Those revolvers people don't sell

Carlo · March 4, 2009, 07:49 PM

Hello, I browse gun auctions very often, hoping to find some gun I didn't know about. Speaking about which revolvers are more easily found in auctions and which are less, I think I can say that 4" stainless steel, service size revolvers in .38 spl don't seem to be sold very often.
I used to believe they were popular in the last two decads, I thought they used to be issued to police departments, so, I thought, there shouldn't be just a few around.
I wonder wether people don't sell many guns, like those I described, because:
1) there are not around many anymore
2) you don't take much money for them
3) people keep them and sell something else

Casimer · March 4, 2009, 08:21 PM

Perhaps the popularization of stainless steel for handguns coincided w/ the transition to 357 Magnum for service revolvers. I think that the first stainless revolver was introduced in the mid 60's. But these really seemed to take off through the 70's. So you have examples like the S&W Model 66 in 357 Magnum.

Which 38spl service revolvers were available in stainless?

Also are you looking on eGun, or one of the US auction sites?

skoro · March 4, 2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Which 38spl service revolvers where available in stainless?

The Model 64 is a twin to the Model 10, it just wears stainless skin instead of blued. I have two, and they're very fine weapons. One of mine is a former highway patrol weapon, the other may well be a former LEO sidearm as well. Both are from the 70s and still function perfectly. One has the heavy 4" barrel, while the other is a 4" pencil barrel.

I usually see quite a few of these when I browse GunBroker or Auction Arms.

Carlo · March 4, 2009, 08:44 PM

Smith & Wesson had the models 64 and 67, Taurus had some too, I think the 82. At some point, I am almost sure Ruger made the Police Service Six in .38 and Stainless.
I browse several sites, but, more often GunBrokers.

skoro · March 4, 2009, 09:00 PM

Yes, Ruger offered both the Security Six and Service Six in stainless steel. Rugers are good solid handguns. I just tend to think in terms of Smith and Wesson.

Tom2 · March 4, 2009, 09:31 PM

Well it seems that anyone who now snarfs up a model 66 trumpets it on the forums and says they would never sell it. I would not sell mine. So people must be hoarding them or something. Not like they are gonna rust away from disuse. But heck, I see the 19 even more rarely, these days. I might have even had one at one time. Wish I did. Used to trade guns like "thru a goose" but lately I have a core inventory that stays put. Can't afford the ones I used to have, if I wanted to regain them. No more $125-$150 K frames left.

Russ5924 · March 5, 2009, 11:48 AM

I have two 19 and two 66 and wouldn't ever sell them

Would buy another if could find one.

Buzzcook · March 5, 2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

No more $125-$150 K frames left.

Heck no, I recently saw a beat up M&P that had an asking price of $395. I'd suggest that if anyone finds a nice K frame for less than $300 they buy it.

18DAI · March 5, 2009, 01:27 PM

K-frame magnums, pre lock L-frames, well any pre lock S&W, Colts, Rugers......hell I'm not selling anymore revolvers period. Regards 18DAI.

BigJimP · March 5, 2009, 01:51 PM

Pre internal frame lock S&W .357 Mag's ( in 4" and 6" ) are guns I collect - and shoot a lot. I already have a couple model 19's ( one nickel, one blued ) and a model 66 no dash - all 4"... ( and a variety of N frames - model 27's and 28's ).

But on Tuesday I happened to spot a model 19-2 Nikel 4" - paid $ 500 / and a model 66-2 4" paid $ 425 / in a local shop. Both in very good condition, timing very good - a few scratches on the model 19 stocks, but I'll fix that.

I may give the guns to one of my boys down the road / but prices are too good / and there are only so many of those early guns around - so buy them when you have the chance. 2 of my buddies are already aggravated that I bought these 2 guns / rather than call them - you snooze, you lose...

trailgator · March 5, 2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

At some point, I am almost sure Ruger made the Police Service Six in .38 and Stainless.

Yes they did, because I have a 4" stainless Service 6 if found at a local pawn shop. Great revolver!

jal5 · March 5, 2009, 03:59 PM

Another 66-2 owner who would never give it up! Mine was purchased at the beginning of this year from a coworker who had gotten it at an auction last year, NIB. He only put about a couple hundred rounds through it so it is really like new. I paid $375 for it.

Joe

oneounceload · March 5, 2009, 04:14 PM

My 66-2 I bought NIB years ago - still the nightstand gun.....Ha ve a pre-model 10 that was my dad's duty gun from 1952 - good shooters with light loads of Unique or Universal and a 158 LSWC - not QUITE as cheap as a .22, but too bad either

18DAI · March 5, 2009, 04:43 PM

I got the model 66 deal of a lifetime at the last local gunshow.

After waiting for 45 minutes to get in, and paying the ransom to park and enter, I found a 3" 66-2 easily 98%, no box or docs. Sellers asking price..... $385.

