what type of older (Last century) S&W revolvers do you collect or enjoy most? - Page 2

Buzzcook · June 21, 2018, 03:12 PM

I like the K frames. I have 3 .38s and a .22. All are fun to shoot.

My advice is to keep money in your bank account, then haunt the local gun shops till you find a S&W you like and can afford. Then buy that gun, rinse and repeat.

CajunBass · June 21, 2018, 04:36 PM

I've owned Smith & Wesson's from 44 to 22. I don't care for the small J-frames or L's, although I do have one of each. K's and N's are my weaknesses.

mellow_c · June 21, 2018, 04:58 PM

I'm curious as to what ya'll think something like this model 17-3 might be worth.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/775763894

I guess you could say it's worth what someone is willing to pay... In that case what would you pay? Or what do you think it "should" sell for?

It looks to be in good shape, obviously has been fired, but overall looks pretty clean and fresh.

What about a similar gun in unfired condition?

There are plenty of these guns rotating in and out of gun broker all the time, so i might find a good deal on one someday, or I could get lucky and find one locally for a decent price.

Drm50 · June 21, 2018, 07:03 PM

I have a few dozen S&W Revolvers. Only keep blue, P&Rs- adj sight models
and 6" in K&N frames. I have one Nickel 83/8 m57 NIB and 3 4" guns m34,
m18 and a 29-2 NIB. I have several Ks, 14&17 NIB.

I decided to quit selling S&Ws for cash. The last year I have sold several and
the prices are going up and trades are almost non existent. I use 4" & shorter
barrels for trading stock. The m19 is the most common I run across, 4". I buy
them reguardless of dash if price is right.

My first S&W with adj sights was m17 in 1964. I still have it and would say it's
my go to 22, even though I have about 20 good 22 revolvers and autos. It has
been shot thousands of rounds and still tight, accurate and good shape.

amd6547 · June 21, 2018, 07:55 PM

I don’t collect S&W’s, but I do own a Model 10 and a Model 15, and enjoy shooting them very much. Both were acquired at bargain prices, one at a gun show, the other from Armslist.
The Armslist deal was for the Model 10. It was amazing, I was home on my day off, looking at Armslist, and saw this Model 10 4” for $250. Then I noticed it was in the next city from me, a few blocks away. Sent an email offer of $225, the seller accepted a a few minutes later and we met up to do the deal. From the time I first saw it online to getting home, sitting back in my chair admiring my new revolver took about an hour!
It turned out to be a Pre-Model 10, actually. With the taper barrel I prefer.
Shooting it is great fun, but it also serves as a viable self defense weapon. Plus, as a student of history, it lets me think of all those cops on the beat, all those pilots in three wars...it’s living history, and the fact that it was likely made in my birth year makes it even better.

agtman · June 22, 2018, 08:39 AM

S&W Model 58.

mellow_c · June 22, 2018, 01:43 PM

I'm also interested in the model 10.

What would be a good price on one of them in good condition?

For example. . .

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776941484

2ndsojourn · June 22, 2018, 03:24 PM

I'm not interested in any newer models, just the older pinned & recessed ones. The only ones I have so far are a 19-3 and a 17-2. I'd like to add a model 27 and 29 but haven't gotten around to it yet. Also on my list is a 2-1/2" model 10 (just to have another snub nosed 38).

lamarw · June 22, 2018, 03:38 PM

mellow c, The Model 10-5 you linked is not in what I would consider mint condition. It does show holster wear. I would describe it as in good condition. I have 3 each Model 10-5's, 1 each Model 10-6, and 1 each Model 10 no dash. The highest I paid for one was last year and was $408.00 which is in better condition than the one you posted. It is a snubbie and is marked PD MONTGOMERY AL. I have a letter from S&W certifying it was marked by the factory and shipped to Montgomery. Three of the others are in at least equal condition to the one you linked with one having a factory nickel finish. I have one in a lesser condition I purchased for $185.00.

