S&W prices through the roof

[WVfishguy]

I don't know what the deal is, but there are four different Model 15-3s at three different local shops, and the asking price is $600 each.
The wife has a Model 15-2, which she agreed to make a safe queen (don't worry, she has 7-8 other revolvers to shoot):

I've noticed the same prices for Model 15s on-line as well. Yet, I can buy a good Model 19-2 for $500, or a 28 for $475.
Has anyone else noticed Model 15s going for crazy prices?

 

[stantheman86]

Prices are crazy for some stuff, while other stuff has stabilized or even dropped. The market is saturated with 10's and 64's right now, but RM's and 27's are going up seemingly every day. Makes me kick myself for the reblued 6.5" 27 I passed on for $450 this winter at a gun show. Would have been a screamin' deal these days.

If someone can tell me how I found both 4" and 6" .38 Special blue M&P's from 1919-1920 in nice lightly holster worn shape and hardly fired for $300 each, but people are paying $500 for holster buffed Model 15's........I would love to know

As far as the N-frames......forget about it......those are getting out of sight. I'm glad I found my 3 shooter grades while prices were still realistic.

 

[TNDave]

I have a feeling they will be taking those Model 15s to the grave with them at those prices.

 

[gunnut44]

Two years ago I picked up a very minty 15-3 for $450 and was glad to get it at that price. I don't think I would pay $600 for a Mod.15. I can remember buying 4" 29's in the presentation box for $600 and thought that was on the high side!

 

[m1gunner]

Fishing for a sucker. Every now and then someone not knowing better will buy one at those prices.

 

[TSQUARED]

When you look at a new revolver and see the difference in quality of workmanship I am surprised that the older ones in near new condition do not sell for more than current models. The older Model 25's are cerytainly finer examples of craftsmanship than the current 625's. The older target sighted K frames are finer examples of workmanship than the current K & L frames.

 

[Jack Flash]

I guess I never have seen what the big attraction is for the M15, so you could tell me they're going for $1,000 apiece and it wouldn't affect me.

"... other stuff has stabilized or even dropped ..."
That is what I am observing right now. I've seen some pretty reasonable (under $500) prices on decent N-Frames recently. That includes a Mountain Gun in .45 Colt.

But on the "through the roof" subject, if you are in the market for a triple lock right now, you will need a wheelbarrow to haul enough money.

 

[LEO918]

Part of re problem is the ever falling value of the U.S. dollar. The guns are the same guns - the dollar is falling like a rock. Sad.

 

[j38]

I haven't observed those sky-high prices on Model 15's around here. They are still a little below or even with Model 19's & 66's at $450 to $550.

Jerry

 

[kennyb]

I have a feeling they will be taking those Model 15s to the grave with them at those prices.

i agree....

 

[stantheman86]

I should have bought that pinned M15 for $250 I saw last summer at a gun show.......

then again, maybe not..I'm not much into adjustable sight wheelguns, so I'm glad I left it for someone else. I don't need another shooter grade gun collecting dust in my safe.

 

[fyimo]

I went to my FFL today and picked up a Model 15-4 that I bought on GB 8 days ago and it's a 97% revolver and came with a nice set of S&W target grips on it for a buy it now price of $389. With shipping and FFL transfer on my end it was $419 and I was happy to get it for that price as the timing and lock are excellent.

 

[Fredo Batali]

I recently posted a 98% 15-4 I picked up for $375.00 in Febuary. I was happy with the price.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[semperfi71]

I was lucky on December 24, 2010 and won on Gunbroker a M15-4, almost "mint" (some blue loss near the front sight) for $350.00 delivered to me.

But I do agree with the fact that it apears ALL older S&W revolvers have just gone "bonkers" in price. The prices are all over the place and hard to pin down.

BUT, I am still seeing (not buying) S&Ws on the auction sites that are going for decent prices.

