Not sure I want this free S&W revolver- advice please

[cmj8591]

I have a box of junk guns that have been given to me over the years. There's all sorts of stuff in that box. Some of them barely qualify as paper weights. But, every now and then, someone will ask me, "Hey, do you know where I can get a screw for a, fill in the blank.".

IT'S FREE! What more needs to be said?

 

[handejector]

Is the butt drilled for a swivel?
I see an extra hole that could be for the swivel retention pin.

 

[pharmer]

Let's say you do take on the task of accepting a free gun. After you realize you just can't have a beater socializing with your real guns, you take it to a gunshow and sell it for $300, which should take all of 3 minutes. Next time you see your benefactor, you drop a crispy pic of 'ol Ben Franklin in his hand. Can't help but make a friendship better. Joe

 

[vipermd]

It looks better than my barn gun!! I will send you and FFL and shipping today!!

 

[Camster]

I totally get being maxed out with your own stuff.
I totally get the need to make stuff right.
We're only talking something worth a few hundred-it won't change your life one way or another.
If it strikes you as a burden,pass.
If not,peddle it and split the bucks with the giver.You're not obligated to keep a gifted gun.

 

[Harrydale]

Maybe find a good charity and give it to them and let them raffle it off. What the heck, I would buy a $1 chance on something like that anytime.

 

[DCWilson]

My grandfather, who was a preacher, told me one of the hardest lessons he had to learn in his profession was to accept offered gifts graciously. Maybe the current owner of this gun has other people he could offer the gun to, or maybe he doesn't. In either case, he seems to have offered it to you first. It won't hurt you in any deep way to say yes, and you can assure him that if it doesn't fit into your collection you will find the right person to pass it on to after giving it some TLC.

With that out of the way, it looks like a 1957 gun to me: Non-model marked, four screws, serial number not marked on rear face of cylinder. Those characteristics pretty much limit its year of origin, though it might not have shipped until 1958 if it got stuck on a back shelf in inventory. I'm guessing the serial number lies within shouting distance of K300000, but probably not lower than K275000 or higher than K325000.

 

[Old TexMex]

What David said. As a kid I guided duck hunters, and on a bluebird day there might not be a cap popped, but my hunters would offer me a tip.
The old boy ( Mr. Dryer) who was my mentor in the blinds said " Son, you take that tip, it may be the only way they know to show their appreciation-- don't insult the man, show some gratitude." He was right.

.......just something to consider

 

[Iggy]

That gun is purty near being properly broke in. Like others have said, clean it, shoot it, and repeat over and over again.
Then your kids and grand kids can do the same thing down the line.

 

[Spiffums]

I guess it's hard to understand why someone would turn down a perfectly good gun for free. Well, my safe is full and I'm at the point where I need to start selling to make room. I've got all the revolvers I want. I enjoy the longer barrels and this one really would not be used. Sorry, I would not live with the rust and it would be refinished. I'll make some calls on Tuesday to see what the refinishing cost would be and make a decision.

Dave

It's free, take it! If you ever sell it you'll make a profit.

 

[Watchdog]

There's a problem here? C'mon, it's free. Wish someone would offer me something like that. I'd be holding it in my hands right now, maybe cleaning it up, or maybe even on my way to the range with it.

 

[Jack Flash]

from Super Dave's Second Post:
I've got all the revolvers I want. I enjoy the longer barrels and this one really would not be used. Sorry, I would not live with the rust and it would be refinished.

After re-reading your second post (snippet above) I think you have answered your own question.

Tell your friend you deeply appreciate his gracious offer, but your safe is full up and you want him to give it to someone else who would truly appreciate it.

 

[jmace57]

I gave $250 for one in not a whole lot better condition...and thought I had made a decent deal.

I think I need to make new friends! The best thing I ever got offered free was a beer.

 

[Doug M.]

That would be a perfectly adequate shooter as it is, with a bit of work to keep the rust from getting worse. It could be a project gun for someone, since there is no real problem reducing its value as a shooter. A round butt, more visible sights for an old guy, a high tech finish for a hard use gun, and it's good to go. I'd bet a bunch that there are people who responded above who would have an FFL and a check on the way to your friend first thing Tuesday.

 

[jonny13sb]

I don't know why you would look a gift horse in the mouth but I've been on the lookout for a 'beater' for a night stand or trunk gun for some time. Keep one thing in mind, if a gun is used for self defense at least in California it ends up in a police property locker for months or even years before being returned. I'd rather have a beater in custody than one of my primo collectibles. The cops don't wipe em down with Breakfree or care if your once beautiful revolver gets rusty and loses half it's value, it's 'evidence'. Just saying......

 

[arjay]

Everyone needs a gun or two like this one.You can shove it in a holster and head out into the rain or snow with no worries.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

This is a joke.......Right?

 

[GtownGeorge]

It's FREE!!!!!! I had to pay $30 for my 'project gun' and got $$$$$ of fun out of taking it apart, cleaning, filing, sanding and re bluing. And it probably wasn't worth the $30 I paid as it wasn't a 'name brand'.

 

[Camster]

Reluctance for freebies

Some of us get to an age where we simply have enough "stuff",in fact,we have too much stuff.Even if it's free,it's something to has to dealt with one way or another,and that's takes energy that isn't in abundance,or better spent elsewhere.Myself,I feel better with lightening up on stuff-I don't need orphan guns,guns not in my sphere of interest, or projects.

 

[pharmer]

It looks better than my barn gun!!

Great, even though I don't have a barn at the present, the mere fact that at some future date I might have one, is sufficient cause to secure a "barn gun" and not put it off until it becomes a necessity. Thanks. Joe