Pawn Shop Circuit: Target Magnum

After work today, I drove over to Neil's pawn shop to see what he had out. It had been a while since I last visited Neil. He kidded me about being lost as I peered through the glass countertop. Neil had a XD40, a Glock something or another, a Heritage Arms .22 revolver. Neil also had a hard chromed 9m Hi Power for $399, and a Charter Arms Undercover for $139. Not a bad selection, really, just not what I was scouting around for. Neil and I talked a bit and I bid him adieu.

I drove across town to Kenny's pawn shop, and Kenny beamed when I walked in the door. He chortled "I have an old Smith fer ya," and he pulled out a nickel plated 357. It was a Model 19-4 with a six inch barrel, and a partridge front sight. It was pinned and recessed. I swung open the cylinder, and examined the forcing cone closely with my bore light. Model 19s have a tendency to crack at the forcing cone when fed 125 grain ammo. Barrels are no longer available, so the forcing cone check is crucial. This Model 19 had a good forcing cone, so I shone the light on down the bore. The rifling was sharp. I pulled back the hammer to full cock, and tried to push it off the sear. It refused to be pushed off. Good.

Kenny was watching my actions closely. He finally asked the particulars of my checks, so I explained the steps as I went through Jim March's Revolver Checkout. Kenny asked me what I thought the gun was worth. The rear sight had a bit of rust on it, as well as a ding on the left side of the blade. The rubber grip was worn, but I prefer wood anyway. I flipped over the tag and read $239. I told Kenny "I figure this one is worth $239 today." Kenny grinned. We went through the gun purchasing protocol, and I drove away with a nickel Model 19-4 on the passenger seat of the Jeep.