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

[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

 

[Super Dave]

You guys crack me up. It's all good. I handle all my dealings with gratitude. Seriously, it's all good.

Here's one more picture. What does the hole for the swivel mean?

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

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.

Man.....You are good!

 

[vipermd]

I do not if there is a politically correct way of approaching the women's shelter as a donation. I know that I have donated "old" cell phones and have helped train and arm women who had been abused and there only protection was a "restraining order". I did not arm them through a shelter but word of mouth, need, and referral. There are many people who could use a legal firearm for their own safety, but lack the funds. Be Safe,

 

[Biginge]

Take it and auction it off here for a forum benefit.

 

[Watchdog]

If you don't want it, someone you know will want it as a truck gun, boat gun, house gun, ...

Me...me!...(jumping up and down, waving hands wildly)...pick me!

 

[Super Dave]

Hi guys,

There are many things that could be done with the gun that is not possible in the state I live in. There are no truck guns. There is no carry. Transferring ownership is not easy depending on the situation. You can't bring a handgun with you when you are hunting if you have a rifle. The list goes on and on.

I won't get into all the details but it's not quite as simple as it sounds.

My friend is a good friend. I have given her many things and she has given me many things. She helps me and I help her. And, no we are nothing more than true friends. I want to do what is right for all parties involved (including the gun) given the circumstances. If I did sell it I would give her all the money.

For reasons I don't fully understand I am blessed with way more than what I need. I am a giver…not a taker. I have devoted my life to helping and serving others. In the process I have been able to create two highly successful companies that do real good for my community.

I guess the question that I have to answer for myself is if I would use and enjoy the gun. If I don't take it then it will go to someone who will use it and love it.

I appreciate your input. But, please try to withhold some judgment because there is truly more to it than just a free gun. At least that's the way I see it.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[2hawk]

Super Dave,

I think the consensus is obvious....

You'd be surprised at how that gun will clean up with a brass brush, some bronze wool, and CLP. Degrease and heat the areas of wear and hit them with some cold blue, put back together clean and lubed, and call it a day.

You'll have a fine shooter that you saved, and it won't be near as rough looking as it is now. After that, you can decide if you want to sell it or keep it. If it shoots well, I say keep it. Doesn't cost anything to feed, and it'd be a lot of fun with some full wadcutter target loads. Great for a training gun.

 

[roaddog28]

I specialize in taking old rusty S&W pre series revolvers. I have rescued J frames, K frames and N frames. I have room for one more.

 

[loknload]

I'd take it in a heartbeat! Always have room for another!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

"I've been offered this revolver for free."

I'm not understanding your angst"

 

[Super Dave]

Earlier in the thread there were a couple of insults that have been removed. I was taken aback by that and I guess I felt I needed to justify my reasoning.

At any rate, I hope you guys have a nice weekend.
Aloha,
Dave

 

[Jack Flash]

Earlier in the thread there were a couple of insults that have been removed. I was taken aback by that and I guess I felt I needed to justify my reasoning.

At any rate, I hope you guys have a nice weekend.
Aloha,
Dave

I did not notice anything that I would classify as an insult, but maybe I skimmed over some responses too quickly. If you felt insulted, I am really sorry. It should not be that way.

It is a sad fact that some folks here feel the need to throw around insults, especially to new members. There is no need for this.

You started an interesting thread. It shows how different we all are. Super Dave, I hope you continue to be a member of this forum for years to come.

 

[Super Dave]

In the back right

 

[Tin]

clean it up and oil it.....shoot the *** off of it.......and be thankful....Dont look a gift horse in the mouth.............TIN...

 

[Old TexMex]

You guys crack me up. It's all good. I handle all my dealings with gratitude. Seriously, it's all good.

Here's one more picture. What does the hole for the swivel mean?

handejector mentioned that. It's a lanyard swivel mounting hole.
Military and law enforcement sometimes used them, the combat masterpiece has a history.

 

[BigBill]

I would take it, clean the rust or freckling using Simi chrome polish lightly but I prefer used Simi chrome polish on blues guns. Or lightly with brass wool and oil on the rust. That gun tells me she's a fine shooter.

I'm a Gun whisper now. Guns talk to me. They say buy me.

My two free guns are a Astra 600/43 9mm parabellium and some sort of a folding trigger revolver.

 

[Super Dave]

Sorry. My last entry was supposed to be a text to my wife. Darn iphone.
All good guys. The moderator deleted the insults and i appreciate that.
Dave

 

[Old Seabee]

Free

Could you please roll all of us just half of one don't think anyone here could smoke a whole one . Kidding OldSeabee

 

[arjay]

I'd ask around your area if someone could use it and get it headed in that direction.

 

[DCWilson]

Looks like the lanyard hole obliterated the leading K that is part of the serial number. The factory is not likely to have done that (or would have restamped the K in the available space if they did), so it is probably a post-production alteration.

Technically that is now a modified serial number, which is from ATF's point of view Not a Good Thing. There are ways to legitimize the gun again, some of them procedurally more correct than others. Despite the position I took in my earlier post, I have to say that a modified serial number is an excellent reason to decline the offer of a free gun.