Third Gens at a Gun Show

[GaryS]

They are few and far between these days. Most people aren't really interested in them, many dealers don't know much (if anything) about them.

I went a show in Leander this morning. A pretty decent selection of dealers, most showing the same Smiths, Sigs, FNs, etc.

I found three 3rd Gens for sale.

The first was a 3913 with one magazine. In decent shape ask was $500.00.

The second was a 6946, again with one magazine. Better shape, from what I could see it didn't look like it had any significant wear. Ask was $550.00

The third was a 908. Decent shape for a Value Line gun. Nothing special. One magazine. Ask was $799.00. The table had about two dozen guns, all with above market prices. At least in my opinion.

 

[badge107]

North Texas shows are the same. I rarely see 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation Smiths for sale even at the larger shows. I noticed this trend probably 10 years ago and started buying thinking that in the future the prices of them would increase. Prices have increased somewhat. Even online auctions they are not selling. The ones for sale are well worn, abused, have pachmayer grips etc. I think it probably is still too early.

 

[3wire]

I agree, they rarely show up for sale at the LGS, when they do, most of them are in really rough shape, and they are still asking $500-$600, way overpriced. Especially since parts are getting scarce for some of the models now.

The one mag issue is almost standard now on the one's I've seen for sale. It seems like the gun brokers are buying guns with multiple mags, and selling the guns with one mag, and selling the remaining mags at a premium price since the mags are also getting harder to find.

I've been wanting a CHP 4006, but the prices for those handguns online right now are stupid ridiculous.

I've bought several 3rd Gens from fellow members on this forum and they've been reasonably priced. It's nice to see that everyone's not out to rip you a new one.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Part of the reason I rarely buy guns at gun shows is the prices seem more than a bit too high. Once in a while though I get lucky. I will be picking up my 6" 1917 .455 Webley later this week from CA gun jail.

 

[petepeterson]

Though no longer an item I'm seeking, I still keep an eye out for the 3rd Gens.
The ones I see pop up in the store are (to me) overpriced. I can't figure out if they're worth more, or the store owners don't know anything about them.
I hung on to two, and sold the rest, for a touch over what I paid originally.

 

[stansdds]

The last gun show I went to, which was pre-Covid, there were some 3rd gen S&W pistols for sale. The prices on them were fairly steep, as in you could buy a brand new M&P for the same amount sellers wanted for a well used S&W 59xx or 69xx.

 

[URIT]

It seems to me the gun show guys want to get their table cost back on one sale, so I've avoided them for the past couple years.

The best prices I paid for my Gen3s were on GB a few years back, but I did buy several from forum members at reasonable price points.

Today, GB has gotten expensive, so I'm looking for value on the forum.

 

[Jon651]

The last time I went to a local gun show here in Central Florida (it's been a few years - they never change...) there were at least two tables full of police and Brinks 3rd Gen trade-ins, all either 9's or 40's. I don't think you will find a load like that anymore.

Before the pandemic I purchased a Brinks trade-in 4046TSW that was in great condition (but filthy) for $350. It looked like it had hardly been fired but seldom cleaned. Some elbow grease and a new set of Hogue grips and it is a sweet shooter and my dedicated truck gun.

 

[mdf9183]

I picked up a 5906 stainless back in 2019 in a pawn shop for $378 otd. I haven't seen another one since.

 

[Jeppo]

$799 for a 908? When it’s time to sell, that’s the show I need to visit!

 

[GaryS]

I didn't talk the the vendor, so I don't know what his story would have been. Not that it matters, if I could buy a 3913 for $500.00, why would I look at a 908. I know that they are among the more popular Value Line guns, but still.

I've lucked into some really nice deals on 3rd Gens, even at FFLs. 6946 in box with paperwork and two magazines for $299.99. 3953 with rail, no box or papers for $425.00. 3914NL for about $425.00.

I've done even better on private sales here and there.

There are only a couple of 3rd Gens on my wish list these days and I don't expect I'll ever see them let alone buy them. 457DAO is one, 3914TSW is another.

$799 for a 908? When it’s time to sell, that’s the show I need to visit!

