Should I buy this 14-3?
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They’re easy enough to make DA if you want to with just a proper hammer assembly, if my memory doesn’t fail me. I agree the price seems a bit high, but everything seems high to me nowadays. I guess the old “they’re not making them anymore” excuse is as good as any. Why not? 
Offer 900. 950 with a box of ammo.
I watched a 14-3, not sure if SAO and probably not, sit at a pawn shop for at least six months with a price of $899. It had so much handling wear by the time it sold I wouldn't have paid nearly that much. It finally did sell but I don't know for how much. I bought a 14-3 SAO (don't know if it was factory SAO) in about 98% for $540 a year ago yesterday. Wouldn't expect to find it for that now but $950 seems high even in this market unless it has box/papers and is truly LNIB. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
How do they know it's a custom order? S&W sold more than a few single-action only K38's through regular sales channels.
Exactly - what does “custom order” mean? Kinda like “rare”? Always ask for proof of their descriptions. Check the auctions and you will find 14’s at that price have no bids... Looks like you can buy a nice one in the 500 - 600 range if you shop.
14-3
I've got a 14-3, 6" in SAO. It came with a factory letter. Very nice shooting revolver. If you decide to buy it you will not be disappointed in it's ability to deliver top notch accuracy.
Remember, buy the gun not the story. SAO 14's may be worth more than regular model 14's but only with that factory letter.
Price does seem a bit high, throw 8 Benjamins on the counter
and see what happens.
I've got a 14-3, 6" in SAO. It came with a factory letter. Very nice shooting revolver. If you decide to buy it you will not be disappointed in it's ability to deliver top notch accuracy.
Remember, buy the gun not the story. SAO 14's may be worth more than regular model 14's but only with that factory letter.
Price does seem a bit high, throw 8 Benjamins on the counter
and see what happens.
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oysterer
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I like to know a bit more than that. If real SAO with box, that would be great and the right price in this market. Letter takes too long and w/o box could be pieced together from parts. I guess looking carefully at side plate and screw slots could help as well.
I have a 14-2 1968 and that gun shoots like no other. It would be worth every penny at such price. For a 1970s gun $750 would be better, just offer 800 and see.
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I'd agree that seems a couple of hundred too high. Personally the SAO adds no value to me. I wouldn't mind having an SAO as that's generally the way I shoot the one I have, but I wouldn't pay a premium for it. But I'm not a collector. I just like shooting them.
Somewhere I saw a S&W SAO conversion kit in a blister pack, so without a letter...it ain't factory. The last ones I've seen sold (pre-INSANITY) didn't really draw a premium over the everyday Model 14's.
Somewhere I saw a S&W SAO conversion kit in a blister pack, so without a letter...it ain't factory. The last ones I've seen sold (pre-INSANITY) didn't really draw a premium over the everyday Model 14's.
swagmeister
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There is a Model 14 (not sure which dash) at a local pawn shop for $699. It's been there for almost six months. It is not SA only but is in good shape. Most of the kids nowadays want plastic. Price on the one you are looking at seems kinda high. But higher prices are the norm at present and will be so for some time. A SAO Model 14 is not seen that often. As the saying goes: "find another one." Good luck.
Forget the story!
In my opinion, you can never have enough Model 14s; however, when I bought my last one (14-1) in the mid to late 1990s, I paid just over $300, and swore that I paid too much. As mentioned above, without either the box or a letter, you will never know if it was a special order or not.
Back in the early 1990s, I picked up a blister pack K frame SAO conversion kit for maybe $25, just because the shop wanted it gone. That blister pack is in my parts drawer, and may find it's way into my 4 screw Model 14, I really don't know.
Honestly, I'm cheap, and I seriously doubt that I would ever pay much more than $600 for a Model 14. Personally, I feel that someone is out to make a killing on that revolver. I'd let it pass.
In my opinion, you can never have enough Model 14s; however, when I bought my last one (14-1) in the mid to late 1990s, I paid just over $300, and swore that I paid too much. As mentioned above, without either the box or a letter, you will never know if it was a special order or not.
Back in the early 1990s, I picked up a blister pack K frame SAO conversion kit for maybe $25, just because the shop wanted it gone. That blister pack is in my parts drawer, and may find it's way into my 4 screw Model 14, I really don't know.
Honestly, I'm cheap, and I seriously doubt that I would ever pay much more than $600 for a Model 14. Personally, I feel that someone is out to make a killing on that revolver. I'd let it pass.
Yes. My thought is the guy probably thinks it was a "custom order" because he is unaware of the fact that SAO was a regular production configuration. Or else he is a shyster.
Well, very fine is subjective. original box?
What are the flaws, must be something?
IMO the gun would have to be ANIB for his asking price. to me 800 to 850 tops
Pics below are my standard, plain Jane, run-of-the-mill 1977 Model 14-3. It's 98% if I remove the Flaig Ace #21 trigger shoe it came to me with.
I would say this gun would probably get $650...maybe $750 if it were in a LGS case only because there are NO decent S&W's in any LGS case around here.
If someone wants to bring ammo and meet me at the local indoor range............I'll let you shoot my 14-3 in SA mode all day long, at no extra markup.
Even with a Letter, I can't see reaching that far just now...maybe in 6 months or a year.
I would say this gun would probably get $650...maybe $750 if it were in a LGS case only because there are NO decent S&W's in any LGS case around here.
If someone wants to bring ammo and meet me at the local indoor range............I'll let you shoot my 14-3 in SA mode all day long, at no extra markup.
Even with a Letter, I can't see reaching that far just now...maybe in 6 months or a year.
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^^^ What Narrangansett said.
Not unless that gun has some special personal meaning, or unless it has some, documented collectors interest. (Like a factory letter documenting it was a special order or some kind)
Those guns were typically purchased by target shooters who shot them a lot, but took good care of them. Examples with lots of use and few cosmetic flaws are not hard to find. Last year I bought a Model 14-2 like that for around $600. (well used, shot a lot, but with very few external signs of wear).
Like other well used target guns, it has wear on the bushing around the firing pin, and imprints of cartridges on the recoil shield face.
Not unless that gun has some special personal meaning, or unless it has some, documented collectors interest. (Like a factory letter documenting it was a special order or some kind)
Those guns were typically purchased by target shooters who shot them a lot, but took good care of them. Examples with lots of use and few cosmetic flaws are not hard to find. Last year I bought a Model 14-2 like that for around $600. (well used, shot a lot, but with very few external signs of wear).
Like other well used target guns, it has wear on the bushing around the firing pin, and imprints of cartridges on the recoil shield face.
No box, but I think $750 might be the right price. Thanks!
winchester62
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Why did they make single action only 14s? What did it do better than a standard model 14?
Why does Ford make a King Ranch version of its F-150? About the same to me except for price and badging chrome.
This is not a DEAL
Unless you "Must Have It" I would walk away.
Chris,
What are your motivations to buying this now as opposed to when the market settles down some?
Unless you "Must Have It" I would walk away.
Chris,
What are your motivations to buying this now as opposed to when the market settles down some?
