[HoosierQ]

Just about any time somebody does a "help me find a good, cheap gun" thread, two or three THR members will suggest something to the effect of "look at a nice used S&W or Ruger revolver...that ought to run you about $250 - $ 300...spend the rest on ammo".

My question is, where the heck are these nice used revolvers? I see like kind of neat old Victory models...for $750! I saw a used 686 7-shot, no box...for $600.

I have heard that "everybody is trading in their revolvers for ARs because of Obama". Where are they? I see them not here in Indianapolis. Am I missing something vis-a-vis where to look?

[Duke of Doubt]

Pawn shops.

My favorite local pawnbroker is basically all out of handguns other than revolvers (except for a few offbeat autos). I just picked up a beautiful vintage Colt Army Special somebody traded, probably for some piece of plastic. Well under $500.

[FullEffect1911]

Where are they? I see them not here in Indianapolis. Am I missing something vis-a-vis where to look?

I ask the same question all the time. I would love to find all of these older S&W revolvers. They are out there, but you have to visit the shops just about every day. And the shop owners tend to know the value of them, which is higher then the prices people often quote.

The 250-300 dollar old used S&W in near mint condition is gone the way of the dinosaur.

[deanadell]

www.gunbroker.com

www.auctionarms.com

Last month I bought a Model 36 for a $171.00 high bid, $25 shipping, and $15 transfer fee. Total cost = $211.00

[deanadell]

Oh...BTW, "Nice, used" does not mean "Mint" ;)

[gwnorth]

Classifieds at

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/
http://www.rugerforum.com

[FullEffect1911]

Oh...BTW, "Nice, used" does not mean "Mint"

I agree.

At a local gunshop I did find a S&W 66 with the firing pin on the hammer and all for about $500. It had more endshake then I even imagined possible. Looked good externally but it seemed very abused internally. That is the luck I have with local stores.

If you buy online I think good deals are out there, otherwise, forget it.

[Hawk]

Where are they? I see them not here in Indianapolis. Am I missing something vis-a-vis where to look?
My world and welcome to it.

There are those that get lucky in finding attractively priced older models with honest wear. I am not of their number.

If you sort it out, report back so we'll know.
Meantime, I spent 755.00 for a K-22, 700.00 for a 629-4 and 750.00 for a 57-3 with aftermarket stocks, no box or papers. And was glad to get them.

[20nickels]

$175 OTD S&W M-10 at local Gunshop/Pawnbroker. Exterior was rough, but it's a shooter. Just ran into it.

[Walkalong]

If you are looking for mint guns you won't find them for that price, but good used shooters with honest wear can be had for that.

[CSA 357]

I think my brother has them all!:d

[SaxonPig]

Like everything else guns have gotten expensive and can be hard to find. But if you keep looking I think you can still find good deals.

I picked up this K22 at a recent show for $325. Not perfect by any means but I thought it was worth the asking price.

http://www.fototime.com/E034C5AC7FFECCA/standard.jpg

A couple months ago I grabbed this Colt 22 Officers Match off GunBroker for the $375 buy it now price and I am happy with it.

http://www.fototime.com/37450744E801741/standard.jpg

Maybe a year ago I snagged this 357 Trooper at a show for $210. A collector would sneer at it but I like it as a shooter.

http://www.fototime.com/56ECBB11DA48F39/standard.jpg

[Walkalong]

Nice pickups SaxonPig.

Model 10's - Great shooters

10-6 HB (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122750707)

10-7 PB (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122714763)

10-6 HB (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122703622#PIC)

I found these in 2 minutes. Just don't get carried away bidding, their will be more come along.

This doesn't even include the other good S&W, Colt, and Ruger guns that can be found right if you are patient.

[Master Blaster]

The really good deals are getting fewer and further between. Part of it is that there is a new standard catalog of S&W and new blue books out, many dealers price based on those so prices on used guns are up. Then there is Obamamania, my local shops are looking stripped clean.
But there is hope for the future, lots of gun collectors are in their 70s and 80s, and I understand many have wives not into the sport.....

Its all supply and demand.

[Phydeaux642]

Last year I picked up a model 13 with a 4" bbl for $325, a model 13 with a 3" bbl for $275, a model 520 (thegood one) for $359, a 38/44 Heavy Duty for $269 and a nickel model 19 with the box for $300. This year.....nothing. Anything I find now has gone way up in price.

