I went to DQ the other night and ordered a peanut butter cookie dough blizzard - HUGE MISTAKE! I should have ordered the chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard!
I made a huge mistake... what were yours?
- Thread starter TrouDeLoup
- Start date
iPac
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That's all you gotta do. I been saying that for years with the Colts. That's not how the masses roll anymore though, instant is the name of the game now.
one eye joe
US Veteran
I HAVE LEARNED A COUPLE OF THINGS THROUGH THE YEARS----
#1BUY THE GUN--NOT THE STORY. UNDOCUMENTED PROVENANCE ADDS NOTHING TO THE VALUE OF A GUN. YOU MIGHT NOT FIND A BUYER, AS GULLIBLE AS YOU WERE, WHEN IT COMES TIME TO SELL......
#2 WHEN YOU FINALLY FIND A GUN, THAT YOU HAVE SEARCHED IN VAIN FOR, OVER A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME---JUST BUY IT ! ! ! THERE IS NO TELLING, WHEN AND IF YOU WILL SEE ANOTHER ONE. IF YOU DO SEE ANOTHER, A FEW YEARS LATER, IT WILL PROBABLY BE MORE EXPENSIVE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT SPENDING A FEW EXTRA BUCKS, YOU COME THIS WAY JUST ONCE. REMEMBER ONE THING---IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE ! ! !
#1BUY THE GUN--NOT THE STORY. UNDOCUMENTED PROVENANCE ADDS NOTHING TO THE VALUE OF A GUN. YOU MIGHT NOT FIND A BUYER, AS GULLIBLE AS YOU WERE, WHEN IT COMES TIME TO SELL......
#2 WHEN YOU FINALLY FIND A GUN, THAT YOU HAVE SEARCHED IN VAIN FOR, OVER A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME---JUST BUY IT ! ! ! THERE IS NO TELLING, WHEN AND IF YOU WILL SEE ANOTHER ONE. IF YOU DO SEE ANOTHER, A FEW YEARS LATER, IT WILL PROBABLY BE MORE EXPENSIVE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT SPENDING A FEW EXTRA BUCKS, YOU COME THIS WAY JUST ONCE. REMEMBER ONE THING---IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE ! ! !
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Back in the old days, I traded away some really great firearms, including some I'd never be able to find today. So when I got back into accumulating again, I decided that when I find something I really want, I'm not going to turn around and trade it off or sell to get something else.
That, and deciding up front that if a deal falls through or an auction goes higher than what I want to pay, I will walk away and I won't feel bad about it.
That, and deciding up front that if a deal falls through or an auction goes higher than what I want to pay, I will walk away and I won't feel bad about it.
jimbo728
Member
Wish I had not sold my M1 Garands. Selling an early SA M1A hurts too.
Selling a Heavy barrel 10-6 was also a huge mistake. That revolver out shot any handgun I have ever owned by most standards.
Jim
Selling a Heavy barrel 10-6 was also a huge mistake. That revolver out shot any handgun I have ever owned by most standards.
Jim
Floki
Member
There have been a few that I've paid top-dollar but, not many that caused buyers remorse. I feel worse about the ones I walk-away from more than the ones I over-pay to own. Most recently was a NIB 4" no-dash Model 586 I saw at a gun show that the seller was asking $800 for and wouldn't budge a penny. Went back the next day and sure enough, it was gone. I eventually found a nice, lightly used 586 for a couple hundred less about six months later.
I'm going to add something to what I said earlier. I've been in the position of "Let me think about it." and the guy behind me says "I'll take it."
So I've learned to use layaway. Of course you can only use this with a dealer, but a few bucks down will buy me time to (1) decide if I really want it, and (2), to pay it off. Layaway times seem to vary from dealer to dealer, but they generally run 30 to 90 days. I've never run into a dealer that charges more for the service, but I suppose they might exist. I've also never had one charge anything if I decide to not get it after all, and have them simply put the item back on the shelf, but again, I'm sure some do.
