Haven’t seen you around in quite a while, roundgunner, welcome back.
Did used gun prices skyrocket?
- Thread starter roundgunner
- Start date
Black powder era colts are a serious collector genre but pretty specialized. They do command high prices, most civilian SAA I see from that era run in the 3-4 thousand dollar range, but most will often have rough bores and frequently little to no finish. If a high condition gun finish wise I don’t see 7k as being all that high.
Yes used guns have greatly increased in price over time. It wasn’t too long ago that spending $250 on a model 10 was considered the high end of pricing, but now a decent one will run double that.
Age, condition and lots of factors affect price of course.
With S&W the odd barrel lengths (3” for example) tend to get the highest prices, or as a general rule the shooter the barrel the higher the price ( a 2” K will go higher than a 4” and a 4” higher than 6”, all other things being equal)
From what I have seen, older pre lock guns are much more in demand than anything more recent.
Yes used guns have greatly increased in price over time. It wasn’t too long ago that spending $250 on a model 10 was considered the high end of pricing, but now a decent one will run double that.
Age, condition and lots of factors affect price of course.
With S&W the odd barrel lengths (3” for example) tend to get the highest prices, or as a general rule the shooter the barrel the higher the price ( a 2” K will go higher than a 4” and a 4” higher than 6”, all other things being equal)
From what I have seen, older pre lock guns are much more in demand than anything more recent.
Of the guns in your pictures the 2” 64 would probably be the quickest sell, the fact the others except the 25-2 are pretty recent production makes them less in demand, and they are relatively unusual models that would take the right interested party for a sale.
This isn't about any of the guns normally discussed in this section of the forum----just high prices---and the whys and wherefores.
The whys and wherefores first: Very special guns have always fetched big bucks, and are going to keep right on doing so. Why? Because the lunatic fringe collector wants the gun, has the bucks to pay for it, and is willing to spend them. (It doesn't hurt if the lunatic fringe collector's Boss Lady either keeps quiet------or encourages the deal.)
A few cases on point:
There was, once upon a time, 20+ years ago, when a lunatic fringe collector laid out $5,250 for a VERY high condition 7 1/2" Triple Lock Target---of which Jinks says there are somewhere between 250 and 500 examples made. As an aside, that gun sold for $10,000 earlier this year. Is that a good deal? Probably not, if you do the math and compare it to any number of other investments, but the lunatic fringe collector didn't buy it as an investment---he bought it to have it.
Next up, same church---different pew: Here's a .44 H.E. 3rd Target on display---and NOT FOR SALE--understandable, since conventional wisdom says there were less than 200 ever made---and this one is as new. Some chit-chat ensues, and ends up with, "You know, if I was to sell this gun to you, it would be $7,000." Our lunatic fringe collector gets home, to be met by the Boss Lady who asks, "Didja get anything?" "Nope, but I saw a gun I'd never seen before." More chit-chat ensues, and the Boss Lady says, "Well why don't you just go ahead and try to buy it?" So he did---and he did----and he was a happy camper!
Next up, and last----because unfortunate time constraints hover ominously, is a King Super Target Triple Lock---as new!! This is one of those things that takes your breath away----and all you can do is stare---and wonder. Well, the answer to the wondering was $9,500, speaking of taking your breath away, and it too found a new home and made for continuing pleasure and enjoyment.
And that pleasure and enjoyment is what it's all about-----isn't it?
Ralph Tremaine
The whys and wherefores first: Very special guns have always fetched big bucks, and are going to keep right on doing so. Why? Because the lunatic fringe collector wants the gun, has the bucks to pay for it, and is willing to spend them. (It doesn't hurt if the lunatic fringe collector's Boss Lady either keeps quiet------or encourages the deal.)
A few cases on point:
There was, once upon a time, 20+ years ago, when a lunatic fringe collector laid out $5,250 for a VERY high condition 7 1/2" Triple Lock Target---of which Jinks says there are somewhere between 250 and 500 examples made. As an aside, that gun sold for $10,000 earlier this year. Is that a good deal? Probably not, if you do the math and compare it to any number of other investments, but the lunatic fringe collector didn't buy it as an investment---he bought it to have it.
