Just bought a 5943 SSV for $300.

Bought a Model 67 with a pinned barrel a few years back for $250.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

S&W 459 for $300 last month.

My mod 686... $550 right before everything went nuts.

I've had a few.

Purchased a new, full size CZ in 40 S&W for $350 several years ago.

Picked up a very nice 1970's Remington 1100 for $275 a few years ago. It had some minor surface rust and had never been properly cleaned but was gorgeous underneath.


Recently found a nice 3.5" five screw nickel pre-27 in great shape for $800. While not a steal it's extremely reasonable these days.

In the 90's I purchased my Colt AR-15 new for $750. Everyone was scrambling to find pre bans at the time.

I purchased a Romanian PSL sight unseen online for a reasonable price right after they dried up. It was $750 when they were selling for $1000 or more at the time. It ended up being the nicest I've ever come across cosmetically and a great shooter. While they sold for less initially, I was not going to miss something like this again (explained below).

My first Smiths were purchased from the PX at great prices. They were sold used ten years later for about what I had in them and have been replaced with guns suiting my more developed tastes.

Really, I can't say I've had a bad deal yet. Here's hoping it stays that way!

The deal that got away was a Saiga 12 I could have purchased new for $450 prior to the elections. The monies fell through and I just couldn't make it happen. I would not purchase one at today's prices.

Another was the Russian Dragunovs when they were being imported. I had the money but thought it could wait. Bummer.

Last year a nice Browning Nazi Hi Power for $300, with original barrel, an extra new commercial barrel, the original WWII magazine and two extra commercial magazines. $180 in it after selling the extra parts, then spent $300 for a nice WWII holster and $130 for a second matching WWII magazine.

A Pre-64 Model 70 .270 about 75% AND a Pre-64 Model 94 .30-30 about 90%, both for $300 (not each) at a garage sale.
A Model 640 stainless .38 w/CEN prefix, covered in tiny nicks & scratches for $150. I still carry that one.

This 1066 in the box with 2 mags for $400 OTD.

My best was a smith model 629-2 in 4 inch. Awesome revolver. Bought it from a neighbor for 300 bucks about 6 months ago. My dad bought his 629-3 in six inch at the same time for 400. I doubt I'll ever find another deal like that. I reluctantly sold it about a month ago for a price I couldn't say no to. I should have said no.

For semi autos I'd have to say a 3914NL for $300.00 plus tax out the door from a local dealer. Close behind, maybe even tied is my 3913TSW (pre rail) for $425.00 out the door from that same dealer.

For revolvers a like new Model 10-5 that spent it's life in someone's sock draw. $190.00 plus tax from a dealer at a small gun show.

No papers, boxes, papers, or accessories with any of them, but since I bought them to shoot, I didn't much care.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Bought this 6 1/2" model 29 from the original owner (getting divorced) for $200 in 1985, and the LE trade in 686 4" for $100 in 1994.....

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I just picked up. NIB Colt Double Eagle, all the paper work and original receipt for $500 cash.

A 6" Dan Wesson 15-2 for $175 from Warshal's in Seattle back in the mid-90s. Tack driver that was, I traded it in on some plastic fantastic that I don't even have anymore...

Posted from my car phone.

My best deal was found 4 years ago at a gun show...Saw a person carrying around this 3" 66-4 with Spegal boot grips. I took it off his hands for $450. what's really amazing is that it was not snatched up already by a dealer...they could have easily doubled their money.

4566 TSW for $375.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

3913NL with 5 mags at a gun show, and then a mfgr's rep demo Dan Wesson CBOB for around 500 something as I recall.

Oh, and two Romy G kits with barrels for 95 bucks apiece. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time, but compared to NOW and without a barrel...

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Great shape 1066 with 8-10 boxes of Winchester silver tip for 350.00. Didn't really want it. I knew nothing of the 10mm at the time and figured that I could make some money on it. Then I shot it. Had to sell 2 years later got 850.00 within 48 hrs of being posted. Bought from the same guy was a 29-2 6" blue for 280.00 Winchester 1300 defender with case of 00 buck for 175.00. Had to pass ( out of cash) on his Mini 14 w/scope for 300.00.

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Big papa K

Glad to see older threads revived for those of us that missed them the first time around. Some good reading and some great deals here! My best S&W buy was a police trade in model 66-1 4" that I bought for $200. Now that was back in the late 90's I suppose. About the same time I bought a 1979 Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum for $175. Still have both.

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This week picked up a Firestar Plus (9mm double stack) at my LGS for $150 plus tax. I rate it VG condition, and it even shoots pretty straight ! I put two 10 round mags of 124 gr FMJ and 10 rounds of 147 gr Gold Dots thru it yesterday and it seems to work just fine. It's about the size and weight of a CZ RAMI . Looks like a cheap keeper... It's single action ( strangely) , but should be a great winter carry and "truck gun".

I had one of those maybe 15 years ago in stainless and it was a great shooter. Never had the first problem with it, and actually wish it was still mine. I'd pay that for one right now and be danged proud to own it. Nice Find!