So I've learned to use layaway. Of course you can only use this with a dealer, but a few bucks down will buy me time to (1) decide if I really want it, and (2), to pay it off. Layaway times seem to vary from dealer to dealer, but they generally run 30 to 90 days. I've never run into a dealer that charges more for the service, but I suppose they might exist. I've also never had one charge anything if I decide to not get it after all, and have them simply put the item back on the shelf, but again, I'm sure some do.
I've spend more than I should have a few times... But I've never missed the money like I would miss those Smith and Wessons.
Leftofcentre67
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I bought a Ruger before I bought a Smith & Wesson.
Learned my lesson.
Learned my lesson.
nachogrande
Member
HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE?
Sorta like the serenity prayer. Sometimes you need to act fast, other times, slow down & think about/research it, know when to walk away, know when to run, & THE WISDOM to know the difference. As a side issue, if you build yourself an electrolysis type copper remover, DON'T use a gun you just had re-blued, as your first try.
Sorta like the serenity prayer. Sometimes you need to act fast, other times, slow down & think about/research it, know when to walk away, know when to run, & THE WISDOM to know the difference. As a side issue, if you build yourself an electrolysis type copper remover, DON'T use a gun you just had re-blued, as your first try.
At this point, I have regretted selling more than buying and paying too much. I am not selling until I am getting out of the hobby completely.
JimBianchi
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My first wife.
Nuff said.
Nuff said.
Old Corp
Member
Late 1990's, and I was smitten with '1911-itis '. Some idea of a project I was working on at the time....don't even remember.
Needed to free up some funds, so sold the S&W I seemed to shoot the least.... a M66 3" . Price? $375 to a fellow Detective.
Still mad at myself.
Needed to free up some funds, so sold the S&W I seemed to shoot the least.... a M66 3" . Price? $375 to a fellow Detective.
Still mad at myself.
I learned to buy only what I like and what I can afford. Mine is the only opinion that matters.
I don't need any gun bad enough to knowingly pay too much for it. Now, if the gun has some sentimental pull ...... that's a different story.
I don't need any gun bad enough to knowingly pay too much for it. Now, if the gun has some sentimental pull ...... that's a different story.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Prices are going up. Some sellers don't realize what they have nor what value the market will bring. So they sell below the market value. Others who sell think they have gold. Somewhere inbetween is the fair market value price. As old timers we think the values are what they were 25 years ago.
It's price vs how rare it is, how bad you want it.
Decades ago I paid top dollar for a sniper rifle. Right now the value is more than double. I never seen prices go down.
It's price vs how rare it is, how bad you want it.
Decades ago I paid top dollar for a sniper rifle. Right now the value is more than double. I never seen prices go down.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
It's only paper money look at what it's getting you.
I been into this a longtime. I've horse traded and haggled with the best of them. I watched two old yankee horse traders haggle I learned from them.
Before the deal starts I have a max limit figure in my mind what I would spend. My point is to never get sucked into the haggling process and over pay. Spend what you can afford and stay within your limits.
Play the game to win. When you get good at it, try it on your next car.
My LGS had nib s&w n frames for $699. I had a business and I purchased equipment and supplies and see they were 100% markup from the wholesaler. There's wiggle room from the list price.
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
I'm still a ruger fan first. I mainly own rugers, colts and s&w firearms.
My rules for buying guns are: Decide what I want and determine current pricing. When I locate what I'd like to have, ask myself two questions. Do I really want it? Can I afford it? If I answered yes to both, I make an honest and fair offer.
The one thing I will NOT do is, negative 20-20 hindsight. If you make a bad deal, learn from your mistakes and MOVE ON.
The one thing I will NOT do is, negative 20-20 hindsight. If you make a bad deal, learn from your mistakes and MOVE ON.
