S&W 357 Magnum model 19-5 value?
I'm trying to learn the value of this Smith & Wesson 357 magnum revolver - it's a model 19-5, w/ 4" blue steel barrel. It was my father-in-laws gun so I don't know a lot about it - he lived in the boonies where I expect he got it for personal protection out there.
Looking in the chambers it appears that it may have been fired once(?) I tried to capture this in the photos along with a pic looking down the barrel where it's very shiny and the rifling is easily seen.
A local dealer offered me $250 for it but, and I see in the auctions here that the prices range widely from the high 300's to over 700 - I don't know where this revolver fits in range - any help would be greatly appreciated - tia!
dave
Looking in the chambers it appears that it may have been fired once(?) I tried to capture this in the photos along with a pic looking down the barrel where it's very shiny and the rifling is easily seen.
A local dealer offered me $250 for it but, and I see in the auctions here that the prices range widely from the high 300's to over 700 - I don't know where this revolver fits in range - any help would be greatly appreciated - tia!
dave
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$250 from a dealer isn't too bad. If you sell it on the auction side it should go for about $400/450. do a 'smart searce on the auction side for closed auctions and see what some realy SOLD for. 0 -
Mike has the selling price right. If it was an earlier pinned and ressesed 19 it would sell for more. 0 -
thanks for the quick replies & advice - didn't even notice the 'smart search' tool - nice feature!
now I just need to learn how to transfer the gun properly - I'm sure I'll find that here and/or over on the auction side
thanks for your help,
-dave0 -
I would never take a gun to a gun shop to "sell" direct to them. If anything put it there on consignment, that way it will go for a more realistic price.
He offered to buy it for $250 so he could sell it for $400 to $500 to turn a profit. The gun looks to be new or close to it. The value MW placed is about right.0 -
I'll take it for $250.01 [:D] 0 -
Thanks for the pix; those help tremendously.
Unless I'm mistaking the appearance of dust (which I might) it looks like there is some light freckling on the finish on the right side and rear of the frame, and few superficial marks on the barrel and around the cylinder release.
So that keeps this one from being the cherry "100% in box" that collectors crave.
Still, with box and papers, $250 is a steal. I'd drop $350 on it in a heartbeat and think I got a good deal. Hell, even the Gancalo Alves "target" stocks (grips) on there are really nicely figured, and probably worth at least $50 by themselves.
I agree with the above. Fair market value isn't LESS than $400, and you could get more.
Note that if you have ANY interest in having a handgun, this is really a good one to keep.
The Smith and Wesson model 19 was for decades THE standard issue police service revolver. They have excellent balance, adjustable sights, and make a great choice for home defense, target shooting, or even hunting small-to-medium game. Trigger quality on these guns is outstanding, with one of the best trigger pulls available in mass-produced double actions revolvers, in some cases as good as hand-tuned revolvers.
Revolver is easy to use, easy to maintain, and highly reliable; more so than any automatic pistol.
The Smith 19s were made out of all forged steel, not MIM parts like today's Smith revolvers, use screwed in (not crush-fit) barrels, and were built in the days when actual gunsmiths hand-assembled each gun. Further, Smith and Wesson has discontinued manufacture of medium framed .357 revolvers like this one.
It really is fair to say "they don't make 'em like THAT anymore" and they probably never will! So even though millions of these model 19s were made, they're only going to increase in desirability over the years.
Here are pix of a few of my own models 19. . .can you tell I like these?
Edit: Look at this way. . .if this gun were actually 100%, you'd be afraid to take it out of the box. Now that's its "broken in", you can feel free to shoot it as much as you like and not worry about leaving a mark on the finish!
Just make sure that in storage you keep it coated with a light film of gun oil. That will help keep the blued finish in good shape and prevent any further corrosion.
In all seriousness, if I had to have "only one" handgun, this would probably be it (well, I'd probably take the model 66 which is the exact same gun in stainless steel). Even though I own a lot of guns, the one I keep handy for that proverbial bump in the night is a 4" 19-5 exactly like yours.
Go try a few other revolvers then try this one again. . .I think if you do that, you'll see why the model 19 is so good.
As a minor secondary consideration, if you have any kids, this could have extra sentimental value to them down the road as "Grandpa's gun". (It doesn't really matter if he only touched the thing one time!).
Edit #2, +1 to what 45er said below.0 -
Great info beantownshootah, and you're correct - while there dirt/oil from finger prints surrounding the barrel release, looking closer at it there is a very small spot rust and/or pitting above and to the right of the lower screw (behind the trigger) that secures the trigger mechanism cover.
You just about have me convinced I should keep this beauty. I have a couple varmint rifles, but no handguns (yet).0 -
hey beantownshootah - thanks again - yes, 2 kids just exiting college. we're migrating to 'empty nesters' status and retiring to our camp in the woods. We're the only residents on our road in the winter and the local police force offers 'same day service' to 911 calls (I think the fire dept offers 2nd day service ;-). Hence I really hadn't really thought about personal protection before, but I probably should.
btw, I see you're x-MA. I grew up in acton, about 30 miles west of boston.
thx again,
-dave0 -
Howdy dblodgett,
Though we're near the end of the ten reply limit, your question of value has been adressed, so think it'd ok to add a bit.
Do hope you indeed decide to keep the 19. Heck, one way to really decide is take her for a spin. Bet you'll be convinced then! And once over that small hurdle, try the search mode here and also Google around to find a wealth of info.
I feel the going price for 19's is way low for the inherent value of a well made piece. Especially so in condition as nice as one you have. A thing of beauty. As astutely stated-- they don't make 'em like this no more. Why Bill Jordan's dream-child come true to protect our southern border will not ever carry the outragous price tag of a Python has to do more with Colt's mystique than utiliarian function, my opinion which may be blasphemy to some? Oh well.
ONly thing to be aware of, (if not already?), is the S&W 19 was not designed for steady diet of .357. For practice .38's are good all day long. Yet chambers may need a good scrubbing for ease of re-stoking with the longer .357 if do so. If you handload all the better... my 19-3 gobbles up home brewed .357 158gr lead SWC's pushing just under 1100fps with amazing accuracy.
To finish up, if those nice looking target grips don't suit, Hogue's rubber ones are the cat's meow, 'specially so with full powerhouse loads.
45er0
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