About a year ago I had stated here that then was the golden age of vintage S&W auto-pistol collecting. That prices were still reasonable and choice/supply was decent. I was mocked saying that Vintage S&W autos were never going to be collectible. The prices seem to bear out what I was saying and predicting. Once abundant selections are now spartan. I believe the prices for vintage all metal pistols like the S&W line will begin to have either linear or exponential price increase because there is a growing segment that favor all-metal guns over polymer pistols. Polymer is the future due to economics of production and the virtues of lighter, non-corroding components. What startles me is the prices being asked for pistols that cost a fraction of of their retail pricing to produce, but I guess its what ever the market will bear. Keep in mind its unlikely the prices for vintage pistols will decrease unless they find hidden vaults of unsold guns in the basement of some shut-down distributor or gunshop. The end of production of a genre of firearms usually means the existing examples appreciate in value over time.
Third Gen Prices
- Thread starter GaryS
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Charlie Foxtrott
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I pretty much agree with this.
I have been buying them here and there. The ones that I want. What I have been seeing is that the 45s and the 10mm guns have been steadily going up for some time now. The nine mils and the 40s not so much. They have generally been inexpensive until recently. Now you just do not see them very much. And when you do they are going higher.
I was lucky enough to get an adjustable sight 1006 NIB about 5 years ago for eight bills. I thought it was high but I wanted the gun and you do not see them very much. Funny thing was that about a month later I was able to score another really clean one for five bills so I picked that one up also. I bought a 4566 years ago when they came out new. It was my go to gun for many years and still is often enough. I was able to score another one a couple of years ago LNIB with three extra mags for six bills. Additionally I got a 645 police trade in for cheap a few years ago like three and change. And a clean 4506 I also got for what I thought was a reasonable five bills a couple of years ago.
I picked up a clean 915 for three bills and change not long ago. I also scored a 1066 about three or four years ago. It was eight bills but I wanted it.
If you see them and want them, you better jump on them. They are not going to get any cheaper. Spare magazines are becoming an issue. But I am in pretty good shape there.
Here is a picture of some of mine. More added since this picture was taken.
I have been buying them here and there. The ones that I want. What I have been seeing is that the 45s and the 10mm guns have been steadily going up for some time now. The nine mils and the 40s not so much. They have generally been inexpensive until recently. Now you just do not see them very much. And when you do they are going higher.
I was lucky enough to get an adjustable sight 1006 NIB about 5 years ago for eight bills. I thought it was high but I wanted the gun and you do not see them very much. Funny thing was that about a month later I was able to score another really clean one for five bills so I picked that one up also. I bought a 4566 years ago when they came out new. It was my go to gun for many years and still is often enough. I was able to score another one a couple of years ago LNIB with three extra mags for six bills. Additionally I got a 645 police trade in for cheap a few years ago like three and change. And a clean 4506 I also got for what I thought was a reasonable five bills a couple of years ago.
I picked up a clean 915 for three bills and change not long ago. I also scored a 1066 about three or four years ago. It was eight bills but I wanted it.
If you see them and want them, you better jump on them. They are not going to get any cheaper. Spare magazines are becoming an issue. But I am in pretty good shape there.
Here is a picture of some of mine. More added since this picture was taken.
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At this weekend's Akron gun show ( I went both days), I did NOT see any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen pistols. Normally see a few.
1775usmarine
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That auction site use to be filled with 5906's for 300 to 335 all day. Now you're over the 400 mark in most cases. 3913 and 6906's for more than 450, and 4506's for over 675.
OP
I don't know if they are collectible or if people realize that even though they are "ancient" they are still very reliable for self defense.
Maybe both, but right now all handguns and shotguns seem to be at a premium.
Maybe both, but right now all handguns and shotguns seem to be at a premium.
vigil617
US Veteran
Remember just a few months ago when nobody could get $300 for a black 457 on the big site? Now they're back to the $400 to $450 range -- and still an excellent value, but that's around a 50 percent increase right there.
OP
An interesting addition to the list of semi autos for sale is a "Model 39-2 Scorpion Personal Protection Systems Custom."
Apparently a Deval style custom built gun. With wooden presentation case and 3 mags. Just short of $2,800.00.
I wonder what other S&W semi autos are in that collection?
Apparently a Deval style custom built gun. With wooden presentation case and 3 mags. Just short of $2,800.00.
I wonder what other S&W semi autos are in that collection?
Think you have it rough? In Commiefornia, these would be priced 30% to 50% higher if you could find them.
It's so bad out here that I had agreed to purchase a 1911 with a case of .45 ammo and the seller stopped answering my emails & text's when it got close to the transfer day. I guess he figured he could get more from someone else even thou I agreed to his asking price and other terms for transfer. People are asking triple the going rate for 9mm ammo and some fools are paying it! A 500 round case of Winchester White box
sold for $85 in January and now is going for $200 to $300.
I'm not trying to hijack your thread (just got carried away).
I think everything has gone-up. And if Biden wins, AR will go through the roof again.
One of my local shops has been getting Century Arm (CAI) import 3rd Gen S&W's. Thye had some 6904 for $400-$450 depending on condition. But they have import marks. Not sure where CAI is getting these?
One of my local shops has been getting Century Arm (CAI) import 3rd Gen S&W's. Thye had some 6904 for $400-$450 depending on condition. But they have import marks. Not sure where CAI is getting these?
OP
About time the 915 started getting some much deserved respect. Mine's an absolute honey.
A 910s just sold for $700 and was sold in 2 hours.
915 are going for $700 (last month) also even though they were going for $400 this last January.
Glockman4
Member
That's insane. I passed on one for $300 about 3 months ago because it had a little too much wear on it.
The most I ever paid for a third gen was $1000 but that was for my 1066 and we all know how the story goes with those. Only 5,200 made.
915's had to be well over 100,000 made.
Green Frog
Member
Back around the first of the year (just before the advent of Kung Flu) I got interested in first my 1st Gen Model 39-2, then decided since it was a family heirloom I wanted to have a "shooter grade" metal frame S&W auto pistol. For some reason, I just can't warm up to the one piece grips with built in plastic mainspring housing as found in the 3rd Gen guns, but like everything else about them. Enter Generation 2.5 as discussed in another thread. With a 639 lower and a 915 upper, I think I've found true happiness. Fortunately there were enough of these in circulation a mere 7-9 months ago that shooter grade examples were available at reasonable prices. Primo grade examples of all three Generations are going up in price quickly and even the shooter grade guns for those of us of the working class are getting harder and harder to find at the attractive prices we recently enjoyed. GaryS, you can let your beard go long and buy a robe and safe... you're a prophet! 
Froggie
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Charlie Foxtrott
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Yep I paid a whole smoking three bills for my clean one a couple of years ago.
And was subsequently able to get some factory OEM mags from midway for a decent price shortly after. Not much to not like there.
And was subsequently able to get some factory OEM mags from midway for a decent price shortly after. Not much to not like there.
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58619owner
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I just paid $850 for a 4516-1 with 9 magazines (5-7 rounders and 4-8 rounders) and thought it was fair especially since being in california and having our stupid roster.
Miami_JBT
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OST for later posting.
