Model 65-5 value

[Last of the Mohicans]

So I'm looking through some want to sell gun ads on this side of the border when I see one for a Model 65-5. The gun looks to be in great shape and has a 3 inch, unpinned barrel. Given the barrel length it is classed as a prohibited firearm up here. As I've mentioned in other posts, this has resulted in government induced devaluation of all such short barrelled handguns.

Not that I currently have the asking price just lying around and burning a hole in my pocket, but, I was curious as to what the value south of the 49th would be for such a revolver. And, just to avoid tainting anyone's opinion, I am going to withhold the asking price...but just for a little while...

Thanks.

 

[murphydog]

It would probably be $500 or a little higher.

As I recall, if you owned a shorter barreled handgun in Canada before the ban you can still buy one...is this your situation?

 

[wheats09]

I just paid $400 from an individual looking to sell to the lgs. Lgs offered $350, I offered $400 cash and walked away with a 99% m65-5

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

It would probably be $500 or a little higher.

As I recall, if you owned a shorter barreled handgun in Canada before the ban you can still buy one...is this your situation?

Yes, on both counts. However, the caveat is that no new such guns can be imported. We have to buy/sell/trade amongst ourselves with what was in the country when the ban was implemented.

 

[Hapworth]

That's a particularly desirable piece down here -- three inch barrel, round butt and the .38/.357 option. A do-everything configuration. They're drying up, and all revolvers have jumped a bit in cost lately.

Assuming NRA very good to excellent condition, I can see someone stealing one at around $400; $500-ish for most; and a perfect example hitting the $600 mark or a little over.

And we're not even talking box, paperwork or tools.

On the flipside, one dealer at a local show has had some rough ones for a while now for about $400 and can't move 'em.

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

From what has been said thus far, the asking price is not out of line, given that our two currencies are pretty close to par. On the other hand, with the devaluation that prohibition has brought on, the asking price for most such guns tends to run lower than specimens with longer barrels would bring...for example, a 4 inch 586 would likely run a couple hundred less than a 6 inch (non-prohibited) version.

And the asking price?...$550.

 

[lhump1961]

LNIB with rug and papers will go as high as $800...of course that's GB prices! It is, after all, a 3" K frame...

 

[5Wire]

Not enough for a trend but a decent average:

Smith & Wesson 65 3" Bbl: Revolver in .357 Magnum,.38 Special, Plus P. Blue Book of Gun Values (33rd Edition) indicates between $300 in 95% condition and $400 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 8 recorded prices for this model gun from $435 to $668 over a period of 1 Yrs 9 Mos ending July 15, 2013. The average price as of that date was $555. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for import location or engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $563.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, on both counts. However, the caveat is that no new such guns can be imported. We have to buy/sell/trade amongst ourselves with what was in the country when the ban was implemented.

Interesting. A similar situation exists in certain states here (regarding handguns under 50 years old not being importable), but that has caused prices for these to rise, not fall.

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Interesting. A similar situation exists in certain states here (regarding handguns under 50 years old not being importable), but that has caused prices for these to rise, not fall.

The difference is that here, there is a limited pool of buyers. Unless you owned one or more at the time of the ban, you cannot buy them now. This distinction is enforced through your level of licencing and is stamped on your firearms licence here (for some reason, the government feels a 2" .38 is far more dangerous than a 6" .44Mag and therefore not just any gun owner can have one).

The result of this is that the pool of eligible buyers is constantly shrinking as people die. Thus, it is a buyers market and prices must go down if people want to sell. At the same time, though, the number of guns available is steadily decreasing because it is the government's goal to have all of these guns destroyed. So, as owners die, more and more guns are destroyed.

 

[ruffbird]

I am lucky to have a couple of these 65-5 S&W 3" revolvers....

Had one of them before the stupid prohib law was passed in Feb 95 & the other was purchased a few yrs ago for $575. I do have the box & tool package that come with it too. I don't think they are that rare here in Canada, but yes as we die off they will wind up destroyed, deactivated or rebarreled if the successor want to keep it/them. I have only ever fired about 50 rounds out of both of them for function purposes....
Those others in the photo are a 14-4 & a 64-1 I really love the K frame sized S&W guns!

Here's another photo with their rubbers on....

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

I only have one, the lowly 65-5LS

IC

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

Nice guns. I know I would like to have the one I saw for sale, but can't do it right now. Pity!