I also have a Model 10-7 which is a completely different animal. It has been highly modified by Mr. Ken Eversull into a Police Pistol Combat (PPC) revolver. I suspect the build cost would of been significant.

I personally think you can still acquired a good to very good condition Model 10 used for three to four hundred dollars.

walnut1704 · June 22, 2018, 07:46 PM

I'm not interested in the older models. I don't object to pinned and recessed but it's not necessary to me, and I don't place a higher value on them. Most collectors do, but I'm not one. I leave the pre-model number guns to the collectors. I'm a shooter.

Besides, these guns are getting old. If they've sat up and been cared for they are fine but I see many that are in need of rebuilding.

I like the 6' barreled guns, K frame or N frame, preferably stainless but I don't pass up blued ones. I'll have one rebuilt but it's expensive so I don't pay up for well-used guns. I don't care if it has MIM hammer/trigger, those can be swapped out. For now there are lots of used parts available for 80's-90's vintage guns. That's an important consideration if you're interested in what is now basically obsolete weaponry.

My favorites are a 6" 66-2 and a 6" 657-3.

mellow_c · June 22, 2018, 10:06 PM

Lamarw,

Thanks for your input on the model 10's.

I would agree that the one i linked was not mint condition!

Here is one that looks like it's in reasonable shape. . .

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776117662

No one has placed a bid on it yet at $375 for a starting bid. Just a little over a day left on the auction.

Do you think that is a reasonable price, or maybe a bit of a stretch?

I think it's safe to say that a lot of what I'm looking at on gun broker seems a bit over priced. . . But it is also the only place I know of to help me gauge prices on any of these revolvers.

Buzzcook · June 22, 2018, 10:10 PM

Quote:

I'm curious as to what ya'll think something like this model 17-3 might be worth.
I'm also interested in the model 10.

The 17-3 will probably go for over $500 maybe over $600. Full iszed .22 are very popular and the tend to go for more than a similar center fire revolver.

Prices for Model 10s vary quite a bit depending on lots of factors. The good news is that millions of them were made. There are probably shooters you could dig up for under $200. A dirt standard Model 10 is good shape will likely still be less than $400. Snubbies, Victory models, and pencil barrels in very good condition might go for more.

On edit, I just surfed gunbroker and man my prices are way out of date.

mellow_c · June 22, 2018, 10:12 PM

One more question. . .

What would be considered to be a high round count on any of these model-? S&W's?

I watched a video on YouTube of Hickcock45 shooting his model 29-2 and he mentioned that he thought he had put something like 60,000 rounds through it since he bought it new, and that it's still as accurate and reliable as ever.

That sounds like a LOT to me.

At what point would you expect to "rebuild" one?

Buzzcook · June 22, 2018, 10:25 PM

Quote:

What would be considered to be a high round count on any of these model-? S&W's?

If we're talking about plain vanilla rounds then that number won't be reached in this life time.

Quote:

At what point would you expect to "rebuild" one?

I do not expect to ever rebuild one.

These are very simple machines and if they are well built they should function well into the future if they have had minimal maintenance and haven't been abused.

mellow_c · June 23, 2018, 02:34 AM

Thanks everyone for the price points.

Buzzcook,

That's good to hear. And I believe it.

lamarw · June 23, 2018, 12:16 PM

mellow c, The second revolver listing you posted is reasonable priced for the appearance condition. The stocks are not correct, but they appear to be nice S&W stocks. You could possibly remove the target stocks and sell them on eBay. You could most likely find a set of correct style S&W magna stocks on eBay for less than what you sold the targets stocks.

The seller does have good feedback even if he is not a big time seller on GunBroker. I am confused by the serial number the seller provides. Most Model 10-5's will start with a D prefix SN. There maybe some earlier with a C Prefix. I did not look in the book. Since it wearing the Target stocks, you can not see the butt SN in the pictures. Just a caution, you may want to ask the seller for the SN off the butt prior to bidding.

The best way to get a feel for pricing is not to look at GunBroker listing but rather look at recent sells and also get a feel for condition and what their sell price. There should be a ton of sold listing for Model 10's.

