Smith J Frame - 3"

[dfletcher]

Have I missed something regarding prices on the older J frames with 3" barrels - as in no lock and no MIM, 70s & 80s production? I've seen a few in NorCal recently & they're in the $450.00 to $700.00 (yes, $700.00) price range. I know the longer barrel is a bit different, didn't think it was that different.

I know the older Smiths are up there in price in CA, but didn't think the Js were up that high.

[ar15barrels]

I have a 3" Lew Horton full lug model 60 in 38spl.
I paid $225 for it about 10 years ago.
It's got adjustable sights.
I can stay on an IPSC cardboard out to 100yds, not that I would ever need to shoot it that far...

[rue]

I have a 3" Lew Horton full lug model 60 in 38spl.
I paid $225 for it about 10 years ago.
It's got adjustable sights.
I can stay on an IPSC cardboard out to 100yds, not that I would ever need to shoot it that far...

Dude seriously 100 yards? I call BS

[paul0660]

I can stay on an IPSC cardboard out to 100yds, not that I would ever need to shoot it that far...

I would go with that, if he said "sometimes" That IS a big target.

[dfletcher]

So what about that price question?

[randy]

Get a Blue book for guns and look for yourself.

Don't bet against Randall you'll loose that bet. 100 yds isn't that far even with a snubby.

[dfletcher]

Get a Blue book for guns and look for yourself.

Thanks - I've got a Blue Book and if it was any help I wouldn't have asked the question. If you're aware of a gun store in CA that sells them for book I'm sure everyone on the forum would be happy to know. Meanwhile I'm just trying to find out if anyone has noticed them going up alot.

[ar15barrels]

Dude seriously 100 yards? I call BS

I didn't say the first shot would be on target.
It takes a couple rounds to learn your rear sight hold-under.
After that it's not too hard to stay on target.
Most of my long range practice with that gun is on a 10" plate.
I hit about 30% on that plate.
That really makes the IPSC target easy.

Read about what Elmer Keith did with a revolver...

[Tarn_Helm]

photos?

Have I missed something regarding prices on the J frames with 3" barrels? I've seen a few in NorCal recently & they're in the $450.00 to $700.00 (yes, $700.00) price range. I know the longer barrel is a bit different, didn't think it was that different.

I know the older Smiths are up there in price in CA, but didn't think the Js were up that high.

[ar15barrels]

[pennys dad]

Now, that is an awesome revolver. Damn that is sweet Happiness

[Miltiades]

$547 at Bud's for model 60 in 3 inches

The 3 inch S&W model 60s are still in production by S&W, with the internal lock, of course. Bud's Gun Shop in Kentucky sells them for $547:

Model 60 at Bud's Gun Shop

[Miltiades]

Additional thought

I have noticed that 3 inch S&W revolvers have acquired sort of a cult like following, if you read about them on gun chat boards. Anything with a 3 inch barrel seems to go for considerably more than a 2.5 or 4 inch barrel. There were never as many 3 inchers manufactured as the other lengths, and some people consider 3 inches to be the perfect length for concealed carry.

Here is my 3 inch model 66, a K frame gun. It would probably sell for about $700, based on recent sales I have seen.

[dfletcher]

I paid about $225.00 for my 3' 37 about 5 years ago, never shot the damn thing and I believe it was test fired only - very distinct 2 chambers showing it was factory fired, nothing else. For $500.00 I would dump it like a fat girl at a strip club.

[c good]

For some reason, J-Frames just don't demand the price that K and N frames do. I sold a new in original box, 80's era, Model 36-1, 3 inch barrel for $450 last year to a fellow member. I feel it was fairly priced. The 3 inch barrels do have a cult following as there were not that many made compared to the shorter barreled versions. They also have a full length ejector rod and are nicely balanced. c good