Model 5903-SSV

[gunbarrel]

A gun shop two hours away has Model 5903-SSV on sale for $1100. It appears to be in very good condition, but it does not have the original box, or the original Delrin grips; instead, it has a set of Hogue rubber grips and only one magazine.

Without looking at the current 5th Ed of the S&W Standard Catalogue, I had the feeling that $1,100 was way too high; so, I started to lose interest right there. For the record, the new SC suggests the following prices:

ANIB: 1000
Exc: 750
VG: 600

I’m puzzled by the number of these produced, though. The original ad and almost all the posts talk about how hard these are to find “because they only made 1,500,” but I only saw one post that mentions what the SC says, which is 1,500 were made in March 1990, *but another 3,200 were made in 1991. So; then, they made 4,700--right? Or, am I missing something here…?

 

[Dparker]

The 5903SSV is a great collectors piece. I have 3 of them! Without the box I would think the value to be around $750. Good Luck!

 

[ACEd]

Nice pistol. One just sold on GB for $871 with 1 mag and no box - it appeared to be in very good condition. I would think $1100 is very optimistic on sellers part but at the same time I would think $750 is optimistic on buyers part but worth a try or maybe go a bit higher.
I have one that I think I paid about $800 for with box and 2 mags but that was at least a year ago. I would probably buy another for $750. New SW factory 15rd mags are still available for about $35. New correct SW grips are also available for about $20.

 

[ACEd]

As to quantity, I cant comment other than to say there are at least 5 known S/N prefixes, TDL, TEF, TEP, TES, and TET. The highest S/N observed is TET8xxx which SW dates to 3/24/1990. All box end codes I have observed (6) are 0074 or 0075 except the TDL52xx which is 0081.

 

[rwsmith]

Any gun that's out of production is always said to be RARE! I'd offer the 600 and if they didn't come with a price I could stand I'd walk away. Paying too much for guns keeps me from getting the ones that I really want.

The dealers don't call me 'Top Dollar Smith' for nuthin'.

 

[stansdds]

$1100 is overly optimistic for one without box and docs and not even with original stocks.

 

[gunbarrel]

All good comments--much appreciated. The S/N is TEU8500.

 

[gunbarrel]

Here are some picture.

 

[Tntcwg3]

"A gun shop two hours away has Model 5903-SSV on sale for $1100.
ANIB: 1000
Exc: 750
VG: 600"

They've had that one a while, it's even listed on GI, so they might be willing to deal on it. I would think that the $750 range is about right. I was in the running for the one that just sold on GB, but somebody wanted it worse than I did. Trey

 

[stansdds]

Here are some picture.View attachment 753203View attachment 753204

I still do not think that $1100 is reasonable unless you are some place like California, where there are serious restrictions on the sale of firearms that are not on some "approved firearms" list.

 

[gunbarrel]

I'm in Florida and my buddy was told that they had it for sale on the internet. Nope, I won't pay over $650 for it (+ FL sales tax + background check). I don't want it THAT BAD.

I'm still curious about the total number made. There is quite a difference between 1,500 and 4,700...

 

[ACEd]

One other concern - check inside of frame at ramps where barrel slides down on recoil before you commit. While most aluminum framed 3rd generation pistols I have seen are fine, I have a low number pistol with original box that looked great on outside but ramps were significantly damaged from firing very hot loads and/or weak recoil spring. Lesson learned. This can happen particularly with Aluminum frames.

 

[gunbarrel]

All, I really appreciate all the information and great advice. Thanks, again!

 

[Frank Black]

A gun shop two hours away has Model 5903-SSV on sale for $1100. It appears to be in very good condition, but it does not have the original box, or the original Delrin grips; instead, it has a set of Hogue rubber grips and only one magazine.

Without looking at the current 5th Ed of the S&W Standard Catalogue, I had the feeling that $1,100 was way too high; so, I started to lose interest right there. For the record, the new SC suggests the following prices:

ANIB: 1000
Exc: 750
VG: 600

I’m puzzled by the number of these produced, though. The original ad and almost all the posts talk about how hard these are to find “because they only made 1,500,” but I only saw one post that mentions what the SC says, which is 1,500 were made in March 1990, *but another 3,200 were made in 1991. So; then, they made 4,700--right? Or, am I missing something here…?
View attachment 753109

$800 max. A one mag gun is a one mag gun.

 

[WLP]

1500 I believe is the number that 3200 got put in years later and Rick Nahas when I asked him he wasn't sure,
if there was 4700 guns you would see them a lot more

 

[gunbarrel]

Well, that explains it and it makes sense. Thank you, WLP!

 

[demkofour]

As to quantity, I cant comment other than to say there are at least 5 known S/N prefixes, TDL, TEF, TEP, TES, and TET. The highest S/N observed is TET8xxx which SW dates to 3/24/1990. All box end codes I have observed (6) are 0074 or 0075 except the TDL52xx which is 0081.

I just won over on GB an absolute BNIB 5903 SSV with original excellent condition box, papers, tools and extra magazine. S/N is in the TES30** range and the spec. ord. code is 0081.

 

[Tntcwg3]

Congratulations, that's a beaut!

 

[4506517]

I have a 5943 SSV that I think I gave $350 for a couple of years ago. I used to do business with a local gunshop that would call me as soon as he got guns in trade. Bought several top condition Glocks for $250, a stainless Beretta 92, a snub 686, a Model 15, and a couple others.

I have never shot the 5943 SSV. Funny this comes up, because I was considering moving it along the last time I opened the safe and laid eyes on it.