S&W 19-3 2.5" what is it worth?

WVsig · January 14, 2015, 10:19 AM

I found this gun locally. It is a 19-3 2.5" in the classic S&W high polish blue. Looks to be in excellent condition I would estimate 95%+. Looks like a target setup to my eyes. Comes with factory box and is 100% stock.

What is it worth in todays market. I is my understanding that the 2.5" are popular

Guv · January 14, 2015, 11:05 AM

Not quite sure but about 9 months ago I paid $800.00 for a similar condition 66-2. It had the box with the cleaning tools and little screw driver and appeared to be un-shot. I would think that M19 would be a little higher, sure is pretty!

old bear · January 14, 2015, 02:39 PM

If I were in the market for a 2 1/2" M-19 I would not bat any eye at paying $700.00 for that, with the correct box. If needed I would go up another $100.00. Perhaps my buy price is a little high, but it should not be in 12 months or so.

Buy the thing NOW.

**Mike Irwin** · January 14, 2015, 06:37 PM

Back in 1994 or 1995 I paid 325 for one as new in box.

WVsig · January 14, 2015, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Back in 1994 or 1995 I paid 325 for one as new in box.

So if I went by straight inflation I should pay about $550? LOL

True Grit · January 14, 2015, 08:13 PM

It appears to be a nice opportunity for an excellent condition S&W M19 2.5" w/box. Curious to know what they're asking for it? Obviously, counter offers always help negotiate a better price.

Joe_Pike · January 14, 2015, 08:49 PM

The only two blued guns with boxes that I saw on Gunbroker that sold went for $800 and $805. The nickel ones were going for more for some reason. I personally don't care for nickel.

Deaf Smith · January 14, 2015, 10:31 PM

Fortunately for me..

My 19-5 is well used, but mechanically perfect.

And only cost me $415, including the parts I used to tighten it up (a new center pin) not 3 months ago.

And I shoot that gun!!! Love it.

Now that pretty 19-3 at the top of the thread... Aw... I'd oil it and stick it in the safe.

Deaf

WVsig · January 15, 2015, 08:32 AM

Seller wants $875 which is why I posted. I think it is about a $100 too high but what do I know.

Real Gun · January 15, 2015, 11:15 AM

I think he's about $300 high.

True Grit · January 15, 2015, 01:53 PM

WVsig ------ if you feel $775. ($100. under the asking price) is a fair price to you, offer him $600. Show him the cash in hand when you make the offer. Good chance you'll buy it somewhere between the $600. and $775. Go for it ------ you know what happens if you snooze !

WVsig · January 15, 2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

WVsig ------ if you feel $775. ($100. under the asking price) is a fair price to you, offer him $600. Show him the cash in hand when you make the offer. Good chance you'll buy it somewhere between the $600. and $775. Go for it ------ you know what happens if you snooze !

I have thrown out an offer we will see what happens?

Quote:

I think he's about $300 high.

At $575 I would buy as many of them as I could. Where are you finding 19-3 2.5" S&Ws in this condition for under $600?

texagun · January 15, 2015, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Back in 1994 or 1995 I paid 325 for one as new in box.

I've got you beat. I paid $185 for one from Arlington Police Supply in the mid-80's....new in the box. I've still got the gun. Today they bring anywhere from $550 to $750 around here, depending on condition.

Guv · January 15, 2015, 04:55 PM

$300.00 too high, today? I too would give $600.00 all day long for sweet counter bored, pinned, 2 1/2" M19's. Jump on it.

UncleEd · January 15, 2015, 05:25 PM

QUOTE I think he's about $300 high. QUOTE

Right

RIDE-RED 350r · January 15, 2015, 06:21 PM

$700-$800 all day long....

Any 2.5" 19 or 66 brings a premium over their 4 and 6" counterparts these days. Seems like they are enjoying a spike in popularity.

But then when you figure it is a -3 (P&R) that adds another premium..

