Is This a reasonable price for a S&W Model 15-3?

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BinRat

BinRat

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I was at a local gun shop today and actually ran into one of the handguns I've been hoping to come across one of these days. It's a S&W Model 15-3 with a 4 inch barrel.

I performed the "sticky" revolver inspection and it seems to be in great shape. No blemishes that I could find, with a beautiful blue job having no wear, a very faint turn line, and what appear to be original grips in very good shape.

They're asking $550. I talked to the counter guy for a while and he said he thought the owner might go for $500 out the door. It still seems a little high, but then again, prices keep going up. I had hoped to finally come across one of those deals that everyone else writes about, but that really isn't my luck. I've been keeping an eye out for one of these for a couple of years, but they don't seem to be in the shops much, and if they are, they're in much lesser condition and with higher price tags than I'm willing to pay.

I didn't make an offer yet and have no photos. What do you mavens of the revolver think about the price? Thanks much for your replies.
 
J&G Sales in Prescott, AZ just got in a shipment of model 15 (blued) and 67 (stainless) 4" revolvers - some with original walnut stocks and pined barrels (meaning 1982 or earlier). Condition varies and prices run from the upper $300's to middle $400's. Apparently these have not been converted to DAO. To the base price you would have to add shipping and FFL fees. I suspect the ones in better condition will go fast.

A lot should depend on what you plan too do. Paying for a pristine finish is a bit foolish if you plan to put a lot of mileage on whatever you buy. If you consider the associated fees and charges, a revolver shipped from Arizona might not be that great over the local gun. Unless you are interested in the stainless option (I prefer blue) I would see if the dealer would settle for $500 out-the-door. If not I'd take a very serious look at what J&G has to offer. If you can, offer to pay cash, and if necessary be ready to lay 5 big ones on the counter. Money talks! :evil:
 
In my area it would be the high end of asking price , more about $400 - $425 I have seen for real nice ones recently.
 
Howdy

Condition, condition, condition.

I bought a mint Model 14-3 last year. Really mint. It was on consignment and the asking price was $600. I asked if the seller would take $500. I would have been happy to compromise at $550. I didn't have to, he took the $500.

You may be able to find a mint Three Screw from the 1970s for less, but they are not falling from trees. Not in mint condition anyway. I was quite happy to pay $500 for my 14-3.
 
^^^^^^^+1

I don't think that $500 OTD is all that bad. Like Driftwood Johnson just said, "they aren't falling out of trees". I don't know what the tax is in your neck of the woods, but out here it would amount to around $35 or so and if the NCIS check costs $25 then you would be buying it for around $440.

In reality, $50 dollars either way won't make a great deal of difference at the end of the day.

I just managed to pick up a mint 15-3 for $400 with no box or accessories, but I feel that I got a very good deal.
 
I've bought two recently. One a -3, the other a -2. Both were more or less "finish challenged" but in good mechanical condition. I paid $350.00 for one, and $375.00 for the other.

Now on the other side of the coin, the same shop recently (Nov/Dec) had a near pristine -3, no box or papers, that was tagged at $599.00. :what: It was on the shelf about two weeks before it was gone. No idea what they got for it, but it goes to show that condition is everything.
 
I just did some figuring and $500 out the door would be like paying $454 for it, with about $36 tax and $10 for the check.

I don't really have all that many handguns, but the ones I have, will never be sold....so I really like them to have the best finish and appearance possible. After all, they'll be with me for many years (hopefully ;)). I do so appreciate a beautifully blued gun.
 
I paid 550 OTD for the last UNFIRED 15-4 (in the box, with papers and original price tag) I picked up ... at the time, I considered that about 100 bucks too high ... but given what I'm seeing these going for now, my opinion is evolving. So, I guess what I'm saying is that for a minty 15-3, that price doesn't seem totally out of the realm of reason these days ...

DSCN0335.jpg
 
A SW 66 would be much nicer to have. Thats just my opinion.
 
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I think $500 OTD is a decent price, not a smoking hot deal, but a fair price. Do a really close inspection on it (just in case you might have missed something on your first look), and maybe see if they have the original box and paperwork that went with it.
 
