Would it be safe to assume that model 19 classic with the lock…

[Model29-26.5]

…Will have to come down drastically in price? People will go for the new no lock every time.
Maybe they’re all sold out anyway?
Thoughts?
My thought is… if I can get one with the lock for under 500 bucks, it might be worth it anyway just for the heck of it?

 

[jughed440]

On the other hand, If I had a 19 with the HH, i would keep it, plug it, enjoy it, pass it on to the family.
I remember when the 610 was brought back with the lock, the prices of pre-lock 610s actually dropped. They had to...the prices were insane.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The lock is not an issue for the majority, but the die-hards (who already largely have their revolvers) definitely prefer no lock. If I can get a model that I want at a good price, the lock is not part of the decision. I do not think there is enough movement one way of the other to impact the price.

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

The fact the new 19-10 Classic has no lock, in combination with the ball detent on the yoke were THE 2 deciding factors for me buying one. I would have otherwise waited to find a nice 19-4. As much as anyone, I wanted to contribute to the sales of the no-lock models to do my tiny part in hopefully helping send a signal to S&W that new revolver sales will increase if they lose the lock.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I sold my M19 2" and got a M66 2" .
Bother are OK but SS holds up better I think.

 

[chase45]

I got into revolvers in the last decade. The lock has never bugged me as when I started looking most had them. I have several with a lock and a few without now. Im almost afraid to admit this here but I have even used the lock. Its a pretty rare event but say when camping/vacationing with my family I usually bring a pocket gun and a bigger belt gun. The bigger belt gun would generally stay behind and put up while out on excursions. Ive locked the belt gun to have less to worry about since I do have small children.

Dont ban me

With all that said I do find the non lock guns more attractive without the lock hole.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

As I have posted- only have one Holy Gun.
Carry it on Sunday.
Didn’t buy it, traded for it!

 

[DeafSmith]

No more than I would consider the Winchester 94 with button safety a 'classic'.

 

[SFury79]

The lock removal kits are $40-50. If you do get a cheap enough one with a lock, it's not a substantial cost to remove it.

I've removed the locks on the four revolvers I bought new with them. I use mine for SD and/or hunting. So, I don't want the guns to have even the slightest chance to engage the lock when it could cost me dinner or my life.

 

[Ameshawki]

Under $500, not happening. For all the angst the hole causes the purists, 90% of the market doesn't care. Most probably don't even know it's there. I just bought a used 66-8, 2 3/4 inch, complete with the dreaded hole for $650. I thought that was a steal, plus it already had a Wilson spring kit in it. I own something like fifty Smith revolvers. Only a few have the hole but that's more a function of me buying used rather than new. If I otherwise like the gun, and the price, the hole doesn't bother me.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

I'm in the share of folks that won't even look one over with the 'hole', but I've also collected for nearing thirty years now. I'd not be surprised to see prices dip slightly, but especially lacking hordes of LEO trade-ins of the lock-era revolvers as was often the case with 10s, 19s, etc in the past, I doubt they'll become outright bargains.

FWIW it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out for options - a few shows ago I found a 19-3 in Pachmayr's in great mechanical shape and decent finish for $525 total - I threw some spare smooth targets I had and traded it to a buddy who'd been dying for one for ages. No pics of that one, just to say that in general there are still occasional 'finds' to be had in looking for 19s, or at least moreso than models like the 27, 29, etc.

 

[Rock185]

Some years ago, I bought a new 686-6 SSR with the lock; only because that model wasn't available without the lock. The IL didn't create a problem, but didn't keep it long. I just could not abide that IL, and still can't, even if offered for less $$$. Too old and set in my ways I guess. Having owned 610 revolvers years ago, I decided I'd like another. But new 610s have the IL, so bought a Ruger GP100 MC, instead of the 610 I would have preferred. And yes, I'm one of those that would go for the new no lock every time, and did. I recently sprung for one of the new 686 MGs. Not sorry.

 

[nedlate]

…Will have to come down drastically in price?
My thought is… if I can get one with the lock for under 500 bucks, it might be worth it anyway just for the heck of it?

My opinion is if you can get any Model 19 K frame for less then $500 in good condition buy it. The lock does not bother me but most of my revolvers are in fact pre-lock!
Ed

 

[Coyote56]

Model 66 no dash..P&R.
No box, papers. Took off the original grips (which are pristine) to keep them that way.
Doubt it was ever fired. Picked it up for $500.

 

[walkin' trails]

The HH guns, while might enjoy lower perceived value than pre lock guns, will also get more valuable because they’re S&Ws. Look at the 619/620 family. They’re not giving them away anymore. Even a Rohm/RG ain’t going for $25 bucks anymore.

 

[413Maxwedge]

IMHO the new "no lock" guns are not a return to the old style. They still have the shallower "scoop" in the frame that the IL necessitated and they still have a strange little pseudo flag inside. Another thread claims it's to make them drop safe for CA regulations.

Regardless, while the IL is gone it's still an unwanted Gov regulation-ish departure from the classic pre-HH style that collectors crave.

I own several pre-lock and several post lock guns, and they're all fine. My 686-6 w/lock is one of my favorites and works just as well as my pre-lock 686-5.
*It just doesn't look as nice*

And that's my point. If you like a particular vintage of revolver, or car, then the latest and greatest iteration will never be as attractive. I know the new Chevy trucks are safer and more powerful and fuel efficient than all the late '70s and early '80s models I've owned. But I'll never "love" one like I do the classics.

The new guns may work great, but to me they don't look as nice and have un-necessary extra internal bits.
Just my .02.

 

[SWFan27]

…Will have to come down drastically in price? People will go for the new no lock every time.
Maybe they’re all sold out anyway?
Thoughts?
My thought is… if I can get one with the lock for under 500 bucks, it might be worth it anyway just for the heck of it?

Don't hold your breath for getting a 19-9 for under $500. S&W just raised the price for the no-lock 19-10 which is selling for over a thousand dollars. I love my 19-9 that I purchased in December for $939. Fantastic revolver.

 

[Beju]

The 19 Classics with lock don't seem to be going for dramatically less than the new no-lock guns, at least nothing that can't be explained by S&W raising the MSRP, as SWFan27 pointed out.

If there were huge numbers of them clogging up dealer/distributor inventories, I could see there being some great deals, but perusing wikiarms and gun.deals, that is not the case. It's not like these were ever mass production revolvers the way that Model 10s were when most US LE agencies were carrying revolvers.

Then, as others have said, a lot of buyers simply don't care. Of the revolver aficionados who do, some of them also hate the shape of the modern frames anyway.

 

[Coyote56]