I was at the local pawn shop and seen 2 older looking .357s for sale,I don't know the years made though,both were about 85% condition.One was a S&W highway patrolman 4"barrel and the other was a Colt trooper 6"barrel.They had the S&W marked at $530 and the colt at $580.What do you think about these guns and what about their marked prices?
Both are great guns. The highway patrolman is a Model 28, which a lot of people refer to as the poor man's Model 27. Depends on the conditions of each, but personally I'd probably go for the Colt Trooper. It would be nice if you could get either of them for about $50-$60 cheaper though. I don't have my Blue Book handy to give you an approximate value right now.
Model 28 exc. $575 Vgood $500 good $425 Trooper Exc. $600 Vgood $475 good $400 Keep in mind it's a pawn shop. He probably paid less than half of what he is asking. I would start at $100 off.
At a Pawn shop, they will make good money at $100 off the asking price. Check them out to make sure they are in working order and start bartering.
The Model 28 is built like a tank, a BIG TANK. It would be difficult to hurt one. They are heavy though. The prices are way too high for the condition described. Not so many years ago the 28 could be had for less than $200 in 85% condition. Prices have gone insane.
Prices have gone insane, but that's because people are paying them. Especially for classic guns like older S&W and Colt revolvers. It depends on how bad the OP wants the guns. Likely a better deal could be found, but who knows how long he'd have to look and wait? $100 less would be ideal, but $50-$60 less would not be unrealistic. Not a bargain by any means, but not really taking one from behind either.
When I ended up trading off my Model 28 for the mint Model 19, I had noticed several other 28s available for around $500 and in good shape. None of them were selling. I had seen the same thing at other shows, The guides show the value to be what it is, but it seems that nobody is breaking down any doors to buy them at $500 or close to that. I had paid $450 for my 6" Model 28 when I found it and got cash along with the Model 19 4" for the 28 in trade to a private seller. The Trooper is harder to find than 28s. If you really want the 28 and it's in overall nice shape, I wouldn't pay over $400 for it. My 28 was a 90%+ gun for $450. I'd go a bit more for the Colt if it's also nice overall, but not a lot over.
If you really need a Model 28, I have a M28 6", unfired, NIB that I would part with for $500. Actually I'm kidding. I don't really want to part with it. I think this was a parts gun. The barrel is not pinned, but the cylinder is recessed.
used to know someone who owned a pwnshop, they said typically that they pay 1/4 of what they will charge for it.
Got a good friend who worked in one for many yrs too & another who owned one for 40+ yrs - They'd have to really want it to pay 1/4 of its real value
Personally if I were looking for a .357 wheel gun, I would look at the 681/686 - they are built to handle the .357 round and very well balanced.
The Model 28 is an N frame which is bigger than the L frame of the 686. N frames are used with 44 mag models, so they are heftier than the 686 and will handle hot .357 loads even better.
Are you buying the gun to shoot or to collect. The S&W has a better trigger for double action shooting, but a 686 would be a better choice. Also a model 19 would work well.
I like the older S&W "N" Frames. The 6.5 is a Pre 29 5 screw one of 5,000. The Mdl. 27-1 3.5 is my favorite .357 Mag. The Mdl. 27 can handle heavy loads and is handy for a horse back belt carry handgun.
