Another price check, this for a S&W model 60

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miss lead

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May 7, 2010
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Minnesota
Does this sound right to you?

Model 60-10

  • 3" barrel
  • full underlug
  • excellent condition, cylinder nice and tight
  • barrel isn't pinned, but it's a prelock model
  • a bit of a cylinder ring but not bad, otherwise cosmetically perfect
$700 (total)

Thank you for your input.
 
That price is excessive. I bought a used model 60 .357 (also a pre-lock one) for $350 about 4 years ago. I wouldn't pay more than $400-450 for a used one.
 
The 60-10 is probably one of the most desired J frames out there - SS, 357 Mag, 3" full underlug barrel, adjustable sights, pre-lock - about the only thing they don't have going for them is the MIM trigger. I always thought they looked like a baby 686. A 2" fixed sight gun would carry better, but not with as much style...

That being said, $700 OTD seems a littel steep to me, but you know what they say, they ain't building them like that any more. Any chance you can get him to $600-$625 OTD? Depending on how much you want it, it might be worth dickering over.
 
MCGunner - yes it's used. And no, it doesn't have the box and papers.

This is a friend of mine, so I know the gun is as described. I haven't been able to find the exact gun for sale online anywhere to compare prices, but the new ones with 3" barrels are selling for around $600. But the new ones have the dreaded locks on them, whereas this one does not. I'm not sure why the lock is such a bad thing but apparently it is to be avoided if one can help it.
 
miss lead: IIRC, you are in MN. That price, even for a no-lock 60, is 'way too high. A 60-3" is a desirable revolver, but (as you point out) the no-lock does not justify that pricing.

If you are in the metro area, go to The Gun Stop and see Larry, the manager; he'll be honest with you.

Jim H.
 
If you are in the metro area, go to The Gun Stop and see Larry, the manager; he'll be honest with you.
Is that the place out in Minnetonka? I'm a long ways from there, in the southern part of the state. I know there's a place called Ahlman's down here somewhere, but I don't know anything about them.
 
I haven't been able to find the exact gun for sale online
:confused::confused::confused::confused:
Used 3" Model 60s w/adjustable sights all over Gun Broker in the $475 to $600 range. The pre-lock may be desired by some, but, from what I can tell, it doesn't translate into any significant price premium. Same goes on MIM parts. Always wanted one of these, and have been casually looking at and tracking prices on them for 7 or 8 years. In general, used ones have appreciated about $100 over that time. The factory new ones are certainly more expensive.

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Yes, that's the place in Minnetonka--in the Glen Lake area. Since you are not in the area, you've spotted another reputable shop closer to you--Ahlman's. I haven't been in it in years, but they are an old-line, long-established shop. Possibly a bit more expensive than The Gun Stop (which recently was sold, and has raised prices a bit)--but that's only speculation. They've long been known for their gunsmithing, not just their gun sales. Before you buy anything, I would go there.

Ahlman's should also be accomodating on being able to try out a K/L frame with different grips, I think. FWIW--while there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 5-shot j-frame as your first gun, particularly if it fits and feels good to you, I think you ought to explore the larger-frame (6-shot) guns, particularly with the right grip fitted for you.

If this first gun is to be a carry gun, then a 3" HB j-frame is neither fish nor fowl--e.g., you probably would need to carry it UNconcealed, in a purse or some sort of holster. That's a lot of "needs" for a beginner to digest. If it is NOT to be a carry gun, then the recommendations for K-L frame variants make a lot more sense for a first household handgun.

But back to the deal you posted--even if you get the price down to say $500--a more honest value, maybe $550 if you are willing to pay the premium for a no-lock gun (I wouldn't, for a first gun for you)--you should buy it only contingent on having it inspected (at your cost) by a shop like Ahlman's. J-frames (I have several) are very durable, but I probably wouldn't buy one that has had lots of full-house .357 Magnum loads shot in it. That probably isn't the case here, but nonetheless, as a novice buyer, you need to rely on a 'smith to guide you on the overall condition, IMO.

added on edit: Ahlman's is in Morristown, on Hwy 60--that should be closer to you, alright.

Jim H.
 
Used 3" Model 60s w/adjustable sights all over Gun Broker in the $475 to $600 rang
I must not be searching correctly. I have seen a lot of used 2" models, and a lot of new 3" models, but not the exact model, used, that I referred to above. I will give it another try. Thanks.

I am definitely getting the impression that this particular gun is overpriced. I'm glad I checked with you guys.

Thanks, Jim, for the recommendation for Ahlman's. I am definitely going to head over there.
 
I'd say $400, maybe $500 if it's a friend you're trying to help out.

I'm not sure why the lock is such a bad thing but apparently it is to be avoided if one can help it.

On some of the alloy guns in magnum chamberings, it's been known to malfuction. Generally, it's just an eyesore and a reminder of darker times in S&W's history (deals with the devil and such). If I found a really good deal on a gun with a lock, I'd buy it and simply remove the mechanism and put a set screw in the hole.
 
Gunbroker and places like this are listing the 60-10s in the low $500s. That seems to be the going price.

This is how shopping for a S&W can be - once you know what you want, you have to start hunting. Eventually you'll find the one you want and don't be discouraged if it takes a while.

Check youtube on "S&w lock removal." There's a video showing how to do it. Very easy job - about 10 minutes total. A seller on the S&W forum makes frame plugs that fit into where the lock was and he makes them for various frame sizes and finishes to give you a OEM look.

Removal of the lock and bringing the gun back to an aesthetically pleasing appearance is very little trouble and if you find the gun you want, the ILS shouldn't be a deal breaker. I'm getting ready a new S&W and the model I want doesn't have a pre-lock version so I've got to deal with this, too. I've always bought my guns brand new.
 
re: "the new Ahlman's"--WOW!

I haven't been in there in years--possibly since 1968. I drove Hwy 60 daily that spring--and they used to be on / just off Main Street, so to speak.

Jim H.
 
That price is waaaay out of line. $450 would be the max I'd pay for a really nice, used 3" M60. Others might go a tad higher if they REALLY wanted it.

Be a little patient and the right gun will come your way.
 
$700? For a used model 60? That would be crazy. For that money there are a lot of other platforms I would rather have. Local to me I would maybe pay $375-450 but over that no way.
 
Miss Lead, glad you found a gun you like!!!

700 is way too much... You would be better off shopping around for a good used Model 60 without the lock and MIM parts.

Check gunsamerica.com, gunbroker.com or auctionarms.com or better yet the Smith and Wesson Forum smith-wessonforum.com - they have a section for folks selling guns.

You should be able to find a better value. These auction sites or the Smith and Wesson forum will have better deals and you will be able to examine the gun when you receive it and return it if you don't like it.

Hope that helps...
 
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