S&W 15-3 Year and Value?

[scotty14]

Hello everyone. I'm looking to get my CC and am possibly considering selling or trading my 15 to get something I can carry comfortably. This was my first firearm of any kind and I maybe too attached to sell it at all lol!

Here are my questions...

Is selling at a pawn shop a bad idea?
Will I get more for it if I trade it toward another purchase at a respected gun shop?
Should I sell it somewhere else? Online?

Can anyone figure out a year this gun was released and it's current value? Will it's value increase over time. It seems to be in excellent condition.

15-3 K801942



Thanks in advance!

Going to try to post pics

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s283.photobucket.com/user/scotty-14/embed/Mobile%20Uploads/story"></iframe>

 

[bruner1981]

I say keep the 15 and carry that. I carried a pre-10 for months before switching to a pre-28. Get yourself an Alien Gear for that 15 and call it a day

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[JP@AK]

Your Model 15-3 was made in 1968.

Value will depend on several factors, among them are condition and barrel length. 2" and 4" are the possibilities.

Is selling at a pawn shop a bad idea?

Very bad. You will probably get 60 cents on the dollar, if you are lucky.

Will I get more for it if I trade it toward another purchase at a respected gun shop?

Maybe, but not enough.

Should I sell it somewhere else? Online?

Yes. Face to face, if it is allowed in your state or city.
Reputable on line brokers will result in a better price than the LGS or a pawn shop. Gun Broker is the one I have used successfully.

I think you should keep your Combat Masterpiece if you can, even if you decide to get something different for your CC piece.

 

[redlevel]

If at all possible, keep the 15-3.

If that isn't possible, do not sell it at a
pawn shop. I work at a pawn shop. Contrary to
popular believe, we do not try to steal guns from
people. We do, however, have to make a profit. Our
jurisdiction requires that we hold items we purchase
for 10 business days before we can offer them for sale.
Then, they might sit in the case for weeks before they
sell. We just can't afford to pay anything close to retail.

If it is necessary for you to sell, right here is a good place
to do it. If your gun is in pretty good condition, you could
probably clear $400 after paying shipping, insurance, and
your FFL fee. As a point of reference, I currently have a 15-3
in "pretty good" condition on layaway at a pawn shop-not the
one I work at-for $375+tax. I get a little price break because
I buy just about all the pinned barrel S&Ws that he gets, and
I'm an old friend of his family.

You say your gun is in "excellent" condition. To me, that would
mean absolutely no mechanical issues, and only a little wear,
with absolutely no rust or pitting. If I had a gun like that and
really needed to sell it to fund another purchase, I would
advertise it in the classified section of this forum for $475
shipped to the buyer's FFL. That is only if I really needed the
funds for another purchase. If I really-really needed
the cash, I might drop to $450, but no lower. They
just ain't making 15-3s no more.

 

[shouldazagged]

In my biased opinion the Combat Masterpiece is one of the finest revolvers ever made, period.

I gave mine (a 15-3 from 1970) to my son so he wouldn't have to wait till I die, but in your situation I'd certainly keep and treasure it. And carry and shoot it.

Again, just my opinion. It's your gun.

 

[scotty14]

Thanks guys. It makes sense that a pawn shop would have to make a good bit of profit to justify putting out the money for it in the first place.

I may just take it to the store where I'm purchasing my next firearm to see what I can get for it on a trade. They seemed to be very interested when I told them the model number over the phone.

Sorry for all the questions but is a Gun Show a good place to sell or trade? There's one coming to my area in a few weeks.

I'm looking into a Bersa Thunder 380 CC and I have been having a heck of a time finding one in my area. So maybe I'll see how bad this shop wants my 15.

Thanks again guys!

 

[loeman]

I'm with the "keep it" crowd. However, if you do want to sell, I'd highly recommend the classified ads on this forum. I've sold a few guns here and have been happy with what I got and the buyers have been great to work with. BUT BE SURE TO READ THE RULES. The moderators are quite strict (and this is a very good thing). To be successful you will need a set price, good photos and clear terms.

If you can post some good pics in this thread I'm sure you can get some range of value comments. Do the numbers on the back side of the stocks match the serial number of the gun? If so, that's a plus. How about original box, docs and tools? Another plus if you have them.

