I'm a little late for the most active part of the conversation, but I'd say the quoted price for the described gun is just fine. To put things in perspective I just bought a 98% 5-screw Pre-18 (K247xxx) with box, SAT and a couple of sets of custom stocks. The package obviously cost more than for a single gun, but backing out the extras I would put the price of the gun at about $650-700. I couldn't be happier.

In my experience, if you take a Pre-17 and a Pre-18 of the same era and of comparable condition, the Pre-18 will bring at least $50 more than the Pre-17. But then how often do you get to see a Pre-18 of any condition? Pre-17s and early 17s are all over the place by comparison.

I completely support the theory that if you desperately want a first-decade .22 CM and see one, you say, "I'll take it," and then check the price tag.

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David Wilson