Went to the Dallas gun show last weekend. Roaming the aisles, there was a prettty Model 39, 'no dash', 38K serial number. It was like new! Had the box, papers, and the second magazine hadn't even been unwrapped from the vapor paper. $500. I decided to think about it. Realized I wanted it, and went back after about 20 minutes. It was GONE!! As I passed the table, one guy said to the other "That 39 sure got a lot of attention".

I was sick the whole show. It's not like this is the first time I'd done that, either. Don't know when I'll learn that the time to buy is 'now', not 'after I've thought about it'.

Well, don't feel like the Lone Ranger, for the last few years any half way decent offer needs to be done right now, if not someone else will jump on it. I know it is the market but it's hard as often impulse buys lead to buyers remorse.

If you really want an M-39 I have seen several offered at some of the auction sites, not as clean as the one you looked at by not as much $$ either.

Good Luck

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Always Stay Strong!

I have a similar story but it doesn't involve a gun.

Many years ago I was at a flea market and saw an old U.S. marked brass compass that looked very cool. Guy wanted $20.00 for it and I decided to keep walking. 5 minutes later I figured it was well worth it and went back and yep, it was gone.

I still kick myself over that.

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Cheers!

Cyrano, I feel your pain. I probably do that at most the large shows I attend. Although sometimes I don't realize my folly until I get back on the road.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Yeah Im learning to grab em when I can! Of course Im the guy who passed on a Singer 1911A1, this was in 1973 and I was brand spanking new to handguns and had no clue what I passed up in that gun shop parking lot.

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Stay safe people!

Well, I consoled myself by buying a Colt M1903 pocket hammerless in 32 ACP, Parkerized, stamped US Property, with British proofs, like new, in is cardboard box with extra mag, cleaning rod and Colt flyer. It falls within the SN range of 1000 sent to Britain, but there's over 5k numbers in the range, so I have a factory letter coming (in 120 days!).

This has happened to me on a few occasions. Last one was a cz82 in 9mmmak. Drove halfway home turned around and went back to the dealer and was lucky enough that someone else hadn't bought it. We've seen very few of the cz82 's down here in louisiana and I had been looking for one for awhile. Hopefully can find one of the surplus cz75's before they all dry up. Frank

a good buy either way but the nickel ones are really hard to find.
i know the feeling ..... only with my different experiences , i mostly regret guns i have had and traded / sold away that i wish i had back.
that is why when i attended the indy 1500 late last oct. , i was out in the entry way and this old guy had a model 686 4". after talking to him and his grandson for a few minutes , i inquired the price and he said $360 ..... a few minutes later i asked him if he would take $300 and he said yes ! , without hesitation .
i didnt even go to the show to acquire a gun and had to employ the nearby money mover machine to get the cash . actually i had been dreaming about buying a model 19 , one in nickel if i could locate one and it was beginning to look impossible to find one for under major bucks.
this was a very close second wanted gun and to boot it is once fired and had the box ! very hard for me to pass up and the darn thing is so close to being brand new the cylinder locks up tighter than a bulls behind and i truly believe it is actually once fired....the old guy just didnt clean it after firing and that was only a 15 minute job to make it look as new as it actually is.
i count myself as lucky to be in the right place at the right time !

We all sympathize with you, as many of us have rehearsed that life-lesson more than once. Good news - there are more Model 39s out there. And you will find one, no doubt. Heck, you may find many of them!

Good luck!

Dyson