These threads need to connect!!!
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/446718-550-00-magic-number-model-10s.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/446718-550-00-magic-number-model-10s.html
Run of the Mill Model 10--How Much?
- Thread starter redlevel
- Start date
K-framer
Member
I just recently sold a 3" HB/ RB Model 10-8 for $475.....and the finish was not perfect.
Of course, the 3" guns do command a premium.
But, my experience is that prices are all over the place - at least they are around here.
Of course, the 3" guns do command a premium.
But, my experience is that prices are all over the place - at least they are around here.
Can't fault your numbers except for this. In 8-10 years any cash I have today will have been gone 8-10 years. Even if I overpay, 40 years from now I'll still have the gun. Of course I'll have been dead for at least 20 years so the discussion becomes moot at that point. Last Model 10 I bought was this 10-11 maybe 8 years ago. Paid $350+ tax and call in for $377 total. Joe
Pointshoot
Member
I guess it all comes down to what region you're in. I don't see many old K frames in my area that are in decent shape or bargain priced. I bought some armor car company model 64 and model 10 trade-ins a couple years ago and paid $250-275 for each of them. (When no one could find any 9mm around, I thought it would be a very good idea to have a few more 38 Special wheel-guns). I don't see those kind of prices on guns in comparable shape today. (I haven't been looking hard since I have what I need already, though.)
I also remember how cheap 28s were. You saw them in the LGSs all the time, and they usually just stayed in the glass case. Not a lot of customer interest.
I also remember how cheap 28s were. You saw them in the LGSs all the time, and they usually just stayed in the glass case. Not a lot of customer interest.
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gkitch
Member
As a collectible, the M&P/Model 10s are interesting as they are historically significant and made in so many variations over the years that one could almost never track them all down. Even if one desires to collect a much smaller subset (i.e. 10-2, nickel only) it would be a collector's challenge.
The other side of the coin is that these guns remain desirable to shooters. A solid, reliable 38 Special is a good thing to have around and there are very limited options in the new-gun market. Even though there are millions of well-used K-frame 38s out there there are also millions of practical buyers as long as the prices remain sensible.
The other side of the coin is that these guns remain desirable to shooters. A solid, reliable 38 Special is a good thing to have around and there are very limited options in the new-gun market. Even though there are millions of well-used K-frame 38s out there there are also millions of practical buyers as long as the prices remain sensible.
K-framer
Member
This thread brings to mind an interesting (and I think important) point. There is NO value to any particular gun - or any other object - than that which a particular individual, at a particular time, is willing to pay for that object. We all know this - but I think it bears repeating.
Case in point: My recently sold model 10-8. Far from pristine, but mechanically excellent, no box, etc. Yet, someone was willing to pay me $475 for it, plus around $70 in shipping costs. The 10-8 is a 3" - which many (including myself) hold in very high esteem. I myself, a few weeks ago, paid $500 to an individual for a 3" HB/ RB model 64, in excellent condition (but with no box, etc.). Why ? I WANTED it - because 3" HB/RB's are my favorite configuration - and the model 64 is my favorite model.
Since I like the 3" model 64's so much, I likely would have paid more, if necessary.
So, what is the REAL value of those two guns ? I was surprised that anyone would give me $475 for my 10-8 - I would NOT have paid that much for it. Yet, for the same gun, except in stainless, I happily shelled out $500....and would have paid a bit more to get it. So, it could be said that the value of those two guns was just what was paid, by the two individuals involved, on that specific day.
On another day, with other individuals, however, the selling prices might well be very different.
There is a certain model 15, in about 90% condition, sitting in a gun case at an LGS nearby to me, priced at $399. Some people on another thread have said that they would "tear their pockets" while rushing to get their wallets out, in order to get that gun. While I don't by any means think that the model 15 is overpriced, I would much rather have my $500 model 64 than that one.
The point of all this being, we can attempt to keep track of price trends on things like these fine revolvers that we prize so much, as if the prices actually make sense, or follow some rules. But, they don't. That is why prices I see are literally all over the place. So, in essence, threads like this really don't nail down anything. Prices for things like these fluctuate, by the day and hour. That's just the way it is. It's not scientific and the "normal" rules of economics don't always apply.
So, how much is a "run of the mill" model 10 worth today ? Just exactly what someone is willing to pay for it - nothing more, nothing less.
Case in point: My recently sold model 10-8. Far from pristine, but mechanically excellent, no box, etc. Yet, someone was willing to pay me $475 for it, plus around $70 in shipping costs. The 10-8 is a 3" - which many (including myself) hold in very high esteem. I myself, a few weeks ago, paid $500 to an individual for a 3" HB/ RB model 64, in excellent condition (but with no box, etc.). Why ? I WANTED it - because 3" HB/RB's are my favorite configuration - and the model 64 is my favorite model.
Since I like the 3" model 64's so much, I likely would have paid more, if necessary.
So, what is the REAL value of those two guns ? I was surprised that anyone would give me $475 for my 10-8 - I would NOT have paid that much for it. Yet, for the same gun, except in stainless, I happily shelled out $500....and would have paid a bit more to get it. So, it could be said that the value of those two guns was just what was paid, by the two individuals involved, on that specific day.
On another day, with other individuals, however, the selling prices might well be very different.
There is a certain model 15, in about 90% condition, sitting in a gun case at an LGS nearby to me, priced at $399. Some people on another thread have said that they would "tear their pockets" while rushing to get their wallets out, in order to get that gun. While I don't by any means think that the model 15 is overpriced, I would much rather have my $500 model 64 than that one.
