Value check please: Model 15-4

[TTSH]

My S&W pricing expertise is mostly in all-metal S&W pistols and, to a lesser extent, in .22 LR revolvers and stainless steel CF revolvers... so I need a little help with this one: A Model 15-4 (vintage 1977) in 98-99% condition (little use, essentially perfect) with original Magna grips in excellent condition (no chips), a very light turn line... but no box, paperwork or tools.

I'm not interested in GB asking prices, book value, insurance value or similar. What I'd like to know is what members here would be willing to pay for such a gun today if you had no major interest in it other than it being a very nice condition S&W revolver and a good value for the money. In other words, without getting too silly, what would be an attractive price for you personally on a Model 15-4 as described?

My experience is that we sometimes tend to overstate values based on asking prices or crazy deals we have seen. I can't afford to make a mistake and overpay on this one like I did on my last acquisition. My long-suffering good wife would not appreciate that at all.

 

[UncleEd]

$400 and beyond.

How far beyond?

You really must decide.

I suspect the asking price
on the one you describe is
above $550.

 

[TTSH]

$400 and beyond.

How far beyond?

You really must decide.

I suspect the asking price
on the one you describe is
above $550.

You hit it right on the money. That would be my out-of-pocket cost at the tagged price, which I feel is a bit too much for my budget, especially given that I've not had a great year so far in terms of prices I've had to pay.

I should probably take a pass on this one. It's a brand new shop and I don't think the owner is going to be giving any bargains at this point. I wouldn't if I were him. In fact, I'm surprised that he isn't asking even more for that gun.

 

[cmansguns]

Show the store owner the post on this forum from UncleEd on 04-08 titled "Model 15's are garbage".

On second thought maybe the Seller already read the post and realizes that what he has is considered "garbage" all over S & W land.

Offer to "charge him" only $10 or $20 to get that junk out of his store and stop contaminating all his plastic stuff.

Around here the gun you described wouldn't last even a day at $400, would probably be priced at $649 at one LGS, willing to "let you have it for $600" and you'd be lucky to go OTD for $550 - $575.

 

[CajunBass]

It would be tagged about $500.00 at my dealer. If I wanted one, I'd try to get it for $450, but I wouldn't lose it over a few bucks.

I've got one now that I paid $400.00 for, but that was a few years ago, and it was a private sale.

 

[mrchick]

I would pay $400.00 to 450.00. Lots of people ask for a lot more and they tend to sit. Good luck.

 

[Rpg]

Perhaps I missed it but I don't believe we know the barrel length of the gun we're being asked to value.

The values noted so far fit well with 6" guns, may be a bit low for 4" and are quite low for a 2" model.

So what length barrel does the gun in question have?

 

[TTSH]

Perhaps I missed it but I don't believe we know the barrel length of the gun we're being asked to value.

The values noted so far fit well with 6" guns, may be a bit low for 4" and are quite low for a 2" model.

So what length barrel does the gun in question have?

Opps! I forgot that the 15-4 was also offered as a snub. My bad. This one I found is a 4". I don't think they made a 6" Model 15-4, but I could be wrong there too.

 

[GB]

The price your dealer is asking is a fair price (in this area anyway). It depends on how much you want / need a 15. About a year and a half ago, I bought a 15-4(not as nice as what you describe) and thought I got a screemin' good deal at 375.00 but it is only the second one I have seen for sale, in the local shops, in the last 5or 6 years. (It was on consignment and after the sale the dealer and I both agreed that there was money left on the table) (I bought the first one too. It was a -2 but I do not remember the exact price. It is about 90% and I think I paid about 5 bills.) The era of cheap trade in revolvers is over. For a shootin' gun 15s are about at the top of the list. If you want it - buy it. They do not make them like that any more!

 

[TTSH]

Show the store owner the post on this forum from UncleEd on 04-08 titled "Model 15's are garbage".

On second thought maybe the Seller already read the post and realizes that what he has is considered "garbage" all over S & W land.

Offer to "charge him" only $10 or $20 to get that junk out of his store and stop contaminating all his plastic stuff.

Around here the gun you described wouldn't last even a day at $400, would probably be priced at $649 at one LGS, willing to "let you have it for $600" and you'd be lucky to go OTD for $550 - $575.

I just read that whole thread! Oh Lordy! I guess I'm already a sissy (from my Model 10-5) and a potential pervert (from this Model 15-4). Holy cow! Who knew???

I don't think there is any hope of me ever owning that 15-4 for $400. I've been thinking that if I could own it for $450 cash (plus tax), it would make good sense on value alone. Above that and I'd need a little more justification than just a very good deal on a very nice blued .38 Special revolver. The truth is that I've got no shortage of .38 Special and .357 Magnum S&W revolvers, although most of them are stainless steel.

But damn, that Model 15-4 is purdy!