Fastest draw I've ever done getting my wallet out. Out of all my 19's and 66's, those 3" are the VERY LAST ones I'd sell. Regards 18DAI.

thejerk · March 5, 2009, 10:59 PM

After some time searching for a model 17 or 18 "K-22," I'll tell you that people don't give them up often or easily. They give them to their children and grandchildren and keep them in the family.

madmag · March 5, 2009, 11:43 PM

I have a like new Ruger Speed Six SS 2.75" .375 mag.

Quote:

1) there are not around many anymore

Ask me if I want to sell so I can laugh.

WVfishguy · March 5, 2009, 11:56 PM

I found a 4" stainless Ruger Security Six at a shop a few weeks ago. The owner said they had two, but they were keeping one for themselves.

Another gun shop owner showed me his "behind the counter" gun last week - another stainless Ruger Security Six.

I was harassing a third shop owner for Rugers, until he finally pulled his customized stainless Ruger Service Six out of drawer, unloaded it and sold it to me - for a price.

It seems some gun shops keep the old, stainless Rugers for themselves.

BTW - I've never seen anyone keep a GP-100 when they had a chance to get the older Ruger - and that includes myself.

drewbogdony · March 6, 2009, 12:22 AM

do you want to sell your like new Ruger Speed Six SS 2.75" .375 mag?

Tom2 · March 6, 2009, 08:19 AM

Lets see, I payed 330$ for this NIB 66 in 1992, and I was not that happy at the time about the price, the guy who sold it did not give much discount or great deals. Obviously I could have gotten used for plenty less at the time. As I get older, I find I have a disconnect to how long it has been, I am reading the postings and thinking "Why the h**l are these people spending so much money for K frame revolvers?" But I forget that '92 seems like a real long time ago, to a 25 year old. That is why old folks laugh at the current prices on "antiques". They remember what they paid, it does not seem like a long time. While you are baffled that anyone would think a 65 Mustang is only worth a couple thousand, used.

madcratebuilder · March 6, 2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Heck no, I recently saw a beat up M&P that had an asking price of $395. I'd suggest that if anyone finds a nice K frame for less than $300 they buy it.
Buzzcook is offline Report Post

No kidding. back in the sixties and early seventies when I first started buying fire arms, I remember old timers talking about how high the prices had gotten and what they used to cost in the good old days. It 's the same now except I'm the old timer, damn.

Quote:

It seems some gun shops keep the old, stainless Rugers for themselves.

They keep them in the back for their better customers, like me

I have got a few good buys on back room deals, and a few dirty looks when I walked out with it. After a dozen purchases you reach 'preferred' status.

Ben Towe · March 6, 2009, 10:26 AM

I've got a Model 19 Smith that I wouldn't part with even if it wasn't an heirloom. They're a damned fine weapon.

madmag · March 6, 2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

do you want to sell your like new Ruger Speed Six SS 2.75" .375 mag?

Thanks, you made my day.

BTW, I purchased my Speed Six (like new condition) about 5 years ago for $250. I had been looking for about a year at local gun shops for one to show up. I was in the gun shop when a retired State Trooper walked in and put it on consignment. It never reached the display case. I bought it on the spot. A gun store employee said if I had not purchased he was going to buy it for himself.

WVfishguy · March 6, 2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

I have a like new Ruger Speed Six SS 2.75" .375 mag.

That thing must kick like a mule. I never knew Ruger made a Speed Six in .375 mag. Too much hand gun for me.

madmag · March 6, 2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

That thing must kick like a mule.

No. Not much more than my GP100. Now one of my Son's has a SP101 .357 and it's a handful with full mag. loads.

Quote:

I never knew Ruger made a Speed Six in .375 mag.

They are heavier than the original .38 spl. version.

WVfishguy · March 6, 2009, 11:24 PM

I can handle a .357 mag, but the .375 mag is a rifle cartridge. A very big rifle cartridge.

March 4, 2009, 07:49 PM	#1
Carlo Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 505	Those revolvers people don't sell Hello, I browse gun auctions very often, hoping to find some gun I didn't know about. Speaking about which revolvers are more easily found in auctions and which are less, I think I can say that 4" stainless steel, service size revolvers in .38 spl don't seem to be sold very often. I used to believe they were popular in the last two decads, I thought they used to be issued to police departments, so, I thought, there shouldn't be just a few around. I wonder wether people don't sell many guns, like those I described, because: 1) there are not around many anymore 2) you don't take much money for them 3) people keep them and sell something else

March 4, 2009, 08:21 PM	#2
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	Perhaps the popularization of stainless steel for handguns coincided w/ the transition to 357 Magnum for service revolvers. I think that the first stainless revolver was introduced in the mid 60's. But these really seemed to take off through the 70's. So you have examples like the S&W Model 66 in 357 Magnum. Which 38spl service revolvers were available in stainless? Also are you looking on eGun, or one of the US auction sites? Last edited by Casimer; March 5, 2009 at 05:11 PM.

