Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. I had a question about what prices to likely expect for a 3rd gen semi auto S&W. I've read about people picking up cheap pistols ($$ not quality) and how if you don't want to purchase a pistol at m&p or glock prices then 3rd gens are a great way to go. I've done some internet searching and honestly from what I've seen these are going for the same prices or more then brand spanking new M&Ps. Is this really what the Market is or am I looking in the wrong places (like gunbrokers and buds gun shop). Actually buds lists everything 3rd gen as out of stock. I really have an inkling for a 3rd gen 45 (4516 or something similar) but can't justify paying the same for a thirty year old discontinued used pistol as I would pay for brand new one. Last summer I bought a brand new M&P 9c for $520 so don't want to pay the same or more for a 3rd gen compact. Lots of fun shops around Denver but they seem to rarely list used stock and I used to think that thrifty Nickle used to list firearms but I guess no more. I'm not new to shooting but am new to buying. Any suggestions?
3rd gen prices
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Welcome tovthe forum! 
Buy once, cry once. Find a clean 4516 and buy it, shoot it, love it. It is apples and oranges to compare it to anything currently being made.
The 4516 is an accurate, bet your life reliable pistol. It is well made with a great trigger right out of the box. No reason to spend hundreds extra for Apex parts. Which you will probably need to do should you buy an m&p.
In fact, when you add in the cost of the Apex parts, the cost of an m&p rivals or exceeds a clean 4516.
And unlike the plastic striker fired..........stuff, you can recoup your investment on the off chance you dont like the 4516. And the 4516s wont be decreasing in price or availability. Good luck with your decision. Regards 18DAI
Buy once, cry once. Find a clean 4516 and buy it, shoot it, love it. It is apples and oranges to compare it to anything currently being made.
The 4516 is an accurate, bet your life reliable pistol. It is well made with a great trigger right out of the box. No reason to spend hundreds extra for Apex parts. Which you will probably need to do should you buy an m&p.
In fact, when you add in the cost of the Apex parts, the cost of an m&p rivals or exceeds a clean 4516.
And unlike the plastic striker fired..........stuff, you can recoup your investment on the off chance you dont like the 4516. And the 4516s wont be decreasing in price or availability. Good luck with your decision. Regards 18DAI
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It really all depends on where you are, what's available, and how many people are looking for it.
In MA, 3rd Gens are pretty rare and our draconian gun laws make importing one from out of state a dicey proposition. A lot of FFLs won't do it and those that do won't talk about it.
For those reasons, we often pay at the higher end of the price scale when a nice on shows up on the market.
OTOH, in parts of the country with better gun laws, the prices are not nearly as high.
With all of that said, a good condition 3913 in this area goes for $450.00-500.00 depending on age, accessories, how many magazines come with it. I bought a 3953 a few months ago with two magazines for $425.00 plus tax. It was only the second one I'd seen in MA in 5 or so years of looking. The first one was snapped up by member TTSH about half an hour before I wandered into the LGS that had it listed.
There is now a third one for sale.
The closest comparable 3rd Gen to a M&P 9c is a 36906 compact. I owned a M&P 9c that had had trigger work done and it was a decent shooter. I sold it and put the money into a 6906 which is a double stack version of the 3913. That gun was 10 times more enjoyable to shoot and I still had money left over from my M&P 9c sale.
Currently I usually carry a 3913 series gun because I found I really didn't need 12 rounds.
In MA, 3rd Gens are pretty rare and our draconian gun laws make importing one from out of state a dicey proposition. A lot of FFLs won't do it and those that do won't talk about it.
For those reasons, we often pay at the higher end of the price scale when a nice on shows up on the market.
OTOH, in parts of the country with better gun laws, the prices are not nearly as high.
With all of that said, a good condition 3913 in this area goes for $450.00-500.00 depending on age, accessories, how many magazines come with it. I bought a 3953 a few months ago with two magazines for $425.00 plus tax. It was only the second one I'd seen in MA in 5 or so years of looking. The first one was snapped up by member TTSH about half an hour before I wandered into the LGS that had it listed.
There is now a third one for sale.
