How much is too much?

[Point 357]

Some of you here are aware that I'm in search of a very nice model 19 p&r 2.5" . I have had two that got away with asking prices north of $800.00 and I may have paid that, had the stars been aligned. At what point will you guys draw the line on an example that will fill a very empty hole in the safe? I want a nice 19 but jeez, do they really command that kind of a price?

 

[ralph7]

Not yet.

That is a typical top end price for a very desirable gun.
Around here, one can be found for $600 or so.

 

[Rufus]

I have seen some in my area for $625 to $700. They were in excellent shape. Be patient, and the right gun will come to you at the right price.

 

[Point 357]

That's kind of the thing, Ken. I want a 19 so badly that I can't see straight, but I don't want to pay so much for it that I'll have remorse. I'm not too sure that I like this game.

 

[flundertaker]

I agree and am about at the same point looking for an "S" prefix 8.375" Model 57. I keep looking and find a lot of N prefix but S is few and far between. I keep mentally moving up what I am willing to pay for one.

I keep hearing folks here say "wait and you'll find the right gun at the right price" or something along those lines. Ok, maybe but at somepoint you have to suck it up and pull the trigger. I am not on a lifelong quest and while you may pass because the price by the time you find another the prices of revolvers will have edged up anyways. I dont see revolvers pricing coming back down.....ever, and especially on pre lock models. With the interweb now available to everyone everywhere people can do easy research and see what their gun is worth so the chances of finding someone "not knowing what they have" is getting increasingly unlikely.

I say buy what you want when you find it. Buy once, cry once.

 

[alde]

What do you call nice? Do you want NIB or a nice shooter that might show a bit of use? I just picked up a 2.5" P&R 19-4 with a bit of blue wear around the muzzle and high points of the cylinder for $550 and was very happy. It's a great gun.

 

[Cholo]

It all depends on how much you want a particular gun. I've overpaid for certain examples by $200 or so, but I got exactly what I wanted. As time passed, I've never regretted my decisions and now they're worth more than what I paid for them several years ago. Only you can decide how much is too much...

 

[sw282]

Never had remorse about paying too much..

Remorse only on those l passed on........

 

[Arik]

A not beat up shooter. Just let one pass last week for $450. Too many toys on layaway as it is. It wasnt perfect but about 80% condition with original grips.

I have yet to find a modern gun im willing to pay $800 for. Very very few exceptions and revolvers aren't one of them

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rpg]

If you find what you want, buy it if you can afford it. Waiting to get it for 10%-20% less is silly.

Lots of folks will tell you about the deals they found for less. However you weren't there, the witnesses have all moved and the beneficiary of the 'deal' won't pass it on.

If you want and can afford it, buy it. If you pay too much you either bought it too soon (prices are going up) or the difference between what you pay and what you sell for is 'rent' paid for the pleasure of owning it for a while.

 

[Fessor]

I can rationalize a higher price for a local sale vs an internet sale. Just being able to inspect a gun in person is worth money to me vs. buying something sight unseen and relying on someone else's description. Also, money is saved that could be applied to a local sale by not having to pay shipping and transfer costs. If I can hold the gun and take it home right a way, that has value to me.

 

[*chris*]

It all depends on how much you want a particular gun. I've overpaid for certain examples by $200 or so, but I got exactly what I wanted. As time passed, I've never regretted my decisions and now they're worth more than what I paid for them several years ago. Only you can decide how much is too much...

I agree completely, I just bought a 617, which is a pretty common gun, but shipped it in from out of state since I was looking for a particular combination of features (4", combat stocks, 6 shot, no lock) I may have paid an extra $100 or so, but I am not concerned. Common scarce firearms aren't thousands of dollars so what if you pay an extra $100-$200 to get exactly what you want? Next time you are out at dinner, don't order any drinks!

Chris

 

[trashy]

Never had remorse about paying too much..

Remorse only on those l passed on........

