Are demo guns desirable

[boomsticks]

I have bought a 1911 that is supposed to be a fully loaded demo Performance Center 1911. Are demo guns more desirable and would they be considered pre-models also would demos be worth more?

 

[nocents]

I may be way off base but a "demo" model is another way of saying it's a used gun with no previous transfer history....I may be wrong...regardless, that is a beautiful 1911

 

[HCH]

Congratulations on one very sharp looking pistol. I'm not sure if demo is synonymous with a salesman's sample which might have just been shown to distributors or shops and not shot.

 

[old 1911 fan]

That is a nice looking 1911. I guess it depends on how much "demo"! Purdy is as purdy does. How does it shoot?

old 1911 fan

 

[MCorps0311]

Congratss on your beautiful 1911 demo as you called it.I think " nocents," make a good point about demo is just a word for used.

 

[824tsv]

I find it interesting the slide address is Houlton Maine.

 

[NevadaBob]

In 2012 I bought a salesman's trade show demo M&P from Robertsons off the gunsamerica site. Had a few slide "freckles" (oxidation) but appeared unfired. Robertsons always has a "story" in marketing their guns. I don't feel my gun's demo history adds any value to it.

But my M&P is a straight shooter with no issues. And it has a "story"!

 

[Gamecock]

"supposed to be"

Without documentation, it is just a story.

Ser. # does not look exotic.

Without further information, I would say, "No, it is not worth more."

 

[Watchdog]

I don't regard a demo gun as being any more desirable than any other used gun. Maybe even less desirable if the demo gun is one that's been used as a rental at a shooting range.

I suppose there are exceptions, but unless it's an extra special piece, it's just another used gun.

 

[amazingflapjack]

like all others-its how it shoots and strips that tells the tale. If it had a closer look from a Smith before it became a demo, then might be tuned a little better, but at this late date its hard to say. If it shoots to 75% as good as it looks, I'd say you have a good'n!

 

[Gamecock]

If it had a closer look from a Smith before it became a demo, then might be tuned a little better, but at this late date its hard to say.

I thought all Performance Center pistols got a closer look.

I've got a 5" PC1911, and I can't imagine anything about it that could have been tuned better.

 

[Arik]

It just means the gun was used to show. There are many demo guns because there are many shows, exhibitions... etc, all over the country. It doesn't mean anything. I have a demo Glock 21. This model has been out for like 20 years but mine was made in 2013

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[vipermd]

Depending on the meaning of demo 1. Demo used at exhibitions to demonstrate trigger, takedown, grips- No live ammo
2. Used in a shop to let someone shoot it to feel the recoil, how it feels in the hand when shooting.
Demo 1's I have were all clean, minimal handing, much less $ than a new example of the same model,. they were Not prototypes, one- offs.
Demo's 2 are just used guns- shooty- clean- repeat
Be Safe,

 

[TTSH]

I have bought a 1911 that is supposed to be a fully loaded demo Performance Center 1911. Are demo guns more desirable and would they be considered pre-models also would demos be worth more?

I think they can be very valuable as they often include unique features and elaborate PC shop work. But as others have pointed out (and as WJC would have said), it all depends on what your definition of "demo" is!

 

[jim46ok]

Most MFGs employ REPs to advertise and represent their product. I assisted a Sig Sauer rep last year, allowing the public to try different pistols. Shoot, reload. Shoot, reload. This went on all day. This particular rep gave me the impression he cleaned them often, but when he has 10-15 dirty guns at the end of the day and another "range day" or another DEMO the next day, and the next, etc, i'm sure some get overlooked. To me, those were DEMO guns. If not dropped or left wet after a rain soaking, after a good cleaning job and inspection they should be as good as if you or I had put the same # rounds thru.............

 

[N4KVE]

It would be more desirable in that it costs less to buy. While it may be unfired, it has been boxed, & unboxed many times at the various trade shows. So it will have some handling marks, & scratches. The box could be in worse shop than a new gun at a LGS. At work, from time to time we buy "demo" guns from the various mfr's, & sell them at a generous discount vs a "new" gun. Our customers are very happy with the savings. GARY

 

[TTSH]

Methinks the OP is talking more about the guns we sometimes call salesman's samples. The gun he posted about is no common demo day range gun. I go to every S&W demo day I can and I've not seen a custom PC gun like that on the table anywhere.

Again, I go back to that gun I found that some of us termed the "Ultimate 1006"... which was a PC shop customization of a standard Model 1006. Again... not a traveling demo day gun. Just a gun showing what the PC shop could do and something to display to dealers to ascertain potential dealer interest. I would consider such guns both desirable and collectible.

++++++++++

On a related topic, Sig apparently does put out its true (used) demo guns for sale with its preferred dealers. I ran into one once and I should have bought it. It was just as nice as brand new and with everything original for $100 less than the street price of a brand spanking new one. Worth more? Of course not... but that $100 off when you couldn't even tell it from brand spanking new was very attractive.

 

[TAROMAN]

I like the discounted shopworn "demos":

 

[TTSH]

I like the discounted shopworn "demos":

Full warranty?

 

[TAROMAN]

It had significant vertical barrel movement when in battery.
Sent it back and received it back with a new barrel and bushing.
Went on to personalize it and had it hard chromed.