what would a good price be for a 1951 K38?

donadler

donadler

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smith wesson k 38 5 screw, serial # k 1068xx, appears to be 97% or so. No box, grips look excellent.

Have not gotten anything this era yet, so not sure what they go for. Thanks!
 
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I paid $600 for one like that a couple of years ago. In retrospect I should have tried to talk the store down, as I think it should have been about a $500 gun.

I think you should expect the gun you are looking at to take between $450 and $550 out of your pocket.
 
usm1rifle, thanks for allowing me to help you out of your temptation, but....you are on your own on this one!!! lol

DCWilson, appreciate the feedback. This one is at $600, looks better than the ones on GB. May have to make an offer and see how I do.
 
Anyone have the auction number on the gunbroker K38 4 screw? I just bought one and would like to see the one currently up for sale.

I won't be bidding on it, just curious.

Thanks,

Murphy2000
 
Ask if the grips are numbered to the gun. They would be in that era. If not, value comes down a bit.
I think $600 is top dollar / internet price for that particular gun. I would try to negotiate it down to closer to $500 or less if the grips don't match.
 
Don. that gun is probably worth closer to $600 more than mine was. I found a corrosion patch on the cylinder after I got it home that was larger and more significant than I thought it was when I first looked at the gun (thought it is still not huge). The rest of it was so good that it minimized the damage; but damage is damage regardless of how good everything looks in its vicinity, and that's why I thought I overpaid.

If you can get that one for $525-550, I think you'll probably be doing just fine.
 
I may be too used to internet prices, but $600 sounds to me like a good price for a gun such as you describe if the grips number to the gun.
 
I bought a very nice 5-screw K-38 from a gun dealer friend a few months back. We bought and sold a few rifles and shotguns back and forth and were giving each other our best prices when I spotted this K-38 he had. The gun looks as good as the day it was delivered to the store. 99%, stocks are perfect and number to the gun, s/n 185xxx. I can't find a mark on it anywhere. I doubt it's fired a full box of ammo. Only negative is, no box and papers. Anyways, I give him $500 for it. Not often I find one in this condition. A 5-screw K-38 in this condition is a bit of rarity, around here, as most are well used. The one I bought could sell from $650 to $750 even with no box.

Rod
 
wraco said:
A 5-screw K-38 in this condition is a bit of rarity, around here, as most are well used. The one I bought could sell from $650 to $750 even with no box.
Click to expand...

I agree on the rarity here in the PNW: I've never even seen a 5-screw K-38 Target in real life, let alone in the condition you describe!
 
I picked up a Jan. 1951 5 screw K38 last fall, that had Pachmayer grips, and a red dot sight mounted for a $350 price. But, then I had to get correct grips, front & rear sights. Did a "restoration" and after selling the red dot will have about $550 in it.
How it was (already removed the ugh Pachmayer's)
IMG_0308.jpg


How it is now.
IMG_1839.jpg
 
tgd31968 said:
It also seems as though people forget the shipping and FFL transfer charges. Figure that adds another $50 on average.
Click to expand...

Also the background check in those states that require it even with a concealed permit. Plus I found a few stores here that will want to charge sales tax on the entire transaction (gun as well as transfer fee and background check) which really gets the price up. Luckily the place I use charges $25 to transfer up to three guns, and $25 for the mandatory check though that check might be no longer required come October with a CFP in Nevada.
 
There seems to be so much variation in different regions of the country and between individuals that I'm coming to the conclusion that a "good price" is anything less than the top you are willing to pay for something. If you have no idea...do some research and keep looking until you do have an idea. Anymore, I wouldn't make a buy just based on someone's opinion on the internet.

Dave
 
Last edited:
No fees here in Utah with a concealed permit. No waiting either. Buy the gun and walk out the door after they check your CCW. This is as it should be. I have a friend who's family owns a Pawn Shop and I never pay any fees and he lets me have use of his FFL for guns other than my C&R's. Sure, I buy him a few cases of beer at times, but that is not required. He is a friend. Big Larry:):):):):):)
 
here is a photo that the seller posted:

$560 plus shipping. Still thinking about it.

 
In the last pages of Guns America, I found a beautiful 1952 vintage 5 screw heavy K38 for $490+ shipping. Called to see if it matched, and it did. Sent a check to the owner yesterday for $520 shipped. I will post pics as soon as it arrives. A few months back I was able to purchase a 100% correct 1948 K-38 with the slim bbl for just a little more $$$. These are quite a bit scarcer than the heavy target.I am now the proud owner of 4 K-38's. Big Larry:):):):):):)
 
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