springfield30-06
Member
I've been tossing around the idea of getting a S&W Model 19 or 66 for some time now, and I saw a 19-3 in pretty good shape recently. What is the current going rate for a Mod. 19 or 66?
S&W Mod. 19
- Thread starter springfield30-06
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DAdams
Member
Rather depends on the barrel length and condition. I recently did a search on Gun Broker and Guns America. I was looking at only those models and under 4 inch.
They were running from $350 for one in moderate condition, no box, no papers. to $1100 NIB, collectors grade Model 66. Safe to say that the middle ground is 400-600 for one in good condition with the right box.
Those are very poplular models right now and are commanding close to premium plus price in my view.
I would scour your LGS and pawn shops.
They were running from $350 for one in moderate condition, no box, no papers. to $1100 NIB, collectors grade Model 66. Safe to say that the middle ground is 400-600 for one in good condition with the right box.
Those are very poplular models right now and are commanding close to premium plus price in my view.
I would scour your LGS and pawn shops.
Confederate
Member
It depends on which model you get and what shape it's in. If you get a nice model that has a pinned barrel and counterbored chambers, and, if stainless steel, chrome-plated hammers and triggers, then it could pull down $500 or more.
A good Ruger Security-Six might also be a good alternative, if you can find one. I've been looking for these at auction sites and they seem to have dried up.
These medium frame .357s are, in my view, the greatest revolvers ever made. The larger 686 and GP-100s are just too big and heavy to carry and shoot in the field. Years ago, I had a friend who had to shoot a charging couger (it was rabid) while he was inspecting fence posts. He shot it with a Dan Wesson he carried in a shoulder holster. He later said he was glad his barrel wasn't the heavy type with the underlug. Picking up a moving target is easier with a lighter barrel. As it was, he was shooting a 6-inch barrel!
I wish S&W and Ruger would reissue their medium frame .357s.
I'd love to have one of the early S&W 66 revovers with a 4-inch barrel.
A good Ruger Security-Six might also be a good alternative, if you can find one. I've been looking for these at auction sites and they seem to have dried up.
These medium frame .357s are, in my view, the greatest revolvers ever made. The larger 686 and GP-100s are just too big and heavy to carry and shoot in the field. Years ago, I had a friend who had to shoot a charging couger (it was rabid) while he was inspecting fence posts. He shot it with a Dan Wesson he carried in a shoulder holster. He later said he was glad his barrel wasn't the heavy type with the underlug. Picking up a moving target is easier with a lighter barrel. As it was, he was shooting a 6-inch barrel!
I wish S&W and Ruger would reissue their medium frame .357s.
I'd love to have one of the early S&W 66 revovers with a 4-inch barrel.
springfield30-06
Member
I have a Model 686 and a Model 10 and there is a big difference in the weight. This got me wishing that I had a .357 K-frame. If the price was right I could see myself with an L-frame 619 or 620, but I've never handled one so I'm not sure of the weight difference. I do know that I'd like a medium frame .357 without the full underlug w/4 inch barrel (possibly 3 inch if I ever saw one).
The only one I've seen around here in a while is a 19-3, 4 inch barrel, pinned/recessed and seems to be in pretty good shape in the $550-$600 range.
robctwo
Member
I found a very nice 4" 19-3 for about $550 with shipping and transfer from GB last Spring.
I bought a 620 from a local shop, used, lnib for $635. I like the L frame half lug.
I bought a nib 19-3 for about $850. Very nice guns.
I bought a 620 from a local shop, used, lnib for $635. I like the L frame half lug.
I bought a nib 19-3 for about $850. Very nice guns.
Confederate
Member
You haven't lived until you've hiked with a Ruger Speed-Six 3-incher with a good cross-draw holster. With the number of black bear attacks (and dog), the .357 has a lot of punch.
Liberty1776
Member
I just bought a 6", 19-4, with a perfect bore, perfect trigger, pinned bbl and recessed chambers, for $199. The catch? It din't have a lick of finish on it and the surface was slightly pitted. One quick Dura-kote job later, and it's all good...
About 3 years ago I got a 19-3 pinned and recessed, 4", target trigger and hammer, for ~$350 trade value. I'd give it about 85% to 90% on the finish. It was purportedly a state trooper carry piece. From the "rash" on the backstrap I believe it.
Radagast
Member
Springfield30-06:
See if you can get your hands on a S&W 686 SSR. It a 6 shot L frame with the light weight slab sided barrel that a lot of Performance Center guns have. It also has a moon clipped 5 inch barreled sibling, the seven shot 686+ Pro.
The one I handled had better balance than my Model 66, it was closer to my Model 18 or a Model 15 in balance. I'm not a fan of weight forward on a gun, so it was close to perfect for me.
If I hadn't broken my back before Christmas I would be the proud owner of the SSR now and my Model 66 would be traded or a safe queen. Unfortunately my gun fund has gone on rehab and rent until such time as I'm fully recovered. *sigh*
If the SSR is out of your price range then a Model 66 or Model 19 is still a fine gun. I've owned a Model 66 for ten years and can knock over silhouette plates at 100 meters with it.
Oh, and to answer your original question, in excellent/new condition, but no box or papers, $500 to $600 seems to be about the price THR members have reported paying over the last six months, but there have been a few who've done much better in private sales.
The more wear it is showing, the less you should pay.
See if you can get your hands on a S&W 686 SSR. It a 6 shot L frame with the light weight slab sided barrel that a lot of Performance Center guns have. It also has a moon clipped 5 inch barreled sibling, the seven shot 686+ Pro.
The one I handled had better balance than my Model 66, it was closer to my Model 18 or a Model 15 in balance. I'm not a fan of weight forward on a gun, so it was close to perfect for me.
If I hadn't broken my back before Christmas I would be the proud owner of the SSR now and my Model 66 would be traded or a safe queen. Unfortunately my gun fund has gone on rehab and rent until such time as I'm fully recovered. *sigh*
If the SSR is out of your price range then a Model 66 or Model 19 is still a fine gun. I've owned a Model 66 for ten years and can knock over silhouette plates at 100 meters with it.
Oh, and to answer your original question, in excellent/new condition, but no box or papers, $500 to $600 seems to be about the price THR members have reported paying over the last six months, but there have been a few who've done much better in private sales.
The more wear it is showing, the less you should pay.
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glassman
Member
Bought for $350 each within the past couple of yrs. Both are sweet shooters.
I concur with Radagast on his experiences. I had a 4" 66-2 and acquired a 686 Mtn. Gun. Per Smith's specs the 686 actually weighed about 1/2 oz less and had an extra shot. Tkhe 66 moved on. I wish all the mfr's would drop the heavy barrels. The only one, for me, that I could remotely get along with was a 4" Python balance-wise.
roaddog28
Member
Hi,
I like the regular size medium frame revolvers too. I have a S&W M19-4 6 inch I paid $269 out the door. I also got lucky on a M66-4 4 inch for $350. And finally I bought a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch for $350. I got lucky on all three. Plan on paying from $350 to $500 for a M19 or M66. Ruger Security Six will range in the $300 to $375.
Good luck,
Howard
M19-4 6 inch
M66-4 4 inch
Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch
I like the regular size medium frame revolvers too. I have a S&W M19-4 6 inch I paid $269 out the door. I also got lucky on a M66-4 4 inch for $350. And finally I bought a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch for $350. I got lucky on all three. Plan on paying from $350 to $500 for a M19 or M66. Ruger Security Six will range in the $300 to $375.
Good luck,
Howard
M19-4 6 inch
M66-4 4 inch
Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch
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