Want another S&W - thinking about these

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Shade00

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Ok, looking for some input on the following revolvers. For the most part these will not be self-defense guns (except maybe occasionally the 637 if I went that route).

First one I'm considering is a used 15-3 available at a local pawn shop. The gun is in great shape mechanically, 4" barrel, 99% original bluing. Grips don't look original, as they're rubber, but I could be wrong. The shop is asking $250; I would obviously try to talk them down a little. Fair price?

The rest would all be new guns. I have a hankering for a .22 revolver, so I've been looking at S&W's 317s. I really like the 3" model, but wouldn't mind the 2" model either. This would be nothing but a fun gun; it's a little pricey, so a K-22 or other used Smith might be cheaper, but I do like the weight on these models. Thoughts on the 317? I think these can be had for low- to mid-$500s. Also, can .22 shorts be shot in a .22 LR revolver?

I am also considering the 637. I was set on buying a used 37 nickel for about $270, but it was gone when I got back. So the 637 is my next best bet. I love the weight, love that it shoots .38 specials and .38 Spl +P. Plus, I could conceal it when I get my permit. Would make a good gun for ankle carry. High $300s to low $400s.

Finally I'm thinking about a new (or used) 36 in 3". I love the 3" barreled guns. I want another J-frame; my only J is chambered in .38 S&W. Would like to get one in .38 Spl. I don't see the used 36s in 3" (or any other model in 3") going much cheaper than new 36s in 3". Mid $500s?

My only hitch on buying the 15-3 is that I wanted to get a J-frame. I will probably wait a little bit and see if another J shows up in one of the shops. However, the 15-3 felt really good, and from what I read it would probably be a great shooter.

So, I know that I've been really general about my desires, but I really do want a fun gun to shoot for cheap. The .22 gun would have the cheapest ammo, but .38s aren't too bad. Also, if I went with the 15-3, I could afford to pick up another Smith (hopefully a J) down the line.

I guess what I really want to hear is what you guys might do if you had these options. I am open to other options as well. I would really like to hear some comments on these guns, though. I guess I am not in a big rush, but I am starting to become an impatient gun collector. I look forward to hearing some responses. Thanks in advance guys.

Edit: I really do love my little S&W Mod. 32, which is why I'm really looking to expand my revolver collection. You can see what guns I have and which ones I'm considering in my signature. As you can see, I own 3 autoloaders and the little Smith. I love my autoloaders, but they're something that's inexplicably appealing about these Smith revolvers.
 
I'd buy the 15 for that price if it checks out and locks up well. I don't know about talking them down on it... I might ask what they'd be willing to throw in with it however. ;)

As for the 317... I've got a 2" and gave my daughter my 3"... but I really really prefer to shoot either the 17, 18 or J-frame 63 since their triggers far outperform the 317 airweights. I just kinda like hitting the target without fighting the triggerpull while keeping the sights on target.. but that's just me and my take on my .22 wheelguns. YMMV

A lightly used 3" 36"? What's not to love there? $400-475ish. If yer lucky.

Eventually of course you want one of everything, 2 of most of 'em. But ya tend to settle on what's in the display case if the price is right and it locks up tight. I just ran into a 3" M10 a couple months back... had the cash, had to get it, wasn't looking for one... you know how that can be sometimes.
 
I feel you Baba Louie. I am going to be checking the pawn shop more often. Still upset that I missed the M37.

So you think the 15 is worth $250? I am also going to be buying a Mosin rifle from the same guys, so I was thinking about bargaining for the "package" for a little bit less money.

I certainly do want one of everything (which the wife is not excited about), but there aren't a lot of used Smiths around here. Hopefully a more diligent watch will produce some results.

I would love to get a 3" 36, but new they are a tad pricey. So that one might have to wait for a lucky pawn shop find, or maybe just a Christmas gift to myself or something. ;)

Thanks for the info on the .22s. I love S&W's airweights, and I thought a .22 airweight would be a really fun gun. But if I would be better served by a used steel model, I will certainly keep an eye out for one of those.
 
$250 is a very good price for any K frame in that condition. The fact that it's a KT frame (K Target Frame, for the adjustable rear sight) is even better.
 