The closest comparable 3rd Gen to a M&P 9c is a 36906 compact. I owned a M&P 9c that had had trigger work done and it was a decent shooter. I sold it and put the money into a 6906 which is a double stack version of the 3913. That gun was 10 times more enjoyable to shoot and I still had money left over from my M&P 9c sale.
Currently I usually carry a 3913 series gun because I found I really didn't need 12 rounds.
KSDeputy
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I have 2 of the third generation semi-autos which I bought new, and still have. One is my carry pistol. The other I have was my carry pistol when in uniform, and has had only 50 rounds through it. I would take any one of the guns over five of the striker fired **** that is made today. All of mine are in .45. I had a 4516 which I sold due to the weight. I have a 4506, 4513TSW, and CS45. All are great pistols. Best of luck in finding one. Each of mine is in mint condition.
You'll never get over that, will you?
I saw that listing.
Have you checked it out yet? 
Like GaryS post! The few shops I frequent never seem to have much of anything in 3rd Gens. Last year I spotted a 39-2 blued at a small shop on consignment for $650 without the box! More Sigs at my favorite LGS but S&W darn hard to come by. Time for another run on that Tactical Series!
For me, the (still made of all-metal) Sigs are the new 3rd Gens. You can't go comparing the latest cheapy plastic wonder gun prices to 3rd Gen prices... apples vs. oranges. If you want to compare anything, compare the 3rd Gens to the equivalent Sigs and then maybe you can start to realize what a bargain a 3rd Gen pistol in top shape can be.
You can't go comparing the latest cheapy plastic wonder gun prices to 3rd Gen prices... apples vs. oranges. If you want to compare anything, compare the 3rd Gens to the equivalent Sigs and then maybe you can start to realize what a bargain a 3rd Gen pistol in top shape can be. Arik
Member
What are you looking to do with the gun? Collect? Compete? Carry? Mission dictates gear and all that!
For me, carry means shoot so I want ease of parts availability. That alone puts an end to the 3rd gens for me.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
For me, carry means shoot so I want ease of parts availability. That alone puts an end to the 3rd gens for me.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
HCH
Member
Keep in mind that 3rd. Gens. have a soul that plastic guns will never have.
Maybe I've been lucky, right place at the right time, frequenting smaller, more rural, gun shops where you don't need to take a number to get service, but even the high traffic, big sellers have good deals at times. Look at the 5946s at Gander for example. You just need to keep your eyes open. You might check any S&W law enforcement dealers, as they can have the inside track on LE trade ins.
For what it's worth, I just picked up a 3rd. Gen. .45 in great shape for $25 less than a new Shield .45 and am loving it.
Maybe I've been lucky, right place at the right time, frequenting smaller, more rural, gun shops where you don't need to take a number to get service, but even the high traffic, big sellers have good deals at times. Look at the 5946s at Gander for example. You just need to keep your eyes open. You might check any S&W law enforcement dealers, as they can have the inside track on LE trade ins.
For what it's worth, I just picked up a 3rd. Gen. .45 in great shape for $25 less than a new Shield .45 and am loving it.
LGSs in the Denver area, at least the ones I frequent, seldom have much of a 3rd gen selection. That doesn't mean you won't find something you want, but you may burn up a lot of time and gasoline in your hunt.
As others have said, for me the 3rd gens have soul and durability factors that synthetic pistols do not possess. I've carried both synthetic and steel over my career, including a 4516, and I have nothing but praise for those all steel pistols.
As others have said, for me the 3rd gens have soul and durability factors that synthetic pistols do not possess. I've carried both synthetic and steel over my career, including a 4516, and I have nothing but praise for those all steel pistols.
You'll never get over that, will you?
Faster than you will get over the 3913TSW I bought out from under you!
I saw that listing.
I haven't. I did look at the 3913 that they have, but it was nothing of interest to me.
Oh, FS has a 52-2 listed at $1,500.00 if you're interested.
LOL!!!!!!Faster than you will get over the 3913TSW I bought out from under you!
That one does still hurt! 
What a difference 10-15 minutes can make! If I buy another 3913, my good wife is gonna leave me.
On the other hand, I could go for another 3953 if I found one that met my very high "TTSH Standard" for acceptable condition and wasn't agency marked. No interest. I could have had one for half that and I turned it down... so no way I'm paying double that now.Oh, FS has a 52-2 listed at $1,500.00 if you're interested.
