S&W 19-4 and -5

[gamestalker]

Last Saturday I stopped at a road side table to look over some guns this guy was selling. I know this fellow, have seen him all around town for a number of years.

Anyway, he had a 19-4 and a -5. both 4". Both had a good deal of holster wear, so bluing them would be necessary if cosmetics is desired. The original wood furniture was in very good condition, barrels looked fine, as did the cylinders. And as far as wear, they both looked and felt as if they had seen very little use, very little. But then I checked the lock up, both were so solid at any point in working the action, that they felt almost as if they were welded in place. Triggers were the typical crisp clean breaking one expects with a S&W. DA was very smooth, but also typical of what one might feel with a S&W that hasn't been worked much.

Now it's been a while since I've bought any K frames, so I was hoping someone here could tell me if $650 each seems like a fair deal since they have excessive bluing wear from a lot of holster use. The last one I bought was a 66-5 I got for $450 in pristine condition, but that was around 2007 or so.

GS

 

[22-rimfire]

I personally think that is too high with the finish wear.

 

[barnett]

I also think it's a little on the high side. But what do I know, I spent too much for a 66-2.

 

[Iggy]

Nice ones are priced at between $750 and $800 at gun shows around here.

You notice I said priced.

 

[Old Fuff]

Dealers know that when it comes to used guns, most customers decide on the basis of looks. If most (or all) of the original finish is intact then the gun must be good-to-go. This isn't necessarily true, but it's the perspective that counts.

So I would say this seller is way overboard. Four-inch model 19's are not rare, or even scarce given law enforcement trade-ins, which these probably are as they appear to be "carried much and shot little."

Do some window shopping on your favorite search engine (Google or whatever) and compare prices. Or offer the seller a substantial reduced cash offer and see if he bites.

 

[bikemutt]

With the finish wear you mentioned, I'd expect to see those under glass around here for $495. Private seller would be dreaming at $650. The last ones I sold were for all intents collector specimens with box, papers, tool manual etc., went for $625 each. I had them listed for $650, when the first buyer showed up he asked if I'd make him a deal for both of them, which I did.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of the local auction houses sells guns every few months or so. Last week they sold a M19 but I'm sorry but I forget what the going price was. I think it sold for $450 but I'm not sure. They will post the results in a few weeks so I can get the numbers then. However, they also sold a M19-3 at their last gun auction on 5-29-2014 and that gun went for $500 even. That gun had no wear to speak of and was fitted with flawless checkered target grips.

As the others have said, the asking prices for the guns you are looking at sounds a little high although I do realize prices will fluctuate across different parts of the country.

 

[USSR]

If the 19-4 had a 2 1/2" barrel, I would pay that. Just MHO.

Don

 

[Deaf Smith]

$650 each seems like a fair deal

Sure ain't around here! My last 66-4, a 2 1/2 (abet it has a slight case of crane being bent) was for $400 flat, tax included.

I'm gonna fix the crane and then maybe hard chrome it as it shoots like a rifle.

Deaf

 

[ATLDave]

I got a 19-6 with a fair amount of holster wear, but good mechanical shape and original stocks, for ~$400 about 2-2.5 years ago. Take that data point for what it's worth.

 

[JohnM]

19's go for more than the newer versions in my part of Wyoming.
I gave 650 for a pristine 19-4 6" last year, could have found one for less I suppose, but wanted the one I got.

 

[Old Fuff]

I gave 650 for a pristine 19-4 6" last year, could have found one for less I suppose, but wanted the one I got.

That's not unreasonable for what it represents, but it's much easier to find much-less pristine/finish worn/4" examples. At $650 I would expect the seller to have what he has for a long time. That said, someone who doesn't know what the market is may pay his price.

 

[george burns]

Fluff paid the right price for what he got. Right now guns are cheap, "relatively" maybe you could have got 650 for a worn 19, 2 years ago, but now, 550-600 tops IMO

 

[gamestalker]

I'm sure he will be back out there this coming week end. I'm going to have some $ in my pocket and see what he is willing to do. I'll hold $400 in front of him and see what he counters with, go from there. But I don't think I would be willing to go much more than $450 - $475, as there is no box or papers with either of these pieces.

If these were 2-1/2" 66's, or 19's of the same with papers and box, and in better cosmetic condition, I might consider $600 or so.

GS

 

[USSR]

If these were 2-1/2" 66's, or 19's of the same with papers and box, and in better cosmetic condition, I might consider $600 or so.

GS,

You will never get a PR 2 1/2" Model 19 with the box and papers for $600.

Don

 

[JohnM]

2 1/2" Model 19's are tough to get.
Last real nice one I saw was a nickle plated model, I passed on because I like the blued ones.

 

[highpower]

A few months ago I picked up a 99%, 19-2 with the original box, tools and paperwork for $650 OTD at a local gun store. I think that those are over priced by $200-250.

 

[skoro]

someone here could tell me if $650 each seems like a fair deal

That's a whole lot more than I'd pay for a k-frame that needs refinishing. And I'm a guy who likes and owns a number of k-frames.

 

[Twiki357]

I purchased two Model 19-3’s this year. Both in good mechanical and cosmetic condition. A 4” in March for $400 OTD and a 6” with target grips in May for $395 + tax. So, based on that, I would say that he’s a little over priced.

 

[JohnM]

Finding any of the Model 19 versions in good shape for $400 and under sounds great.

 

[edmo01]

Last November I picked up a no box 4" 19-5 which has a good finish and tight action at a local gun shop. I paid $485 out the door.

Unless you just want these guns, I would keep searching or counter-offer less.

Obviously prices vary region to region.

Edmo

 

[sarge83]

Price is high on both of them in my neck of the woods. I would say $400-$500 range is fair leaning more toward the $400 figure if the wear is as described.

"You will never get a PR 2 1/2" Model 19 with the box and papers for $600."

I have an uncle with a 19-2 or 19-3 with a 2 1/2 barrel that is pristine. Probably not fired over 10 times. He offered it to me for $295 last year. I asked him why he was selling it. Some gun shop owner was trying to sell him a Taurus .44 magnum and was willing to generously give him $150 on the Model 19 in trade plus he pays a bunch of cash for the Taurus. My uncle knows little of guns and was thinking .44 magnum, bigger gun, better gun.

I talked him out of the trade/sell. Told him the gun shop was essentially stealing his gun that it was worth far more and a way better gun than the Taurus. I let him know he had a fine revolver for personal defense with the right rounds it would stop any problem he might encounter. He thought about it and decided to keep the Model 19. I told him that if he wanted to ever sell it call me first!

 

[spm]

Last Saturday I stopped at a road side table to look over some guns this guy was selling. I know this fellow, have seen him all around town for a number of years.

Since no one has mentioned this, I will ask. This guy was selling guns at a roadside table? I have never seen this ...anywhere. Where was this? Is this common in some parts of the country?

spm

 

[bannockburn]

For the condition stated I would go in at around $450; if I just had to have one of them $500 would be my final offer. If he's out there again, and you decide to get one of them, let us know how you make out with your dealing with him.

 

[oneounceload]

Earlier this year I managed to find a 2-1/2 19-3 RB for $350 at - of all places - Gander Mountain - took it and ran. They had a K38 for about $600, but I couldn't swing both.