 

[TTSH]

It would be tagged about $500.00 at my dealer. If I wanted one, I'd try to get it for $450, but I wouldn't lose it over a few bucks.

I've got one now that I paid $400.00 for, but that was a few years ago, and it was a private sale.

Great men think alike! I am thinking $450 too. Unfortunately, the shop owner is thinking $500. Plus tax (of course) and 3% more if I use a credit card (which I'd probably have to do at $500+Tx).

 

[TTSH]

I would pay $400.00 to 450.00. Lots of people ask for a lot more and they tend to sit. Good luck.

$400 would be perfect! I've got that much in my wallet as we speak. Just gotta not eat for the next few weeks and it's a done deal!

The big problem is that this is sitting in a brand new shop and the owner is awfully set on getting his full price.

The "no box" thing bothers me. If that fine example of a 15-4 had its original factory box et al, I'd have swallowed hard and paid the full $500 plus tax and credit card fee. The box, tools and paperwork is a big deal to me.

 

[ladder13]

I've had this for years, a 15-4 with the box. There's a turn line, that's about it, the rest is flash. No plans to unload it.

 

[TTSH]

I've had this for years, a 15-4 with the box. There's a turn line, that's about it, the rest is flash. No plans to unload it.

Very nice snub... ... but there is something about that 4" 15-4 that is speaking to me. It's the classic blued K-frame "cop gun" look... just like my 4" 10-5 only newer and classier, but still old school. Not the stainless look like the majority of my S&W revolvers from that period (my first S&W collecting incarnation).

I'm crazy busy all this week, but if that 15-4 is still there a week from today, I'm gonna give it my best effort to snag it.

 

[sigp220.45]

It would most likely be a $600 and up gun around here.

$450 would be a steal. $500 would be a "risk the wrath of the wife" price.

They ain't making 'em anymore. I think everyone should own a 4" Model 15, just so you have a benchmark for other guns to aspire to.

 

[TTSH]

The price your dealer is asking is a fair price (in this area anyway). It depends on how much you want / need a 15. About a year and a half ago, I bought a 15-4(not as nice as what you describe) and thought I got a screemin' good deal at 375.00 but it is only the second one I have seen for sale, in the local shops, in the last 5or 6 years. (It was on consignment and after the sale the dealer and I both agreed that there was money left on the table) (I bought the first one too. It was a -2 but I do not remember the exact price. It is about 90% and I think I paid about 5 bills.) The era of cheap trade in revolvers is over. For a shootin' gun 15s are about at the top of the list. If you want it - buy it. They do not make them like that any more!

The funny thing is that when I spotted the subject revolver, I was out mostly looking for a cheap ($300 or less) refinishing candidate. It's been a quest of mine in order to see how good a local refinisher's bluing skills are.

Well, this one is no refinishing candidate. This one is how I'd love a refinished S&W revolver to come out!

 

[UncleEd]

$400 would be perfect! I've got that much in my wallet as we speak. Just gotta not eat for the next few weeks and it's a done deal!

Eating is highly overrated. After you've eaten,
then what do you have a day or two later?

But the gun, a day or two later and you can
still fondle it.

 

[TTSH]

It would most likely be a $600 and up gun around here.

$450 would be a steal. $500 would be a "risk the wrath of the wife" price.

They ain't making 'em anymore. I think everyone should own a 4" Model 15, just so you have a benchmark for other guns to aspire to.

No question that another "over $500 out the door" purchase without wife pre-approval (per household rules) could prove disastrous. I failed to get her approval on that Beretta 84FS I picked up and it did not exactly go over well. I wouldn't say that I am totally in the doghouse right now... more like a suspended sentence and probation.

Eating is highly overrated. After you've eaten,
then what do you have a day or two later?

But the gun, a day or two later and you can
still fondle it.

Excellent points! We think alike!

 

[UncleEd]

Oh, a Beretta 84 FS.

Very nice gun. A bit fat
for its caliber, especially
with the 13 round mag.

And hard to rack the slide
because of the blowback
recoil design. And the
blowback causes more
recoil.

Now, you've had it and it's
been fun but time to trade
it in for a Model 15 which
will prove more fun and
just as versatile for your
needs.

 

[TTSH]

Oh, a Beretta 84 FS.

Very nice gun. A bit fat
for its caliber, especially
with the 13 round mag.

And hard to rack the slide
because of the blowback
recoil design. And the
blowback causes more
recoil.

Now, you've had it and it's
been fun but time to trade
it in for a Model 15 which
will prove more fun and
just as versatile for your
needs.

Geez Uncle Ed! I just bought it!

Check out the pix at the end of this thread... and yes, you are right on all points. But just like this Model 15-4 possibility, it was so dang purdy I just had to have it.

Opinions & Thoughts on Beretta 84FS?