But as I've explained before, it's not the 52-2. It's the ammo thing for the 52-2. I don't reload. 
Remember, the lack of 3rd Gens in the marketplace is because they don't make them anymore, they were extremely wonderful guns, so nobody wants to sell them. I just sold a SIG SP-2022 which, to my mind, was a polymer framed 9mm SIG no different than my 6906 and I'd rather carry the S&W so it was an easy sale. The money is either going to go for a new S&W Model 43c .22 LR revolver or, maybe, a Walther CCP 9mm. Not that I am in love with that Walther but a thin, lightweight 9mm might work for me. But I really want that .22. Decisions decisions....
However, I digress solely because I can easily see myself going to back to carrying my CS-45. A fabulous 3rd Gen, nothing today compares to it as far as I am concerned.
However, I digress solely because I can easily see myself going to back to carrying my CS-45. A fabulous 3rd Gen, nothing today compares to it as far as I am concerned.
The responses here pretty well sum things up. I'd add that if you can beg, borrow or temporarily steal a 3rd gen Smith and shoot it, you'll understand the difference. Or, maybe you'll disagree and we won't have to compete with you ...
Vom Brunhaus K9
Member
My personal overall opinion I Luv my S&W Model 5906 - 15 round cap. over Any / All Glocks in 9 mm that are out there . My model is stainless and have several magazines for it
I am partial to an all-metal gun for its feel and because its weight reduces recoil. I like a safety (you really want to carry a M&P with a 5 lbs Apex trigger in an IWB holster?) and I prefer a DA/SA trigger. I can shoot the 3rd Gen S&W's better than I can shoot a striker-fired pistol. I tend to carry a J frame when I carry, but my 3913 is reliable enough to carry and 8 + 8 is better than 5 -- given the World the way it is today.
I agree there are excellent striker-fired polymer pistols that are great range guns, competition guns, truck guns, and home-defense guns right out of the box. Starting with S&W's SD9VE/SD40VE pistols, which are a great value for the money at around $275-300.
The reasons for buying, shooting, and carrying 3rd Gen pistols are not just about money or purely practical factors. The reasons revolve around how you perceive value for money and your personal preferences. Rent or borrow one and see if you like it!
Added: I see 3rd Gens on the local gun sale/trade board for various asking prices -- in the last week, $500 for a NIB 3913, $700 for a LNIB 3913 NL; $500 for an early 5906 in excellent condition, etc. I've looked in a few local pawn shops but prices for all guns were high and selection limited (no 3rd Gens). Either they negotiate, or they expect people buying guns in their pawn shop to pay whatever price is asked.
I agree there are excellent striker-fired polymer pistols that are great range guns, competition guns, truck guns, and home-defense guns right out of the box. Starting with S&W's SD9VE/SD40VE pistols, which are a great value for the money at around $275-300.
The reasons for buying, shooting, and carrying 3rd Gen pistols are not just about money or purely practical factors. The reasons revolve around how you perceive value for money and your personal preferences. Rent or borrow one and see if you like it!
Added: I see 3rd Gens on the local gun sale/trade board for various asking prices -- in the last week, $500 for a NIB 3913, $700 for a LNIB 3913 NL; $500 for an early 5906 in excellent condition, etc. I've looked in a few local pawn shops but prices for all guns were high and selection limited (no 3rd Gens). Either they negotiate, or they expect people buying guns in their pawn shop to pay whatever price is asked.
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Amp
Member
Good to hear I am not the only one that like the 3rd gen better.
I bought the 9 and 45 Shield and they work great. I prefer the 3913 and had Trijicon relamp it for me. That is the one I trust.
Now I go to Sig for semis and Smith for wheelguns.
I bought the 9 and 45 Shield and they work great. I prefer the 3913 and had Trijicon relamp it for me. That is the one I trust.
Now I go to Sig for semis and Smith for wheelguns.
1775usmarine
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For me, the (still made of all-metal) Sigs are the new 3rd Gens.
What about the CZ 75, 85, and 97? They too can be had for a reasonable buck and with cajun parts they make a fine target pistol.