 

[Geno44]

Check Gunbroker for prices on the Bersa and your Smith. You can select "completed" auctions in the advanced search to find out what the actual selling price on completed auctions was. I took a quick look at the Bersas up there this morning and they don't seem very expensive. Good pictures would be required to determine the value of your 15. If the gun is really clean, I would pay $500 in a heartbeat. If you can't find a Bersa in your area, the auction site can supply an FFL that would receive it for you. Personally I would keep the Smith and save up for an outright purchase. I don't know much about the Bersas but I would think there would be better picks. I could be wrong. Good luck!

 

[DD357]

If it's a 2" 15 I'd much rather use it as a carry gun than a Bersa 380. 4" guns are a bit of a problem once you are sitting, at least for me, I'll grant you that.

 

[scotty14]

Yes it's a 4 inch barrel and is nickel plated. I tried posting pictures. I think the link in my original post brings up the pics.

 

[redlevel]

I'm looking into a Bersa Thunder 380 CC and I have been having a heck of a time finding one in my area. So maybe I'll see how bad this shop wants my 15.

Thanks again guys!

Certainly not my decision to make, and you know what you want, but I wouldn't trade my
just average, probably 85% Model 15-3 for two new in the box Bersa Thunders.

 

[scotty14]

Certainly not my decision to make, and you know what you want, but I wouldn't trade my
just average, probably 85% Model 15-3 for two new in the box Bersa Thunders.

lol I know. I just need something to conceal carry. I originally got my Smith for home defense per the recommendations of many on this forum. Maybe I just need some convincing to keep it lol. My Extra small wife is not a huge fan of shooting the smith so maybe it will be good to have both.

 

[pigbike]

I recently purchased a Bersa Thunder .380 for my wife and it is a accurate nicely made handgun. I was surprised how nice it shoots. While you can buy much smaller .380's this one fills your hand and a pleasure to shoot.

 

[scotty14]

I recently purchased a Bersa Thunder .380 for my wife and it is a accurate nicely made handgun. I was surprised how nice it shoots. While you can buy much smaller .380's this one fills your hand and a pleasure to shoot.

Yes that's what I've been reading. And the CC model is a tad smaller with rounded edges. I think I will end up keeping my 15 for home defense option.

 

[Zoner]

I would NOT sell or trade my 15-3 for a Bersa anything.

 

[dcopper]

Bersa is fine as long as you keep it clean! If not, it will seize up like a chevrolet engine w/out Lube! No Offense intended! lol

 

[jimwilkes]

Don't get rid of your 15!

You won't get what it's worth in a trade & you won't find a better made firearm for twice the amount you would get for it. It's name says it all: Combat Masterpiece.

 

[scotty14]

I'm with the "keep it" crowd. However, if you do want to sell, I'd highly recommend the classified ads on this forum. I've sold a few guns here and have been happy with what I got and the buyers have been great to work with. BUT BE SURE TO READ THE RULES. The moderators are quite strict (and this is a very good thing). To be successful you will need a set price, good photos and clear terms.

If you can post some good pics in this thread I'm sure you can get some range of value comments. Do the numbers on the back side of the stocks match the serial number of the gun? If so, that's a plus. How about original box, docs and tools? Another plus if you have them.

Yes. The serial numbers do match in both places. No original box,docs, or tools.

 

[Frank46]

Keep the combat masterpiece and look for a gently used model 36 in 38 special. First off your model 15 is in nice shape, and will appreciate with time. Used model 36's can be found for around $350-400 and are a great carry gun. And yes a model 36 is what I carry. bought it about 15 years ago never had a problem and about the only bluing loss is at the muzzle from carrying in my jeans. Frank

 

[Absalom]

.......
I may just take it to the store where I'm purchasing my next firearm to see what I can get for it on a trade.
......
Sorry for all the questions but is a Gun Show a good place to sell or trade? There's one coming to my area in a few weeks.
.....

Sheesh, I guess it's a good not everybody posts here asking for advice before deciding to sell their S&W, or there wouldn't ever be any nice ones for sale .

I'll stay out of the debate over whether or not you should sell the S&W and what you should or shouldn't get instead, and stick to some of your original questions:

If you decide to sell, by all means sell the gun in a direct sale or on an auction site like Gunbroker, not to your dealer or as a trade at a gun show. A dealer, whether in his shop or at his table at a show, has to make a profit, so unless you just happen to come across another private individual who has what you want and who happens to be a worse negotiator than you are, you're not going to come out ahead, compared to an internet auction where even the most inexperienced seller can realize the maximum achievable price. Then you can go to the show with cash in your pocket and find the gun you want.