3rd Gen guns at a gun show

[GaryS]

If you head up that way, please check on my 4006! It's a consignment gun listed at $499.99. I offered $425 but the owner, by phone, rejected it. Said he'd only come down to $475. So then I offered to split the difference at $450 but the dealer wouldn't call him back. Guess whatever the owner told the dealer was pretty dang firm.

Offer him $450 again and see what happens!

I'm afraid to make that offer, because he might accept it!

They have an interesting consignment system. They have the guns logged into their computer and it obviously has a range that they can accept without calling the seller.

A few weeks ago I was up there with a friend who was looking for a .380. Said friend equivocates endlessly on purchases big and small. He was interested in one of the .380s they had and made an offer. They looked it up and said, that the lowest they could go was higher than what he was willing to pay.

OTOH, when I bought my 3913TSW from them, I made what I thought was a pretty low opening offer just to the the conversation going. He looked it up and said "Cash?". When I affirmed that, I had a new gun!

I had a similar experience when I bought my Model 18 from them.

When I go there looking to buy a gun, I bring cash and always make an offer. I've yet to pay the tagged price for anything there.

 

[mbliss57]

I agree with Bam Bam TTSH i=unless the price is outrageous of course. And someone here already mentioned this. But I never go to a gun show looking for a specific gun. That is a recipe for disappointment and disaster. I always go looking for bargains with an open mind and research on current GB prices in my little book. I almost always leave with a bargain. Not always a S&W but always a bargain that has instant equity when I walk out the door.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Ya, $500 OTD = $460 for the gun (here in Pa.)

 

[TTSH]

You need a little remedial rationalization help. When you say,......

"Decent price but below my condition acceptability threshold.........and I've already got a much nicer 3913 anyway."

..........here's what you need to believe. You're gonna buy that lesser condition gun so that it can take the wear and tear (carry, range, whatever) and save your better condition gun from such a fate. When you become a professional rationalizer like me you can easily end up with a half dozen of the same model,......your show piece (with backup), your every day carry piece(with backup of course), and your beater (with backup). Two is one and one is none, remember. Then it's time to start shopping for your two lenders and maybe a couple that could serve as parts donors in a pinch. Then the only thing left to worry about is a couple of spares if they happen along at a good price.

Oh, I understand what you're saying... ... but I'm not really like that. Truth is that I like ALL my guns, both shooters and keepers, to be just as nice as possible. I don't think I own even one truly ratty gun. My worst condition gun (my CS40) is still an 8 out of 10. Especially when it comes to anodized aluminum frames, if I can see wear down to the base aluminum, I ain't gonna buy it!

 

[TTSH]

I'm afraid to make that offer, because he might accept it!

They have an interesting consignment system. They have the guns logged into their computer and it obviously has a range that they can accept without calling the seller.

A few weeks ago I was up there with a friend who was looking for a .380. Said friend equivocates endlessly on purchases big and small. He was interested in one of the .380s they had and made an offer. They looked it up and said, that the lowest they could go was higher than what he was willing to pay.

OTOH, when I bought my 3913TSW from them, I made what I thought was a pretty low opening offer just to the the conversation going. He looked it up and said "Cash?". When I affirmed that, I had a new gun!

I had a similar experience when I bought my Model 18 from them.

When I go there looking to buy a gun, I bring cash and always make an offer. I've yet to pay the tagged price for anything there.

Hey, it's about time that you bought yourself a .40! I'm doing you a favor here!

But you can relax! Give them a C-note deposit and my name. I'll go pick it up and reimburse you forthwith!

I've always paid full asking price there so you are doing better than me. This was actually my first attempt ever to buy below their posted/tagged price. Obviously, I failed miserably. That clean Model 4006 belongs in my collection, but paying more than $450+Tax for a .40 just ain't happening.

 

[TTSH]

I agree with Bam Bam TTSH i=unless the price is outrageous of course. And someone here already mentioned this.

Ya, $500 OTD = $460 for the gun (here in Pa.)

I gotta go by comparative sales re: fair price, but I've never seen a Model 4506-1 in such poor cosmetic condition.

