Nickel 12-2

[JDBoardman]

My local enabler and gun pusher has a nickel 12-2, with 4" barrel, fixed sights and magnas. It looks to be in about 90%+ condition with little or no turn line. The asking price is $800.00, and my first inclination is to say "thank you but no thanks. Then I got to thinking... What say you, the collective wisdom of the forum - too much; about right; a screaming deal 'cause it is scarcer than hen's teeth and under the market.

John

 

[moosedog]

I say a bit too much. I've had several over the years and the last one I had was a nickel 4 inch flat latch in great shape. I couldn't give it away at the time. I'd say $600 tops, and that's if you plan on keeping it.

 

[Engine49guy]

If your collection focus is Model 12 variants the 4" nickel version doesnt pop up often.

Otherwise IMO the 4" airweight M&P is a conundrum being harder to conceal than the K or J snub with a known weak spot in the yoke cut making it less desirable as a shooter.

 

[Narragansett]

Well, surprisingly enough one of my local gun stores had one the other day for sale. I just looked at it in the case, but it was in pretty nice shape and the ticket was 570.00, 2" bbl. I think the 800.00 dollar price may be a bit high, but there are adders to the base price for certain features, like alloy cylinder, but the S&W book says " do not shoot". The S&W latest edition says 500.00 for excellent shape, but I am no expert. It may have the alloy cylinder? VG condition is 425.00

Don't you laugh, but I got mine for 160.00. 2 months of soaking and brushing and the rust is gone. I have yet to shoot it, but all looks and feels well. 1972 ( 12-2), and grips match. Eat your heart out

EDIT: I am sorry, I missed the nickel. The book says " significant premium" for nickel, but I still would not go over 600.00 for it, and the nickel would have to be better than 90%. But I am not a nickel fan anyway

 

[JP@AK]

like alloy cylinder, but the S&W book says " do not shoot"

I'm sure you are aware of this, but the alloy cylinder was long gone by the time the -2 was released.

 

[Eddietruett]

Found a 2" Nickel model 12 this week. Went to pick it up and noticed it was a little hard to open the cylinder and also it tended to drag a little. Open it up and big as day "cracked frame". Owner had been shooting it that morning! He did confess that most of his shooting was +P ammo. Gun was as beautiful as any nickel smith I've ever seen. Boy was I disappointed. Asking price was $375 too! After I left, I wondered if he just didn't know what it was worth or was trying to pawn off the cracked frame. I really think the crack was a surprise or either he is a good actor.

 

[Muley Gil]

"My local enabler and gun pusher has a nickel 12-2, with 4" barrel, fixed sights and magnas."

Round butt or square butt?

"Otherwise IMO the 4" airweight M&P is a conundrum being harder to conceal than the K or J snub with a known weak spot in the yoke cut making it less desirable as a shooter."


A 4" round butt K frame hides better than a 2" square butt K frame. The longer barrel pushes the butt towards the body.