March 4, 2009, 09:31 PM	#6
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Well it seems that anyone who now snarfs up a model 66 trumpets it on the forums and says they would never sell it. I would not sell mine. So people must be hoarding them or something. Not like they are gonna rust away from disuse. But heck, I see the 19 even more rarely, these days. I might have even had one at one time. Wish I did. Used to trade guns like "thru a goose" but lately I have a core inventory that stays put. Can't afford the ones I used to have, if I wanted to regain them. No more $125-$150 K frames left. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

March 5, 2009, 11:48 AM	#7
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	I have two 19 and two 66 and wouldn't ever sell them Would buy another if could find one. __________________ Russ5924

March 5, 2009, 01:27 PM	#9
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	K-frame magnums, pre lock L-frames, well any pre lock S&W, Colts, Rugers......hell I'm not selling anymore revolvers period. Regards 18DAI. __________________ S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum. Everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't.

March 4, 2009, 08:44 PM	#4
Carlo Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 505	Smith & Wesson had the models 64 and 67, Taurus had some too, I think the 82. At some point, I am almost sure Ruger made the Police Service Six in .38 and Stainless. I browse several sites, but, more often GunBrokers.

March 4, 2009, 09:00 PM	#5
skoro Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,952	Yes, Ruger offered both the Security Six and Service Six in stainless steel. Rugers are good solid handguns. I just tend to think in terms of Smith and Wesson.

March 5, 2009, 01:51 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Pre internal frame lock S&W .357 Mag's ( in 4" and 6" ) are guns I collect - and shoot a lot. I already have a couple model 19's ( one nickel, one blued ) and a model 66 no dash - all 4"... ( and a variety of N frames - model 27's and 28's ). But on Tuesday I happened to spot a model 19-2 Nikel 4" - paid $ 500 / and a model 66-2 4" paid $ 425 / in a local shop. Both in very good condition, timing very good - a few scratches on the model 19 stocks, but I'll fix that. I may give the guns to one of my boys down the road / but prices are too good / and there are only so many of those early guns around - so buy them when you have the chance. 2 of my buddies are already aggravated that I bought these 2 guns / rather than call them - you snooze, you lose...

March 5, 2009, 03:59 PM	#12
jal5 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 419	Another 66-2 owner who would never give it up! Mine was purchased at the beginning of this year from a coworker who had gotten it at an auction last year, NIB. He only put about a couple hundred rounds through it so it is really like new. I paid $375 for it. Joe __________________ We live in the greatest country on Earth- always be thankful!

March 5, 2009, 04:14 PM	#13
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	My 66-2 I bought NIB years ago - still the nightstand gun.....Ha ve a pre-model 10 that was my dad's duty gun from 1952 - good shooters with light loads of Unique or Universal and a 158 LSWC - not QUITE as cheap as a .22, but too bad either

March 5, 2009, 04:43 PM	#14
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	I got the model 66 deal of a lifetime at the last local gunshow. After waiting for 45 minutes to get in, and paying the ransom to park and enter, I found a 3" 66-2 easily 98%, no box or docs. Sellers asking price..... $385. Fastest draw I've ever done getting my wallet out. Out of all my 19's and 66's, those 3" are the VERY LAST ones I'd sell. Regards 18DAI. __________________ S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum. Everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't.

March 5, 2009, 10:59 PM	#15
thejerk Member Join Date: January 29, 2009 Posts: 16	After some time searching for a model 17 or 18 "K-22," I'll tell you that people don't give them up often or easily. They give them to their children and grandchildren and keep them in the family.

March 5, 2009, 11:56 PM	#17
WVfishguy Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 662	I found a 4" stainless Ruger Security Six at a shop a few weeks ago. The owner said they had two, but they were keeping one for themselves. Another gun shop owner showed me his "behind the counter" gun last week - another stainless Ruger Security Six. I was harassing a third shop owner for Rugers, until he finally pulled his customized stainless Ruger Service Six out of drawer, unloaded it and sold it to me - for a price. It seems some gun shops keep the old, stainless Rugers for themselves. BTW - I've never seen anyone keep a GP-100 when they had a chance to get the older Ruger - and that includes myself. __________________ WWSD (What Would Skeeter Do?)

March 6, 2009, 12:22 AM	#18
drewbogdony Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: Tumwater, Washington Posts: 14	hey maddog do you want to sell your like new Ruger Speed Six SS 2.75" .375 mag?

March 6, 2009, 08:19 AM	#19
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Lets see, I payed 330$ for this NIB 66 in 1992, and I was not that happy at the time about the price, the guy who sold it did not give much discount or great deals. Obviously I could have gotten used for plenty less at the time. As I get older, I find I have a disconnect to how long it has been, I am reading the postings and thinking "Why the h**l are these people spending so much money for K frame revolvers?" But I forget that '92 seems like a real long time ago, to a 25 year old. That is why old folks laugh at the current prices on "antiques". They remember what they paid, it does not seem like a long time. While you are baffled that anyone would think a 65 Mustang is only worth a couple thousand, used. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

March 6, 2009, 10:26 AM	#21
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	I've got a Model 19 Smith that I wouldn't part with even if it wasn't an heirloom. They're a damned fine weapon.

March 6, 2009, 11:24 PM	#25
WVfishguy Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 662	I can handle a .357 mag, but the .375 mag is a rifle cartridge. A very big rifle cartridge. __________________ WWSD (What Would Skeeter Do?)