Well, shoot, I sure hope the 15-3 is still there when I get back Thursday. I didn't realize it was anything special. I definitely have a lot to learn about the value of these Smith revolvers. It felt good in my hand, so I guess that should've told me something. Guess it's past due to be looking for a small safe.
 
Shade00

I know how you feel about the S&W J frames with the 3" barrel. A big favorite of mine too. Back in the somewhat older days of my beginning gun collecting, everyone and their brother wanted the 2" snubbies; guns like the Model 60, the Model 40 , or the Model 42 were the most coveted S&W revolvers out there, at the time. Even if you found one, chances are you would have had to pay a king's ransom to aquire it. But the upside to this was the fact that 3" J frames could be had for a lot less, as nobody (except for me, at least), had any great interest in them. I'm just sorry I didn't buy more of them back then.
 
I prefer the 642 over the 637 for pocket carry. Besides, a hammer on a defensive revolver is simply not needed. If you don't have a CCW, but can have one, I would advise buying that first. I feel, sad to say, that protection is more important than another plinker. I hated spending good revolver-toy moola on my 642, but it's EDC has saved my day twice in the last year alone. Whatever you get 'to carry', it must be with you!

And... an old 15 is a fun shooter - as is a 17 - or 617. The 317 is cute - but 'not enough' for carry. YMMV.

Stainz

PS I like the Robert Mika's pocket holsters - see the '624 Club' sub-forums.
 
Stainz - the only thing holding me back from my CCW is the fact that I won't be able to attend a class until August. Otherwise, I would have it right now. Fortunately finances are not my limiting factor. If they were, then I would definitely be foolish to consider another gun over the permit.

My primary carry weapon is going to be my PPK, which is why I am considering these other options. You are certainly correct about placing protection above plinking, but like I mentioned, if I did choose the 637 over one of the others, I would probably carry it infrequently - or maybe as a backup around the ankle or something. The 637 is a gun that I've been looking at since I started looking at guns - which is, IMHO, why I was also drawn to the 317 as a potential plinker.

That being said, I think I am going to take the advice of all you guys and go with the 15-3. I would like to own a larger-framed revolver anyway. My dreams of airweights and 3" barrels will just have to wait. :) Going with the 15-3 will allow me to keep an eye out for other used revolvers that might pop up in the near future.
 
If the Old Fuff was in your neighborhood he'd leave foot tracks down down your back while running toward the shop that has a S&W model 15 for $250, if the gun was in the shape you describe. :evil:

I also like 3" barreled J and K frames, especially the latter. As for the model 37, it's also a good snubby, although I generally prefer steel over aluminum. However if you have pocket carry in mind, take that exposed hammer spur into consideration. You may or may not want it.
 
Gosh darn it, now you fellas have me excited over the 15-3. Watch it be gone when I get back tomorrow. :(

Tomorrow's going to be pawn shopping day for me - haven't had the time to check some of the outlying shops in a while. Thanks for the info, guys.
 
Model 15

I would go with the model 15. I think it is the most versatile of the guns you listed. It can be used for home defence, in your car (if legal like Florida) or as a concealed carry in a pancake or crossdraw. I would go with HOGUE grips for defense.
It would not be as compact as a PPK or J-frame, but would handle better and have more power than either is you use +P ammo.

Also, that is a good price. I rarely see a K-frame in good condition for much less than $300.00 in my area.

Good luck,

Jim
 
Here's another vote for the Model 15. In later years they were issued with Rubber finger groove Uncle Mike's grips. That's how I found mine, but I changed them out not too long ago:
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They can also be exceptionally accurate. Here are a couple of 7 yard targets:
IMG_0948_edited.gif IMG_0949_edited.gif
 
S&W Airweight Model 42

Found a S&W airweight Model 42 at a local gunshop. The safety grip was pinned but that can be removed. Looked in almost unfired condition. He was asking $200 firm. Is that a good deal? I hear they kick like a mule.
 
Thor, I might suggest you start a new thread next time you have a question like this. However, since I'm here, I would say BUY THAT S&W. You would be foolish to pass it up for that price for any reason unless you were choosing between food and the gun.
 
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