Based on previous conversations with my local gunsmith, I've got to believe that there is at least $300-$400 worth of work plus some work of my own to get this gun back to a condition that I could live with. I've not done so well with "project guns" in the past, and that is part of my hesitation.

I'm thinking it's worth $400 max as it sits... and that is being generous. But I'll have a much better idea after I talk with the gunsmith sometime in the next 2 days.

 

[GaryS]

That 4006 is a nice looking firearm. I've had a .40 in the past, even though it was a Glock. I just didn't enjoy firing it as much as I do 9mm or 45ACP. Besides I have too many calibers to buy as it is.

I always ask if a LGS can do better on pricing. I've found the other, bigger store, in that area to pretty much hold their line on pricing. Or, that could just be me because I'm not a regular.

I even ask at gun shows, although only once did a FFL say yes to my low ball offer. Surprised me, but I guess he wanted to sell.

Hey, it's about time that you bought yourself a .40! I'm doing you a favor here!

But you can relax! Give them a C-note deposit and my name. I'll go pick it up and reimburse you forthwith!

I've always paid full asking price there so you are doing better than me. This was actually my first attempt ever to buy below their posted/tagged price. Obviously, I failed miserably. That clean Model 4006 belongs in my collection, but paying more than $450+Tax for a .40 just ain't happening.

 

[grif684]

Today at the Akron, Ohio show, found a guy walking around with a LNIB 645, he was asking $500. Saw a 3913, allegedly NIB, for $550. A closer look revealed a non original box, but it was pristine, and came with three mags. A 1006 LNIB, $850, one mag. Later found the guy with the 645, but he had since traded it for a 9mm current production plastic pistol......should have bought it when I first ran into him.... Bought ammo and a hot dog.... lots of ammo, just one hot dog.

 

[rwsmith]

They'll sit there.....

They'll sit there the whole weekend with a really overpriced gun hoping for that one hook. Gun shows aren't any place to look for a deal any more. The last one I went to somebody had some 'rare' guns for over $11,000. I don't know anythng about rare guns, but they didn't look like anything I'd pay more than a few hundred for. I guess they expect a Texas oil tycoon to stroll into the fairgrounds in Ladson and write 'em a check for the works.

 

[kaveman]

I know you don't really want another caliber but I have to say that just because you didn't like firing the .40 in a plastic Glock doesn't mean you wouldn't like firing it in an all steel 4006,.....just sayin'.

 

[GaryS]

I know you don't really want another caliber but I have to say that just because you didn't like firing the .40 in a plastic Glock doesn't mean you wouldn't like firing it in an all steel 4006,.....just sayin'.

I have absolutely no doubt that you are right about this. There is a huge difference even with 9mm between the M&P9c I used to have and any of my compact 9mm guns.

I won't go into how my $400.00 457 shoots against a high end custom 1911.

 

[TTSH]

That 4006 is a nice looking firearm. I've had a .40 in the past, even though it was a Glock. I just didn't enjoy firing it as much as I do 9mm or 45ACP. Besides I have too many calibers to buy as it is.

I always ask if a LGS can do better on pricing. I've found the other, bigger store, in that area to pretty much hold their line on pricing. Or, that could just be me because I'm not a regular.

I even ask at gun shows, although only once did a FFL say yes to my low ball offer. Surprised me, but I guess he wanted to sell.

Oh, I've talked down a lot of dealers. Just never the one in question.

In this case, it is a consignment gun and the dealer did what he could do. He called the owner and asked. Too bad for me that the owner is holding out for at least $475.

The last .40 3rd Gen I bought there was $400+tax and it was just as nice. Maybe that's why I refuse to go as high as $475+Tax on this one.

 

[Raven312]

I'm new to 3rd generation Smiths but fell in love with them a year or two ago. I didn't bite on the one that the LGS had because they were asking more than I paid for my used Sig P229 Equinox. I took my cousin to buy his first pistol over the weekend and that LGS had a model 6906 that he believes to be unfired (definitely handled very little - it looks brand new!) for $449. It comes with 2 mags, the original box and paperwork.

