide to buy another one (a shooter?), I would certainly not hold myself to a particular hard dollar amount. Acceptable condition in all respects would come first... then whatever it would take, it would take.

 

[Barrie]

You have to remember all safe Queens probably will get shot at some time over the years. I don't buy guns just to look at them. I want to enjoy the Quality built into it which usually means shooting them.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

The 59's in my budget are mainly police trades. So am seeing some, to significant wear on the blueing. Expect not heavy shooting wear.

 

[BigBoy99]

Far less human craftsmanship went in to the 2nd Gen pistols and the most obvious result is that the single action trigger break is sub-par and the long double-action trigger stroke is an abomination. This is basically across the board. Doesn't matter which 2nd Gen model -- it's trigger will pale in comparison to a 1st Gen.

I have both a 59 and a 659. I must have luck out with the 659 as the trigger is just great. There isn't any real difference between the trigger on my 59 and 659. I agree, the adj. sights on the 659 are not the greatest. I've put wooden grips on the 659 and I think it looks super.

 

[murphydog]

I think you can get a lightly used (as in, don't have to feel guilty about shooting it) model 59 in the $400 range; keep a close eye out for one online.

From a collecting and shooting standpoint these are (to me) in something of a "twilight zone" right now - too new to be considered to be a collectible, too old and featureless for a modern tacticool gun (light rail, night sights, etc.), and fairly common still. This works in your favor to find one .

 

[URIT]

Patience. Keep an eye on some auction sites for a little used 59 and sooner or later one will show up at a reasonable price.

I always watch for those with an auction ending mid-week for the best potential for a good price. Weekend auctions are often bid too high to be a good value purchase.

 

[The Big Dog]

In my part of Nevada well used 59s are asking $400 to $500. I'm the original owner of mine, had it since 1980, and I'll never part with it.

 

[TNZ71]

Haha, I will note that you registered on this forum almost 13 years ago and this is your first post. I'd welcome you, but you were here before me!

I'd say that a 59 in very very nice condition all around but without original box with matching emd label, papers, cleaning kit and extra magazine would likely top out at $450. This is mostly because S&W made sooooo many of these pistols, the "collectible" value is not high.

I own many 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gens (including a bunch of 39's and a 59) and my opinion is simply that I would much rather own a 59 than a 459. The 459 has three upgrades -- arguably a 4th.

1) firing pin lock makes it drop safe
2) some available with ambi decock lever
3) most have fully adjustable rear sight
4) far, far less 459's/2nd Gens made

I prefer the 59 because...
1) that lock makes the 459 trigger horrendous
2) I don't like the ambi decocker at all
3) I hate the look of 2/3rd gen adjustable rear sights
4) 459 only arguably "more collectible" because fewer were made -- it is not a "better" pistol in my opinion

To be fair, it isn't simply the firing pin lock that make 2nd Gen triggers bad... it's just what S&W was making at the time. Far less human craftsmanship went in to the 2nd Gen pistols and the most obvious result is that the single action trigger break is sub-par and the long double-action trigger stroke is an abomination. This is basically across the board. Doesn't matter which 2nd Gen model -- it's trigger will pale in comparison to a 1st Gen.

If you liked the 459 that you had, I think you'll LOVE a Model 59, and the market for 59's makes that venture even better because they are a fantastic value.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement but I’d replace 459 with 559. I bet there are twice as many 459s as 559s on the market. Oh, and I just love the winged adjustable rear sights.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

I made a purchase. Seller says blueing is 85%. Seems to be a responsible seller. With shipping and ffl fees came in just under $400. Will be sent with 4 hi cap mags, but no box. Pic...

 

[murphydog]

Another happy ending. Range report please .

 

[amazingflapjack]

Me too...

In my part of Nevada well used 59s are asking $400 to $500. I'm the original owner of mine, had it since 1980, and I'll never part with it.

Had one over 30 years-never failed-shoots anything-will run like a machine gun when needed. Keeper.

 

[Starsky59]

About a year ago I found a great model 59 at a local pawn shop. Ever since I was a kid in the 70's I wanted the pistol Detective Starsky had on the TV show. Well this pawn shop had one and it was really nice and at $320 with box only and a two CT compliant 10 round mags. I didnt even haggle. " YUP. I'LL TAKE IT " I bought several of my guns because of movies or TV. Anyhow. I would have paid more. I still see model 59s at my LGS for up to $800. Thats crazy. I bet I'd pay $450 to $500. I just like that gun.

 

[stansdds]

About a year ago I found a great model 59 at a local pawn shop. Ever since I was a kid in the 70's I wanted the pistol Detective Starsky had on the TV show. Well this pawn shop had one and it was really nice and at $320 with box only and a two CT compliant 10 round mags. I didnt even haggle. " YUP. I'LL TAKE IT " I bought several of my guns because of movies or TV. Anyhow. I would have paid more. I still see model 59s at my LGS for up to $800. Thats crazy. I bet I'd pay $450 to $500. I just like that gun.

Strange how that tv show was so influential. In me it spawned a love for the Ford Gran Torino (mine was a '72 Gran Torino Sport), shoulder holsters (we won't talk about my collection), the Colt Python (I have a 6 inch and an 8 inch, both blued), and the S&W Model 59. I still do not have a Model 59, but way back when I had my Torino, I did have a 39-2. Back then, the Model 59 was harder to find and carried a higher price tag than the 39 and 39-2. I still wander around shops and show, looking for a decent condition 59 or 459, but they still seem to be scarce in these parts.

 

[Woody_in_MN]

Thanks guys. I expect it will shoot like my 459. Which was great to shoot and ate anything I fed it.

I am kind of toying with the idea of building my collection around non-poly S&W autos. (1st, 2nd, 3rd gen.)