I scored my 4" 19-3 in very good but used condition 3 years ago for $575 plus sales tax. I felt that was a fair deal at that time for my area of the country.

More recently I see 4" P&R 19's sell for $650+ on a pretty regular basis.

K-frames will always be popular with people and that's a fact. And I don't really see how the market for them would decline by any significant margin in the near future. Are they the next Python? Of course not... But I think in the range of $700-$800 your money will be fairly safe, especially with the specimen you are looking at. Dealer knows what he has and is probably priced toward the upper limit of what it's worth... So I would try to get it for closer to $700.

Just my $0.02

Real Gun · January 15, 2015, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Fortunately for me..

My 19-5 is well used, but mechanically perfect.

According to the S&W book, the 19-5 (unlike the 19-3) eliminated the pinned and recessed feature.

laytonj1 · January 15, 2015, 07:04 PM

Quote:

According to the S&W book, the 19-5 (like this gun) eliminated the pinned and recessed feature.

? The gun in the OP is a -3 not a -5.
And yes, $700 to $800 in the condition.

Jim

FITASC · January 15, 2015, 07:44 PM

I bought the exact same gun (sans box and tools) about 6 months ago for $349 at, (get this part)....................Gander Mountain!..

Real Gun · January 16, 2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

? The gun in the OP is a -3 not a -5.
And yes, $700 to $800 in the condition.

I added a quote for the reference to the 19-5 and deleted my confusing parens. Puts it in context.

Real Gun · January 16, 2015, 07:33 AM

Quote:

I think he's about $300 high.

Right

For a gun that is too short for its caliber and better to carry than to actually shoot. How much is P&R worth to you? I would be more interested if it was nickel plated. Who needs a heavy 38 Special?

Nathan · January 16, 2015, 07:53 AM

Wow! I was thinking $650....I must be out of touch!

carguychris · January 16, 2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Gun

For a gun that is too short for its caliber and better to carry than to actually shoot. How much is P&R worth to you? I would be more interested if it was nickel plated. Who needs a heavy 38 Special?

It's not a question of need. Collectors want it, and collectors largely drive the market for old Smiths, particularly those in 95%+ condition.

The M19-3 dates from an era before licensed civilian CCW was widespread, and thus the 2.5" versions did not sell well and are hard to find, particularly in this condition, because most of them have spent their life in a plainclothes cop's holster.

Generally, hard to find + 95%+ condition + original box and other goodies = $700+ when you're discussing old Smiths, including (especially!) odd configurations that not many people "need"- e.g. the M631 (all-stainless 4"bbl .32 H&R Mag) and the M35 (all-steel 6"bbl .22LR J frame with target sights) are $700 guns also.

BTW I generally agree with the previous posters; $700 is fair,and it could realistically sell for $800 in some markets, although IMHO $850+ is pushing it.

highpower3006 · January 16, 2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

I think he's about $300 high.

Well, everyone has their own opinion. But what you perceive they are worth is definitely not shared by the marketplace. In the condition of the one pictured by the OP, I would buy them all day and twice on Sunday for under six bills and then resell them for a couple hundred dollars profit. I am not so sure that it is worth $875, but I have been known to be behind the curve on current price trends before.

I personally think that the 4" version is a better fit for a .357, but the market is hot right now for short barrels. Plus, with the round butt and short barrel, it is not all that hard to carry. If I was packing one around, it would be loaded with 158 grain .357 JHP's.

AK103K · January 16, 2015, 10:19 AM

I guess I lucked out. Over the past couple of years, I picked up 2.5" 19-3 for $450, and a 4" 19-5, for $400. Both in very good shape, and appear to have been shot little (at least until I got them

). Both were purchased at local shops, and were trade ins.

My 19-3 (and 19-5 for that matter) is somewhere between Deaf's and the one at the top. It doesnt have the box or original grips, but I buy shooters, not safe queens.

