Where to sell rare revolver?

Lots of gun enthusiasts, with deep pockets, on Gunbroker.

https://www.gunbroker.com

Might try the S&W forum.


Kevin

Your gun is not really "rare", it's just a customized model of a relatively readily available modernfirearm. I agree with the Gunbroker suggestion or putting it on consignment at a popular and honest LGS. It is a gun intended for a niche market and thus needs to have good exposure to a large segment of the gun enthusiast population, in order to bring close to what it is worth..

Man I was hoping for a good registered Magnum picture and story...

buck460XVR said:

Your gun is not really "rare", it's just a customized model of a relatively readily available modernfirearm

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Normally I'd agree 100%

What might change this case though is some of the reports from customers of this gun. Im not taking sides unless I'm personally involved or seen the situation and know every fact..... but ive read enough about this one and enough cases that sound all too familiar that if I were wanting one of these id be looking for a used one already in someone's hands. Might make this one more of a rare gun than just a normal customized one perhaps.

But I agree is a niche gun. Actually selling any of the x- frames is a slow process. I have both but most just don't want them. Much less a customized one. In the OPs situation I'd expect to either lose a lot on it by selling on gunbroker, or sit on it for a long while waiting on a buyer at a LGS to pay even close to its worth. Very few know what it is even less feel they need one.

ETA. Not to mention the X- frames are very nice from the factory. Triggers have all been excellent in my experience. Accuracy has been phenomenal. And unlike the 44 mags they are in the strength class by themselves so there is no "Ruger is stronger/ if you want it to last with magnums buy the Ruger" sentiment. It's not a gun most feel needs a lot of improvement. Myself included.

Just a dumb question.. Why are guns limited to 500 not rare??? That is a pretty low number.. Not really common. Only 10 of them for each State of the Union. Now you can probably argue that most of them out there are in Excellent to mint condition.. But 500 seems rare to me..

A pretty gun indeed, I see why you bought it in the first place .

GB will cast a wider net. Completed sales show the lowest price for a .500 S&W was a full-lug 8 3/8” model for $1,000, and most were sold around $1,300. I think you should get your $1,500 asking price for a custom barrel length version.

Good luck!

Stay safe.

indy1919a4 said:

Just a dumb question.. Why are guns limited to 500 not rare??? That is a pretty low number.. Not really common. Only 10 of them for each State of the Union. Now you can probably argue that most of them out there are in Excellent to mint condition.. But 500 seems rare to me..

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I don't think he is saying there are 500 of them, but instead that it is in S&W 500 caliber.

indy1919a4 said:

Just a dumb question.. Why are guns limited to 500 not rare??? That is a pretty low number.. Not really common. Only 10 of them for each State of the Union. Now you can probably argue that most of them out there are in Excellent to mint condition.. But 500 seems rare to me..

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It is rare of a different type. There were 250 stainless and 250 black with stainless cylinder. But they are just a modified version of a normal production gun of which 1000s were made. It is known that JR still was sitting on a bunch of them NIB. Word is that they were being purchased as a lot by an investor.

Real collector rarity would be an original Sharps rifle or a Maxim machine gun or silencer. Something that was made in low quantity and long ago brings a higher rarity factor to the gun. How many original 1873 rifles in 32-20 had a 30" octagon barrel, crescent butt plate, and full tube mag? And how many are left today?

Someone with enough money can have one of these JRC500s made pretty easily.

I bought my stainless JRC a few years ago for much less than someone here reported paying for a new one in the last 2 years ($1800-1900). And i got 200 rds of 5.56 in the deal too.

The JRC would most likely sell fastest on gunbroker. But you might be able to squeeze a few more pennies out of it at a LGS on consignment. In a year... It is a beast of a gun, and only speaks to a select few. And being a JRC wont mean much to most folks. I had no idea who or what a JRC was until after i bought it. I was buying a 500 SW and paid a fair price for one.

I do think the JRC500 is much better looking than the odd underlug versions. And in a place where one would carry a 500SW, the JRC would excel because of its quicker draw and general better handiness.

Ohen Cepel said:

I don't think he is saying there are 500 of them, but instead that it is in S&W 500 caliber.

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Actually its both, a 500SW that 500 of were designed and built to order for John Ross to sell

You can still get these from the original source as of now.

So there is no extra value associated with original scarcity.....yet.

The stories of shenanigans involving purchase are pretty well true though. So there is that.

Throw it up on Gunbroker at no reserve, starting price of $0.01, 10 days.

It may not sell for retail but it will sell for a fair price in a timely manner.

BigBlue 94 said:

It is rare of a different type. There were 250 stainless and 250 black with stainless cylinder. But they are just a modified version of a normal production gun of which 1000s were made. It is known that JR still was sitting on a bunch of them NIB. Word is that they were being purchased as a lot by an investor.

Real collector rarity would be an original Sharps rifle or a Maxim machine gun or silencer. Something that was made in low quantity and long ago brings a higher rarity factor to the gun. How many original 1873 rifles in 32-20 had a 30" octagon barrel, crescent butt plate, and full tube mag? And how many are left today?

Someone with enough money can have one of these JRC500s made pretty easily.

I bought my stainless JRC a few years ago for much less than someone here reported paying for a new one in the last 2 years ($1800-1900). And i got 200 rds of 5.56 in the deal too.

The JRC would most likely sell fastest on gunbroker. But you might be able to squeeze a few more pennies out of it at a LGS on consignment. In a year... It is a beast of a gun, and only speaks to a select few. And being a JRC wont mean much to most folks. I had no idea who or what a JRC was until after i bought it. I was buying a 500 SW and paid a fair price for one.

I do think the JRC500 is much better looking than the odd underlug versions. And in a place where one would carry a 500SW, the JRC would excel because of its quicker draw and general better handiness.

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Each of us has our own desires and wants.. Sure other items may be more desirable and valuable then others.. And limited number does not mean higher prices... But something limited to 500 has to be rare. We can not limited the word rare to price alone.

indy1919a4 said:

Each of us has our own desires and wants.. Sure other items may be more desirable and valuable then others.. And limited number does not mean higher prices... But something limited to 500 has to be rare. We can not limited the word rare to price alone.

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It’s all a matter of perspective. In some fields 500 is “rare” and in some fields it’s practically common. In the case of this revolver... you can still buy the variant new. And so despite low production numbers.... it’s not hard to find one if you want it. Therefore it’s not rare.

Rare does not necessarily mean it has a greater value if there's no collector interest. There's all kinds of "Distributor" models from various manufacturers.

Well that is good news.

Kevin

AKMtnRunner said:

I am selling a John Ross edition S&W 500. I have it listed locally but I may have better luck connecting to an interested buyer by reaching out wider.

Any recommendations on where to advertise?

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AKMtnRunner said:

Well, the revolver just sold for my full asking price ($1500). So whatever 'rare' means, I don't really care

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$1500 was a pretty fair price for a local sale for that revolver. I was under the impression you were looking for top dollar and wanted to expand your audience.