I would say an Ithaca Model 72 Saddle Gun in .22LR. To be fair, I did get a buddy price at $125.

Nothing wrong with a buddy price. I get extra consideration at my LGS because I'm a regular buyer, and can be tempted !!

Model 59 for $210
15-5 for $190
Both in excellent mechanical and good to very good cosmetic condition. Bought the same day at the same auction.

My recently acquired 669 with a replaced frame (6906). Best shooting 9mm I have ever owned.

My 686 and my 3rd gen 5943. I didn't get them extra cheap but I feel like the value of both are immense and I'm REALLY happy with the deals.

I also felt the same way about my $189 Mod 10 many moons ago. Loved that gun and hated to trade it in.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

One time I called on an ad in a small local paper about an old gun and a sword. When I went to look, the rifle turned out to be an old Smith civil war carbine, but in terrible shape, the sword looked like junk-maybe a Knights of Columbus special or something. The whole time I was looking at the carbine the lady selling in her garage in a really nice neighborhood that was decked out for a sort of year round every weekend garage sales type gig- kept asking me not to take advantage of an old (next to her garage sale profit caddilac sedan deville) lady.
At the time a Smith in decent shape was worth about $500. So I told the gal i'd give her $200, meaning for the gun. I wasnt interested in the sword. She said for both? Yea why not said I. well she started that not taking advantage bit, while getting , I thought a free appraisal at my expense, when I told her " Look, I don't have to know right now, think about it and let me know."
So she takes the $250. Now I'm walking to my ****** car thinking "What in the hell did I just get myself into"? When I showed my Uncle the pair to see if he wanted in fo half, he said whats CSA stand for? I responded smarmely that that would be Confederate. And it sure could not be that Sold the Rig to don Ball at the Cada show for three large. And that was a great story in itself.

Pinned and recessed model 66 four inch for $165.00 Lew Hortons 1996

Model 27-2 3.5 inch jeweled hammer /trigger,action job,green insert front sight.Smooth rosewood stocks $260.00 MVP 1989

It has to be my CMP M1 Garand. All date matching and absolutely beautiful. By far my favorite firearm. Plus, nothing beats that satisfying "ping" when the clip ejects after that 8th round. I've cut 3" groups at 103 yards with it.

Over 30 yrs. ago, a friend called to say a work-out acquaintance of his had two pistols he wanted to sell. "What are they? Don't know. How much? $250! I want to see them" One is a 3-screw Ruger .22 and the other a Colt SAA in 32-20, #321xxx (1912). Told my friend to tell this guy they were worth way more than what he wanted. Reply was he didn't want to keep them at home any longer nor get involved in holding out for higher prices. So, bought 'em! Campaigned that Colt for many a yr. in Cowboy Shooting matches. Eventually had it restored, engraved, antique nickle finish, but then couldn't bring myself to shoot it anymore. Sold in 6/13 to a dealer for $1,500.
Hang-Fire Hank

Found the same 3" model 66-4 at a LGS & negotiated $525 out the door in July, 2010. Thought that was a killer price, but you outdid me by seventy-five bucks, Pal!

Hankster

Would have to be this for $350 last year in an LGS



or maybe this $375 pawnshop SS issued ppk.

Hands down....1944 production Remington Rand 1911A1 in 95%+ condition. The owner did not know what he had...$300

My Giles 103 unfired at $399 had my heart racing during my purchace. I added the left hand Rink grips. Really shoots sweet!

By today's pricing it would have to be last week Friday the 13th involving this Russian 1939 TT33 Tokarev which came with it's original two matching numbered magazines and holster. These guns saw action on the eastern front and this one shows being capture by the Germans. They modified the belt slide on the holster for their use and then the rig was obviously captured by an American. These guns are almost never found with two matching numbered magazines.
I was the only bidder in a local auction where this was amount tons of high end art. $225.
This similar one just went for $2,639 and I under stand that the 1939s are fewer in number.

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Forgive me if I have posted to this thread!

The best deal I ever got, and may never run across another again was; a Smith 360PD / Scandium / Titanium, snub nosed, 357, that weighs less than 12 oz.

I got it for $355 and it was a few cents less than $400 "out the door" from my local pawn emporium. They did know what they had, they were just making room to become a full fledged gun store and wanted to move older inventory.

Once in a lifetime gun for sure!!

My thoughts?

Yours?

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"That is all!"

357 Magnum Model of 1950 right side.jpg357 Magnum Model of 1950 top strap.jpg

In the mid '80s I was at a gunshow and saw a S&W revolver the Standard Catalog identifies as a " 357 Magnum Model of 1950, Pre-27," made January 1952. It had a 3+7/16" barrel. "S" prefix, five-digit serial number. I don't remember what the seller was asking for it, but it was high, for me, though likely appropriate for one in good condition. It was in very good condition and I remember particularly admiring the checkering. Finish wear suggests it was actually carried for duty.

