Final cost: WAY too much...

[Art Doc]

You know the story. For 10+ years I have been keeping an eye out for a 6.5" 27 or pre-model with a ramp front sight. Don't find one on every corner. Only found one for sale and I passed last year because the price was a bit high for comfort.

Should have grabbed it. By this past spring I was really wanting the gun. Saw exactly what I wanted on Gunbroker. Starting price was $950. Much too high. More than the other guy wanted for his. REALLY should have bought that one (if you are reading this, go ahead and laugh, I deserve it). I was thinking $650. Watched it close with no bids. No surprise. It was listed again. Same price. Optimistic seller. Watched it close a second time with no bids. Apparently everyone agreed with me that it was too high.

Well, the third time it came around I started itching. I should have known better. I can usually resist guns that are too high no matter how badly I want them. But for the second time in 5 years I knowingly paid too much for a gun simply because I wanted it. Add the $35 shipping and I spent $985 for it. Ouch. Starting to hate myself, now.

Then it got worse. While attempting (note the key word "attempting") disassembly I find one of the side plate screws is stuck. I broke two screwdrivers trying to get it out. Finally gave up and paid a smith $100 to drill it out.

So, let's recap this misadventure, shall we?

$950 purchase price.
$35 shipping.
$20 two broken screwdrivers.
$100 for gun smith.
-------------
$1105.

Only $455 more than where I wanted to be. I'm afraid that I am so angry at myself and at whomever the gorilla was who messed up the screw that I may never be able to enjoy owning the gun. Every time I touch it I'm going to think about how badly I did on this deal. Can't sell it because I would lose a ton of money and that would tick me off even more.

Gun will likely go into back of safe and stay there until my wife sells it.

Reminds me of my trip to Greece a couple years ago. Got off the train from the airport and before I had taken 3 steps my wallet was stolen. Lost $1400 in cash and my credit card. I tried to not let my anger spoil the trip but I couldn't enjoy my vacation at that point.

 

[crsides]

Sounds like a $350 gun. I got mine for $275 last year.



Charlie

 

[GF]

I know what you mean... I'm great at holding a grudge on myself too.

I bought a Mod 17 at a gunshow, looked great with box and all. This has been awhile so believe me when I say the $500 I gave for it was a full Ben Frank too much.
Got it home and took the grips off..... grip frame was rusted and pitted so bad the seller had took the black disks off to get the stocks to fit flush.
I cleaned the frame best I could, did a good job but pitting always remains. New set of grips and the gun was in good shape, nothing you could see wrong unless the grips were off.

I hated that gun.

Couldn't look at it without getting mad.

I sold it to my buddy and took a hundred dollar loss. I showed him the problem and he didn't care a bit, "what was outta' site was outta' mind" he said.

I kept the box and bought another Mod 17 .... told the seller I'd pay his ask if he took the grips off first.

GF

 

[410bore]

you never know what you may find under the grips

this was under the grips of a 4" 29-2 I bought at OGCA last september.....Normally that would make me cry but it was a shooter and the asking price was only $450

 

[Engine49guy]

Price is so subjective,
So the majority will only trade 6 pictures of this dead president today,
Maybe I have plenty and want that particular gun enough to trade 7 or 8 of them right now.

A few years go by and the majority are now tradng 7 or 8.
You didnt trade too many , you just traded them sooner.

Life is short enjoy what your money will buy now,
Its competely worthless the day you die.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have the exact opposite problem

I bought this pre model 18 for $21.43. This was one of several firearms a local shop took in trade from a Florida sheriff office. The guns were a mixture of stolen, recovered, evidence, confiscation, duty, training/evaluation firearms. My K22 (1953) still has the case number written on the LH side in this photo.

I originally bought it without looking at it closely and thought it was a K38, so I was disappointed at first. It cleaned up a bit, however it is very heavy for what it is and I did not shoot it very well. I tried a Tyler T on it, the switched to a set of Rogers stocks. Those helped, and I found this gun likes CCI Mini-Mags. I now enjoy shooting it, but the size and weight and caliber keep me from carrying it.

I thought of selling it, it should have a value of $350.00 to $400.00, but that sure is making a bunch of profit and I have posted about this gun a few times, including the price I gave. I tried to swap it locally, but got no takers. I am stuck with it, it seems.

