S&W 65-2 4 inch and ... rusty?

[DeafSmith]

Came across a S&W 65-2 4 inch revolver at a pawn shop.

Has Pachmayr presentation grips (well worn.) Rusty in small places here and there.. They would not let me take the grips off to see if rusted under them.

The rust is not deep.. no pitting.. but the whole gun needs a very very thorough breakdown and cleaning.

Very tight gun.. locks very well.

$499 for it. I'd be tempted but I have no way of knowing how deep the rust goes INSIDE the gun without disassembly. And he won't let me do that.

 

[panamajack310]

It’s always a gamble when you get a gun like that. I have always had good luck personally. I would buy it and then clean her up.

 

[Vtgw938]

I'd be hard pressed to buy that gun if they won't take the grips off but maybe they just don't do it period. It's not like your going to damage the grips. If you get the gun, you can give it a long bath in Metal Rescue and remove every trace of rust. Just don't soak anything blued or flash chrome. Won't hurt the parts but will/may remove the finish. Even my rust free stainless guns get a bath in it when I strip them down.

 

[ladder13]

Pawn shop? Offer much less, you always go up but never down without cause.

 

[SmithSwede]

If the exterior of the revolver is generally ok, odds are there is no serious rust internally. The exception would be the frame directly under the rubber grips, which very likely is rusty. But maybe that doesn’t matter if you keep those grips on.

I’d probably pass because it is not a rare gun and the seller is being unreasonable.

But if you want to move forward, maybe go in and say you are serious about buying the gun if you can reach agreement on price and condition. Pull out a big wad of cash. Then say you will pay them $20 cash to get permission to remove the grips. They keep the $20 if you don’t buy, but they discount the price by $20 if you do buy.

If they still won’t budge, I’d just leave my number and say call me back soon if you change your mind. Meanwhile, I’ll go shopping for guns with this cash somewhere else.

 

[DeafSmith]

Well.. there are some good ideas here.. since they just put it on the market they no doubt won't go down in price (and I have a fixed sighted stainless Ruger Service Six .357 to play with anyway...) But I will drop by now and then and if in a few months or so it is still then there see what I can do.

 

[SSGRock]

I think it will clean up just fine. Enjoy shooting that revolver.

 

[ken158]

Pawn shop? Offer much less, you always go up but never down without cause.

Rusty stainless gun at pawn shop for $499 means they have about $150 invested. Have no sympathy and offer $300 cash on the counter and have a few 20’s in your pocket when they start sweating…

 

[Tom S.]

Offer him $20 to let you pull the stocks. While $500 is a decent price, it's not if there is pitting under the grips which rubber grips have a reputation for promoting. Tell him the $20 is his whether you buy or not, and if you do buy, you will pay the remaining $480. And of course let him do the removal if he prefers. If he still refuses, lower your offer as others have suggested. And if you find pitting that causes you to pass on the gun, $20 is a cheap price to pay to find out, IMHO.

 

[Bald1]

$500 is not an “ incredible” price. I would not gamble on principal alone. If it was 350-400 different story. But you can find others for $500

 

[gwpercle]

My wise old Daddy told me ... "Don't buy a pig in a poke" ...
Sound advice .
If they won't even let you take the grips off ... Pass

If you do buy it and the innards are all rusted up ...
No Whining and No Crying ... You know what my Daddy said about buying a pig in a poke !

For $500 I want a Not Rusty model 65 ...
They should let you inspect the darn thing... it's not asking too much !
Gary

 

[kaaskop49]

Rust isn't the only issue. There are nice-looking 65s and 66s out there that are loose from extensive magnum shooting. Check for this also. Stainless guns often clean up nicely. That this gun has unnecessary rust would be a warning sign for me.

I'm aware that the economy is not what we want. However, I'm tired of all the "Hope Diamonds" and "Mona Lisas" out there, more than there had been and of lesser quality than previously...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[tom2]

I once had a J frame stainless that apparently had been a carry gun and there were a few little brown spots around the grip frame. They cleaned up with no problem but then I was educated on the reality of "rustproof stainless steel". Have not had anything like that since on a stainless revolver. But then I don't sweat all over them and put them into a damp holster or anything.