What S&W Revolver do you regret letting go of the most?

A model 66 (no dash?) that was purchased from a dear friend who died a few years later.

Traded it away for a Snub 442, that was a great carry piece... that I traded away for a Model 19-5...


That I sold...

Lessons learned... budget better and never sell and never trade!

My wife is buying me a Model 17 for my anniversary, so I'm starting to rebuild the collection.

A 642 is on the short list. As is a Model 10,15, or any other Smith that meets two requirements. 1) Is in excellent condition 2) That I have cash in hand.
 
I sold a 629 4" I owned to a friend in a neighboring Sheriff's Department. I then bought a Ruger Redhawk 4" in order to be able to shoot heavier rounds. Ruger works great, but it's not a 629.
 
Model 25 I sent back to the factory to have a second cylender made, it shot both 45 ACP and 45 LC.

Model 547.

Model 1917, (though this was was stolen, not really my fault)

There are several in reality, Model 19s, 13s, 645. This is just my Smiths. There are others.

Anyway, I learned my lesson, never again will I let any of my guns go.

Heck I have plenty of grandkids to sell if I need money that bad.
 
Back in '79, I was a young Patrolman, and single. So I only cashed every other paycheck. My bank account was nice and fat.

I had a 75 year old friend of many years who was a collector of pre-war S&W's. He had a registered .357, 3.5" barrel in beautiful shape. One afternoon I called him and asked what he would take for that old magnum. He thought awhile, and I could hear his brain clicking away to come up with a really high price tag. Finally he came up with a number, $600.

I didn't hesitate, "Fine, I'll take it." we made plans to meet that Saturday.

That Friday, he diecided to paint the ceiling of his living room. He was wroking away from the top of a ladder, when his wife heard a crash. He had had a massive heart attack and died - probably before he hit the floor.

Lost a good friend - and a beautiful magnum, I guess it wasn't meant to be, still I miss both of them.
 
I regret letting go of a 547 not because I really liked the gun, but just because I wasn't smart enough at the time to do a little research on its value. Oh well.

I sold a long-barreled 27-2 that I wish I still had and will end up replacing one day.
 
A 38/44 HD given to me by my Grandfather. He had previously blown up the original in 1969, with me sitting next to him. Neither of us were hurt but the gun was destroyed. Thinking it was faulty workmanship on the part of S&W (though I suspect it was his handloads), he sent it back to S&W with a nasty letter. They returned it to him in brand new condition - new frame, new cylinder, everything new, except for the serial number which was the same. The letter he received with the gun was very politely worded but left no doubt they suspected it was his handloads as well. Due to this mishap he was no longer allowed to handload and soon gave the gun to me. Not knowing what I had I went to the local hardware store and traded it straight up for a new in box 4" Model 57, not at all popular in those days. The Model 57 was later lifted by my brother while I was away at West Point, then used by his girlfriend to commit suicide. Very sad in so many ways. I've always deeply regretted not keeping Granddad's gun.
Keith
 
Two regrets for me, M-12 round butt 2" paid $90.00 for it in 1976, It was to be used by my now X as her H/D revolver. It had exactly 24 rounds through it. Sold it in 1982/1983 $100.00 did not need the money but I did feet the need to keep it.

Second, not a Smith, but my Walther PPK'S just a great little gun to drop in your back pocket for a quick errand.
 
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Many regrets here.
New in the box 520, a n-frame fixed sight .357 made for the NY State Police.
My very first gun purchased, a model 19 with a 2.5 barrel.
Finally, a mdel 65 with a 3 inch barrel.
I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.
 
My 4" 66 with the WSP shield engraved on the side plate. I had to sell a 586 and 5906 then too (just married, my wife hadn't found a job yet, car payments...) but I really miss the 66. Oh well, I couldn't drive the gun to work. The 19 does help ease the pain.
 
6 1/2" 624
2" model 10
6" model 19
4" model 18

Passed on a 45 Colt 625 (was that a Mountain Gun??) long enough ago that it would triple my investment today

I better stop thinking about it, I don't know how long this list could be. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't started thinking about it.
 
I have sold 2 586's and 2 686's all were excellent pistols but the one I regret the most is an early A prefix Model 41 which the deepest blueing I have ever seen on any gun in return I recieved a custom made Caspian Commander from Ross Carter so I think I did very well but I will always miss that Model 41.
 
A couple of Pre Model 17s, an early 4" 629, and a 6.5" 24-3 probably lead the League of Lament. Sometimes, though, sacrifice is required when Single Action Armies unexpectedly appear.

Two S&Ws I moved along that I DID NOT smother over were a near mint 4" nickel Model 27 that was ridiculously inaccurate and a 4" Model 57 that I never fired. Both "got on my nerves" and I'm glad they're gone.
 
What a list this will be for most folks, I have a few that ring in my mind pretty often. I carried a Model 27 with a 3.5 inch barrel and my first early K22 made in 1948. bought in Palmer, Alaska for $250.00. Yeah, wish I had both of them now.
 
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