My question is does modifying a revolver to use moon clips have any affect on a revolvers value?I am not referring to a serious "collectible" piece but let's say a Mountain Gun in .45 Colt, a not unusual piece but still very desirable item. Opinions please.

Right now, it depends on who you ask. The purists say any modification that will not allow the reestablishment of original specs detracts from the value.

Shooters usually welcome the option of the additional caliber choice enabling them to do more shooting at a reduced cost.

I just had a 625-9 done to allow me to shoot 45ACP. I've shot 1911's for over 40 years and have a lot of that round. With 45 Colt, not so much.

With the newer guns if the conversion concerns you then send your revolver to Smith and have them install a cylinder in the original caliber(they won't do one that's not the original). Then you have the option of having one of the cylinders converted. The down side is the additional cost of the second cylinder.

And if your point was to use your gun then you can.

IMHO, people who mod their guns because they want them that way for their use are sensible, but the ones who expect to get all the money back when they sell are usually disappointed unless it is very popular.

Sort of like options on your pickup: the 4 wheel drive money mostly comes back at resale, but the $$ for the moon roof and custom carpet is gone.

__________________
Science plus Art

If you are a speculator looking for appreciation in dollar value, do not alter a gun. Don't even shoot it.

If you are a shooter and plan to keep it, fix it up to suit yourself.

As in the other thread, I do not think clips are a great advantage with long revolver cartridges.
Would you have your gun set up as a .45 LC/ACP convertible? That might work, but I get varying reports on how well the ACPs shoot with the long jump through the LC chamber.

Affect value? Who knows? If it does, I hope that it's only in a positive direction. I had this Mountain Gun done probably two or three years ago and it just languishes in my safe - I've yet to shoot it....but someday.



Adios,

Pizza Bob

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

To many it does, but do you really care?

Set the revolver up the way you want it. It is your revolver. BTW, I like the idea of a 45 Colt Mountain Gun with moon clips.
Years down the road it will have a resale value greater than it's original purchase price. So what if it is worth $300 or $400 more depending on the buyer.

You had all those years of service from it in the configuration that you wanted

Do you see people worrying about how they changed their AR rifle? Or their 10-22 rimfire?

Smith and Wesson has recently been shipping around 750,000 firearms annually. How many folks have you actually heard warn against modifying a firearm?

There are far more buyers than purists.

Does it have a lock? If so, modify away!

Unless the gun is a limited edition that may rise to a good value in time, I wouldn't hesitate to modify a using gun t suit my needs, and I have. Some modifications may enhance value and some will detract from value. Keeping it in good shooting condition and not abused helps as much as anything to retaining value. S&W's historically rise in value over time, (20 to 100 years), if you keep it is as good a condition as any others of similar vintage and model it will probably be valued the same.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Have the factory install a new cylinder for you. Then have the new cylinder modified to accept moon clips. Now you have additional value.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This!

I maintain there is no such thing as collectors value for modern S&W firearms. There are way, way too many of them in existence and, in large part, don't wear out.

Even something as "significant" as the dash number really only matters to the few folks like those on this board. Minor "improvements" as the one you mention likely has no significant affect on value to the unwashed masses.

Whether modifying a gun affects its value depends on the gun. Eons ago, when my father got into competition, he had to have the sight moved back due to the placement of his cheek on the stock. This required a new hole drilled in the receiver. Just one hole. The gun? A Winchester pre 64 Model 70 Target rifle in 30.06. Yes, that one hole greatly effected the value of the gun. But that one hole also allowed him to finish second place in the Navy Cup Match at Camp Perry that year. So the trade off was worth it, IMHO. Besides, at the time (pre 64, obviously) no one knew that gun would be come a collector's item, as no one knew Winchester was going to modify their rifles in 1964.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I had both of my 625-7's converted and I did not hesitate for a second. Sadly, with our home remodel this last year I have not escaped the construction zone to get to the range!!

I agree. I've had several folks try to sell me a gun then expect premiums for "custom work" some of it junk or simple parts added. "I had the lettering filled with white, the trigger worked over, and the grips stippled. This alone is $300 in extras!"

I must inform all you that modified a great 45 SW to accept ACP moon clips ruined you gun and now you should send it to me for $300 recycle fee.

__________________
Tommy

My 2 Cents
Go ahead and send the cylinder off. S&W should have made that modification to start with.
Several of my ICORE shooters have moon clip converted either 686's or GP100's. They now shoot Limited 6 instead of Classic. Makes picking up your emptys much easier. I am planning on sending my 6" GP100 cylinder off in the near future for a moon clip conversion. I had the wifes 686 converted for moon clips by Clark years ago after having Ron Power do his Power Custom Combat work to it.
Like was said above, do not expect your gun to be worth more after custom work. It might happen, but don't count on it.

Bob R

__________________
ICORE MO2908