 

[kbm6893]

They are few and far between these days. Most people aren't really interested in them, many dealers don't know much (if anything) about them.

I went a show in Leander this morning. A pretty decent selection of dealers, most showing the same Smiths, Sigs, FNs, etc.

I found three 3rd Gens for sale.

The first was a 3913 with one magazine. In decent shape ask was $500.00.

The second was a 6946, again with one magazine. Better shape, from what I could see it didn't look like it had any significant wear. Ask was $550.00

The third was a 908. Decent shape for a Value Line gun. Nothing special. One magazine. Ask was $799.00. The table had about two dozen guns, all with above market prices. At least in my opinion.

$799 for a 908 is insane. Local shop up the road for me has a 915 for $350. Do these people know the 3913 is a higher valued gun than the 908?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Houston shows are still good for Smith & Wesson revolvers and semi-automatics. Collector's Firearms also always has a good election, Carter's Country sometimes has vintage Smiths as well, but the price is usually higher when the selection is good. Even here though that is a steep, steep price for a 908. Happy Hunting!

 

[Ivan1]

I would of bought that 3913.

 

[jughed440]

Gun shows are hit and miss. I still see 3rd Gens at the shows, and have recently purchased a pair of fair priced .40s. There have been several 659s and other 9mms on the tables. There are also those seen on a regular basis because they are way overpriced..like the 40XX (can't remember exact model) priced at $825, and the seller says price will not be going any lower.

 

[stansdds]

Gun shows are hit and miss. I still see 3rd Gens at the shows, and have recently purchased a pair of fair priced .40s. There have been several 659s and other 9mms on the tables. There are also those seen on a regular basis because they are way overpriced..like the 40XX (can't remember exact model) priced at $825, and the seller says price will not be going any lower.

At $825 for a 40xx, I'd say that pistol isn't going anywhere either!

When I was going to gun shows, talking late 80's up to when COVID hit, there were always a few "sellers" with handguns kept in glass display cases. Each handgun, even though it might be a fairly common type, had an absolutely eye watering price tag. The same "sellers" showed up at every show with the same handguns. They got a lot of lookers, but I never saw any buyers. I think they might have been far more interesting in showing off what they owned and talking than being interested in selling something.

 

[jughed440]

At $825 for a 40xx, I'd say that pistol isn't going anywhere either!

When I was going to gun shows, talking late 80's up to when COVID hit, there were always a few "sellers" with handguns kept in glass display cases. Each handgun, even though it might be a fairly common type, had an absolutely eye watering price tag. The same "sellers" showed up at every show with the same handguns. They got a lot of lookers, but I never saw any buyers. I think they might have been far more interesting in showing off what they owned and talking than being interested in selling something.

I'm betting that whoever he leaves that gun to will dump it at a pawn shop for maybe $200.
True on "the same guns at every show". There is a dealer that has been trying to sell a pair of 66 snubs, firm-priced at $1600 each. He's had those in his case for at least 3 years. I offered to sell him another 66 snub for $1100 so he could 'make an easy $500'. Of course he passed because he knows that his prices are ridiculous, and of course he's fishing for dupes who would actually pay him $1600. Glad that nobody has.

 

[steelmonkey]

LOL, a 908 for $800?!

 

[xfarfuldog]

The last time I went to a local gun show here in Central Florida (it's been a few years - they never change...) there were at least two tables full of police and Brinks 3rd Gen trade-ins, all either 9's or 40's. I don't think you will find a load like that anymore.

Before the pandemic I purchased a Brinks trade-in 4046TSW that was in great condition (but filthy) for $350. It looked like it had hardly been fired but seldom cleaned. Some elbow grease and a new set of Hogue grips and it is a sweet shooter and my dedicated truck gun.

Brinks had strict rules about cleaning their guns. They provided cleaning materials and tools for that purpose. They would pay employees to clean them even if it was at overtime rates. Unfortunately the local managers would not enforce those rules.

This is not unlike other companies I worked for that had great ideals but terrible follow through.

 

[biku324]

The Ruidoso gun show that ended yesterday had mostly black guns, tupperguns, beef jerky of dubious origin, and fake Indian merch.