There are a lot of factors that come into play here. The condition of the gun, what you intend to do with it and the local market price. I do not think that $500 out the door is an unreasonable price.
 
........and if the NCIS check costs $25
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??? There is no charge for the NICS check. Unless your dealer wants to add a service fee for transferring the gun to you. Most will tell you what they charge for a transfer. I have never encountered somebody charging me a separate NICS fee.
 
As the other guys have told you already, it's maybe a tad high, but older Smiths have been steadily increasing in popularity and price, and a little ways down the road, you'll very likely look back and say that you got a deal.
I got a minty dash4 Model 15 a few years ago from Summit, and paid $380,delivered,IIRC, and you see the prices we're discussing now. ;)
If it's as clean and tight as you say, and you can get it for $500 OTD, then I'd go for it. The odds are slim that you'll later find one as nice, that's priced much cheaper.
 
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MIL-DOT said:
I'm trying to recall when and where, so it's been a good while, but I know I've been charged 5 or 10 bucks for it once or twice. Probably a BS surcharge they just made up.
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It's like the "environmental" or "shop" fees car repair services charge, just another BS way to jack up the bill.
 
I do so appreciate a beautifully blued gun.
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I was heading to bed last night, so I forgot to include this little thought. They don't make these guns anymore. To find a really nice one is getting harder and harder. When I find something like this I ask myself, "How long will it be before I see another one for less?"

A SW 66 would be much nicer to have. Thats just my opinion.
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There was a time when I would have said the same thing, but that was before I had a chance to handle a Combat Masterpiece, vs a Combat Magnum. At first glance you'd think they're the same thing, just one is a 38 the other is a 357, but there are more differences.

The Model 19 has a heavier barrel, with a solid rib, and a shrouded ejector rod. Add that weight to the extra weight of a slightly longer cylinder, and you have a totally different feeling gun. Not better or worse, just different.

I've got both. I like both. The one I like best is the one I've got in my hand right now.
 
BinRat,
About 5 years ago I spent $50 to $100 more than a M686 was going for at the time but it was in great condition and it's a M686-2 with the firing pin on the hammer. It was the gun I wanted so I bought it. I have not regretted buying it so if that gun is the one you have been searching for, buy it. $500 OTD isn't a bad price so are you willing to pass on a minty M15 that you really want because of $50? Buy the gun and go shoot it!
 
I sold a Model 15-3 in nice shape for $394 last October. If it had been in 'great' shape I would not have sold it for $500, but kept it instead. I had three M-15's and one had to go - condition definitely ads a premium to the value of a used firearm.

As others have stated, if you really want it, $500 out the door is a reasonable price, based on condition. If I am looking for a used firearm, the two main questions regarding price are: a) can I afford it at this time; and b) how likely am I to find one as nice for less (or even the same amount of) money anytime in the near future?

If you have been looking for one, and this one checks out, buy it, shoot it, and do not look back. You will like it. If you think it is an investment and you want to make money off of it down the line, not so much.
 
??? There is no charge for the NICS check. Unless your dealer wants to add a service fee for transferring the gun to you. Most will tell you what they charge for a transfer. I have never encountered somebody charging me a separate NICS fee.
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Dunno what they call it where you live, but here in Nevada it costs $25 for the background check. All dealers charge the same, so there is no way around it.........unless you have a CCW (which I do), in that case the fee is waived and they don't have to call in your info. The cost of my CCW has been repaid many times over by not having to pay that fee.

On another note, when I first moved to Northern Nevada, there were several shops that had used revolvers on their shelves. I bought a few in the first couple months I was here, but since then I haven't seen any more turn up. The last one I bought was a 15-3, no box or paperwork and I was able to get it for $400. I was lucky because apparently it had just come in on consignment.

IMG_3128-L.jpg
 
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Buy it. After your first trip to the range you will go back to the seller and thank him!!!
 
I paid $330 for a M15-3 at a local pawn shop last year. It was not in as good condition as the specimen you describe. I was in no way a beat up dog, nor was it a safe queen, it had been carried and used. I would take $500 cash and make them an offer.
 
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