Help valuing s&w revolvers

[river1899]

Thinking about a pair of s&w revolvers for sale locally. Model 15-3 and Model 49.

Decent but not great condition, neither has original grips. What’s a fair price for these?

I’m new to firearms— having a revolver seems like a good idea but the guns are easier to find than the ammo right now.

 

[Ru4real]

Thinking about a pair of s&w revolvers for sale locally. Model 15-3 and Model 49.

Decent but not great condition, neither has original grips. What’s a fair price for these?

I’m new to firearms— having a revolver seems like a good idea but the guns are easier to find than the ammo right now.

$500 to $750, depending.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Welcome to the forum!

Here in SW FL, a decent, shooter-grade M15 would likely have $450-550 on the tag at a local gunshop or show.

They are simple to use and easy to learn to shoot comfortably and effectively. One of the finest medium-frame revolvers ever made, you will be very happy if you get it!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I wouldnt recommend a M49 for an inexperienced shooter. They are concealable, but the recoil with most ammunition is somewhere between tolerable and painful. This can discourage a new shooter from getting enough practice to become proficient- and snub-nosed revolvers are much more difficult to hit with accurately thanks to the shorter sight radius and greater muzzle flash and flip.

Both are good guns, but IMO, the M15 is the way to go until you gain enough experience to effectively use a snub-nose.

Get them both if you can afford 'em!

 

[river1899]

$500 to $750, depending.

You're spot on if you meant for both, seller is asking $700 for the pair.

 

[river1899]

I wouldnt recommend a M49 for an inexperienced shooter. They are concealable, but the recoil with most ammunition is somewhere between tolerable and painful. This can discourage a new shooter from getting enough practice to become proficient- and snub-nosed revolvers are much more difficult to hit with accurately thanks to the shorter sight radius and greater muzzle flash and flip.

Both are good guns, but IMO, the M15 is the way to go until you gain enough experience to effectively use a snub-nose.

Get them both if you can afford 'em!

I hear you, that's why I'm thinking both! There's a lot of different firearms you can get for $700 though. First purchase was a CZ 75b yesterday.

 

[WestKentucky]

700 for the pair is a deal. That puts them 350 each and they are each easily worth that. Worst case scenario you end up not liking the 49 and send it down the road for 400 or so and have a $300 m15. Deal. Pay the man.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Yup, if funds allow, snatch em up. Thats a deal!

Nice choice on the CZ too! You will fit right in here.

 

[hanno]

I hear you, that's why I'm thinking both! There's a lot of different firearms you can get for $700 though. First purchase was a CZ 75b yesterday.

Then you are off to a very good start!

At some point you might decide you "need" a Kadet Kit (.22 conversion) for the CZ.

And you will love the Model 15, one of the finest revolvers ever made.

 

[ontarget]

That is definitely a BUY THEM NOW price in my neck of the woods.
Around here all of my go to gun stores are tapped out. On the rare occasion that a used revolver shows up they are over priced.
If you can get them do it.

 

[river1899]

Ok! Loud and clear, I'm on it. If I get them, hopefully some of you can help me identify the period correct grips. Now I have to find the ammo...

 

[river1899]

Then you are off to a very good start!

At some point you might decide you "need" a Kadet Kit (.22 conversion) for the CZ.

And you will love the Model 15, one of the finest revolvers ever made.

I kind of already decided that... but they're more expensive than I thought! There's a kit with 4 mags on ebay for $700!

 

[Jonesy814]

Very good price. An 85% shooter grade 15-3 would normally be worth around $475, but if it has a 2" barrel you can add a hundred to that, maybe more. The model 49 is probably worth about $450, but in the current climate might bring $500

 

[river1899]

Here’s the haul, $750 total. Model 15-3 is pretty nice, I took off the Hogues and it’s a square frame. Model 49 is a little more rough.