Next up, same church---different pew: Here's a .44 H.E. 3rd Target on display---and NOT FOR SALE--understandable, since conventional wisdom says there were less than 200 ever made---and this one is as new. Some chit-chat ensues, and ends up with, "You know, if I was to sell this gun to you, it would be $7,000." Our lunatic fringe collector gets home, to be met by the Boss Lady who asks, "Didja get anything?" "Nope, but I saw a gun I'd never seen before." More chit-chat ensues, and the Boss Lady says, "Well why don't you just go ahead and try to buy it?" So he did---and he did----and he was a happy camper!
Next up, and last----because unfortunate time constraints hover ominously, is a King Super Target Triple Lock---as new!! This is one of those things that takes your breath away----and all you can do is stare---and wonder. Well, the answer to the wondering was $9,500, speaking of taking your breath away, and it too found a new home and made for continuing pleasure and enjoyment.
And that pleasure and enjoyment is what it's all about-----isn't it?
Ralph Tremaine
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The market for handguns and especially ammunition remains very volatile. Regional preferences with make a big difference on the actual selling price. You have a interesting assortment of handguns but as pointed out they will appeal to much smaller market of owners. For example the 25-2 is designed for shooting paper targets in competitions like NRA Bullseye. That type of shooting has long fallen out of interest for most of today’s shooters. I would not have any interest in the scope as the 45 Auto is a poor hunting round.
Personally I like the Model 10 and 64 and have mild interest in the 2” barrel round butt. As I want to shoot it based on your picture your gun seems like it is in pristine condition meaning your asking price is likely to be too high for me.
The market is being heavy influenced by State and Federal politics. The next year may well be your golden opportunity to sell your guns.
Personally I like the Model 10 and 64 and have mild interest in the 2” barrel round butt. As I want to shoot it based on your picture your gun seems like it is in pristine condition meaning your asking price is likely to be too high for me.
The market is being heavy influenced by State and Federal politics. The next year may well be your golden opportunity to sell your guns.
$7k for a gun... wow... 
...To each their own, but I would never drop that on a gun just to "have it".
My experience is yes, gun prices and used prices are nuts. When I was at my FFL last time picking up a transfer, they had an used 629 in the case that looked rough and beat up (blued finish) for $1k... crazy to me. Don't know vintage and don't care, that was priced way high judging by looks.
My outlook may be different though then some. I don't buy for collecting, I buy for using. I also don't buy used, always new. Just personal preference.
...To each their own, but I would never drop that on a gun just to "have it".My experience is yes, gun prices and used prices are nuts. When I was at my FFL last time picking up a transfer, they had an used 629 in the case that looked rough and beat up (blued finish) for $1k... crazy to me. Don't know vintage and don't care, that was priced way high judging by looks.
My outlook may be different though then some. I don't buy for collecting, I buy for using. I also don't buy used, always new. Just personal preference.
In 2019 (pre-covid), I paid $600 for a $750 gun that's now selling for $1000-1500. 20% of the increase is inflation and some of the rest is due to the civil unrest during 2020-2022. If we have a bad recession, prices may go up if people get scared or go down if a lot of people loose their jobs and need money. The world is a crazy place and sometimes makes no sense.
I wonder about the theory that the up and coming generations won’t have any interest in older firearms. I only bought guns as tools until my early 40s. The past 20 years has been a gradually developing passion for collecting. A friend’s son only wanted tactical weapons as recently as 5 years ago. Now he has a beautiful sporterized Springfield 1903 and expressed interest in an LRB M24. He still thinks revolvers are useless… but he kinda starts drooling over nice lever action rifles these days. My point is that he gets older and has more disposable income, I believe his collecting interest will grow.
