Value of a S&W Model 14-3

[BinRat]

I just got back from my LGS and they had the above revolver in the used case. It's the bright blued finish with a 6" barrel and adjustable sights.

The turn line is minimal and it does have a few blemishes on some high spots from handling, but looks darn good.

It has the smaller S&W grips (magna, I think) and no target hammer or trigger.

No box or anything else is with it.

The serial # is 8K80XX.

I ran through the check-out of the gun and it was all good.....except that one of the sideplate screws was buggered up. The sideplate was good all the way around except at the seam at the very top next to the hammer, which was raised just enough to catch your fingernail when slid across it. I saw no indication that it's bent.

They had it tagged for $500, but offered to sell it for $450 with a box of ammo included. I wasn't ready to buy it just then, so I didn't counter with them keeping the ammo and making it $450 out the door.

What would a reasonable price be? Would the screw and sideplate seam be deal killers?

Thanks much.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Difficult to say.

I found this absolutely pristine Model 14-3 with box last year and got it for $500, which I considered to be a spectacular deal.



But I wouldn't put too much credence in my deal, that was a terrific price for a like new in the box 14-3 where I live.

Question: Was the buggered up sideplate screw next to the raised portion of the side plate? Sometimes if the screw is not properly torqued down all the way the side plate will remain a bit proud. They are all slightly different, but it usually takes just a bit of pressure to seat the side plate fully. So there may be nothing at all wrong with the side plate, the screw may not have been torqued down all the way.

Around these parts, $450 for a Model 14-3 with a very modest blemish along with a box of ammo would still be a pretty good price.

P.S. a lot of folks seem to think that getting the box with the revolver adds value. In my experience this is not true. Case in point, I did not even know there was a box that went along with my Model 14-3. The dealer mentioned it after the deal was made. This has happened to me several times, I sealed the deal before I found out there was a box to go along with the gun. Did not impact the selling price at all.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I would probably buy it,,,

I would probably buy it,,,
That's way below what I've seen in several years.

Aarond

.

 

[palmetto99]

I have a 14-2 with bad bluing, but is rock solid and a great shooter. I paid $350 about six years ago. $450 sounds good, not a steal, but good.

 

[red rick]

I would offer $400 and say sold at $425 .

 

[BinRat]

Question: Was the buggered up sideplate screw next to the raised portion of the side plate? Sometimes if the screw is not properly torqued down all the way the side plate will remain a bit proud. They are all slightly different, but it usually takes just a bit of pressure to seat the side plate fully. So there may be nothing at all wrong with the side plate, the screw may not have been torqued down all the way.

No, the screw was the one nearest to the trigger. The slightly raised portion was at the top nearest the hammer.

I sure do like your 14-3. This one wasn't that pristine, but the turn line is about the same. This one just has some rub wear at the muzzle and front cylinder edge.

Does anyone know whether replacement screws are available anywhere? The buggered up one would drive me nuts, and the other one that shows closer to the grips isn't buggered, but you can tell a screwdriver was used on it without much skill.

 

[ThomasT]

If its been apart and it sounds like it has it may have a slightly bent side plate. If the high spot is near the top of the sideplate it is held in by a tab. You should be able to order screws from S&W or brownells. And you can also order a gunsmith screwdriver set when yoy order from brownells and no more boogered up screws.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

With a Three Screw Smith it is normal for the side plate to be ever so slightly above flush at its upper most corner. This is the spot where there used to be a screw with the old Five Screw Smiths. S&W eliminated this screw by making a slight undercut in the frame at this spot and putting a tab onto the side plate that fits into the undercut. Often the side plate looks ever so slightly dished at this point, or the side plate may be a couple of thousandths proud. Just enough to catch your thumbnail.

Both my Model 14-3 and my Model 17-3 that I bought brand new in 1975 exhibit this. The 17-3 exhibits it slightly more. It is because the fit of the tab in the undercut is usually not quite perfect. If the side plate is proud by a lot, that is not normal. But just a couple of thousandths is completely typical of S&W revolvers of this era.

Just checked a couple more Three Screws, a couple of Stainless ones. Not quite as proud at the upper corner, but you can still feel it. The side plate raised a tiny amount in the upper corner is typical.

 

[BinRat]

Thanks Driftwood. That makes me feel better about it. I was afraid it might have been a result of shoddy work regarding the sideplate.

And it is not flush by a very very little bit....just enough to feel it when using your fingernail.

 

[horsemen61]

At that price I would have bought it already