BUT, when I shined a light in the barrel there appeared to be a chunk missing from one of the lands. I handed it back to the seller with my light and bore viewer. He agreed and asked what I'd pay for it. I said $300 and he said "Yes." I was taking a chance buying like that because I really believed a chunk was missing and I'd have to replace the barrel. I knew a friend had a 4" Model 27 barrel I could have for $50, and that he'd do the change no charge.

BUT, I got it home and pushed a cleaning patch through the barrel and a chunk of crud fell out, leaving a pristine bore. As in "Perfect."

I got a letter from Mr. Jinks in 2002, verifying it is as it was when shipped.

I don't know what it's worth in the marketplace today. I see asking prices from $1,000 to $3,000. I won't sell it.

There are a couple other guns I got at, let us say, opportune moments, but this one takes the "dollar sign" and "good deal" prize.

My three best buys.

a first model ladysmith for $600.

a Simson Suhl 16 gauge for $350

K22 Masterpiece for $400

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19-4 snubby acquired last summer for $350 because the guy had to get what his Dad paid for it, no box. Was stored in a moist environment, had some minor surface rust speckling which cleaned off easily using 4O steel wool, looks 95%+. Great double and single action. Original numbered grips too.

Not a Smith .....but a LeFever c grade. Bought it for $500. Fixed some problems (cost of $265.00) and then sold for $6500. two months later.

Not a Smith & Wesson but a ITHACA LEFEVER 20 GAUGE NITRO SPECIAL all original side by side. $300.00 with shipping.

My best gun buy?

Right at the moment I have two: A CZ 452 American in .22LR that is almost scary accurate out of the box.

A S&W Model 10-5 .38 Special in excellent condition and accurate in its own right; it actually makes me look like a good shot.

Yeah a Lazarus thread!!!!

All Smiths:
M13-1 P&R gift from my brother, Pach's no papers or box. $0.00
M&P45FS and M-642-2 both won in contest. Actually I won $1000 in a S&W internet contest so I took the check to the LGS and I bought them NIB and took home the change. $0.00
4513TSW never rail Trijicons 7+1 with seven mags and box birthday gift from baby brother (from his dept trade-ins). $0.00 (my fall-winter-spring EDC)
M60-10 never shot but no box or papers hand-me-down from Aunt. $0.00 (my summer EDC)

Other:
High Standard Sport King M-103 semi .22LR 3 mags - gift from son-in-law $0.00

Rifles:
Savage Axis .243 NIB with scope and sling and bag birthday gift from daughter. $0.00
Winchester Featherlite M-70 NIB 300Win Mag new in box won it in another contest. $10.00 for the tickets.

Total cost of above (not including transfer fees) $10.00

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Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10

1971 manufacture Luger, .30 Luger. (Mauser)
$210.00.

Wish I'd kept it, or even shot it.

Sold next day for $450.00, which was heavy bread in 1980.

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and what his trumpet saith

Two years ago I walked into a small behind-the-barn LGS which is very close to me but which I've never been in before as it's off the path.

As I was leaving the owner asked if I was looking for anything in particular and of course I asked if he had anything in .41 mag. He went in back and brought out a perfect condition Marlin 1894 FG which had been traded in the day before. Asking price was $180.00 and an apology that the rifle had not been cleaned yet...

I won't mention what I paid for the NIB Davidsons 1894SS .41 magnum...but it was a comparable deal...

Two months before that I bought one of a pair of S&W 657 no dash 6" for $489.00 from another LGS; I should have bought both as this one is one of my most accurate .41 mag N frames!

Just over a month ago I bought a mint condition w/box 337-1, which I posted a thread on here, for $540.00. I thought it might have been a bit high until I received some friendly insight from members here. There was one on GB, in not nearly as nice condition, which sold for over $900.00 last week.

There are a couple more over the years but these were the best recent ones.

My best buy was a Shorty 45 MK2 for $405 OTD.

I bought it at a "High speed, low drag" gun store at just didn't realize what they had.

I hate you.

Sig P6 several years back when a ton of them hit the US surplus market. German police gun with moderate holster wear and nearly perfect internals. Excellent and fun shooter. $320.

I bought a 50cal White Mountain model Black Powder Rifle last Sunday at a gun show and never made it home with it. We stopped for Breakfast on the way home and the guy with me paid me a quick $50.00 more then I paid for it while we were eating. Funny thing is that I borrowed his gun case to bring it home and it fit this particular rifle perfectly. I usually buy one a month like this and sell it very quickly always for at least $50.00 profit or more. It pays for my ammo most of the time this way. My best buy is my M41 which I only paid $400.00 for and its in mint shape and from 1958. My M46 is in really beautiful condition and that's what I paid for it 3 years ago now as well.

Latest one? A Like New police trade-n SW99 in 9MM for$369 w/box, papers, all back straps, front sights and (4) hi-cap mags.

In 1981, a Colt Combat Commander. Like new with box. $50.

Loose strain screw?

Loose ejector rod?


My best deal now would now have to be my 1965 M52 Awarded to Bonnie Harmon for winning the Clarke Trophy that year. $800.00

Then there's my 98% 4566 with night sights, spare mag, box, docs. $389.00

Also, my 5946, unfired. $249.00

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What would Jim Cirillo do?