S&W 357 Mag pricing help please

[Rus]

1st my name is Brenda and my husband was Rus. He would visit this site every morning to browse and talk to you all and enjoyed it immensely. He passed June 2017. He was the go-to guy for everyone around here when they needed to know anything about guns.

A friend of ours is needing to sell his S&W .357 Magnum Model 19 w/6” barrel, blued and walnut grips. It is over 35 yrs old that I know of. It is in good shape. It belonged to his father who was a police officer. His wife has cancer and he has medical bills and Uncle Sam needs his tax money. Would anyone be kind enough to help me find a price for this weapon, please?

Thank you.

 

[Jeff A]

Sorry to hear about the passing of your husband.

I too have one of these fine pistols. If I were you I would go to Gunbroker (www.gunbroker.com) and you can get an idea what others are asking. I hope you find the information you're looking for.

 

[rmr]

"If I were you I would go to Gunbroker (www.gunbroker.com) and you can get an idea what others are asking"

this is good advice.

the hard part with used guns, older revolvers in particular, is condition and specific details. what version of model 19? just 19, or 19-2, 19-3, barrel length, how much bluing wear, chips, dings, strap wear, endshake.. the details can be somewhat maddening when one model 19 in great condition will go for $350, and some other beat-to-shit 19 will go for $1700, because its a rare variant. there are literally *books* written on SW model history and value. taking all this in at once can be daunting. for the time being i would check GB, and try and find several examples that match as close to yours as possible, remembering that details matter. I doubt you have a unicorn, but you never know. GL

 

[Rus]

Thank you Jeff A and rmr. I have looked at gunbroker (another one of his frequent sites) and what they show there is quite high priced. Another friend checked his price book which is about 2 years old and said it would only bring $325-375 max. Gunbroker showed them starting at $600 & up. It is in good shape. I don't know if it has a number after 19 but I will check with him to see. Thank you so much fellas. I sure miss getting up in the mornings and finding him on his computer talking to y'all. He had many many great conversations on here. I'll try to get it in my possession so I can check all numbers on it. Thanks again so very much.

 

[Rus]

It just has a 19 on it. It is in good shape and is blued. Thanks so much for your info. This will help me out. I'm going to try my hand at reloading also. He has his workbench all set up for reloading. It has impressed many enthusiast. And yes, I have a friend or 2 who can teach me. I'm not going into by myself. LOL. Thanks again.

"If I were you I would go to Gunbroker (www.gunbroker.com) and you can get an idea what others are asking"

this is good advice.

the hard part with used guns, older revolvers in particular, is condition and specific details. what version of model 19? just 19, or 19-2, 19-3, barrel length, how much bluing wear, chips, dings, strap wear, endshake.. the details can be somewhat maddening when one model 19 in great condition will go for $350, and some other beat-to-shit 19 will go for $1700, because its a rare variant. there are literally *books* written on SW model history and value. taking all this in at once can be daunting. for the time being i would check GB, and try and find several examples that match as close to yours as possible, remembering that details matter. I doubt you have a unicorn, but you never know. GL

 

[Rus]

Sorry to hear about the passing of your husband.

I too have one of these fine pistols. If I were you I would go to Gunbroker (www.gunbroker.com) and you can get an idea what others are asking. I hope you find the information you're looking for.

Thanks Jeff.

 

[Jeff A]

Brenda, If you open the cylinder you will expose some of the frame (on the left side) that shows a model number with a dash (-) with a number after the dash. My personal opinion, even without seeing it, would be it would be woth a lot more than the previously stated 325-375. This model has recently gone back in production by Smith & Wesson.