 

[Model39]

My 6 1/2" Baughman Ramp Pre-Model 27

Back in the early 1980's I found this 6 1/2" Pre-Model 27 with a ramp front sight, which had alot of blue loss/wear, but had no scratches, or damaged screws, with Pachmyar grips at a local gun shop. The price was only $149.95. I had been looking for an engraving project to have engraver Jim DeMunck of Rochester NY do for me, and this gun seemed to be perfect. I had the late Saul Weinstein (Gun Art) make the elephant ivory grips for me, cost $125 back then, and off to Jim for engraving. Three years later, and alot of gold (gold was very reasonable back then) the gun was done. I have several engraved Smith&Wessons, factory and aftermarket, but this is my favorite. I have a special made presentation case for this as well. I only wish I had taken before pictures to show what a well used gun can be turned into. With everything included, I have less than 2K invested, a far cry from today's value.
****SaxonPig, your investment may pay off. Besides if you got what you were looking for, that's the important thing. Lies too short, when your dead your done, enjoy your new purchase****

 

[Green Frog]

Saxonpig,

If you have been looking for that gun for 10 years, and now you have it, don't worry. At my age I am a lot better off spending money now and getting what I want for sure while I am here to enjoy it rather than doing without for more years looking for what I want at some arbitrary price point and maybe never finding it. The only thing you can do to make the situation worse is to not allow yourself to enjoy it... then you have wasted the 10 years and the money. JMHO, of course, but I think you should shoot it for all it's worth knowing that you've got to enjoy it a bunch because of what you paid!

Froggie

 

[smith17]

You paid $10 apiece for 2 screwdrivers?!!!
Ed

 

[deanodog]

SURPRISE what is under the grips. Here is a K frame I bought from a company now gone. Luckly it has the serial no. intact.I was told later that it was notched for Farrant target grips.
It has serial no. in the crane area also. It had light strike problem and I put the spent primer on the end of strain screw for the present time.

 

[wheelgun28]

Y

So, let's recap this misadventure, shall we?

$950 purchase price.
$35 shipping.
$20 two broken screwdrivers.
$100 for gun smith.
-------------
$1105.

Only $455 more than where I wanted to be.

Every time I touch it I'm going to think about how badly I did on this deal. Can't sell it because I would lose a ton of money and that would tick me off even more.

I guess we've all done things like this. I see it as a $455 lesson, lesson are expensive. I can say I have had to learn some lessons over and over again.

A $455 lesson to always listen to yourself, you got off easy. Its not like you put your life savings in Enron stock

I dont blame the object, I blame the buyer. I speak from experience

 

[chud333]

Enjoy the gun Saxon !! Just think, is 455 beans gonna really matter that much in the grand scheme of things?? Whats done is done, and you now have the 6 1/2" you have always wanted. Shoot it and enjoy it.
Lifes too short.

Chuck

 

[DGNY]

I think you actually did OK. Last year I needed a molar crown. DDS misquoted and it cost me $450 over orig price. Plus, I got a tooth ground with all the accompanying laughs...

Enjoy your revolver in good health!

Regards,

Dyson

 

[lawandorder]

Like other fellows have said you deserve it even if it did cost a little bit more Doc.

We have all earned a little treat now and then for getting to our advanced ages.

 

[Art Doc]

Good quality gunsmith screwdriver set is 8 tools for $80 (including shipping). Sounds like $10 each to me.

 

[Snafu12]

My 400 dollar M28 shooter turned into 1K project
Under all the crud was the most rusted bore...........
I still love it

 

[DCWilson]

Repeat after me: Dollar. Cost. Averaging.

The more guns someone buys and the longer the period over which he acquires them, the more the average outlay will converge on a reasonable number. It's a mistake to look at the end of the bell curve labeled "Paid Too Much" and let the data points there drive your outlook.

A couple of notions that I try to bear in mind.

No matter how much an action may look ill-considered in the future, at the time I made the decision it made sense and looked good. A minute I spend beating myself up over a bad buy is a minute lost in which I could have been pursuing my next completely satisfactory acquisition.

Never attribute more importance to a dollar lost than to a dollar gained. And in particular never let a dime's loss loom larger in your perception than a dollar's benefit.

What's the upshot here? You wanted a 6.5" Pre-27 and you got one. It cost you more than you would have liked. It is permitted not to dwell on that fact.

 

[GF]

(sigh...) David, will you talk to my wife?

Say, " Gail DOES NOT spend a lotta' money on guns, it averages out !"

GF

 

[rburg]

OK, Frakes, I'm not buying anything from you. Too much chance of you slipping in a rusty old relic and trying to charge full price.

