New to Smith and Wessons

[cbt5020]

Hi everyone,

I'm an auto-pistol dude. (I know I know...) Anyway, I inherited a Smith and Wesson Model 19-5 357 Magnum, and I was curious as to its worth. I'm not sure if I am interested in selling it yet, as it is in great condition and might serve me well in the future.

The point of this post- I'd like to know the VALUE of this pistol in the current market for revolvers. I had it "appraised" at a local dealer. I use that word loosely, because I am pretty sure he was giving me a runaround about the worth (he wanted to purchase it from me).

The specs-

Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum
Barrel 5-6" (Not sure where the measure points are)
Recently cleaned and inspected
serial number- ABL 8XXX

Here are some pictures-

Thanks so much! Any input, even general comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

[EMC45]

That gun seems to be in 98-99% condition. I would venture a guess around the 450-500 dollar mark. I would advise against selling it though, and say shoot the crap out of it!!!!!!!

 

[dullh]

$400-$500 is about right. If it had a 2 1/2" barrel it would easily go for $600 - short barrelled K-frame Smiths are commanding scalpers prices nowadays! I love S&W revolvers, always have, and I say load it up and have fun! I have two 3" round butt model 13's I need to clean after shooting with them this weekend - now you want to talk money! Those will pull $800 each easily!

 

[Phydeaux642]

I have two 3" round butt model 13's I need to clean after shooting with them this weekend - now you want to talk money! Those will pull $800 each easily!

I guess the one I paid $275 for last year at a LGS was quite a bargain then.

 

[Colt Smith]

Don't sell it. The M19 is an all-time classic and sweet shooting gun. My 19 2.5" is my favorite of all my babies. Check Gun Broker for going prices.

 

[Walkalong]

That is a fine revolver...a keeper...

 

[mnrivrat]

I think $400 is about right. Maybe a little above that, but the $500 mark I think would require a little cleaner piece and perhaps the box along with it.

S&W Model 13 with 3inch barrel - Gunbroker # 129549411 @ $549

 

[Eightball]

I'll give you $100 for that obsolete hunk of crud.



Seriously, keep it; with a good S&W, you might be surprised how quickly you become a revolver fan. If you sell it, make sure that the helpful fellas on THR get first dibs.

 

[David E]

The picture shows a a six inch barrel. Measure from the face of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.

 

[cbt5020]

Thanks!

Haha, obsolete piece of junk. I think not!

I appreciate the comments. 400-500 seems to be the price to go after. Would you recommend asking for that price to private parties or at a gun dealer? Like I said before, the dealer I went to previously gave me a pretty low appraisal. I unfortunately don't have the original box, so that might come into play.

I've never sold a pistol before- I have my fair share of firearms, but the only thing I've sold were shotguns and rifles. Any tips for selling a revolver if I decided to do so? (I am very aware of the legalities that must take place when selling a pistol.)

But perhaps I'll just got "shoot the crap out of it" like some of you suggest...I'm so torn.

Caleb

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

Keep it. Here are my reasons:

In 2003 (if memory serves), Smith & Wesson starting putting internal locks in their handguns. The keyhole is on the left side near the cylinder release. Your model is a pre-lock and as such, it's only going to appreciate in value.

You inherited this handgun. As such, it's a keepsake. It may not mean much to you now, but when you get to be my age and have kids of your own, such reminders of relatives who have passed become precious. Even if it never means much to you, it might mean a lot to your children.

One last bit of advice: There appear to be a couple spots of active rust on your handgun. You can take care of these by using 0000 steel wool and oil (Kroil). While you're at it, give the cylinder and barrel a good cleaning and lubricate all of the steel parts with a good oil like Remington Oil before putting it away (a few drops into the action would be a good idea, too). About once a year you'll want to re-check it and give it a little more oil. If you store it in a silicone gun sock, this will help.

Good luck - whatever path you choose.