If you look at GunBroker often and long enough, you will see overpriced listing just continuing to be relisted over and over again.

Good luck with your search.

heavybarrel · June 23, 2018, 10:02 PM

I wish I could find another 681. The last one got away and I've not seen another for sale. Well, a couple of shows are coming up next month fairly close by.

HB

mellow_c · June 24, 2018, 04:51 AM

I didn't realize that you could view auctions that have ended on gun broker so easily. It is easy to look up any type of firearm and see what all has been sold and at what price.

That is very good to know and a good way to gauge what things are worth and what others are or might be willing to pay.

Thanks for the heads up, lamarw.

And yes, there are a lot of model 10's on gun broker! I'll have to do a lot more browsing and spend some more time gauging prices before I decide to take a shot at winning something. If I'm patient, I could probably get a pretty decent deal.

heavybarrel,

The 681 looks like a nice model. There are a few of them floating around on gun broker.

Nathan · July 2, 2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

I'm curious as to what ya'll think something like this model 17-3 might be worth.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/775763894

I guess you could say it's worth what someone is willing to pay... In that case what would you pay? Or what do you think it "should" sell for?

It looks to be in good shape, obviously has been fired, but overall looks pretty clean and fresh.

What about a similar gun in unfired condition?

There are plenty of these guns rotating in and out of gun broker all the time, so i might find a good deal on one someday, or I could get lucky and find one locally for a decent price.

Looks like $870?

My analysis of model 17-3 value is something like:

$500-$650 - a nice shooter with no functional issues a 95% + original finish

$750-850 - 99%+ finish but without box, papers, etc

$850-900 - 99%+ finish, all papers, box, possibly unfired

Above this, are rare case guns and rare case buyers. Take this with a grain of salt. When I bought my 17-3 earlier this year, this seemed right. GunBroker flexes up and down.

I ended up paying $625 for a mid level shooter grade 17-3 that needed shims to lock up right. It's true value that day was $550, IMO.

dgludwig · July 4, 2018, 07:41 PM

Of the (too

) many I have, my favorite S&W revolver is probably a Model 1955 Target (25-2). Beautiful, mile deep blue job and scary accurate with a superb sa trigger pull. I still compete with it at Bullseye matches.

USSR · July 5, 2018, 05:50 AM

dgludwig,

Ya mean like this one?

Don

Master Blaster · July 5, 2018, 12:54 PM

4" N frames are my favorite, followed by K22's or is it the other way around.

dgludwig · July 5, 2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

dgludwig,

Ya mean like this one?

Yep, in the flesh.

mellow_c · July 5, 2018, 03:10 PM

A model 25 is very enticing in my opinion.

I like the idea of shooting a larger bullet without having to deal with the cost of 45 colt and 44 special or magnum rounds.

The revolvers themselves are pretty pricy though compared to other models and chamberings. There seem to be far fewer of them available compared to other s&w models.

How do they work? Do they all require moon and half moon clips? Or is there a little nub inside the chamber that catches on the front of the cartridge case like I've seen in more modern revolvers?

USSR · July 5, 2018, 04:37 PM

If you don't want to deal with moon clips, just get yourself some .45 AR brass.

Don

June 21, 2018, 04:36 PM	#27
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I've owned Smith & Wesson's from 44 to 22. I don't care for the small J-frames or L's, although I do have one of each. K's and N's are my weaknesses. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

June 21, 2018, 07:55 PM	#30
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	I don’t collect S&W’s, but I do own a Model 10 and a Model 15, and enjoy shooting them very much. Both were acquired at bargain prices, one at a gun show, the other from Armslist. The Armslist deal was for the Model 10. It was amazing, I was home on my day off, looking at Armslist, and saw this Model 10 4” for $250. Then I noticed it was in the next city from me, a few blocks away. Sent an email offer of $225, the seller accepted a a few minutes later and we met up to do the deal. From the time I first saw it online to getting home, sitting back in my chair admiring my new revolver took about an hour! It turned out to be a Pre-Model 10, actually. With the taper barrel I prefer. Shooting it is great fun, but it also serves as a viable self defense weapon. Plus, as a student of history, it lets me think of all those cops on the beat, all those pilots in three wars...it’s living history, and the fact that it was likely made in my birth year makes it even better. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