 

[joshb]

Hi Brenda! I have to say I love the name. My wife is Brenda and my daughter in law was Brenda, aka little Brenda. Sorry to hear about your Rus.
I have one of those pistols and I think $5-600 is in the ballpark. Remember, you can always come down if it doesn’t sell. Lots of pictures help.
Josh

 

[243winxb]

R 55. Smith & Wesson Model 19-4. Serial # 59K0090. .357 Magnum caliber double action revolver made in 1980. 6” barrel with an excellent bore. This gun was made on the K target frame and features a square butt, a pinned barrel, and a recessed cylinder. The original finish on the metal is in excellent condition with no visible wear. The wooden target grips are in excellent condition showing no wear. Adjustable white outline rear sight and red ramp front sight. Action works fine and the gun appears to have been fired very little. Includes the original box, the instructions, and some of the cleaning tools. Sold For 725.00

 

[243winxb]

R 58. Smith & Wesson Model 19-4. Serial # 91K1531. .357 Magnum caliber double action revolver made in 1981. 2½” barrel with an excellent bore. This gun was made on the K target frame and features a round butt, a pinned barrel, and a recessed cylinder. The original finish on the metal is in very good to excellent condition with just a little wear on the cylinder and at the muzzle. The wooden service grips are in good condition with some heavy wear on the bottom. Adjustable white outline rear sight and red ramp front sight. White outline blade is broken. Bobbed hammer. Action works fine. Sold For 425.00

This Short barrel not in as good condition as one above., less in demand. http://horstauction.com

Condition is everything, box and papers add to value.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Condition is everything.

 

[Rus]

Brenda, If you open the cylinder you will expose some of the frame (on the left side) that shows a model number with a dash (-) with a number after the dash. My personal opinion, even without seeing it, would be it would be woth a lot more than the previously stated 325-375. This model has recently gone back in production by Smith & Wesson.

Thanks, Jeff. I'm having him check

 

[Rus]

Thanks everyone for the advice. The pistol is in good condition, no scuffs or worn spots on the barrel and only 1 small blemish on the grips. He is supposed to bring it to me to inspect. He did say it had a 19-3 on it which was covered by the cylinder. (Thanks Jeff for that hint). Rus gave him a box but it is not the original box which I know would make it worth more. Once I have it in my hands, I will inspect it closer. I wish I would have paid more attention to what Rus had to say about guns. I like to shoot but haven't since right before he passed. I even live next door to a gun range and have a lifetime membership. Hopefully after my 2 broken toes heal, I can get down there. I guess right now I have a lot of research to do. I may be back to ask more questions, if y'all don't mind. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Hi Brenda! I have to say I love the name. My wife is Brenda and my daughter in law was Brenda, aka little Brenda. Sorry to hear about your Rus.
I have one of those pistols and I think $5-600 is in the ballpark. Remember, you can always come down if it doesn’t sell. Lots of pictures help.
Josh

thanks Josh. My oldest son's name is Josh. What a coincidence,

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Sorry about rus. Sure hate to hear that

 

[allen529]

If its a 19-3 like you were told it was introduced in 1967 to 1968. Most often with a 4" barrel. They are very well balanced and handle the magnum loads. Border Patrol and ICE were issued Model 19's until they switched to .40s&w.

If your has no rust and little wear then I would wager unseen $450 to $600 at a gunshow. Most people will try to low ball on price tho.

 

[rebel]

In my area, this is important as gunbroker is everyone's area, this gun in the condition you describe would bring $500 to $600. Were I selling it on consignment at my shop, depending on the blemishes and how minor they were, I would take no less than $575. I have sold several 13's and 19's around that range with the 13's (fixed sight model ) bringing less money. You have a classic Brenda, treat it as such.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[JMayo]

S&W has a site. On that site it has allot of info using serial#s. Also there is a serial # on the back of the grips if they are original. That makes a difference.
Also a s# in the curve of the cylinder joint.
I have a pre war model 27. I got all kinds of info from that site. Good knowledgeable ppl there.

 

[Rus]

Thank you all so very much. Rus was right (yes Rus I admitted it LOL) y'all are a great bunch of people and so willing to help. Y'all have given me so much info to work with. I will post a pic when I get it and will keep ya posted. Hope y'all have a great day.