Help a neighbor with a Sig-Sauer? Opinions please

Blackcloud2

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I have lived directly across from a HUD senior assisted-living condo/apartment complex for 30+ years and have met many wonderful folks. A gent I've been acquainted with the last 3 or 4 years walked past with his dog today as I was killing weeds (rare rain in AZ brings familiar desert growth!) and I mentioned I'd just returned from shooting with the son, who he knows. He mentioned he'd gone out yesterday and simply cannot get the hang of a Sig-Sauer Compact (.45 ACP), trouble with accuracy it seems. I believe he's anticipating recoil and also suggested he get closer to his target to establish comfortable results, but he's an old Viet Nam vet and feels that if he can't replicate his 19 year-old results with a Colt 1911 on the range then he's never going to happy with what he's producing with this particular gun today….okay I get it.

He mentioned he paid $800 for it two years ago at the Cabelas near us and has fired less than 100 rounds. He's shopped it at a few local shops and the best he can get on cash or trade is $300 and he's pretty down. He told me if they'd have offered $600 he'd bite and take his loss. Well, I again offered some tips on improving his marksmanship results and reminded him this is a hard market on buying/selling and it's doubtful he'd ever get that price from a shop. He continued his walk with his pooch and I reloaded with more weed killer spray, but got to thinking if I should just offer him $600 myself.

I know his financial situation and I'm certain he'd feel pleased with the cash, but I need that gun like a pig needs a saddle, however I actually read a recent G&A magazine article about a compact 45 ACP and the thought stuck with me at the time as my shooters in that caliber are all full size. I've done some internet searches and because of the crazy market it's hard to get a realistic idea of pricing. $600 isn't a show stopper on my end, but is it worth it or would this simply be a kind gesture to help an old vet who feels he's bought a lemon and would simply welcome some return on his unhappy investment?

I've been accused of having too kind a heart by family and friends, but I've been blessed in life and feel I can afford to help others especially if the deed comes with a bonus, as in this case a Sig-Sauer Compact. Yes, no or should I just go out back and get those ribs going on the grill?
 
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I think you should at least let him know that you are interested and before he sells it at a huge loss, you would like the opportunity to purchase it from him. Then offer to go to the range with him for some one-on-one instruction/help.
 
I have a Sig 245 (same as compact) and 2-220's. They are some of the easiest to shoot 45 acp hanguns I own. One of his problems might be sub-standard ammo. I have sort of "Green" friendly, Winchester junk ammo that is barely able to work the slide one round and hot the next. My brother a I tried it in 4 Sigs and 11 or 12 1911's and always got bad results. It is fair at best in the 625. The idea of going to the range and letting him use a box of your target loads might give a Vet a little joy. Ivan
 
If he is not computer savy, help him put it on Gunbroker. It will certainly sell for more than $300 there.
 
I had a P245 also and it was by far the most accurate .45 I've ever owned

It would outshoot a Kimber .45 all day long.

My current P220 is almost as accurate too!.

If he was used to a single action auto and years later went to a SA/DA, he just needs to shoot a couple hundred rounds to get his confidence and muscle memory working. It won't take long. Lack of confidence in your weapon will cause you to shoot poorly
 
Any SIG in VG to VG+ condition is worth a lot more than $300, and in today's market (depending on model) upwards to $1K. $600 is a steal, $750 is fair. Anything more is reasonable on the consignment rack in my neck'o'the woods. I have a mint 220 Elite that was discontinued, which last retailed for $1100. I put it at the LGS for $995, and shouldn't last too long based on demand around here. Try taking the plastic panels off and replacing them with Hogues. No bite, and a very secure grip might help the gent's shooting.
 
Hi:
Consider taking your neighbor to a Rental Range and let him fire a SA semi-auto (M1911), a Glock, and a Revolver. If He likes any of the three weapons, offer to trade one for the Sig.
 
Invite him to your range and see what he might be doing wrong. Just remember some of us older guys are said to be hard headed. He might not take to your suggestions. If not buy his gun.
 
Taking that fellow out to the range will do him a world
of good. Seems to work for everybody, too.
Sounds like a worthwhile project that'll benefit both of you.
Might start with a .22, just to break the ice.
The last thing you want to happen, is to have him end
up without a firearm. He deserves better.
JMHO, TACC1.
 
OK, he paid 800 bucks for that Sig at Cabela's, a big box retailer renowned for having a very high opinion of the value of their inventory. What I am saying here is that it's quite possible this particular Sig is a P250, which IMO is a real PIG of a pistol.

Step on would be to determine exactly what Sig this is. If it's a P220 Compact or P245, it's definitely worth 600 dollars on the used retail market as long as it's in good condition. If it's a P250 I wouldn't go over 400 dollars and IMO that is quite generous. However I will admit to having zero respect for the P250.
 
If at all possible, why not just bring him to the LGS and put it on consignment, or suggest he do it himself.

Then maybe help him on his next selection.

Having a kind heart, too bad many more aren't like you.;)
I'm in your club.:)
 
Give him $700, and enjoy many things. You have the money to do it, you helped out a friend, take him with you to shoot at the range, and have a wonderful story of helping someone else. This is what you call a win, win, win, win story!

Chuck
 
When I sell a gun at a dealer I know which ones will pay me a "fair" price and which ones try and cheat me. Since he bought it at Cabella's he probably paid top money for it. He has the option of listing it on Armslist for a local FTF sale or listing it on Gunbroker.com. I would say with the recent craziness that good self defense guns are in short supply. If you have been to a gun store yourself you know what I mean. Even at the pawn shop I like to deal with, if I go in and say "what will you offer me", I won't be happy with the offer. I would ask a bit more and have a "floor" which you will not go below. I sold a Nice Model 41 with both mags but no box. I got $800 for it. I doubt the dealer made over $100 on it. You didn't say which model this was, but I think he ought to get $600 or a bit more for it.

It is probable if your friend shoots the gun more he can master it. Years ago I new a body shop owner who bought a Colt Gold Cup. The first time he shot he missed the target, 10 times. When I knew him he was a pretty good shot (Better than Me). He had all kinds of issues and wasn't someone you would want to teach you to shoot, but he could shoot.
 
Scooter123 makes a good point. Which model compact 45 Sig is it? The 250 is a less expensive polymer framed pistol. At $800 new, it probably is a P220 compact. Another question is which trigger system does the pistol have? DA/SA, DAK, SAO? That might have something to do with your neighbor's shooting disapppointments. Sig pistol sights are designed so that the front dot should cover the point of aim. Using a more traditional sight picture with point of aim on top of the front sight results in point of impact a couple inches low. The P220 compacts are quite accurate in my experience. One of my favorite Sig pistols is the P220 compact. It is generally well thought of by the Sig crowd. It's hard to imagine the problem is the pistol. Used models in good shape do sell for $600 or thereabouts. With less than 100 rds fired, at $600 it is probably a good buy.
 
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