July 4, 2018, 07:41 PM	#45
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Of the (too) many I have, my favorite S&W revolver is probably a Model 1955 Target (25-2). Beautiful, mile deep blue job and scary accurate with a superb sa trigger pull. I still compete with it at Bullseye matches. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

July 5, 2018, 05:50 AM	#46
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	dgludwig, Ya mean like this one? Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

July 5, 2018, 04:37 PM	#50
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	If you don't want to deal with moon clips, just get yourself some .45 AR brass. Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

June 21, 2018, 03:12 PM	#26
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I like the K frames. I have 3 .38s and a .22. All are fun to shoot. My advice is to keep money in your bank account, then haunt the local gun shops till you find a S&W you like and can afford. Then buy that gun, rinse and repeat.

June 21, 2018, 04:58 PM	#28
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I'm curious as to what ya'll think something like this model 17-3 might be worth. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/775763894 I guess you could say it's worth what someone is willing to pay... In that case what would you pay? Or what do you think it "should" sell for? It looks to be in good shape, obviously has been fired, but overall looks pretty clean and fresh. What about a similar gun in unfired condition? There are plenty of these guns rotating in and out of gun broker all the time, so i might find a good deal on one someday, or I could get lucky and find one locally for a decent price.

June 21, 2018, 07:03 PM	#29
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,380	I have a few dozen S&W Revolvers. Only keep blue, P&Rs- adj sight models and 6" in K&N frames. I have one Nickel 83/8 m57 NIB and 3 4" guns m34, m18 and a 29-2 NIB. I have several Ks, 14&17 NIB. I decided to quit selling S&Ws for cash. The last year I have sold several and the prices are going up and trades are almost non existent. I use 4" & shorter barrels for trading stock. The m19 is the most common I run across, 4". I buy them reguardless of dash if price is right. My first S&W with adj sights was m17 in 1964. I still have it and would say it's my go to 22, even though I have about 20 good 22 revolvers and autos. It has been shot thousands of rounds and still tight, accurate and good shape.

June 22, 2018, 01:43 PM	#32
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I'm also interested in the model 10. What would be a good price on one of them in good condition? For example. . . https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776941484

June 22, 2018, 03:24 PM	#33
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	I'm not interested in any newer models, just the older pinned & recessed ones. The only ones I have so far are a 19-3 and a 17-2. I'd like to add a model 27 and 29 but haven't gotten around to it yet. Also on my list is a 2-1/2" model 10 (just to have another snub nosed 38).

June 22, 2018, 03:38 PM	#34
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	mellow c, The Model 10-5 you linked is not in what I would consider mint condition. It does show holster wear. I would describe it as in good condition. I have 3 each Model 10-5's, 1 each Model 10-6, and 1 each Model 10 no dash. The highest I paid for one was last year and was $408.00 which is in better condition than the one you posted. It is a snubbie and is marked PD MONTGOMERY AL. I have a letter from S&W certifying it was marked by the factory and shipped to Montgomery. Three of the others are in at least equal condition to the one you linked with one having a factory nickel finish. I have one in a lesser condition I purchased for $185.00. I also have a Model 10-7 which is a completely different animal. It has been highly modified by Mr. Ken Eversull into a Police Pistol Combat (PPC) revolver. I suspect the build cost would of been significant. I personally think you can still acquired a good to very good condition Model 10 used for three to four hundred dollars.