Same here, I passed on a 17-3 for $550 OTD a few weeks back, thinking one would come around a little bit better at a little better price, damn was I wrong! The search continues.

I'm also looking for a mdl 14, 19 6" and / or 66 6". They are out there at the price your willing to pay, we all just have to be patient.

 

[2K7]

Here lies the problem....

We are all guilty of creating this situation.

Yes, us.

We collect up these attractive firearms, play with them, polish them, safeguard them, lock them away in a 1 ton box with a combination lock and there they stay until the day arrives that we meet our maker.

Only then, do they re-surface back on the market.

One at a time.

But since their available numbers are obviously reduced dramatically, the price on the ones that are out there escalate well above their worth.

Look at the current price of ammunition. I know people who don't need any extra ammunition above their vast supply, but will pay thru the nose for just "a little bit more".

I attend gun shows on a regular basis, so regularly that I usually know whats on someones table before I get that far down the isle. Sad...but true.

The only time a "new" batch of pristine examples show up is when you notice the purple bunting on the table and an empty chair......only then does the re-shuffle of those pristine in the box, rare, popular, quality examples begins again.

Then, upon purchase by one of us....the process starts all over again.

WE are the problem.

 

[NOTREDAME]

Model 19

I bought a model 19-3 LNIB for $ 675 a few years ago, that was before all the escalation in gun prices. So considering
how much prices have gone up, $800 is not out of line. It all
depends on how bad you want to fill that slot in your collection.
Remember, the longer you wait, the less of those pristine
examples exist. Once you have it, the value will catch up over time.

 

[flundertaker]

We are all guilty of creating this situation.

Yes, us.

We collect up these attractive firearms, play with them, polish them, safeguard them, lock them away in a 1 ton box with a combination lock and there they stay until the day arrives that we meet our maker.

Only then, do they re-surface back on the market.

One at a time.

But since their available numbers are obviously reduced dramatically, the price on the ones that are out there escalate well above their worth.

Look at the current price of ammunition. I know people who don't need any extra ammunition above their vast supply, but will pay thru the nose for just "a little bit more".

I attend gun shows on a regular basis, so regularly that I usually know whats on someones table before I get that far down the isle. Sad...but true.

The only time a "new" batch of pristine examples show up is when you notice the purple bunting on the table and an empty chair......only then does the re-shuffle of those pristine in the box, rare, popular, quality examples begins again.

Then, upon purchase by one of us....the process starts all over again.

WE are the problem.

Please subscribe me to your newsletter. This is 100% correct. I went to a gunshow today and left empty handed. There was nothing new. Same stuff, same over inflated prices for beat up guns.

I am seriously considering adding to my small Ruger collection because I see a lot of them at reasonable prices. They are no where near as refined as S&W but they are built tough and dont seem to be nearly as desireable as Colt and S&W, thereby making the prices significantly more reasonable. I saw several mid to late 70's Security Six models from mid $400 to mid $500 in great condition. That kind of money doesnt get a beater 28-2, forget about a 19 or 27.

 

[KLYDE]

Please subscribe me to your newsletter. This is 100% correct. I went to a gunshow today and left empty handed. There was nothing new. Same stuff, same over inflated prices for beat up guns.

I am seriously considering adding to my small Ruger collection because I see a lot of them at reasonable prices. They are no where near as refined as S&W but they are built tough and dont seem to be nearly as desireable as Colt and S&W, thereby making the prices significantly more reasonable. I saw several mid to late 70's Security Six models from mid $400 to mid $500 in great condition. That kind of money doesnt get a beater 28-2, forget about a 19 or 27.

I'll agree. Many old vintage Rugers to be had at somewhat reasonable prices. I picked up a mid 70's era 2 3/4" SS Security Six a bit back for mid $400's. Different animal than the Smiths but still a great old vintage piece.