Regarding prices recently, everything has gone up but especially high grade and rare firearms. That said everyone needs a reminder - me as much as anyone - that firearms are terrible investments because of the transaction costs and big bid/ask spread. Poulin estimates that a firearm of mine will sell for $6,000-8,000 at heir next auction. They will take 10% from me and 17.5% from the buyer, resulting in a total bid/ask spread of 37.5%. I wouldn’t buy an actual investment with a 3.75% bid/ask spread. So unless you can buy a gun for 40% less than its current market value, you’ve got a long way to go just to break even.
Regarding prices recently, everything has gone up but especially high grade and rare firearms. That said everyone needs a reminder - me as much as anyone - that firearms are terrible investments because of the transaction costs and big bid/ask spread. Poulin estimates that a firearm of mine will sell for $6,000-8,000 at heir next auction. They will take 10% from me and 17.5% from the buyer, resulting in a total bid/ask spread of 37.5%. I wouldn’t buy an actual investment with a 3.75% bid/ask spread. So unless you can buy a gun for 40% less than its current market value, you’ve got a long way to go just to break even.
NFrameFred
Member
I'm not gonna guess on that one, but I do recall some whippersnapper telling me here on the forum at least ten years ago that my reluctance/refusal to buy new S&W offerings with the hole/lock made me self-identify as an out of touch dinosaur; that the "new" "younger" shooters didn't care one way or the other and the "old revolver" market was already in its' "death throes" (funny . . . don't think he lasted long here . . . been several years since I remember him sharing his wisdom amongst us 'dinosaurs'
). Meanwhile, I see lots of young and old shooters continuing to pony up for those 'ancient and outdated' artifacts.That do seem to be a trend
THAT concerns me personally more than anything else. The milque-toasts and antis just keep chipping and society in general seems hell-bent on the long game aimed at convincing the masses that guns should not be tolerated in the hands of anyone but the goobermint (especially since there can be no doubt by historical example that they just want the best for us
). By getting increasingly removed from our roots and heritage as a pioneer 'can do' people it looks like the zombie apocalypse of death by overwhelming numbers is likely, if not inevitable. But - you're right - a LOT of us old guys will have to shuffle off before that happens quietly.
In my neck of the woods there are a lot of nice guns for sale by private parties and the prices are pretty good. None of them seem to be moving! I think that inflation has put a hurt on a lot of folks and many don't have the disposable income that they once had. For example, there is a fellow trying to sell a S&W model 18 (dash something, but don't recall maybe -4?) It is in ANIB condition and he is asking $850 with no bites for a few weeks.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/707727-your-20-s-purchased-n
check out this thread:
Your ‘20’s purchased N frame wheelgun for under $1000
check out this thread:
Your ‘20’s purchased N frame wheelgun for under $1000
As I've posted before, there are too many optimists out there selling (they call it that) used guns. My LGS has a Model 67 on consignment, the latest bull-barrel model discontinued 2 years ago, IIRC. Owner priced it at $800, "with 3 speedloaders." Yeah, I could want this one, but I refuse to negotiate against myself with a ridiculous opening price. In my world, it's a used, ordinary plain vanilla 4" .38Spl and not very desirable, except maybe to me.
Narrow-minded? Yeah, maybe, but the importers recently selling beat-up Model 10s for many 100s of dollars that they paid $25 apiece for did not help us very much as regards to realistic pricing. That Model 67? It has sat there for 3 months. And by the way, Jack, you're selling a gun. The accessories have no value and should not be used to raise the price. Let me know when you really want to sell it.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Narrow-minded? Yeah, maybe, but the importers recently selling beat-up Model 10s for many 100s of dollars that they paid $25 apiece for did not help us very much as regards to realistic pricing. That Model 67? It has sat there for 3 months. And by the way, Jack, you're selling a gun. The accessories have no value and should not be used to raise the price. Let me know when you really want to sell it.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I was told long ago an answer to this age old question of "what is it worth?". "Whatever one is willing to pay for it." Doesn't matter what one thinks it's worth (or what a Blue Book says), you still need a buyer.