 

[Smithhound]

I really can't see M15's as drawing that much, I just picked one up here for $340 OTD, so many were made. Alot of them show up with some carry wear and shot very little. I've always thought that was because they were a favorite of security gaurds.
I do agree with TSquared on the subject of old vs. new Smiths, I believe that the older guns should be selling for alot more than what they are. When you look at the $1K price tags on so many of the new models and then look at a similar model from 20 to 30 years ago, the quality is just not there.
2 peice barrels, an ugly hole in the sideplate and a finish that is 2nd rate at best, the old ones should be bringing in 90% of the new prices, especially in the box.
I believe that what is keeping prices down now is the fact that many older shooters/collectors/acquirers are passing on and thier old revolvers are being passed down to kids and grandkids who have no use for a wheelgun. They want that spiffy new Glock and couldn't give a flip about some arcaich item such as an old Model 28.
If you have the cash, you'd better take advantage of this semi-glut while you can, I can't see it lasting for very long.
My two cents, spend it wisely,
RD

 

[steamloco76]

The most I've ever spent for a handgun was $725 for my 98 percent, MagnaPorted 6 inch 29-3. I kicked myself for spending that at the time, but it is many months later and I haven't seen another nice one for the same price. Most 29's that aren't shot to death are hitting $800 plus with aftermarket rubber on them. Mine has beautiful bookend matched target stocks (now in the stock drawer as I prefer Hogue or Ahrends wood).

Recently even the huge gun shops in Western PA seem to be running out of any used S&W's and have mainly used single action Rugers and various Rossi/Taurus revolvers. (along with a boat load of Glocks and Springfield XD's -plastic YUK).

 

[Engine49guy]

I just passed on a 15-4 in Nickel at 98% for $365,
Also purchased a LNIB Model 67-1 for $425 if thats any indicator of going prices.

Anybody can "ASK" anything for a gun and yes there are alot of people with more dollars than sense but,
IMHO unless its a 4/5 screw or NIB the Model 15 in like condition should be priced a step down from the Model 19 .
I still find nice Model 19's for under $450.

 

[stantheman86]

I agree, the prices are unpredictable and volatile. S&W prices are driven by demand, and aren't like "stocks" which rise and fall. No more "older" S&W's will ever be made, and every day more and more nice condition ones dissapear forever into collections.

As far as a "glut", who knows, maybe the bubble will burst like it did for classic cars, and prices will plummet.....or they will continue to rise to the point where a 6" 28-2 in average condition will be a $1,000 gun in 2 years.

As for me, I also enjoy the new ones, so I don't have as much heartburn over it. I have a new 64-8 on the way from my dealer, and am looking for a used MIM and IL 67 as well as another 10-14. I am a shooter though, not a collector. I also inhale every used Ruger .357 revolver I can lay hands on, and proceed to shoot the heck out them.......so I am less "affected" by this collectible S&W price craziness. I will still sleep at night without an RM and a pre-29 in my collection

 

[twomoons]

jack flash,
i agree,
i sense a softening in some areas or items,and a leveling off, or weaker price range on some models. but i am far from am authority on prices.member 5wire is remarkable in his chart work on prices and trands.
i wish i had a tenth of his smarts on charts and graphs

 

[stantheman86]

The "exotics" are skyrocketing........the standard .38 service revolvers like 10's and 64's have leveled off because there is less demand for them, and there are more out there. Anything with both S&W and .357 S&W Magnum stamped on it is rising slowly. I noticed that the .38 Specials usually get less "respect" on the market. The shorter the barrel, the higher the price.......3" 65's and 13's are a lot higher than they were only a few years ago. You can still get the 8 3/8" 27's for a lot less then the 3.5" models because not many buyers want the "less cool" longer barrels, so I'm told.

I'm no expert but this is what I've noticed. There's no rhyme or reason, people are buying what they want,and paying the asking prices..... or what they think will be worth even more in the future. You gotta decide, if you want something rare, and you can afford it, you might as well get in on it now, or you'll just pay more later.

There's no use trying to figure it out, it just makes your brain hurt. Movies and TV affect buying too. People are paying over $1,000 for used Ruger .454 Alaskans after that Rock movie "Faster" came out, and Ruger has only made "runs" of these guns, and so demand has exceeded supply and sellers are making a decent profit off them. What was a "niche" gun for bear defense has become a "gotta have it" for lots of people who just bought Faster on DVD. Look at what happened to M1 Garand and Carbine prices after the whole WWII interest blew up in the late 90's to pretty much now......all the movies, TV series and games that came out, now you can walk around a gun show and hear 7 year old kids ID'ing M1 Garands, 1911's and at one show I was at, there was an Stg44 with 50 tweeners drooling all over it because it's in all the Call of Duty games.......it's just that now older S&W's have "cool factor" and people want them.