Why so expensive
- Thread starter rmc
- Start date
What he said!
Bullet Bob
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"Supply vs demand, really? Does anyone have any useful info."
Wow. Just wow.
Wow. Just wow.
THE PILGRIM
Member
"Expensive" seems to be a relative term. How much were the grips in question? I'm just curious.
Thanks
Thanks
SLT223
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I think for most people, myself included, they are more aesthetic than the speedloader cutout stocks, and very much more so than anything Altamont could ever make. That makes them desirable to me. Since they are no longer made, you have to pry them from someone’s collection. When offered, they are typically done so at collector value bc that’s what the market bares. This being said I haven't bought a set in at least a couple years. If I see a set I like at $200ish, I typically go the extra $50, and buy a set of Culina’s. Thats just me.
22hipower
Member
That's pretty much the only response that makes sense. Same answer for non-relieved N and K targets not to mention "cokes", pre-war Magnas and a number of others. Back in the 70s/80s and before and after I suppose, folks bought new S&Ws and tossed the factory stocks in favor of "custom" alternatives. Those often included rubber grips from one manufacturer or another.
Now, often many years later, some of those guns have become collectible and the owners are trying to put them back to original condition with "period correct" if not the original stocks. There are apparently more folks looking for those "original" stocks than there are "original" stocks available. . . .so prices go up. That's a longer way to say "supply and demand."
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Lou_the_welder
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I had wondered myself , why some smooth 'presentation ' stocks, were so expensive.
Looking for them online, they are fetching $250-$300 for the nice ones. Sometimes more.
I have learned tho, that some of those stocks did come in guns that were commemorative/ special presentation or were sold through the manufacturer in a very limited quantity.
Knowing this and how limited they are , are key factors in how justified those prices become.
Looking for them online, they are fetching $250-$300 for the nice ones. Sometimes more.
I have learned tho, that some of those stocks did come in guns that were commemorative/ special presentation or were sold through the manufacturer in a very limited quantity.
Knowing this and how limited they are , are key factors in how justified those prices become.
Shark Bait
US Veteran
I've noticed that many photos of 629 no-dash guns have them. I wonder if they were standard on some or all of them? I guess a letter might say...
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BC38
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LOL, what kind of answer were you expecting? That they are made from unobtanium by fairies in the darkest forests of Bavaria?
Here is a little more of a long winded version of the same answer.
The checkered version was a standard item that was produced in the thousands and could be ordered for just a few extra bucks on just about any new gun. They could also be ordered by themselves as an accessory directly from the factory.
The smooth presentations were made in much smaller numbers and as I've always understood it they weren't something that you could just order. They were reserved for use on special issue guns - like limited runs of guns marked with the shield of a Law Enforcement Agency or some other kind of commemorative.
Like any other limited quantity item that a lot of people like - or want just because they are scarce - they command a premium price.
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22hipower
Member
The S&W Standard Catalog 4th Edition doesn't give us much information. Does say that early ones shipped with "oversized checked Goncalo Alves grips with silver S&W medallions." I've seen a lot of them with the smooth target stocks too, and some with checkered "football" targets as well.
I bought this no dash four inch P&R at a small LGS in the Texas Panhandle in December. No way to know if the stocks are original, although I like to think that they are.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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I did not know that the smooth P/Grips had gone
up that much in value.
I luckily have a couple pair stashed.
The ones below came on the 27-2 when I bought.
I pulled them immediately as they were excellent plus
and I liked the deep color and the grain.
up that much in value.
I luckily have a couple pair stashed.
The ones below came on the 27-2 when I bought.
I pulled them immediately as they were excellent plus
and I liked the deep color and the grain.
ggibson511960
Member
Way Back in the Day....
A long time ago, S&W compelled their franchise dealers to carry every S&W logo'd accessory under the sun, just to move the stuff, including S&W private labelled ammunition, knives, etc. Display racks were bulging with blister packs full of TT's, TH's and TS's of all description, priced at bargain prices to move, all so the dealer could get his hands on a few M-29's. It's been a long time, but I recall all of those 3T items being about $15.
A long time ago, S&W compelled their franchise dealers to carry every S&W logo'd accessory under the sun, just to move the stuff, including S&W private labelled ammunition, knives, etc. Display racks were bulging with blister packs full of TT's, TH's and TS's of all description, priced at bargain prices to move, all so the dealer could get his hands on a few M-29's. It's been a long time, but I recall all of those 3T items being about $15.
