Saw S&W Model 13-3 but had to walk away

[opaul]

$600 out the door at the Dixie Classic in Raleigh today. I wanted it but walked away. It was a beauty though. I did keep his card, just in case I change my mind later. Lots of nice Smiths, the best I've seen in several years but they all carried a premium price.

 

[KLYDE]

Was it a 3" or 4". If it was a 3" and in decent condition the $600 asking price is in the ball park. Maybe a tad high for a 4". Box and papers add some value also. Bought this dash 1 a few months back from the classifieds. Paid $550 shipped. Thought it was high at the time but glad I got my hands on it.
Prices just seem to continue going skyward.

 

[oldafsp]

The question is just how many do you see out there in excellent condition? Not that many...

A couple of years ago I quit trying to save $25-50 on a gun I wanted in my collection. Too many got away for the sake of being a tightwad.

The old argument of " I can't (won't)pay that much for a gun" just doesn't wash when it comes to classic Smiths.

I'm retired, not rich in the financial sense of the word. And I have other hobbys that take $$$'s to enjoy. So there isn't an unending supply of greenbacks around here.

Just remember with each passing year, every new crisis, the cost of our hobby will increase..again. We enjoyed low affordable prices on nice guns for years, well below the rate of inflation for the most part.

That Model 13 may not be there again, and a couple of years down the road, it may not be there at all.

Just my .02 on it. Good luck finding the one you want.

 

[armybass]

I have wanted a 3" for years and been unable to find one. I found a 4" in excellent condition for $550 a few months back and grabbed it. Would love to find a 3" still along with a 3" M65.

 

[opaul]

It was a three inch round butt, thinking about going back tomorrow; maybe and offering 550

 

[KLYDE]

I'm with Armybass on wanting a 3". Been looking and none to be had. If it is as nice as you say I'd go back with the $600 in my pocket. Offer $550 and see if he bites. That's assuming it is still there. The 3" fixed sight K's are going through the roof.

 

[billwill]

It was a three inch round butt, thinking about going back tomorrow; maybe and offering 550

There u go! That was a nice pistol.

 

[opaul]

The one I looked at today was a 13-3 so it's not P&R. So is $600 still a fair price. The gun is easily 96% and tight.

 

[Hapworth]

The one I looked at today was a 13-3 so it's not P&R. So is $600 still a fair price. The gun is easily 96% and tight.

If it's a 3" Model 13 round butt and a true 96% mechanically and cosmetically, $600 is on the upper end but not ridiculously out of bounds. You can always offer less and negotiate up.

I presume that if you can determine condition to the odd percentile, you're well-versed in how to examine a used revolver?

If not, read these:

The National Firearms Museum: Evaluating Firearms Condition

Revolver Checkout Procedure

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6F...hLWE4YzMtOTdmN2YwNmY4NzM2/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1

And don't worry about pinned and recessed -- it's irrelevant.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

go get it!!

 

[WCCPHD]

Did you get it?

I just got home from the show and I did not see a Model 13 anywhere. No S&W bargains to be had at this show. I did see a guy in the aisles that had a pre-27, 3.5 inch that looked new but a dealer convinced him that it was worth a fortune and he changed his mind about letting it go.

 

[opaul]

I passed . I just couldn't pull the trigger so to speak.
Every model 36, every model 37 and every model 10 , etc was over $600 that I saw. Amazing the prices they were asking.

 

[Hapworth]

I passed . I just couldn't pull the trigger so to speak.
Every model 36, every model 37 and every model 10 , etc was over $600 that I saw. Amazing the prices they were asking.

Don't lose sleep -- there are so many terrific finds out there, good guns at good prices, that there's nothing wrong with walking when your gut tells you to.

We accumulators are funny, often searching high and low for some magic wheelie or pistol that'll tie it all together when we'd probably be better served appreciating the firearms we already have and sending a little lead down range with them.

Go do that and enjoy...there's really no such thing as the one that got away.

 

[opaul]

Thanks! On a high note I did walk away with a nice US military holster for my Remington 1911 and it fits the Beretta 92 as; so all was not lost!

Thanks Hapworth, I liked your response and you are right on.

 

[flagman1776]

I bought a blue 3" M13 for my then GF. We both just loved the feel of the gun. When we broke up, I tried to buy it from her. Yes, I offered to pay for the gun a second time! She refused. I was forced to console myself with a 3" M66. The 66 was my main OD gun & company on many woods rambles afoot & on horseback.
I have plenty of 4" guns... If I find a nice 3"M13, it will come home with me. I'm at the point where a gun has to speak to me & call my name...

 

[Warren Sear]

I would not let $50 keep me from buying a gun I really wanted.

 

[opaul]

There you go...........I guess I really didn't want it.

 

[Murdock]

The one I looked at today was a 13-3 so it's not P&R. So is $600 still a fair price. The gun is easily 96% and tight.

LOL! I would have jumped on it myself at 97%, but that's way too high for a 96%.