Smith & Wesson: Texas Appraisal Please

[eddieconcarne]

Hi all - I am moving to Texas in a number of days, and before I leave behind the heinous state of California, I was considering selling some of my S&W revolvers here in California before I left.

Here in California, gun sales are restricted to new production models on an approved import list. No classic or discontinued weapons are allowed to be imported, so in the case of pre-lock S&Ws, if another Californian wants to buy any of them, they must find a California owner who owns them and is willing to sell them in a private-party transfer. In other words, if you want a classic Model 27, you gotta find one grandfathered into the state before the adoption of this law and can't use GunBroker, et. al. This makes nearly all pre-lock S&Ws as collectors items, as you have to hunt down used guns for sale at gun shops, and the best ones tend to get snatched up right away. As such, I'm told that the prices I am used to paying for classic wheelguns are considerably cheaper in other parts of the country.

I am thinking about selling at least some of these guns in CA at CA prices and then attempting to re-acquire similar models once I get to Texas at cheaper (read: normal) prices. I am wondering if anyone here can give me a rough estimate of what I might expect to pay for these revolvers in Texas. My guns are all cherry - in extremely excellent mechanical and aesthetic condition, mostly lightly fired and babied by myself (most would pass for NIB or very close condition-wise). I realize that some of these (like the minty 27-2 with original box/papers) probably command a premium anywhere, but most of these guns are not extremely uncommon or rare models (except in California). Any pricing help is much appreciated and will help me make my decision whether to leave them behind for the gun lovers of this state or keep them.

Model 27-2, fired maybe once or twice, very faint turn ring, original presentation box and papers. Blue and pristine. 6inch barrel

Model 66-2 Stainless with high polish 4 inch barrel

Model 640 no dash concealed hammer Unfired in box

Model 681-1 Classic .357 used to be the sidearm of a police chief and was thus only ever fired for qualification. I've shot it a lot but kept it looking brand new.

Model 36 no dash, 2.5inch barrel blue round butt, gorgeous chief's special

Model 17-6 4-inch barrel this is a Model 17 with Model 18-length barrel. Also weird is it has full underlug like a Colt Python.

Model 19-2 2.5inch barrel round butt, the only gun with visible wear, minor holster wear on muzzle and trigger guard.

Model 586-7, this is a seven-shot version of the 586 made exclusively for Dicks Sporting Goods (this one does have a lock, but was a limited production run of 500 guns)

After I get a few replies, I'll entertain you with the prices I paid for these, for those who want to laugh/cry. (Hint: cheapest was $600)

[A-R]

Get those guns out of Kalifornia and to Texas where they belong. The sheeple of the Peoples' Republic don't deserve such fine weapons. If they want them, let 'em change their laws. You'll be a Texan soon, start acting like one, brag about what's yours and protect it at all costs!



tongue in cheek, of course.

You could get some collectors in Kalifornia to PAY YOU to take your guns out of the state, thus increasing the value of their guns by making them that much more rare

[Pawpaw]

I can't answer your question directly, but in Texas (as you have already said) we have no restrictions like that.

Whatever price you find on gunbroker, budsgunshop, etc., is probably ballpark for what you would pay for them here.

I hope that helps, somewhat.

[eddieconcarne]

I guess a more appropriate question, beyond actual pricing, is: how common are these guns? As a California prisoner, er, I mean resident, I am not even used to looking on Gunbroker, because it was always forbidden to buy something and have it sent in. Are common S&Ws like 586s, Model 19 snubs, and Model 66s easy to find in quality condition? In California, most revolver addicts drool over these if for no other reason than they are extremely rare to find for sale anywhere in the state, and most guys like myself have to put in serious hunting time just to even find one. I guess my adjunct question is: if I should sell a few of these before I move, are they hard to replace? A minty Model 36 chief in California can cost $600-800 for a nice vintage piece, but I know that's absurd elsewhere. How easy are they to replace? I guess I should just hit up Gunbroker now that it's finally going to be available to me, but I just thought I'd check and see what the fine folks of this helpful forum thought.

[Kiowa Scout]

I can't answer your question directly, but in Texas (as you have already said) we have no restrictions like that.

Whatever price you find on gunbroker, budsgunshop, etc., is probably ballpark for what you would pay for them here.

I hope that helps, somewhat.

To re-inforce what Pawpaw is getting at, since there are no restrictions here in Texas, even if you have a difficult time finding a particular firearm locally, you can always find it online.

BTW, if your going to sell them and turn around and buy firearms just like them once you get here, why not just keep them?

[A-R]

Also look at http://www.texasguntrader.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

but I suspect true "mint" condition guns like you seek might be more prevalent at a S&W specific collectors forum.

Also doesn't hurt to chat with our resident S&W J-frame expert, Stephen Camp. PM him thru this site or see his other site

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[texjames]

I can't answer your question directly, but in Texas (as you have already said) we have no restrictions like that.

Whatever price you find on gunbroker, budsgunshop, etc., is probably ballpark for what you would pay for them here.

I hope that helps, somewhat.

To re-inforce what Pawpaw is getting at, since there are no restrictions here in Texas, even if you have a difficult time finding a particular firearm locally, you can always find it online.

BTW, if your going to sell them and turn around and buy firearms just like them once you get here, why not just keep them?

+1 Bring them to Texas...don't sell um.

[mbw]

If you want to see what the "High Side" at retail here in TX would be, go here-

http://collectorsfirearms.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[slinco]

I don't know about the prices but you picked a darn good state to move to. We moved here from Kalifornia almost a year ago and love it-I'm more than certain you will find the same result. Welcome to Texas from a fellow immigrant

[davidtx]

I can't answer your question directly, but in Texas (as you have already said) we have no restrictions like that.

Whatever price you find on gunbroker, budsgunshop, etc., is probably ballpark for what you would pay for them here.

I hope that helps, somewhat.

To re-inforce what Pawpaw is getting at, since there are no restrictions here in Texas, even if you have a difficult time finding a particular firearm locally, you can always find it online.

BTW, if your going to sell them and turn around and buy firearms just like them once you get here, why not just keep them?

Because he stands to make a profit by selling them in California and replacing them in Texas.

[Pawpaw]

Because he stands to make a profit by selling them in California and replacing them in Texas.

And you can't blame a feller for that!

[lrb111]

It sounds like you have some premium pieces with a known heritage. To replace quality pieces will be expensive, anywhere. I cannot see you gleaning more than a $50 to 100 net on your transactions. Simply because you will be rushed to sell, and begging when it comes to buying. After throwing in FFL fees, and taxes on purchases, it will minimize your profits.
You are also going to end up with unknown guns.

[MoJo]

Bring them to Texas. Who knows what other idiotic laws Kalifornia may pass. Total confiscation of all guns and then melt 'em down to cast a statue of Pelosi? Those Smiths need to live free!!!!

[drjoker]

bring 'em to Texas because Cali has a myriad of convoluted gun laws. You may inadvertently break the law and end up spending quality time in the big house with Lindsay Lohan.

[Skooter]

Your family and your guns are welcome here in Texas.