10-6 with finish "issues"

[TRE]

Gentlemen,

This morning Dad and I stopped by the local pawn shop, a place where I have bought more than a couple guns and a place that sometimes has decent prices (sometimes not).

What caught my eye in the case was a model 10-6 heavy barrel, but.

The good, I've wanted a HB M10 for awhile now. It has a very good, tight action. No endshake at all. The bore is perfect.

Now the bad, it was originally nickled but has since had some sort of chrome finish applied over it. The hammer and trigger have been chromed. The chrome actually looks good, but there are a few very minor pits under the chrome near the trademark and the chrome has some slight peeling/flaking at the yoke/crane area and on the front of the cylinder. It has a set of factory target grips on it, but they are beat up pretty bad. A slight chip out of the bottom and the finish has "bubbles" in it. Might be salvageable via refinish, but not sure.

So, the million dollar question. The tag price is $399, which I initially thought was pretty high, so I returned it to the case. When I got home, a quick look on gunbroker showed these, in good or better condition, listed in the high $500 to low $600 range.

Bottom line, if I can negotiate the price down to $350 should I consider buying it for a range plinker??

FWIW, I can lay the gun away at this shop, which is kind of important right now.

All thoughts appreciated.

TRE

 

[03clyde]

I'd lock in a price only after some research and replies from this forum. Laying way a gun, for what ever reason, normally has the caveat of any deposits being forfeit if the deal is not consummated. Plunking down some $$ now only to find out it's not what you want may cost you.

 

[Jack Flash]

It really depends on your situation. You already have some handguns (I assume) so it's not like you're hurting for home defense or something to shoot at the range. If you really want a shooter / knock around revolver in .38 Special, that price is ok.

Personally, in your shoes I would wait for something in better condition even if it costs a hundred or so more.

But if you don't mind wheeling and dealing, you could buy that one as a "place holder" until a better one comes along then trade / sell the "chrome wonder".

 

[H Richard]

What you need to consider is are you planning to strip the finish and refinish it? If so what cost est. do you have and add that to the acquisition cost and I'd bet it exceeds the cost of a really nice one without all the problems.

 

[Arik]

For me $350 is too high. Maybe $200. But I'm basing that on pricing in my area

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[DocB]

$350 is way too much for a beat up and refinished M10. They are not that hard to find in really nice condition for that price. Hold out and you will find one you can really be proud to own and shoot too, and easily for under $400.

 

[StakeOut]

A HB Model 10-6 is a fine gun.I carried one for nearly 20 years and it performed well when I needed it to.

I recently acquired a Model 15-6 in shooter condition for $175.

I replaced the buggered screws,ejector rod and grips at a cost of $90.

Now,she's all nice and pretty and almost the same as a Model 10-6 HB but with an adjustable rear sight.

Don't buy something that you're going to regret when you get home or at the public range.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

10-6 with finish "issues"

Personally I would walk away. Asking price is more than double what it is worth in my opinion. Buds has done a number of sales on model 10 police trade-ins over the last few years. I bought a 10-10 from Buds 4-5 years ago for around $250 + a $15 transfer fee. At the time I felt like I had over paid for the 10-10 with maybe 50% of its finish left, now I wish I had bought a dozen more. In end the model 10 HBs are some great shooters regardless of finish condition.

 

[wbraswell]

I think it's too high also. You can probably win a GB auction for one with worn but original finish for less than 300.

 

[Jack Flash]

Guys, I dunno if you can find something like that for under $350 total price when all the fees are paid...

When you talk about Bud's, GunBroker, etc., you have to include shipping, insurance, and FFL fees. IE, tack on a hundred or so...

Recall TRE's description ---

It has a very good, tight action. No endshake at all. The bore is perfect.

TRE will not know the exact condition of anything bought over the inter-web until it is delivered, and all fees paid. Sure he may be able to ship it back if not satisfied but that incurs more fees, more hassles...

So I think $350 is "ok". Obviously, TRE examined it and is not repelled by its appearance. I haven't seen it so I don't know, but I might like it myself.

My thoughts are that it doesn't hurt to have one or two "truck guns", but you don't want every gun you buy to be a truck gun. If you spend your money that way, you will never have cash on hand when a really nice one turns up. Ask me how I know!

 

[TRE]

Thanks for all the input.

I own several other S&W revolvers, many in mint condition, so this would be simply a range or "truck" gun, a model I don't currently have. I doubt I would ever have it refinished, so $350 would be the total cost, forever, minus replacing the grips.

I too think the price is too high, however I am thinking that I could always get $350 back out of it to a non collector when/if I find a better 10-6. The main plus on this gun is the vault like action. It has a VERY tight cylinder lockup and the trigger action is smooth as melted butter.

I haven't talked myself into it yet, but based on what I'm seeing as far as prices, I'm not yet ready to run away screaming.

I'll think about it more and sleep on it a day or two. Again, thanks for all the advice.

TRE

 

[lamarw]

Compare it to the 10-6 I acquired a few months ago for $271.00 before sales tax. I thought what I paid was about right. I would grade it at about 70%.

The one you are looking at sounds at least a hundred and fifty too high.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Seems like you answered your own question. If you don't think you would be hurt At $350 then offer $350 OTD, chances are they don't have nearly that much invested in it.

 

[rifmon]

Nope. Walk away. I bought police trade in 10-6 with 80% finish with the police holster that took the 20% of the finish off for $350.00. And I bought it on Gunbroker.

The seller was someone I coukd call and talk to out of Florida. Nice guy, great deal and great shooter.

That gun should be priced to sell with the cost of a refinish in mind like $150.00 ish.

 

[TRE]

Went back to the shop today, couldn't talk him down to $350 OTD (which I was willing to go to on the gun as a shooter), so I left it in the case.

Some days this shop has good deals, other days are like today.

Oh well.

TRE

 

[keener]

I think you lucked out! Why buy something you have to make excuses for or apologize for? Keener

 

[Comrad]

Always buy the best you can and that goes for everything not just guns.

You will always remember quality long after the price is forgotten.

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

You will always remember quality long after the price is forgotten.

Amen to that!