I consider my purchasing mistakes to be an inexpensive continuing education. I've learned a lot over the years. If I pay a little extra for a quality Smith & Wesson the extra is probably less than I would spend for a round of golf with beers and a sandwich and I can keep the Smith & Wesson forever.
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Coaltminer
Member
Mistakes You Made
I hate to go there, but you asked! 19-5, 2 /12". Had a 4" barrel, sooo...I tried to swap it. Gunwise, it just wasn't too bright, the frame bent, ruining a perfectly good gun. It hurts to bring back that memory. Idiot, but at least I haven't done it again.
I hate to go there, but you asked! 19-5, 2 /12". Had a 4" barrel, sooo...I tried to swap it. Gunwise, it just wasn't too bright, the frame bent, ruining a perfectly good gun. It hurts to bring back that memory. Idiot, but at least I haven't done it again.
One mistake I didn't make was to start with models or vintages of guns that are in the higher end market. The potential for a financial mistake is much greater there. I started with a worn model 10 from the 1970's.
Having said that, I made mistakes with that gun, like not checking some of the spec clearances, or at least paying attention to them. Lateral play - cylinder lockup is easy to check without a gauge, but cylinder gap is probably something that should be checked with a feeler gauge when you're first starting out. After you get some experience, you can sort of eyeball the gap to tell if it's too wide or narrow. The gap on that first gun was as wide as .016 in places...way too much really, though it didn't keep the gun from functioning (and shooting quite accurately, in fact.)
Checking the timing is easier on 6 shot K frames than 5 shot J frames (which seem to have less margin of error.) My preferred way of checking timing now is with el cheapo plastic snap caps/dummy rounds that show the indentation of the firing pin. In dozens of S&W vintage revolvers I've never had one with unacceptable timing.
I bought that gun about 7 or 8 years ago, and I did pay too much, for the time - $345. Was worth about 50 to 75 bucks less than that, but I don't worry about things like that...because I start out with the least expensive models.
I would say that the biggest problem most people run into when first buying nicer guns is not paying enough attention to originality. Serial numbers on grips, and (if old enough) barrels and cylinders aren't checked like they should be. Also, it's harder for beginners to tell original from a good refinish.
Having said that, I made mistakes with that gun, like not checking some of the spec clearances, or at least paying attention to them. Lateral play - cylinder lockup is easy to check without a gauge, but cylinder gap is probably something that should be checked with a feeler gauge when you're first starting out. After you get some experience, you can sort of eyeball the gap to tell if it's too wide or narrow. The gap on that first gun was as wide as .016 in places...way too much really, though it didn't keep the gun from functioning (and shooting quite accurately, in fact.)
Checking the timing is easier on 6 shot K frames than 5 shot J frames (which seem to have less margin of error.) My preferred way of checking timing now is with el cheapo plastic snap caps/dummy rounds that show the indentation of the firing pin. In dozens of S&W vintage revolvers I've never had one with unacceptable timing.
I bought that gun about 7 or 8 years ago, and I did pay too much, for the time - $345. Was worth about 50 to 75 bucks less than that, but I don't worry about things like that...because I start out with the least expensive models.
I would say that the biggest problem most people run into when first buying nicer guns is not paying enough attention to originality. Serial numbers on grips, and (if old enough) barrels and cylinders aren't checked like they should be. Also, it's harder for beginners to tell original from a good refinish.
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Richard Simmons
Member
Married a red headed woman. Everything else pales in comparison to that error in judgement.
MCorps0311
US Veteran
I agree with you,i'll buy a S&W Revolver in a heat beat if I want it.Some folks are so frugal they won't buy a S&W revolver.
I guess my mistake is I'm not as frugal as those folks.
Thankful for my blessings. A few nice S&W revolvers and the finest wife in the world.
God bless,
Birdgun
I got lucky. Back in 1976, I bought a M27-2 to convert to .44 Special. I removed the .357 barrel with a hammer handle, just like I had read about in a gun magazine. Luckily, I didn't bend the frame. It was and is still one of my best shooting handguns.