He knows I'm weak and kept waving it my face (so to speak). I told him I'd sleep on it. I knew I was taking a big chance but hoped that most of his customers were the Glock crowd (he has a lot of them in stock). I called him back yesterday to get more details and ask if it was still there. He said he knew I was going to cave and he'd put it away. LOL. Due to other obligations at this time, I put it on layaway for a month.

 

[goldenlight]

I've found a LOT of good deals at gun shows. Now, I mostly view going to a gun show as entertainment, like going to a movie. I don't go to nearly as many as I used to. I don't drive a long distance, or pay for parking, anymore. I've seen a LOT of overpriced guns. But I get to see knives made by the man behind the table. I can't afford them, but they sure are nice to look at. I get to see a LOT of neat things at gun shows. Way more interesting than most movies, these days.

 

[GaryS]

Just to follow up on that Model 4586, it was conspicuously missing at this weekend's show when I got there mid-day on Saturday so I assume it finally sold.

I got to hold it today. The guy who bought my 3904 bought it. He paid considerably less than the asking price, but I forget what he told me.

It's pristine, really. It's also huge and heavy being all SS.

As I said, he's another aficionado and will be competition for the meager stock of 3rd Gen guns.

 

[RSBH44]

I saw some suprises and some laughable prices on a few smiths at our gun show today. Two 4566's priced at $425 ea., an excellent condition CS45 at $475 an equally excellent cond. 4516-1 at $450 as well as a 4586. Also saw a couple of 5906's priced in the $400 + range. The deal of the day IMO, was a like new with box and docs, 1066 for $600. That gun made me wish that I was into 10mm's !! All fairly decent prices, for this area anyway.
The two laughable priced 3rd gens were an ok condition 4506 no dash priced at.... $1195 and from the same seller a 6906 for $895. In similar cond. to the 4506.

 

[TTSH]

I got to hold it today. The guy who bought my 3904 bought it. He paid considerably less than the asking price, but I forget what he told me.

It's pristine, really. It's also huge and heavy being all SS.

As I said, he's another aficionado and will be competition for the meager stock of 3rd Gen guns.

Small world. Hope he is happy with it. I have no regrets about passing it up. Dirty Harry once said: " A man's got to know his limitations" and believe me, I know mine... financially speaking, that is. As I mentioned recently in another thread, I have already lost or taken a pass on between 2 and 3 times as many 3rd Gens as I own at this point (yes, I keep track!)... some due to poor condition or duplication or prior sale, but most of them due to an asking price I couldn't quite afford or chose not to pay. Prices are certainly not trending downward this year.

With ten fairly nice 3rd Gens in the safe as we speak, I can afford to start getting a little more choosey. Only the elusive (in MA) Model 4506-1 remains a huge thorn in my side. And realistically, I have given up completely on the 10mm models.

The collection/accumulation will continue to grow, but at a much more calm pace than last year. I think there is still room for other Taxachusetts 3rd Gen aficionados to score right along side of us. Just leave a few out there for me to find too.

 

[TTSH]

I saw some suprises and some laughable prices on a few smiths at our gun show today. Two 4566's priced at $425 ea., an excellent condition CS45 at $475 an equally excellent cond. 4516-1 at $450 as well as a 4586. Also saw a couple of 5906's priced in the $400 + range. The deal of the day IMO, was a like new with box and docs, 1066 for $600. That gun made me wish that I was into 10mm's !! All fairly decent prices, for this area anyway.
The two laughable priced 3rd gens were an ok condition 4506 no dash priced at.... $1195 and from the same seller a 6906 for $895. In similar cond. to the 4506.

Wow!!! Sounds like it was a really good show! Wish our Massachusetts shows had bargains like those you first mentioned.

 

[RSBH44]

Wow!!! Sounds like it was a really good show! Wish our Massachusetts shows had bargains like those you first mentioned.

It was definitely one of the better shows for a change that I can remember. Just a couple of years ago I would have been hard pressed to even see two, maybe three 3rd Gen smiths at the entire show. It seems that they were coming out of the woodwork this year!

 

[TTSH]

It was definitely one of the better shows for a change that I can remember. Just a couple of years ago I would have been hard pressed to even see two, maybe three 3rd Gen smiths at the entire show. It seems that they were coming out of the woodwork this year!

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