As for how you account for your guns, I'm not real big on your dollar cost averaging. And I don't like the Mark to Market approach much. The real problem is that I'm bad at figuring out what my guns are worth. If they are worth what I think they are, I could sell them easy.

But then again I'm not slick like Y'all and sell them for more than I paid. Somehow the ones I sell I end up taking a loss on.

But at least I stay away from the ugly rusty ones!

And the next time someone slips one in on me that has his SS# under the grips in electro pencil, I'm going to publish that number everywhere for everyone to see!

 

[pharmer]

I'm afraid that I am so angry at myself and at whomever the gorilla was who messed up the screw that I may never be able to enjoy owning the gun. .

Some "thoughtful" critter was concerned that the screw would back out with continued use. Red loctite will fix that. Enjoy the gun, each one carries its' own unique lesson. In the past, I have paid thousands for "required" courses where I learned nothing and certainly got no joy. Joe

 

[bettis1]

Saxon,

You think you're special? Anyone on this forum who says they haven't misspent on a gun is either 1) lying to themselves or, 2) they haven't bought enough guns yet.

My advice to myself in each of my several cases, and to you in this case is simple:

BUILD A BRIDGE---AND GET OVER IT!

Bob

 

[mikepriwer]

There is a cardinal rule in the markets, and that is: Its OK to take a small loss, but
aviod taking a big loss.

From my perspective, $455 is a small loss. Its not worth worrying about.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[northslope]

I feel your pain Saxonpig...I found a 4" 29-2 with original presentation case at a gunshow in SF a few years ago; sticker price was $500 but after transfer fee, sales tax, purchasing a gun rug so the presentation case wouldn't get banged up I was into the gun for $600....

I had made a 'snap' decision as other buyers were circling so I didn't look as closely as I should have: a previous owner (not the seller) had used an electric pencil to engrave/number each cylinder charge hole 1-6....and had used some kind of polishing wheel to "clean" the cylinder face (also removing quite a bit of the blueing).

Given the hassle of the transfer, etc., I probably would have passed on the gun but as it is, I'm glad I have it. It did take me a while to not cringe every time I picked it up, though.

--Neill

 

[wetdog]

Here's a Pre27, 6.5 bbl I bought when I first started to hang around this great Forum. Actually I bought 2 from the same dealer. I knew the stocks were not right on both but this one had TT,TH,RR,and W/O rear sight. Cool, I thought.Then I lettered them and reality was becoming clear. Next I found out what the date and refinish stamps mean on the frame. A lesson learned and now that it is cleaned and waxed it's a nice looking gun and I like it. Not the first time and probably not the last on over spending. I've seen me do it.Still learning after all these years.

 

[CBA44]

You know the story. For 10+ years I have been keeping an eye out for a 6.5" 27 or pre-model with a ramp front sight. Don't find one on every corner. Only found one for sale and I passed last year because the price was a bit high for comfort.

Should have grabbed it. By this past spring I was really wanting the gun. Saw exactly what I wanted on Gunbroker. Starting price was $950. Much too high. More than the other guy wanted for his. REALLY should have bought that one (if you are reading this, go ahead and laugh, I deserve it). I was thinking $650. Watched it close with no bids. No surprise. It was listed again. Same price. Optimistic seller. Watched it close a second time with no bids. Apparently everyone agreed with me that it was too high.

Well, the third time it came around I started itching. I should have known better. I can usually resist guns that are too high no matter how badly I want them. But for the second time in 5 years I knowingly paid too much for a gun simply because I wanted it. Add the $35 shipping and I spent $985 for it. Ouch. Starting to hate myself, now.

Then it got worse. While attempting (note the key word "attempting") disassembly I find one of the side plate screws is stuck. I broke two screwdrivers trying to get it out. Finally gave up and paid a smith $100 to drill it out.

So, let's recap this misadventure, shall we?

$950 purchase price.
$35 shipping.
$20 two broken screwdrivers.
$100 for gun smith.
-------------
$1105.

Only $455 more than where I wanted to be. I'm afraid that I am so angry at myself and at whomever the gorilla was who messed up the screw that I may never be able to enjoy owning the gun. Every time I touch it I'm going to think about how badly I did on this deal. Can't sell it because I would lose a ton of money and that would tick me off even more.

Gun will likely go into back of safe and stay there until my wife sells it.

Reminds me of my trip to Greece a couple years ago. Got off the train from the airport and before I had taken 3 steps my wallet was stolen. Lost $1400 in cash and my credit card. I tried to not let my anger spoil the trip but I couldn't enjoy my vacation at that point.

