If you were going to sell your 4" 686-3 to a friend

This somewhat reminds me of a deal I had
a few years ago.
Member of my hunting lease so not really a close friend asked
if I ever come across a "shooter" Colt Python he would buy it.

Pythons became very desirable, but I came across this one at a show
and snagged it for $750. (First Pic)
Take him the Colt and he backs outta the deal.

So....I sent it to Fords....5 Ben's (iirc) to reblue and
restamp the logos...(Second pic)
DSC00746.jpg

DSC00953.jpg


Python was traded to my BIL for a Cased unfired S&W 29-2
6.5 inch.....evryone happy.
 
How close a friend? I gave a friend a 19-3 LNIB. Long story. I give my kids guns. I tell them I will sell the gun and give them the money once. No more free guns after that. I have sold excellent condition 686's in the $ 950 range for a 4". A 2 1/2 inch in box sold for a lot more. I too like the 686 but prefer the 66.
 
Sold a Winchester M1 carbine to a "friend" about 15 years ago for what I paid. "I always wanted one, been looking for many years", he said, and promised to "never sell it". I would not have sold it otherwise.

Two weeks later, I found out he sold it for $100 more. Dude was a broker on Wall St, likely why. :mad:
 
If it was my best friend and he just plain needed the revolver, I would give it to him. If he just wanted it to have it and I was not too sentimental about the gun you mentioned, I would probably let it go for $600 to $700…if he complained, I would tell him to find another.
 
I will not sell things to really close friends! I would never put a "thing" between a friendship. I would rather just give it to a true friend as a gift - this is because no matter what happens down the road he knows there was no money involved and no reason to hide anything. If it is a big ticket item like a car, I always decline to sell to a friend. Although I am an OCD car guy and any car I own looks better than new, even if it is 10 years old. I know a car can suddenly just give up the ghost no matter how much you take care of it - been there, done that! I have had many friends and neighbors wanting to buy some of my vehicles over the years and I have respectably declined to sell it to them. To me a friendship is not worth risking. So in answer to the question about what a fair price is, on this I am the wrong guy to ask! LOL :D :D
 
For me its one of those sit down with a beer conversations. Selling price depends of what I paid and then work from there. Something to thing about is how long ago you purchased it. Usually will look at online sold prices and if friend really wants it and is something I want to part with we start there. I usually knock something off since I do not have the hassle of advertising, answering ads, shipping, etc. If giving him a super purchase price agree on selling back to you with in the first year at same price. Good luck with you quandary.
 
If it's something I want to sell, I sometimes give good friends the first chance at it with a discount. If it is a friend that has treated me right over the years by giving me good deals or giving me things like reloading components, etc. I give them a deep discount. One hand washes the other!
 
My feelings are, how good a friend is this person, does he/she need a firearm, if so, is money or lack of an issue? Put a fair price on it and demand the right of first refusal, at the price you sold it to this person for.
 
I sold my 4" 686 no dash with "M" to my best friend. 2 months ago, for $900. No Box, No papers, No tools, & Replacement combat grips. I let him set the price. It was a Westerville Ohio PD trade in (not marked) Rough use, but I had good S&W armorers true it back up. The LEO issued to, hand polished it every night; it sort of glowed!

Ivan
 
A friend persuaded me to sell him a Third Gen pistol.

He shot it some and then sold it for a profit. :(

Yep, that's **** behavior. Hopefully that's the last sale he'll ever get.

@OP Only give your friends good deals if you are sure they will treasure the gun and not immediately flip it. If you don't know them well enough, price it on the higher end or don't sell it at all.
 
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I have a very close friend, mentor and brother from another mother. He wont sell me his. And I completely understand.
 
Last gun I sold to a friend was a very nice Colt Gold Cup at a "friend's price"

I saw him a few months later and found that he'd sold it for a nice profit. He was pleased with his acumen.

Never again.
 
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