Smith and Wesson model 520

[steve121956]

I have a model 520 Serial No. N261505 that doesn't fall in the serial number ranges for the NY State Police run. I have letter for it stating it was shipped Oct 31 1983. Did they continue making the Model 520 after the initial run? I'm just trying to get some information collected to know what I got. Thank You for any input.

 

[Model19man]

I think in typical S&W fashion they made more than the order called for, then sold the extras.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I have a model 520 Serial No. N261505 that doesn't fall in the serial number ranges for the NY State Police run. I have letter for it stating it was shipped Oct 31 1983. Did they continue making the Model 520 after the initial run? I'm just trying to get some information collected to know what I got. Thank You for any input.

Let's see a picture of what you have. N261505 falls in the 1974-1977 manufacture range, way too early for the M520, which weren't manufactured until late 1979-early 1980. NYSP didn't even place the order until early 1979. Can you photograph the letter and post it? Here is the letter for my M520, sent to the original owner of my revolver in December of 1980, signed by Roy Jinks.

 

[demkofour]

Here’s the link to an auction that ended several days ago. It also is a late production NYSPish 520 that started life as a Mod-58 frame. Roy’s letter sheds some light on what the OP is wondering in his post… Cool gun and the winning bidder is a member here!
Just a moment...

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... late production NYSPish 520
that started life as a Mod-58 frame. Roy’s letter sheds some light
on what the OP is wondering in his post…

Great info! Thanks for posting it.

Roy's letter offers a wonderful peek into Smith & Wesson lore.

He was the handgun product manager at the time so I'd bet he
had a direct hand in finding a use for those Model 58 frames.

 

[dobegrant]

Really cool revolver, is it a shooter or a collector?

 

[Hair Trigger]

The big question is how many of these M520's on a M58 frame are there? None of this info is listed in the SCSW (and it should be added to the 5th Edition, IMO). We know from my letter and the first part of the letter in the GB sale how many were made of the originals. There is also the reintroduction Model of 2005 that was made for a couple of years, which I consider similar to the Classic Series guns, and far removed from the original production in 1979-80.

So, where do these spare parts M520's fit in the grand scheme? The pictures of the GB sale are magnificent and exactly like the NYSP guns. Will they be more collectible than the original production? The auction sale price is less than what I paid for mine, but I always seem to be paying the premium prices, lol.

Late note: I noticed when looking at the pictures in the link that the cylinder was originally destined to be nickel plated. It has an "N" on the face, which has been overstruck with a "2". You can also see where the "8" in M58 inside the yoke cut was overstruck with a 2 and a zero, both of which are a different font.

 

[Retired W4]

I thought I would post pics of a regular old ordinary 520. Most that I've encountered have been LNIB. As you can see, this one is in the N560 range.

 

[bananaman]

I thought I would post pics of a regular old ordinary 520. Most that I've encountered have been LNIB. As you can see, this one is in the N560 range.

I'd be PROUD of that one!!! It's a BEAUTY! Bob

 

[Hair Trigger]

I thought I would post pics of a regular old ordinary 520. Most that I've encountered have been LNIB. As you can see, this one is in the N560 range.

Do you shoot yours, or is it a safe queen?. Mine was also ANIB and I decided to keep it that way, given the numbers of them made. Here's mine, N558680:

 

[Retired W4]

Do you shoot yours, or is it a safe queen?. Mine was also ANIB and I decided to keep it that way, given the numbers of them made. Here's mine, N558680:

It's a safe queen.

 

[SouthNarc]

Here’s the link to an auction that ended several days ago. It also is a late production NYSPish 520 that started life as a Mod-58 frame. Roy’s letter sheds some light on what the OP is wondering in his post… Cool gun and the winning bidder is a member here!
Just a moment...

Haha…you outed me!

I should be able to pick it up next Thursday, I’m traveling until then.

 

[demkofour]

Mine is also a safe queen, ANIB. I paid a bit more for this one in ‘22 than a BNIB one I first saw at a LGS, but couldn’t afford back around 1981… (I bet it was around $300 bucks!)

 

[pharmer]

Mine is also a safe queen, ANIB. I paid a bit more for this one in ‘22 than a BNIB one I first saw at a LGS, but couldn’t afford back around 1981… (I bet it was around $300 bucks!)

Back around 1988-'89 RSR Wholesale guns (when they were on East Colonial Dr/ Hwy 50) was blowing them out for $189(!) I drove out there to get one along with my order but forgot all about it with all the "closeout" guns available. Not much profit in a revolver in the late '80's. Times change. Joe

 

[Jeppo]

Mine is also a safe queen, ANIB. I paid a bit more for this one in ‘22 than a BNIB one I first saw at a LGS, but couldn’t afford back around 1981… (I bet it was around $300 bucks!)

Beautiful gun! Mine, a well treated shooter, was probably made the same day.

 

[scott1970]

I've had an ANIB example for years now and never could talk myself into shooting it. A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to buy a shooter 520 from another board member here. The box is gone, and it was sporting Pachmayr grips. For a shooter it is in really nice condition.

I'll say this about the 520. Had I known what a sweet shooting .357 this thing is, I would have shot my other one years ago.

Here it is with a cheap set of Altamonts.

 

[steve121956]

520 letter and pics

Will try to get a better pic of model number looks like stamped over Like gun that sold on Gun Broker

 

[dsf]

Is there a difference between the grips of a "for real" Model 520 and the Model 58 framed?

 

[Truckman]

Is there a difference between the grips of a "for real" Model 520 and the Model 58 framed?

In my experience with the several I have owned, the PC Magnas were numbered, very closely but not exactly, to the frame number...Only the very last one I've owned carried the exact S/N of the gun...And all had the appearance of NIB......Ben

 

[SouthNarc]

Picked up the 520 I won on GB and this is a really nice specimen. I photographed the 58/520 overstrike as best I could.

I’m also curious if these odd-ball 1983 revolvers are rare compared to the actual 3000 NYSP guns. They’re not from the original state police order.

Has anyone seen any other examples besides these two in this thread?