[ArchAngelCD]

I found a used M640-1 today but I passed on it because I thought the price was too high. The price was $499 and the dealer wouldn't budge an inch. I really want a Stainless J frame for pocket carry without a lock and either the M640 or a M649 is what I'm looking for.

I hope I was right about the price being too high, if not I guess I messed up!!

Is $499 a fair price or not?

One other thing.... The cylinder was very hard to swing out when unlatched. (very tight) What could cause that?

[RON in PA]

Possibly the ejector rod has unscrewed a bit.

That price seems high to me.

[grimjaw]

Bought a used M640-1 with a tritium dot installed, $450. I agree, dealer wants too much.

jm

[Owen Meany]

The only thing that would make me hesitant is the issue you mentioned regarding how difficult it was to open the action. Other than that, if the gun appeared to be in good shape, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat at $499.00.

That price seems high to me.

I agree, dealer wants too much.

If you two are taking into consideration the possibility that the gun needed work or wasn't in the best of shape in general, then I agree. But for a pre-lock 640 .357 in good condition with no issues (not this one, I guess), I think $499.00 is a very attractive price tag.

The days of being able to shop around for a pre-lock S&W revolver (depending on which model you're looking for) with confidence of finding a real deal are gone, or going quickly at any rate. Better snap them up while you can.

[ArchAngelCD]

Ron,
I thought the ejector rod might be out a little too but the action was very tight throughout the entire range while opening, not just on release.

I REALLY do want a M640-1 or even better a no-lock M649 but I don't know how often they will be for sale in any condition I would want to own.

Owen Meany,
You are totally correct IMO, good deals on revolvers like the one I'm looking for are probably a part of history now. I just don't want to get beat because I'm want one so badly. I need one as a practice revolver because I don't want to shoot my M638 too much for practice any longer.

[luzyfuerza]

If it is just what you always wanted, then the pain of paying $50 too much for a gun fades in direct proportion to the number of rounds you fire through it.

As for the stiff cylinder, I wonder if the retaining screw (on the right side of the frame) could be too tight, or if someone dropped some loc-tite somewhere in there at one point?

[DaleCooper51]

Was that at Cabella's?

They had a few nice revolvers there, but I thought the prices were a bit steep. I did like the 28-2 converted to .45acp, but there was no way it was a $700 gun.

[Old Fuff]

Sometimes a cylinder may bind because someone has mixed up the sideplate screws, and put the wrong one (which is too long) back to retain the yoke.

When looking at a possible used purchase, check out the screwheads first for signs of burrs or buggering.

That said, if something isn't right I expect a discount, and sometimes a big one! But on the other hand so far as prices are concerned if you want one of the popular models without the lock, MIM lockwork and 2-piece barrels expect tp pay ever increasing costs. Even ordinary K-frames with fixed sights are commanding prices in the $300 range.

[ArchAngelCD]

Was that at Cabella's?
Yes DaleCooper51, it was at Cabela's. I was very surprised they wouldn't budge a penny on this revolver.

Old Fuff,
I agree with what you are saying and have been thinking along the same lines. Most dealers now know the pre-lock stuff will command a premium to the newer used revolvers.