Nothing against them at all. In fact, a CZ 75BD (or similar variant) currently resides at the very top of my 2017 Possibilities List despite the fact that it is illegal for a dealer to sell me one here in the crazy People's Republic of Massachusetts (I'd have to luck out and obtain it via a private F-T-F sale).
My point was simply that Sig's all-metal pistols are the logical successors to the S&W 3rd Gens in terms of a decent, full-line selection of American-made, all-metal, DA/SA pistols. If you can't buy a brand new S&W 3rd Gen pistol any longer, at least you can still buy a Sig.
You can include Beretta in that mix if you'd like but I can't think of too many others without going to imports. Plastic & striker-fired has almost completely taken over the semi-auto pistol world. 
Pricing and sources: Yes, they are going up on the national level. I purchased (the last?) 4566TSW on GB last fall (for under $500) and haven't seen (m)any listed for a minimum bid under that yet. The going rate has crept up another $100. I do understand how that factors in for some.
But - what are you buying? Comparing to a polymer is apples and oranges. I compared material and caliber - the majority of stainless guns in .45 meant I was comparing one I paid $470 shipped. against guns retailing for over $1100. And about the only choice in stainless was 1911 or Beretta. In that regard the 4566 was a steal.
It being an LEO trade in it appeared to have typical holster carry, a look under the slide and it was very low mileage. Cops often only familiarize with their firearms once or twice a year, and most don't even shoot their service gun once a month. Since the TSW line came out in the 90's these guns haven't done much in the field or the range until the department replaced them. And some departments exclusively purchase only S&W 3Gen, like the CHP, Canadian Mounted Police, etc. NIB guns come out of the woodwork because of that as production overruns. There was one listed at a Cabela's reported on the shelf just last week - and it's apparently been there awhile as younger gun buyers aren't knowledgeable about what they are.
There is where you find them - in stores with low traffic for older guns, they sit long enough to find. National level auctions sites are no longer a good deal as the energetic collectors are hitting those pages more than once a day and as described above, its a matter of minutes before the other guy gets there first. The real bargains are now in gun stores as trade ins where nobody much looks. It takes ready cash and repeat visits to catch them.
If you can barter well or find a buyer who just wants to dump one, gun shows could provide another source. I'm going today to one and see what magazine pricing and availability is like. I don't expect much but then again - you never know.
Price compare to other stainless guns and you get a better grasp of why the buyers in this market are justifying the $550 prices. And finding a NIB model on the shelf for $675 to $800 in a rare model is why those keep moving. It's no longer a commodity market in used stainless autos - polymer has taken over so much there are few models to choose from. Consider how Colt Pythons or HK P7's have accelerated - what we are dealing with today is the same thing just past the bottom. It's all up from here and won't get cheaper.
I got mine.
But - what are you buying? Comparing to a polymer is apples and oranges. I compared material and caliber - the majority of stainless guns in .45 meant I was comparing one I paid $470 shipped. against guns retailing for over $1100. And about the only choice in stainless was 1911 or Beretta. In that regard the 4566 was a steal.
It being an LEO trade in it appeared to have typical holster carry, a look under the slide and it was very low mileage. Cops often only familiarize with their firearms once or twice a year, and most don't even shoot their service gun once a month. Since the TSW line came out in the 90's these guns haven't done much in the field or the range until the department replaced them. And some departments exclusively purchase only S&W 3Gen, like the CHP, Canadian Mounted Police, etc. NIB guns come out of the woodwork because of that as production overruns. There was one listed at a Cabela's reported on the shelf just last week - and it's apparently been there awhile as younger gun buyers aren't knowledgeable about what they are.
There is where you find them - in stores with low traffic for older guns, they sit long enough to find. National level auctions sites are no longer a good deal as the energetic collectors are hitting those pages more than once a day and as described above, its a matter of minutes before the other guy gets there first. The real bargains are now in gun stores as trade ins where nobody much looks. It takes ready cash and repeat visits to catch them.
If you can barter well or find a buyer who just wants to dump one, gun shows could provide another source. I'm going today to one and see what magazine pricing and availability is like. I don't expect much but then again - you never know.
