Price Check on S&W Model 40

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I saw an absolutely perfect S&W Model 40 (AKA, the Lemon Squeezer) at the local shop with a price tag of $699 (before tax). It had that old fashion, high gloss blueing that you just don't see anymore. 700+ is a little more money than I want to spend on a snubbie, but it’s an amazing little gun that feels great in my hand. I could talk them down to $650 out the door, but is that still too much to pay for this gun? I know the old adage, “A gun is worth what someone will pay for it,” so what would you guys/gals feel comfortable paying?

 

[Guillermo]

what vintage?

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I forgot to check inside the yoke for a model mark. How much does the price vary from gen to gen? Also, were there any changes made to the design over time?

I'm leaning towards thinking it was 1st gen, but I don't know enough about this particular model to say. I was too star-struck to even think straight. Haha!

 

[Guillermo]

They stated making them, I think, in 52 as a Centennial.

Mid decade they started calling them the model 40.

If it is from that era the price is a little high but not too out of line. Heck, maybe right on. They are collectors.

Kind of cool little guns.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Probably on the high side...but I'm not surprised. These things are on the rising cost list.

This one has the grips (numbered to the gun) that are the high horn version. It is a 40-no dash. Some of the later ones had the grip panels (stocks if you prefer) that looked identical on the outside to standard J-frame grips as far as the "horn" length.

 

[Remllez]

Box & Docs?

If you plan to carry and shoot it the price seems about a hundred high to me. If it has everything it came with from the factory ( box, docs, tools, numbered grips, and the locking pin for the safety) its a fair price @ $650 OTD......Decisions decisions.....

 

[exdetsgt]

I carried a lemon-sqeezer Airweight Centennial for several years as a detective in California, but C&L's gun looks like it's steel, which means if the OP's gun is also steel it should be worth in the neighborhood of the asking price. And be more friendly to shoot than the Airweight.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Cocked and Locked,

That is EXACTLY what the one at the shop looks like! It's so slick and perfect, that I'd almost be afraid to carry it...almost. I don't believe in safe queens, and this gun would be for my everyday carry. I'm not wanting this gun to be part of my retirement plan, I just want something classic and dependable to to trust my life to.

I'm considering trading in my Official Police, but I don't think the shop would give me what it's worth on the trade.

This will be my first Snubby, so I wanna do it right. The Model 40 seems like the very defenition of "Doing it right."

 

[Remllez]

Let me know what the shop will give you for the OP....Maybe we can come to an agreement that's better for you....

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

New Info

I finally made it back to the gun store to check out the markings on the Model 40. The frame behind the yoke says 40-1 and the serial number under it says DCT****

Can anyone help me figure out the year it was made?

Oh, Remllez, I forgot to take the OP to see what they might give me for it. There’s a good chance I’ll be in touch with you

 

[Remllez]

WoodchuckAssasin,

Sounds good to me....PM me when you find out what is fair for you! Thanks

 

[pharmer]

I finally made it back to the gun store to check out the markings on the Model 40. The frame behind the yoke says 40-1 and the serial number under it says DCT****
Can anyone help me figure out the year it was made?

You need the # off the butt, the barrel pin suggests pre 1982, which is when the Alpha-numeric #'s start. Joe

 

[Guillermo]

started stamping it the "40" in 1957
they discontinued the 40 in 1974.

if the grips have the diamond we know it is pre-1968


beyond that we need the serial number.

 

[Radagast]

As mentioned in the DOB thread, its a recent production Classic.
I believe the 40-1 Classic had a lot more care put into it than the other re-issues, some of the engraved guns had a MRSP of $6500.00. Assuming the trigger is good I would consider this a good option for a carry gun.

 

[Guillermo]

its a recent production Classic

If that is the case it is WAYYYY too expensive.

For the same money or less you could buy a gun

 

[pharmer]

My apologies for not reading carefully before posting, thinking C&L's was the gun in question. Google being all knowing, hope this is helpful. Joe
http://gunsgunsguns.net/smith-wesson-model-40-1/

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Thanks for the info! I wish the model 40 I was looking at had the Case Hardened frame that the one in the link does.

From what the article says, it's real nice buy and worth the $700 (since the Retail Price seems to be a little higher than that).

God I want this gun.