I figure if I want something. It is nice condition and available, than I'm buying. I don't care about over paying a hundred or two. Rather get the gun in my hands.

 

[Mule88]

Ive paid too much for some guns that I really wanted and were hard to find. If you really want a particular gun and you come across it, Id buy it if I could. Usually you just cant walk in and buy a really nice 2 1/2 " model 19. Good luck in you quest.

 

[Riverbear]

I have anguished more over the deals that I passed than the deals I paid "too much." I finally realized later in life that quality goes on and the price is usually forgotten.

If you find the right gun then get it. If you can't live with it then sell it. You might wait forever for the deal to happen again and if it does the price will probably be higher.

 

[Nframecollector]

I just traded a 4 inch 19-4 with the papers and box for a new SW1911.

 

[sunnyd]

Rest assured that when you do finally buy the one you want, you will shortly thereafter find a better deal on the same model. Almost always happens to me! But it's all about the hunt.

 

[Flint Ridge]

You need to bump your WTB in the forums pretty much daily. It's worked for me. Your day will come - we just need pictures when it happens.

 

[1blindref]

I don't mind buying a gun a little early, especially if it's complete and a good example. Keep in mind that most of these highly sought after "collectible" guns are now at least 30 to 40 years old. Nice examples do come up from time to time, but not as often as they did 10 to 15 years ago.
I believe there are also more people getting into the "collecting" part of our hobby. Supply and demand comes into play, and we all know what that does to the prices.
Just be happy you're not looking for a good deal on a 2 1/2" Colt Python

 

[DCWilson]

Assuming that I actually know what the market value of any particular gun actually is, I have always been willing to pay about 125% of that price in order to get it if I really want it. On a couple of occasions I have paid half again as much as my estimate of what most others would pay for the gun.

I fund these overmarket purchases with the savings on the underpriced guns that I buy when I come across them. Dollar cost averaging is your friend.

 

[66Park]

Assuming that I actually know what the market value of any particular gun actually is, I have always been willing to pay about 125% of that price in order to get it if I really want it. On a couple of occasions I have paid half again as much as my estimate of what most others would pay for the gun.

I fund these overmarket purchases with the savings on the underpriced guns that I buy when I come across them. Dollar cost averaging is your friend.

I like the way you think, David! I don't ever seem to find any that are under priced, but then I've just been collecting for a year or so. If I find "the one," and I always know it when I see it, I buy it if the price is anywhere near the going rate. I do my best to haggle if I think it is warranted, but I don't let a few bucks keep me from getting a gun that speaks to me.

 

[oneounceload]

Considering you live in MD with its draconian laws, maybe 800 isn't so bad. It isn't like this is something you come across everyday, like a Glock 17, so if it meets all of your needs/requirements, then it will have that much value to you. What YOU think it is worth and what someone else woth different needs/requirements think it is worth is irrelevant.

 

[Point 357]

Considering you live in MD with its draconian laws, maybe 800 isn't so bad. It isn't like this is something you come across everyday, like a Glock 17, so if it meets all of your needs/requirements, then it will have that much value to you. What YOU think it is worth and what someone else woth different needs/requirements think it is worth is irrelevant.

Yeah, keep in mind the 'other person' is my wife. She's not real happy about how much I told her I am willing to pay for the right one.

 

[oneounceload]

Well, mine didn't bat an eye when I spent some on a K-17 today (and a RP 32 the day before and a Beretta A400 the day before that) as she was busy buying jewelry for her internet business.... - just gotta keep them distracted!

Seriously, I was talking about those guys who always seem to be able to find whatever you bought for 25% less somewhere else; in some areas of the country, it might happen, in others it might not. As to keeping marital bliss, that is something only you can decide on. Make it up by getting her something as nice

 

[Iggy]

Rest assured that when you do finally buy the one you want, you will shortly thereafter find a better deal on the same model. Almost always happens to me! But it's all about the hunt.

That's so true it hurts.