Price compare to other stainless guns and you get a better grasp of why the buyers in this market are justifying the $550 prices. And finding a NIB model on the shelf for $675 to $800 in a rare model is why those keep moving. It's no longer a commodity market in used stainless autos - polymer has taken over so much there are few models to choose from. Consider how Colt Pythons or HK P7's have accelerated - what we are dealing with today is the same thing just past the bottom. It's all up from here and won't get cheaper.
I got mine.
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vigil617
US Veteran
Well, if you haven't figured it out by now, you've stepped right into the hottest of the hotbeds of Third Gen afficionados, my friend.
We might be a tad opinionated on the subject.
It's your money. Spend it how you think best. We simply want to encourage you that if you dip your toe into our waters, you might just find a type of pistol that will speak to you. And, that will not lose you money if you decide it's not for you.
My personal advice, based on 45ACP Third Gen experience, is to start with a 457 -- technically a Second Generation, but for all practical purposes a Third Gen, IMHO -- at $400 to $500 for an excellent condition model. Try it, see if you like it, and then decide if you want to move into, say, a 4513TSW or 4516 (aluminum frame vs. steel frame) in the $550 to $650 category.
It gets even better from there. Not in reliability or value-for the dollar -- as all of these rank high in those -- but in desirability and cachet and best-of-the-best quality. Think Shorty 45, the Performance Center version of the 4513TSW, in the $1,200 to $1,500 range.
I get ahead of myself.
Welcome to the Forum.
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1775usmarine
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Sounds like you need to retire to a more gun friendly state like Indiana. I was able to score two surplus CZ 75's and 85's from cdisales for under 400 with ship and FFL. I have since added some CGW parts and they seem to feel better than when I first got them. Eventually i will fully cajun them, but one piece at a time.Nothing against them at all. In fact, a CZ 75BD (or similar variant) currently resides at the very top of my 2017 Possibilities List despite the fact that it is illegal for a dealer to sell me one here in the crazy People's Republic of Massachusetts (I'd have to luck out and obtain it via a private F-T-F sale).
My point was simply that Sig's all-metal pistols are the logical successors to the S&W 3rd Gens in terms of a decent, full-line selection of American-made, all-metal, DA/SA pistols. If you can't buy a brand new S&W 3rd Gen pistol any longer, at least you can still buy a Sig.
I would think you would have to look to the imports for all metal options, as Sig, Beretta, and CZ all have their roots overseas. Unless you consider the 1911, but I would assume you are wanting the ability to have a full size, compact, and sub compact made entirely of metal like our beloved 3rd gens. As well as the ability to have several caliber options in these models.
HCH
Member
I call around to save a lot of driving, but when I asked the one place if they had any S&W 3rd. Gens. in their used case, the guy told me they might have a second gen around, but he didn't think they made 3rd. gens yet.
Retirement property is already bought. I'm stuck here. I fully expect to die here.
A nice used CZ 75/85-anything is a rare bird here in MA. You pay big for the privilege of owning any non-list gun in this loony state (but especially a CZ because 10-round factory packages are so rare).
Point of order. The 457, like all "Value Line" guns is a 3rd Gen. Don't let the 3 digit model number fool you. For reasons that probably made sense to S&W, they decided to use a different number series for the "Value Line" guns.
9 = 9mm
4 = 40 S&W
45 = 45 ACP
The other numbers indicate magazine capacity.
915 is a 15 round gun, the 910 is a 10 round gun, 908 is an 8 round gun , the 411 is an 11 round gun, the 410 is a 10 round gun, and the 457 is a 7 round gun.
The CS guns are also "Value Line" guns, but are named, not numbered.
9 = 9mm
4 = 40 S&W
45 = 45 ACP
The other numbers indicate magazine capacity.
915 is a 15 round gun, the 910 is a 10 round gun, 908 is an 8 round gun , the 411 is an 11 round gun, the 410 is a 10 round gun, and the 457 is a 7 round gun.
The CS guns are also "Value Line" guns, but are named, not numbered.
Well, if you haven't figured it out by now, you've stepped right into the hottest of the hotbeds of Third Gen afficionados, my friend.
We might be a tad opinionated on the subject.
It's your money. Spend it how you think best. We simply want to encourage you that if you dip your toe into our waters, you might just find a type of pistol that will speak to you. And, that will not lose you money if you decide it's not for you.