[Eightball]

good used shooters with honest wear can be had for that.I agree.

I wondered the OP's question for a while, and then I found the local hole-in-the-wall dealer whose prices on revolvers hasn't gone crazy on used options. Once I get a couple hundred spare, some of those old things are coming home with me.

You just have to look literally everywhere; I've driven past this place so many times, and didn't even know it was there.

[Duke of Doubt]

All good pics, Saxon. That's more my league. If I paid in the neighborhood of $750 per piece, my collection would be mighty small. My lowest price on Smiths/Colts, other than trades? I got an ex-cop Model 10 about five years ago for $185, IIRC. Lots of finish gone in "cop contact locations", and a slightly bent hammer spur (not sure I want to ask it about that night), but it's an amazingly accurate gun and functions 100%. Came with a Hogue rubber grip, but I replaced that after awhile with some used walnut grips for $15. Found a cop holster that probably came with it, matching cop ticket book, cop reload pouch, cop speedloader pouch, cop baton ring, all for peanuts. Now the GF and I can play Cops and Rubbers if we want.

[rogertc1]

Found a S&W on Gun Broker but it sold already for only $195+
See they are out there . You just have to be fast.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/977004002/Guns/Pistols/Smith-Wesson-Revolvers/Pre-1945/S_W_32_DA_REVOLVER.htm

[Iacabo]

I think it is most shooters experience that tthe good deal on a revolver just out of no where smacks them in the face, but looking around for a revolver we usually find all the slightly overpriced deals, just wait and maybe oneday youll find it.

[LKB3rd]

Start stopping in at local shops as you travel here and there. My local shop has a bunch of used and new revolvers at good prices.

[S&W-Keeper]

Don't get discouraged, they are out there.Keep looking.

[HoosierQ]

Deanadell

I oh know about nice vs mint. I love milsurp rifles. If I could find a mechanically sound Victory (or equiv) with good metal, I'd be real happy with worn blue/parkizing, some dents in the wood. I like the worn look actually. Hey I link mint as well as anybody though.

Saxon

Love that Colt Trooper. That is just the kind of thing I am looking for...conceptually. That gun has real character.

And for everybody commenting (thanks): I am talking about shooters here. I'd take mechanically and metalugically sound but well worn and love it. The Colt Trooper Saxon Pig shows above is the epitome of what I would love to see...and do see for like $700 around here. I win the lottery, heck I'll buy 'em all at that price and do my own little stimulus package. Until then...well I can dream right.

[Oro]

Also, look in your local penny saver classifieds. Last summer I bought a 99% S&W 27-2, in 3.5", for $450. Not as cheap as some deals, but for that gun, a real steal.

It just takes hitting the shops, cruising the ads, and checking the papers.

[oneounceload]

Don't forget garage sales and obits. The guns won't be out for display, but if you see anything gun-related, like an old cleaning kit, you might ask if they have any guns for sale. Here in FL, FTF is perfectly legal......

[elktrout]

Sometimes it boils down to simply being in the right place at the right time. Two years ago I made the deal of a lifetime. I traded an old, tired S&W Model 15 blued 4 inch with an uneven trigger and fair amount of holter wear for a used but mint condition S&W Model 15 satin nickel 2 inch that was tight and showed no wear on the grips, etc. I paid a difference of $100 and could not have been happier then or now.

[wanderinwalker]

Oro
Also, look in your local penny saver classifieds. Last summer I bought a 99% S&W 27-2, in 3.5", for $450. Not as cheap as some deals, but for that gun, a real steal.

It just takes hitting the shops, cruising the ads, and checking the papers.

Holy smokes!! :eek: If I ever found a 27 in that kind of shape for that price, I think the money would be smoking from moving so fast from me to the seller! Don't give them too much time to think about it! ;)

Around here, I'd say $450-500 for a used S&W in decent shape is about average. Doesn't seem to matter the model too much, excepting I never see 29s or 27s or 28s. Dominated by K-frames and L-frames.