Well, I am here to tell you that I did not buy them. I have 2 sets, one on a 25-2, and a set I bought new in 1975 to put on my 15-3. I suppose I can understand a premium for the rosewood ( Brazilian I think) that is no longer allowed to be harvested.
I will not buy cokes either. Too expensive. Nor will I buy a gun from a person or dealer that strips cokes off of a gun to maximize profit. Targets, diamond targets and Culina's are just fine.
Won't pay the money for S&W combats either
DWalt
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Original S&W smooth presentation grips for K-frames are none too plentiful either. A couple of years ago, I bought a fairly nice pair at a garage sale for $20, and thought that was a great deal. I now have them on an early Model 15 (a former cop gun). A perfect matchup.
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SLT223
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Yessir! Maybe even $10. I worked behind the counter of an LGS in southwestern CT in 2000 and 2001 during college summers. The shop, still there, was opened around 1960. There were still boxes full of everything you mentioned plus S&W handcuffs, battons, belts...everything. some of it was from the early 70’s. By 2001 there was still at least two full cardboard boxes full of S&W stocks of all kinds, including combats. All prices were $10-$15.....
When prelock gun values starting really popping after I left the blister pack stocks got put on those guns when they came in used with 1980’s pacmyer grips. Wish I had bought them all when I was there.
Walter Rego
Member
I think a lot of what drives the prices of the Smooth Target Stocks is how attractively grained the individual set is. Many are 'bookmatched" Goncalo Alves and can be quite beautiful in color and grain. For a long time the factory supplied full checkered football cutout Target Stocks were supplied in some pretty plain wood and many owners want to dress up their revolvers a bit. Here are a few examples
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girvin02
Member
I have some nice grips from a 25-2 that I am thinking about selling. The gun has been reblued and shot hard and will be nothing more than a shooter. I have no idea of their worth and am not a stock guy but they have the cutout. Have tried to attach some pics But it ain’t happening. PM me if your interested. They look like the ones in The Pilgrims post
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rubiranch
Member
My 5" M27-2 wear a pair of gorgeous smooth Presentation Goncala Alves grips.
My brother added them along with a wide, smooth "combat" trigger.
He wore this gun while working backstage with some of the Secret Service guys when President Reagan came to Salt Lake City while in office.
I have no idea what their $$ value is.
These perfect Coke Bottle Grips I bought recently for my 1960 6.5" M27 are the most expensive grips I have purchased.
JohnRippert
Member
I'll give a go at a reason for the price besides supply and demand. I expect that S&W has always looked for the best pieces of wood, in color and figure, to use when making smooth targets. Since the non checkered grips make the wood really stand out it makes sense for the best wood to be used. A higher grade of wood burnished and finished as smooth targets are will always bring more bucks than plain checkered grips.
Another example using a set of smooth K-frame RB targets.
Another example using a set of smooth K-frame RB targets.
Here's some Rosewood smoothies on me pre-29:
Drm50
Member
I don’t like Smooth Grips. I only have I set of K frame and I replaced them on a 19 with checkered. I dont know if they were original to the gun, I bought it used 19-2, 6”.
Very nice grips! Actually, I am sure they are worth every penny when compared to other things you could spend money on like bowling. At least you will have something to show for your money, and collecting trophies is like collecting old lawnmowers
Checkering
Checkering was done to rifle and handgun stocks to enhance the grip retention! However, over the years it became somewhat of an art thing. Done more for appeal than use! A none checkered set of grips were used to accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood! My thought is to show with wood and shoot with rubber!
jcelect
Checkering was done to rifle and handgun stocks to enhance the grip retention! However, over the years it became somewhat of an art thing. Done more for appeal than use! A none checkered set of grips were used to accentuate the grain and beauty of the wood! My thought is to show with wood and shoot with rubber!
jcelect
DWalt
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I have always preferred smooth grips to checkered for shooting. I have several pair of Colt target grips which were "smoothed" by sanding off the checkering by previous unknown owners. Of course that has destroyed their collector value, but I still prefer their feel for shooting purposes. I also have several pair of those Indonesian grips as sold on eBay, also smooth, and I really like them. Have one pair of a Model 29.
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