The point of all this being, we can attempt to keep track of price trends on things like these fine revolvers that we prize so much, as if the prices actually make sense, or follow some rules. But, they don't. That is why prices I see are literally all over the place. So, in essence, threads like this really don't nail down anything. Prices for things like these fluctuate, by the day and hour. That's just the way it is. It's not scientific and the "normal" rules of economics don't always apply.
So, how much is a "run of the mill" model 10 worth today ? Just exactly what someone is willing to pay for it - nothing more, nothing less.
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Pointshoot
Member
Well, I think we're trying to get a sense of what an 'average' price might be. That is, what the vast majority of people would be willing to pay. I know a gunshop in a neighborhood where lots of high tech software companies are located. That LGS charges above list price for their guns. Their customer base doesn't care (it seems). They make lots of money, so an extra $100 or two doesn't register and they want what they want Now.
Now those guns may be worth above list price to them, but they sure aren't worth that to the vast majority of gun buyers.
Now those guns may be worth above list price to them, but they sure aren't worth that to the vast majority of gun buyers.
K-framer
Member
"Average price" really only applies to new products, being sold for the first time. New guns, just as new cars, toasters, etc., can be tracked that way. But, used guns, like the classic S&W revolvers, especially the older ones we all seem to favor, are a different matter.
I understand the desire to gain a sense of what the market is doing, as regards prices. It's natural that we all would like to have such information. I am just saying that it is not always possible to nail this down, due to the vagaries of the market.
We can all brag about getting a "great deal" on a great gun.....or paying "a bit too much", but not caring because we really wanted that particular gun. Those price numbers are outliers, as regards statistics. Folding ALL prices paid into an "average" only skews the results. A more valid comparison would be to throw out the highs and lows, then average the remainder. But, who is going to put that much effort into such analysis ? Besides, a great many transactions of this type are conducted on the "private" market, with the results not knowable by the rest of us. So, there is NO way to have a full picture, from which we can derive an "average" price. Therefore, any such "average" values postulated in a thread like this are really only guesswork.
That's all I am saying.
Nevertheless, the desire for such information will not go away, so speculation on this matter will continue forever. I don't blame anyone, it interests me, too. I was just attempting to make a clarification.
Enough said.
I understand the desire to gain a sense of what the market is doing, as regards prices. It's natural that we all would like to have such information. I am just saying that it is not always possible to nail this down, due to the vagaries of the market.
We can all brag about getting a "great deal" on a great gun.....or paying "a bit too much", but not caring because we really wanted that particular gun. Those price numbers are outliers, as regards statistics. Folding ALL prices paid into an "average" only skews the results. A more valid comparison would be to throw out the highs and lows, then average the remainder. But, who is going to put that much effort into such analysis ? Besides, a great many transactions of this type are conducted on the "private" market, with the results not knowable by the rest of us. So, there is NO way to have a full picture, from which we can derive an "average" price. Therefore, any such "average" values postulated in a thread like this are really only guesswork.
That's all I am saying.
Nevertheless, the desire for such information will not go away, so speculation on this matter will continue forever. I don't blame anyone, it interests me, too. I was just attempting to make a clarification.
Enough said.
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Pointshoot
Member
If 'average price' only applied to new products, there wouldn't be car blue books and various other such guides. Pawn shops and gun shops also have a good idea what they can buy & sell used items for. Yes, there are outlier buyers and sellers. Some guys will pay a lot more for something than most. Some will list something far higher than what most will pay (see that on GB all the time). If those two meet, both will be satisfied. Its far more likely that the ad will get no replies for a very long time.
Example - If the average price in a given area is $ x for a gun in y condition and you paid 50% more than that, you may be satisfied, but you still didn't get a good deal. And by the way, there have been times when I paid more for a gun than I should have. I'd been looking a long time and didnt want to spend the time & effort looking further. Other times, the gun just looked so darn 'purdy' that I had to have it !
I've paid a premium above the existing market for top condition guns. And actually, over time that has worked out well with rising prices.
P.S. - there are statistical methods for accounting for outliers.
Example - If the average price in a given area is $ x for a gun in y condition and you paid 50% more than that, you may be satisfied, but you still didn't get a good deal. And by the way, there have been times when I paid more for a gun than I should have. I'd been looking a long time and didnt want to spend the time & effort looking further. Other times, the gun just looked so darn 'purdy' that I had to have it !
I've paid a premium above the existing market for top condition guns. And actually, over time that has worked out well with rising prices.
P.S. - there are statistical methods for accounting for outliers.
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Frank46
US Veteran
I've always wanted a nice model 10. had a NYC target permit and a gold Cup but gave it up when I moved onto long island. When I moved to Louisiana nice model 10's were about as plentiful as rocking horse apples. i had to go back to NYC and was able to get a copy of my friend's FFL. After all the legal BS was taken care of I went to a shop where over the years I had done a lot of buying and selling. Asked if they had any used model 10's. Stupid question as the owner pulled out a large cardboard box full of them. I started pulling them out one by one putting them on the counter. Found one that was a cut above the rest. Cost me $100 plus shipping to my FFL. After I came home my FFL buddy called and said your revolver came in. Did the paperwork and the old girl was mine. So 3000 miles or so and $100 and I had a nice model 10. Locks up tight and is nicely accurate with 158 grain lead round nosed ammo. Frank
Looking through a gun selling web site and filtering to Buy-It-Now, you have to get through the beaters at $250-$275, and the police trade in marked with a rack number at $300-$350 to get to the run of the mill 80% finish left starting at $375.
But, as others have said, they're worth exactly what you're willing to pay, no more nor less.
But, as others have said, they're worth exactly what you're willing to pay, no more nor less.
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