 

[Rubone]

I wouldnt recommend a M49 for an inexperienced shooter. They are concealable, but the recoil with most ammunition is somewhere between tolerable and painful. This can discourage a new shooter from getting enough practice to become proficient- and snub-nosed revolvers are much more difficult to hit with accurately thanks to the shorter sight radius and greater muzzle flash and flip.

Both are good guns, but IMO, the M15 is the way to go until you gain enough experience to effectively use a snub-nose.

Get them both if you can afford 'em!

I say nonsense on this. The 49 is steel and recoil isn't am issue, easily controllable by anyone with normal hand strength. but if you are a soft office guy your experience may vary...

 

[wcwhitey]

Those are great examples of duty guns, lots of holster wear, probably just saw yearly qualification. Enjoy, you will love the Model 15, great gun, I love mine. It was my Sheriffs Department gun from the 80's. The M49 you will learn to love, yea it may be a little snappy with some loads but still a great gun, a good set of rubber boot grips will help you out there.

 

[hanno]

Nice haul, congrats.

 

[river1899]

I live within spitting distance of the S&W factory... should I consider any of their services? The Model 49 has some surface rust as you can see in the pics, a bit on the forcing cone too.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I say nonsense on this. The 49 is steel and recoil isn't am issue, easily controllable by anyone with normal hand strength. but if you are a soft office guy your experience may vary...

20 years turnin wrenches, Junior, so excuse the bloody hell out of me if Ive got a touch of carpal tunnel from earning an honest living 40-50 hours a week out in the weather.

And I didnt say it wasnt controllable- I said it was enough to discourage some NEW shooters from getting enough practice. I know this from training a dozen new shooters, male and female, ages 12 to 52. Some of them nearly wanted to give up shooting altogether after a few rounds through a J-frame. Its not a gun for all beginners.

You want to prove how macho you are by lighting off max loads from a snubby, go right ahead. You aint impressing anyone.

 

[hanno]

I live within spitting distance of the S&W factory... should I consider any of their services? The Model 49 has some surface rust as you can see in the pics, a bit on the forcing cone too.

Shoot them first.

You can always take them to S&W for some work but unless you find a problem, enjoy them.

Use a brush and some Kroil on the surface rust and see how it cleans up.

 

[wcwhitey]

Not sure what S&W would cost to refinish and re-blue. There might be a good old school smitty in your area that would know how to do a nice job. First I would give it a good cleaning, oiling and some light rubbing. Sometimes you can float away some rust unless its pitted. Its a carry gun and the finish will not effect the performance. It may just need a bunch of TLC for you to be ok with it.

 

[river1899]

I understand where you both are coming from. I've shot at the range before, so I'm not totally put off by something a little spicy, but I also don't want to just plink 22, that's why I got the CZ!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I live within spitting distance of the S&W factory... should I consider any of their services? The Model 49 has some surface rust as you can see in the pics, a bit on the forcing cone too.

You might want to try buffing them with oiled, 0000 steel wool first. Ill bet you the 15 cleans up very nicely, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the 49 as well. If you are planning on carrying the snubby, I wouldnt obsess over the surface finish- carry guns are going to be exposed to all manner of sweat, dirt, and lint and will need regular cleanings anyway.

 

[Rubone]

20 years turnin wrenches, Junior, so excuse the bloody hell out of me if Ive got a touch of carpal tunnel from earning an honest living 40-50 hours a week out in the weather.

And I didnt say it wasnt controllable- I said it was enough to discourage some NEW shooters from getting enough practice. I know this from training a dozen new shooters, male and female, ages 12 to 52. Some of them nearly wanted to give up shooting altogether after a few rounds through a J-frame. Its not a gun for all beginners.

You want to prove how macho you are by lighting off max loads from a snubby, go right ahead. You aint impressing anyone.

20 years is a good start, let me know when you get a bit of time in!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

20 years is a good start, let me know when you get a bit of time in!

Out of respect for the OPs thread, lets take this to the PMs, shall we?