Had a friend ask me just yesterday about levers, he was thinking of purchasing one (rifle calibers). Told him to expect on shelling out around a grand for a new one, probably close to that for a used one that's in good shape. Lever actions aren't the cheaper rifles anymore...
Had a friend ask me just yesterday about levers, he was thinking of purchasing one (rifle calibers). Told him to expect on shelling out around a grand for a new one, probably close to that for a used one that's in good shape. Lever actions aren't the cheaper rifles anymore...
Miracle Man
US Veteran
I didn't read every post so pardon me if it's already been said several times.
I don't have an issue with premium older guns in very good and above condition prices wise. What I laugh at is what I consider poor to very poor condition guns - scratches, dings, and dents all over. Turn line looks like a crater, rust on the hammer, no blue at all on muzzle from holster wear, grips look like someone took a wood rasp to them, on and on.
And you see the famous "rare" item and they want $1,299 for an at best $250 shooter.
I don't have an issue with premium older guns in very good and above condition prices wise. What I laugh at is what I consider poor to very poor condition guns - scratches, dings, and dents all over. Turn line looks like a crater, rust on the hammer, no blue at all on muzzle from holster wear, grips look like someone took a wood rasp to them, on and on.
And you see the famous "rare" item and they want $1,299 for an at best $250 shooter.
Gunshows, that's the venue that the 50-80 years old find their guns at! We pay money to park the car, to get into the show, and pay over inflated prices for a hot dog and water, only to find nothing we are interested in! The 25-50 years old people just sit in their car while going through the car wash, in line at a drive through waiting for their morning coffee, and sitting in a chair at their hairdresser waiting for their turn in the chair while searching online, on their pocket computers, for their next gun purchase! The world is ever changing, and it is hard for us old goats to change with it!
jcelect
gwpercle
Member
No ... the value of the Dollar has been dropping like a dropped rock . I looked at the cost of a BBQ sanwich I always get when I'm in a certain BBQ joint ... $8.50 !!! Holey Sheep ...It was $5.00 not that too long ago ! $8.50 for a freaking sandwich .
Pretty soon I won't be able to afford food ... I hope they start opening some Soup Kitchens for us .
Gary
Two LGS are sitting on stocks of new and used guns. Traffic is down by 50-70%, gun prices have fallen as they seek cash flow, and ammo prices are down.
High-priced guns that would have flown out the store two years ago, languish on the shelves.
Since the 'fear' market of 2020-2022 is over, many who bought high dollar guns now are finding difficulty in making mortgage and car payments, and with inflation across all areas, are selling those guns. Many are shocked when they discover that the souped-up AR 15 they paid $1500 a couple years ago, is lucky to bring $600-700 used.
Used 40s and 10mm handguns are selling at lower prices, and remain on the shelves far longer than 9mm and .45s. Many stores are overrun with high-dollar firearms on consignment where the owner thinks his $4000 super-duper rifle or handgun will sell for $3900. Some LGS aren't taking consignments as they want to sell their own stock first.
It's a buyer's market for those with cash while many who bought in the 'fear' market at top dollar are singing the blues for their panic buying.
High-priced guns that would have flown out the store two years ago, languish on the shelves.
Since the 'fear' market of 2020-2022 is over, many who bought high dollar guns now are finding difficulty in making mortgage and car payments, and with inflation across all areas, are selling those guns. Many are shocked when they discover that the souped-up AR 15 they paid $1500 a couple years ago, is lucky to bring $600-700 used.
Used 40s and 10mm handguns are selling at lower prices, and remain on the shelves far longer than 9mm and .45s. Many stores are overrun with high-dollar firearms on consignment where the owner thinks his $4000 super-duper rifle or handgun will sell for $3900. Some LGS aren't taking consignments as they want to sell their own stock first.
It's a buyer's market for those with cash while many who bought in the 'fear' market at top dollar are singing the blues for their panic buying.
JonE406
Member
Once in a while, I find a really sweet deal on a used one... but until H freezes over, we're not going to see the prices going down.
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