June 22, 2018, 07:46 PM	#35
walnut1704 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2009 Posts: 156	I'm not interested in the older models. I don't object to pinned and recessed but it's not necessary to me, and I don't place a higher value on them. Most collectors do, but I'm not one. I leave the pre-model number guns to the collectors. I'm a shooter. Besides, these guns are getting old. If they've sat up and been cared for they are fine but I see many that are in need of rebuilding. I like the 6' barreled guns, K frame or N frame, preferably stainless but I don't pass up blued ones. I'll have one rebuilt but it's expensive so I don't pay up for well-used guns. I don't care if it has MIM hammer/trigger, those can be swapped out. For now there are lots of used parts available for 80's-90's vintage guns. That's an important consideration if you're interested in what is now basically obsolete weaponry. My favorites are a 6" 66-2 and a 6" 657-3.

June 22, 2018, 10:06 PM	#36
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Lamarw, Thanks for your input on the model 10's. I would agree that the one i linked was not mint condition! Here is one that looks like it's in reasonable shape. . . https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776117662 No one has placed a bid on it yet at $375 for a starting bid. Just a little over a day left on the auction. Do you think that is a reasonable price, or maybe a bit of a stretch? I think it's safe to say that a lot of what I'm looking at on gun broker seems a bit over priced. . . But it is also the only place I know of to help me gauge prices on any of these revolvers.

June 22, 2018, 10:12 PM	#38
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	One more question. . . What would be considered to be a high round count on any of these model-? S&W's? I watched a video on YouTube of Hickcock45 shooting his model 29-2 and he mentioned that he thought he had put something like 60,000 rounds through it since he bought it new, and that it's still as accurate and reliable as ever. That sounds like a LOT to me. At what point would you expect to "rebuild" one?

June 23, 2018, 02:34 AM	#40
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Thanks everyone for the price points. Buzzcook, That's good to hear. And I believe it.

June 23, 2018, 12:16 PM	#41
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	mellow c, The second revolver listing you posted is reasonable priced for the appearance condition. The stocks are not correct, but they appear to be nice S&W stocks. You could possibly remove the target stocks and sell them on eBay. You could most likely find a set of correct style S&W magna stocks on eBay for less than what you sold the targets stocks. The seller does have good feedback even if he is not a big time seller on GunBroker. I am confused by the serial number the seller provides. Most Model 10-5's will start with a D prefix SN. There maybe some earlier with a C Prefix. I did not look in the book. Since it wearing the Target stocks, you can not see the butt SN in the pictures. Just a caution, you may want to ask the seller for the SN off the butt prior to bidding. The best way to get a feel for pricing is not to look at GunBroker listing but rather look at recent sells and also get a feel for condition and what their sell price. There should be a ton of sold listing for Model 10's. If you look at GunBroker often and long enough, you will see overpriced listing just continuing to be relisted over and over again. Good luck with your search.

June 23, 2018, 10:02 PM	#42
heavybarrel Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2018 Posts: 11	I wish I could find another 681. The last one got away and I've not seen another for sale. Well, a couple of shows are coming up next month fairly close by. HB

June 24, 2018, 04:51 AM	#43
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I didn't realize that you could view auctions that have ended on gun broker so easily. It is easy to look up any type of firearm and see what all has been sold and at what price. That is very good to know and a good way to gauge what things are worth and what others are or might be willing to pay. Thanks for the heads up, lamarw. And yes, there are a lot of model 10's on gun broker! I'll have to do a lot more browsing and spend some more time gauging prices before I decide to take a shot at winning something. If I'm patient, I could probably get a pretty decent deal. heavybarrel, The 681 looks like a nice model. There are a few of them floating around on gun broker.

July 5, 2018, 12:54 PM	#47
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	4" N frames are my favorite, followed by K22's or is it the other way around.

July 5, 2018, 03:10 PM	#49
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	A model 25 is very enticing in my opinion. I like the idea of shooting a larger bullet without having to deal with the cost of 45 colt and 44 special or magnum rounds. The revolvers themselves are pretty pricy though compared to other models and chamberings. There seem to be far fewer of them available compared to other s&w models. How do they work? Do they all require moon and half moon clips? Or is there a little nub inside the chamber that catches on the front of the cartridge case like I've seen in more modern revolvers?