 

[Iggy]

cbt5020

Check your private messages... Nah, I ain't trying to buy it!! So the rest of you don't go lookin' for my scalp!! *G*

 

[BCRider]

I would certainly suggest you put a couple of boxes of rounds through it before you decide one way or the other to sell. It may just change your mind for you about not being a revolver guy.

I started off shooting last year (I'm really new to this) as a staunch pistol guy. Revolvers just looked odd and I could not imagine them fitting the hand well. Then one day at the end of a session at the Rent-A-Gun range that I'm a member of I thought I'd try something different so I asked for one of their model 19's and a box of .38's. It took a moment to figure out how best to hold it (not quite right as I later learned but well enough at the time) and then started shooting. About 1/2 way through my second cylinder I was hooked big time. There's a whole different feel to a good revolver that is quite a bit different from a semi. A difference that really adds to your shooting experience. If you shoot for fun as well as it being a tool then I'd be surprised if you don't connect with this model 19.

And for my part I consistently shoot more accurately and tighter with my revolvers than with my semis. To say they have a place in my own gun safe is an understatement. If I had to give them all up except for one I'd lose a lot of sleep deciding on the last semi or the last wheelgun going out the door.

 

[SaxonPig]

The 19 was made in 2.5", 4" and 6" barrel lengths and the value on the used market goes up as the barrel gets shorter.

The 19-5 is the post P&R era (Pinned barrel and Recessed chambers) and many S&W fans prefer the earlier models so the 19-5 generally brings a bit less than the 19-4 or 19-3.

The gun appears to be in excellent shape. I would think around $350-$400 give or take.

I am sorry for your loss. Whomever left you this fine gun must have thought very highly of you.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

S&w m19

Depending upon where you are (some handguns are more valuable in different parts of the country...) the value of your M19 is probably between $450 and $700. Also depends upon how "tight" the action is and whether or not there is any wear on edges.

 

[dullh]

"I guess the one I paid $275 for last year at a LGS was quite a bargain then."

I paid less than that for one of mine, but then again I bought one of them over 18 years and the other "handed down" to me about 25 years ago. I was referring to listings on several gun sales boards, where sellers were charging upwards of $800 for 3" RB model 13's - and people were buying! I would never pay that much for one, but others are - not only for the model 13's but also for the 547's.

 

[wanderinwalker]

First off, you have one of the greatest .357 revolvers of all time! The Model 19, along with the Model 27, 28 and the Colt Python, is a serious-must-have or at least try once revolver.

Secondly, around here I wouldn't hesitate to ask $450-500 for one in that condition, even without the box and non-pinned and recessed. I paid $329 for my -5 (4") and it is rough on the outside.

Lastly, shoot the thing and KEEP IT! You'd be surprised at how accurate and easy to shoot a good DA S&W is. Most people will shoot in single action (cocking the hammer with yer thumb) and be spoiled by the nice trigger pull.

 

[BlindJustice]

+1 for everything wanderingwalker points out.

O.P. - The Model 19 is the "King" of the K-frames.
Bill Jordan championed a medium frame .357 Mag for
LEOs to have a more friendly carry gun instead of the
larger/heavier, N-frame, the 27 and 28 So, S&W
created the 19 - late 50s I think.

If you ever want to pair it with a K-frame .22 LR
you could get the Model 17 k-22 Target Masterpiece.
The 617 is the modern stainless steel version. but they
have fullunderlug barrels and different balance.

The official name of a Model 19 is Combat Magnum
I believe.

Randall

 

[Phydeaux642]

I paid less than that for one of mine, but then again I bought one of them over 18 years and the other "handed down" to me about 25 years ago. I was referring to listings on several gun sales boards, where sellers were charging upwards of $800 for 3" RB model 13's - and people were buying! I would never pay that much for one, but others are - not only for the model 13's but also for the 547's.

Oh, I understood what you were saying. I was a bit surprised when I started looking on Gunbroker a couple of months ago thinking of maybe picking up another one. The selling prices kind of scared me a little and I stopped looking.

And, to the OP, I say keep the m19 if you don't need the money. If you sell it you will probably regret it down the road.