Just think of how much more you paid now, than if you bit the bullet ten years ago on this.

 

[mbliss57]

You know the story. For 10+ years I have been keeping an eye out for a 6.5" 27 or pre-model with a ramp front sight. Don't find one on every corner. Only found one for sale and I passed last year because the price was a bit high for comfort.

Should have grabbed it. By this past spring I was really wanting the gun. Saw exactly what I wanted on Gunbroker. Starting price was $950. Much too high. More than the other guy wanted for his. REALLY should have bought that one (if you are reading this, go ahead and laugh, I deserve it). I was thinking $650. Watched it close with no bids. No surprise. It was listed again. Same price. Optimistic seller. Watched it close a second time with no bids. Apparently everyone agreed with me that it was too high.

Well, the third time it came around I started itching. I should have known better. I can usually resist guns that are too high no matter how badly I want them. But for the second time in 5 years I knowingly paid too much for a gun simply because I wanted it. Add the $35 shipping and I spent $985 for it. Ouch. Starting to hate myself, now.

Then it got worse. While attempting (note the key word "attempting") disassembly I find one of the side plate screws is stuck. I broke two screwdrivers trying to get it out. Finally gave up and paid a smith $100 to drill it out.

So, let's recap this misadventure, shall we?

$950 purchase price.
$35 shipping.
$20 two broken screwdrivers.
$100 for gun smith.
-------------
$1105.

Only $455 more than where I wanted to be. I'm afraid that I am so angry at myself and at whomever the gorilla was who messed up the screw that I may never be able to enjoy owning the gun. Every time I touch it I'm going to think about how badly I did on this deal. Can't sell it because I would lose a ton of money and that would tick me off even more.

Gun will likely go into back of safe and stay there until my wife sells it.

Reminds me of my trip to Greece a couple years ago. Got off the train from the airport and before I had taken 3 steps my wallet was stolen. Lost $1400 in cash and my credit card. I tried to not let my anger spoil the trip but I couldn't enjoy my vacation at that point.

WE all make bad deals. At least I have. The way I see it you have 2 options well really 3.
1. Do what you are doing...beat yourself up and don't enjoy the nice gun.
2. Sell it, take the beating and be done with it. The $$ you paid is a sunk cost now. You will never recover it. So whatever you sell it for is cash for another gun.
3. Forget about bad deal.. it's a sunk cost...see#2 and enjoy what you waited 10 years for.
2 and 3 will make you happy. #1 will only make you miserable.
Your choice. Personally if I have made a bad deal and it's eating at me I sell the gun and get it out of the house and my life and move on. That's just my personality. Unless maybe..it's a nickel pre 29 with a 5" barrel. Then it just doesn't matter

 

[Nightowl]

A few years back I got to wanting a nice 6 1/2 pre 27. I already had one that didn't look so good, that I had got for a real reasonable cost. I found one here for $1100, which was quite a bit more than I wanted to pay. BUT, I now have it, and I have only seen one since. It had a red ramp, and all target configuration, but it was priced at $1300. I think when you find a gun you have been seriously looking for, you just have to bite the bullet and pay what you have to pay. I have spent a lot of money going to gun shows looking for something and finding nothing. So average that into the cost!

You finally have one, so just enjoy it.

 

[fat tom]

I thought of selling it, it should have a value of $350.00 to $400.00 I am stuck with it, it seems.

Not if you would ship it.
f.t.

 

[Frank46]

Way I see it you actually got what you were looking for. I bought a marlin 30-30 nothing fancy just wanted it for a truck gun. Price was right. Had to take to gunsmith cause the owner had used some type of glue to fix all the screws in place. Scope mounts, rings, action screws and the two for the iron sights on the left hand side of the receiver. I managed to get the scope rings apart and then the bases. Gunsmith told me that he used a very small torch to heat up the screws before he even tried to unscrew them. Another marlin, the three mounting screws were stuck in so solid I could not even move them. Gunsmith to the rescue. And as far as the price is conserned I figure that the Good Lord only allotted me only so many days here on this planet. Tis but a short trip to the tomb, so while you're living zoom, zoom. If I see something nice I look at the price but if I want it the $$$ money becomes a secondary consideration. At least I'll have what I want. Can't take it with you when its time to go. Frank

 

[Art Doc]

I know I can't take it with me. Doesn't mean I want to throw it away while I'm here.

The way I see it the only way I can feel good about this is to find that Model 45 I've wanted for a long time for $300. I'd call the karma square at that point.