Saw a nice Model 57 today

[Preacherman]

I was browsing through a local pawnshop this morning, and came upon a very nice condition 4" S&W Model 57 - no dash number - in .41 Magnum. Blueing was excellent, overall condition excellent, and it passed Jim March's revolver test with flying colors.

Only problem was the price. The owner wanted $499.99 for it! I protested, pointing out that used N-frames, even in the nice condition this one was in, were hardly at that price level: but he replied that this was the first Model 57 he'd had in 7 years, and was not prepared to lower his price because of the "scarcity value".

Darn! I'd love one of these, but I'm afraid that's simply too high a price. I guess I'll have to keep looking...

What sort of prices do these guns bring in your area?

 

[JBP]

Take a look at the auction sites like auctionarms.com and gunbroker.com as well as gunsamerica.com. The S&W 41 mags go for a premium. You are not normally going to see one for less than $425 and the 3" 657 (which I would love to get a hold of) your normally can't touch for under $500. I paid $365 for a 6" 657 back in 2001.

 

[JShirley]

I'd offer $425 cash, Peter.

 

[Chindo18Z]

I'm with ya brother...price is way high but the gun sure is nice. I've only seen a handful of 4" versions (not in great shape) over the years. Both a 4" M57 and M58 have been at the top of my "buy on sight" list for years.

Finally found 4" M57 last month; seller wanted $350 with a couple of other interested parties waiting to inspect the piece. Decision time...took it out the door for $325. If I'd been the only customer, I might have gotten it down to $300...but I was happy with the deal.

Do you want it to make money on or for your own satisfaction of ownership? They just don't make .41 P&R 4" N-Frames anymore...but $499 is too high. I honestly might have paid up to $400 for mine but only because I had wanted one for so long. Make the guy a cash offer and don't forget to sweeten the deal by offering to buy holster, ammo, etc.

The only N-Frames I've seen lately for less than $300 have been M28s.

 

[Majic]

Depends on your location. As they are hard to come by around me the $500 price would be ballpark no matter the barrel length or vintage. I have been searching for a 4 incher forever it seems, but not one has shown up yet.

 

[Coronach]

Thats a deal for 'round here.

Mike

 

[dinosaur]

I posted the other day that I bought a 4" 57 no dash, no box, wrong grips for $360 OTD. Beautiful blue finish. I guess it depends where you live. The same dealer had 3 6" at least 2 with boxes for $500 ea. I thought that was a little high.

 

[stans]

Seems like the 57's are going the way of the 27's and now the 28's, up, up, and up! That four inch 629 is looking better all the time, at least price wise.

 

[madhatta]

I would drop $500 in a sec. for a really nice blued 57. Three years ago I paid ~$425 for one that wasn't perfect, and was pinned but not recessed. Prices for most things are 'ok' where I live, but people seem to know and seek out rarer things, even if they aren't that interested in the caliber or don't plan to use it that much.
A recent show I went to I saw a model 58, and the guy wanted $550 for that. I saw the same dealer at the last show and asked if he still had that 58, and he told me "nope- for that price those don't hang around too long"
I don't know if he dropped his price or really sold it for that. Go figure.
I also saw a couple of old model and 'pre warning' barrel blackhawks in .41. They were $400- $600. I surely figured they would stick around at that price, so I got the dealer's cards and said I would call them. Waited a couple weeks, called them- and they told me the same thing- "nope- at those prices, I cant keep those in the shop!" Go figure again...

I really like the 41 magnum, and in recent years continue to notice, that if you see something REALLY nice in great condition and especially if it is something that simply is NOT made anymore and will not be made that way again- I say go for it, cause if you don't buy it- somebody else is and they are gonna feel that they got a great deal.

just my .02,
madhatta

 

[FPrice]

It sounds to me like too many dealers (and buyers) out there are lurking on THR and listening to what you guys are saying about S&W .41 Magnums. Maybe if you would talk them down, the prices would go down.

BTW, up here in S&W's backyard I do not recall seeing any .41 Magnums for sale. Where are they all?

 

[munk]

In 97 I paid 275 for a nickel 57 in nearly NRA 99% It wasn't pinned, though, but it will place all shots in a golf ball sized hole at 25 yards.




munk

 

[madhatta]

It sounds to me like too many dealers (and buyers) out there are lurking on THR and listening to what you guys are saying about S&W .41 Magnums. Maybe if you would talk them down, the prices would go down.

Hey- what a great idea !

Yeah, S&W N-frames are actually pretty lame- I don't think I would give over $200 for any of 'em- no matter what the condition...

and old model rugers- man, they gotta be going for $200 or even less, cause I don't think anyone really has any interest in them anymore...

and most of all- all those OLD outdated colt saa's- just waiting on the next fire sale for one of those- figure I will maybe drop $450.00 on one, BUT only if it is in the box, unfired and unturned-
which how come no one has ever really jumped up and said, it's impossible to have a revolver that has never been fired/turned- how did they put it together, test it at the factory !?!?!?!

 

[Ala Dan]

You know, I've thought about this long and hard; and
here is my conclusions. With the .41 magnum being a
favorite caliber of mine, due to its great flat shooting
trajectory; I probably would pay the asking price for
a model 57 that graded N.R.A. excellent.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BluesBear]

I sad truth of the matter.

While I would be reluctant to pay $499.00 for a nice 4" Model 57. There are scores of people who will jump on it at that price.

I just missed TWO different 3" 657 at $525 & $530 because I wasn't quick enough. And last month I missed a really nice Model 58 for $475 because someone beat me to the ATM.

So if I decide that I really need a S&W .41 shorter than a 6" I might have to resort to paying that much. On the bright side. If you pay a little too much for one now, the value will catch up with it. Thay ain't making them no more and they ain't gonna get any cheaper.

 

[jimmy]

For comparison, in 1987 I gladly paid $300 for a brand-new 4-inch Model 57. Nowadays, the local gunshop in my area charges $425--probably more--for one in excellent condition on the rare occasions when it has one. In my experience the price of this model varies considerably. A lot of buyers, including myself, like the .41 Magnum cartridge, while others consider it a marginally successful round and won't pay to get into it. At least, that seems to be the way it is in my area.

One thing, though. Some of my bigger gun buying regrets have been those occasions when I refused to pay the asking price for something I really wanted, because I believed the price was too high and didn't want to feel ripped off. Often, the chance didn't come along again, and I wished I'd gone for it. Like a certain gun I wouldn't pay $650 for, and now I couldn't find one for $900. It can be a tough choice. I guess I've learned from the motto, "Quality is remembered when price is forgotten."

 

[munk]

Jimmy- don't I know it. There was a model 27 with the wooden box, nickel plated, 8" barrel (I forget the Smith lengths;would that be 3/8"?) just beautiful. I forget how much it was 4 years ago- somewhere a little over 400. I could have borrowed the money, and I wish like Hell I had, because I've never seen a finer gun nor such a specimen for sale again.


munk