To whit: I bought a used 629-1 .44 Magnum, possibly unfired, for $479 OTD (let's not forget to include tax and transfers, eh?) 4 years ago. Just a few weeks ago I came across an 18-4 .22LR for $500 OTD. The 18 had some signs of use, but not abuse, and it locks up with a welded-to-the-frame tightness and is in excellent time. I feel it was a fair deal, not great but reasonable, especially when I check prices on gunbroker or gunsamerica lately.

And the same shop I got the 18 from has a pre-war M&P and a Colt Official Police (I think) that show honest wear but not neglect. IIRC, the price on those is $500 or significantly less, but don't quote me for that on the Colt.

Not to worry, I'm on a .22LR kick and there are a bunch of Colt automatic .22s of various vintages and prices sitting in the same used gun case.

[Travis Bickle]

Classifieds at

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/
http://www.rugerforum.com

There's a lot more on Backpage and Topix. Those are also local sales, so if you live in a state that allows off-paper sales, most of them will be private.

[22-rimfire]

If you want to find low priced handguns or firearms in general, you need to know your values and look constantly for purchases. That means going pawn shops, gun shops, several gun shows a month, watching the gun auction sites, scanning newspapers and bargain banner type papers, and having the $$ available when you find something of interest. If you are willing to do that, you'll find some bargains. Otherwise, you're just like the majority who visit a gun shop every month or so and go to an occasional gun show. Then it is just luck, recognizing a good buy, and having the funds.

[MatthewVanitas]

Definitely keep an eye on GunBroker. Sure there's $25ish shipping, and FFL fees, but you're saving on tax.

Last week I got a S&W 13 (.357 fixed sights) for $195, and a S&W 18 (pinned and recessed), both worn but mechanically sound and shipped together for $30. The same seller had a rather worn Model 10 that just sold or $155 today.

My local gunstore (McBride's) has rather high prices on new, but has always had good prices on used gear. They have a Security Six for $300, a S&W 28 for $425, a good-condition but trimmed-barrel M&P or $225, etc. Not amazing prices, but stuff you can actually look at and handle before buying, and far cheaper than most any auto.

Oh, and I did get a 5" Security Six for $299 at a pawnshop last month, easily 95% condition. All the shop had was a couple Rugers, and then stacks of boxes of brand-new Hi-Point, Raven, and Aramco or whatever those cheap revolvers were. The Hi-Point 9mm were selling for $279, and the guy ahead of me bought one. I wanted to just shake the guy and say "for $20 you could've had a Ruger!!!"

But I just bought it for me instead. :neener:

[RON in PA]

It's a function of geographic location, a function of being in the right place at the right time and just plain luck.

Three weeks ago I purchased a 1978 vintage S&W model 10 with a standard barrel with some good honest holster wear, but otherwise in great shape for the princely sum of $185. The tag was for $189.95, but since I'm a long standing customer the dealer doesn't charge me tax or fees and he dropped the price down to $185. It's like I said, being there when the gun is.

[Landric]

J&G Sales has S&W 64 revolvers, 4" HB .38 Special for $230-$250. I bought a $230 one and ended up with a 64-5 that showed some moderate holster wear, but is pristine inside and has a nice action.

[Geezer Glide]

I picked up a pretty nice M65-3 at a local pawn shop on Friday. $240 + tax.

[CSA 357]

im always looking for old smith&wessons! they are getting harder to find

[polekitty]

Around here used (any) revolvers are scarce. All of my local stores are almost bare---when they do have any they are usually maybe $100 under price of a new one. Of course, my favorite stores are fussy about what they take in trade---they don't have any junk.

[kmrcstintn]

lately I can't even find used Taurus revolvers for under $300; here's a few examples of revolvers in 1 local shop:

Taurus .44 spl stainless snubby for $319 (looked good, but lockup not the greatest); S&W 629 6" revolver (had beadblasting to cover 'custom' laser etching done as a commemorative revolver--I could still see the deepest part of the etching through the finish) for $500; S&W 66 4" that had a roughened area on the sideplate (steel wool to remove corrosion) for over $400; Dan Wesson 15 6" (nice shape but very stiff trigger) for $350

in other words, I kick myself for passing up a pretty good stainless Ruger Security Six 4" for $269 and the LNIB S&W 67 4" for $329 cuz what I am seeing lately is getting worse and worse