My personal advice, based on 45ACP Third Gen experience, is to start with a 457 -- technically a Second Generation, but for all practical purposes a Third Gen, IMHO -- at $400 to $500 for an excellent condition model. Try it, see if you like it, and then decide if you want to move into, say, a 4513TSW or 4516 (aluminum frame vs. steel frame) in the $550 to $650 category.
It gets even better from there. Not in reliability or value-for the dollar -- as all of these rank high in those -- but in desirability and cachet and best-of-the-best quality. Think Shorty 45, the Performance Center version of the 4513TSW, in the $1,200 to $1,500 range.
I get ahead of myself.
Welcome to the Forum.
Maccabeus
Member
As others have said, you CAN find 3rd gen guns at a deal of a price, but you may be limited in your choices at the lower price points or you need to stumble into a deal.
I've been toying with selling my 4513TSW for the last couple years and the average price point on gunbroker right now is around $550 + shipping for the pre-rail model. I've noticed that 4506s are selling even higher.
(Of course, I never actually sell mine, because when I come on here to read, I always find a thread where 18DAI waxes eloquent about the virtues of the 4513s and then I keep it for another 6 months).
Sent from mTalk
I've been toying with selling my 4513TSW for the last couple years and the average price point on gunbroker right now is around $550 + shipping for the pre-rail model. I've noticed that 4506s are selling even higher.
(Of course, I never actually sell mine, because when I come on here to read, I always find a thread where 18DAI waxes eloquent about the virtues of the 4513s and then I keep it for another 6 months).
Sent from mTalk
Maccabeus working as a part time instructor/RO and in a high end gunstore, I get to handle AND shoot A LOT of guns. Glocks, Knighthawk, Les Baer, Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Walther, Springfield, s&w ect.
The more I shoot the customers XD's, XDs 45, Kimber Ultra, Colt Defender, Colt Agent, m&ps, shields, Glock 30, Glock 36 ect, the more I am convinced that the early rail free 4513TSW is one of the finest compact carry 45s ever made, by anyone and I will take mine in the box with me when I go.
Hang onto yours. You will be glad you did. Regards 18DAI
The more I shoot the customers XD's, XDs 45, Kimber Ultra, Colt Defender, Colt Agent, m&ps, shields, Glock 30, Glock 36 ect, the more I am convinced that the early rail free 4513TSW is one of the finest compact carry 45s ever made, by anyone and I will take mine in the box with me when I go.
Hang onto yours. You will be glad you did.
Regards 18DAI
Maccabeus
Member
Maccabeus working as a part time instructor/RO and in a high end gunstore, I get to handle AND shoot A LOT of guns. Glocks, Knighthawk, Les Baer, Colt, Kimber, Dan Wesson, Walther, Springfield, s&w ect.
The more I shoot the customers XD's, XDs 45, Kimber Ultra, Colt Defender, Colt Agent, m&ps, shields, Glock 30, Glock 36 ect, the more I am convinced that the early rail free 4513TSW is one of the finest compact carry 45s ever made, by anyone and I will take mine in the box with me when I go.
Hang onto yours. You will be glad you did.
See, there you go again.
Well, at least it saves me the time and effort of taking pictures, fielding buyer questions, and worrying about transaction details.
Disabled1
US Veteran
I bought my LE trade in 5906 in the the first week of December 2012. 1 week later the Sandy Hook incident happened (God Bless them all!). I paid $275 ($250+hand picked/extra mag), $303 total. It came with (2) mags and a blue S&W plastic case.
After that incident, I noticed 3rd Gens started sky rocketing. Around here in my part of the South, a LE trade in sells for about $425-$450. You can forget about the $275-$300 prices any more. I have seen private owners selling their originally bought 5906 with box and papers for $600 +.
I like posting pics of mine. It's brand new ever since member BMCM went through it and bead blasted it.
After that incident, I noticed 3rd Gens started sky rocketing. Around here in my part of the South, a LE trade in sells for about $425-$450. You can forget about the $275-$300 prices any more. I have seen private owners selling their originally bought 5906 with box and papers for $600 +.
I like posting pics of mine. It's brand new ever since member BMCM went through it and bead blasted it.
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