January 14, 2015, 08:49 PM	#7
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	The only two blued guns with boxes that I saw on Gunbroker that sold went for $800 and $805. The nickel ones were going for more for some reason. I personally don't care for nickel. __________________ Stay Groovy

January 14, 2015, 10:31 PM	#8
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Fortunately for me.. My 19-5 is well used, but mechanically perfect. And only cost me $415, including the parts I used to tighten it up (a new center pin) not 3 months ago. And I shoot that gun!!! Love it. Now that pretty 19-3 at the top of the thread... Aw... I'd oil it and stick it in the safe. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

January 15, 2015, 08:32 AM	#9
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Seller wants $875 which is why I posted. I think it is about a $100 too high but what do I know. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

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January 14, 2015, 11:05 AM	#2
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	Not quite sure but about 9 months ago I paid $800.00 for a similar condition 66-2. It had the box with the cleaning tools and little screw driver and appeared to be un-shot. I would think that M19 would be a little higher, sure is pretty!

January 14, 2015, 02:39 PM	#3
old bear Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Not close enough to the beach Posts: 1,477	If I were in the market for a 2 1/2" M-19 I would not bat any eye at paying $700.00 for that, with the correct box. If needed I would go up another $100.00. Perhaps my buy price is a little high, but it should not be in 12 months or so. Buy the thing NOW.

January 14, 2015, 06:37 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Back in 1994 or 1995 I paid 325 for one as new in box.

January 14, 2015, 08:13 PM	#6
True Grit Member Join Date: July 7, 2011 Posts: 17	It appears to be a nice opportunity for an excellent condition S&W M19 2.5" w/box. Curious to know what they're asking for it? Obviously, counter offers always help negotiate a better price.

January 15, 2015, 11:15 AM	#10
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	I think he's about $300 high.

January 15, 2015, 01:53 PM	#11
True Grit Member Join Date: July 7, 2011 Posts: 17	WVsig ------ if you feel $775. ($100. under the asking price) is a fair price to you, offer him $600. Show him the cash in hand when you make the offer. Good chance you'll buy it somewhere between the $600. and $775. Go for it ------ you know what happens if you snooze !

January 15, 2015, 04:55 PM	#14
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	$300.00 too high, today? I too would give $600.00 all day long for sweet counter bored, pinned, 2 1/2" M19's. Jump on it.

January 15, 2015, 05:25 PM	#15
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	QUOTE I think he's about $300 high. QUOTE Right

January 15, 2015, 06:21 PM	#16
RIDE-RED 350r Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2014 Posts: 425	$700-$800 all day long.... Any 2.5" 19 or 66 brings a premium over their 4 and 6" counterparts these days. Seems like they are enjoying a spike in popularity. But then when you figure it is a -3 (P&R) that adds another premium.. I scored my 4" 19-3 in very good but used condition 3 years ago for $575 plus sales tax. I felt that was a fair deal at that time for my area of the country. More recently I see 4" P&R 19's sell for $650+ on a pretty regular basis. K-frames will always be popular with people and that's a fact. And I don't really see how the market for them would decline by any significant margin in the near future. Are they the next Python? Of course not... But I think in the range of $700-$800 your money will be fairly safe, especially with the specimen you are looking at. Dealer knows what he has and is probably priced toward the upper limit of what it's worth... So I would try to get it for closer to $700. Just my $0.02

January 15, 2015, 07:44 PM	#19
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	I bought the exact same gun (sans box and tools) about 6 months ago for $349 at, (get this part)....................Gander Mountain!..

January 16, 2015, 07:53 AM	#22
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,323	Wow! I was thinking $650....I must be out of touch!

January 16, 2015, 10:19 AM	#25
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I guess I lucked out. Over the past couple of years, I picked up 2.5" 19-3 for $450, and a 4" 19-5, for $400. Both in very good shape, and appear to have been shot little (at least until I got them ). Both were purchased at local shops, and were trade ins. My 19-3 (and 19-5 for that matter) is somewhere between Deaf's and the one at the top. It doesnt have the box or original grips, but I buy shooters, not safe queens.