LedFowl
Member
I have rather modest tastes. My most expensive handgun was a $600 used Browning Hi Power.
Most expensive firearm you ever bought or almost bought?
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Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I'm a real piker compared to you guys. The most expensive firearm I ever purchased was my H&K PSP P7. It was a former West German Police gun and I think I paid a bit over $500.00 for it. I just had to have it as it had been on my grail gun list for over 30 years. Next on my list: a Browning Hi-Power and a S&W Model 41, but with a daughter ready to begin college, and a son just 3 years behind her, probably not in this lifetime.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
TheHobbyist
Member
Not my purchase, but an acquaintance of mine is a serious, serious collector. He contacts museums and buys firearms from them that they do not want--for whatever reason.
I was in a friends shop and he pulled out a $50K+ late 1800s/early 1900s target, match, competition rifle. I couldn't tell you a thing about it other than it looked like something nobility would of had at the time.
I was in a friends shop and he pulled out a $50K+ late 1800s/early 1900s target, match, competition rifle. I couldn't tell you a thing about it other than it looked like something nobility would of had at the time.
I bid up a nice 1950 pre model 24 to $1200 before dropping out. That was about 2 years ago. This past spring went up to $800 on a nice 3 digit serial Baby Chief but had to pass. It would have cost me $900 plus after taxes and buyers premium were added. The most expensive gun I've bought to date is an $850 Colt King Cobra. But I've since traded that away for $200 and a LNIB 4" S&W model 631. Now, can anyone enlighten me if I made good on that deal?
John
John
beemerrider
Member
My most expensive gun purchase was either my select-fire HK MP5 in 9mm, or my Auto Ordinance Thompson M1A1 full auto 45 acp. I can't recall what I paid for these 2 of 6 machine guns I acquired over about a 3 year period. It was a lot of fun finding them, buying them and getting out to shoot them. I also enjoyed selling them, as they all went up in value significantly, and I had the fun of fondling and shooting them. The others I owned included:
1. A completely original and correct German MP-40 from WWII.
2. 2 new Uzi's from Vector Arms in Salt Lake
3. A Sendra, the company that became Bushmaster, select fire M-16 style rifle.
1. A completely original and correct German MP-40 from WWII.
2. 2 new Uzi's from Vector Arms in Salt Lake
3. A Sendra, the company that became Bushmaster, select fire M-16 style rifle.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
410 LC Smith, second yr gun made 1927. All original, 98% case colors. 2200 made. It's for sale for $9000. Traded a couple nice pocket watches and a handful of cash years ago.
Charlie
Charlie
longranger
Member
longranger
Member
Two Shiloh Sharps #1 Sporter 30", 45-70 Fancy wood, #1 Sporter 32" 40-70 Sharps Straight. $3200.00, $2100.00, not including front and rear MT.Vintage Arms long range Soule sights for each rifle,$900.00 front and rear ea.
straightshooter1
US Veteran
Shotguns, specifically trap shotguns.
As Forum Member Perazzi noted a Perazzi Combo Trap gun is expensive (that's a single barrel, either top or unsingle and a set of matching over and under barrels).
New, they run about 10-15 thousand. Some a little less, many a lot more.
I have one. And, several other trap guns, one of which is a used Perazzi with one top single barrel my wife shoots that I got an absolute steal on for $1700. I also got her a used Beretta Combo for another $1700.
My Perazzi combo then needed release triggers and I bought two, one for the single barrel and one for the over and under. They cost, new, $1100 and $1400 each and have the original life-time warranty.
And, all of them needed stocks, so I bought Precision Fit Stocks, which, new, are about $1200 each (I have five of them).
But, I cheated on the cost of the combo, the triggers and the stocks.
Fortunately for me, when I first started shooting trap, an All-American trapshooter (that's a big deal in trapshooting) and her dad, who had been my K9 officer when I was a young police sergeant, took me under their wings and explained the facts of life concerning trapshooting to me.
It seems that many trapshooters change guns about as often as some folks change their undergarments-about every month or so.
Or, and this defies explanation, many shooters shoot a great score, like their first 100 straight, and then they sell that gun and buy a more expensive one (as if the new gun could help them shoot a score higher than the perfect score of 100!).
So, I bought the combo that had belonged to a guy who had just won the Handicap in a State Shoot beating all the other several hundred shooters there for 5K. The triggers were purchased used from a Precision dealer who got them from shooters who wanted newer ones for about $1900 for both, and all the stocks were purchased from shooters who liked the adjustments and lack of felt recoil of the Precision Fit Stocks, but liked the look of wood better for about $750 each (Precision Fit Stocks look like an artificial arm or prothesis).
My least expensive trap gun is a BT-99 by Browning, which I bought slightly used, added a Precision stock and a release trigger for about $1400 total. This one just stays in the safe or the back floorboard of my SUV as a back-up in the unlikely event my Perazzi goes down in a big shoot somewhere.
I have been tempted to buy new guns after shooting a good score, too, but, so far, I have managed to avoid the temptation and "make do" with the used Perazzi.
But, I am always on the look-out for the guy who wants to sell his gun cheaply to buy a more expensive one. Many trapshooters think they can buy more broken targets by buying more expensive guns. (I told you this defies explanation
).
And, I like to be in the vicinity when they decide to make the change-glad to help them out.
Bob
As Forum Member Perazzi noted a Perazzi Combo Trap gun is expensive (that's a single barrel, either top or unsingle and a set of matching over and under barrels).
New, they run about 10-15 thousand. Some a little less, many a lot more.
I have one. And, several other trap guns, one of which is a used Perazzi with one top single barrel my wife shoots that I got an absolute steal on for $1700. I also got her a used Beretta Combo for another $1700.
My Perazzi combo then needed release triggers and I bought two, one for the single barrel and one for the over and under. They cost, new, $1100 and $1400 each and have the original life-time warranty.
And, all of them needed stocks, so I bought Precision Fit Stocks, which, new, are about $1200 each (I have five of them).
But, I cheated on the cost of the combo, the triggers and the stocks.
Fortunately for me, when I first started shooting trap, an All-American trapshooter (that's a big deal in trapshooting) and her dad, who had been my K9 officer when I was a young police sergeant, took me under their wings and explained the facts of life concerning trapshooting to me.
It seems that many trapshooters change guns about as often as some folks change their undergarments-about every month or so.
Or, and this defies explanation, many shooters shoot a great score, like their first 100 straight, and then they sell that gun and buy a more expensive one (as if the new gun could help them shoot a score higher than the perfect score of 100!).
So, I bought the combo that had belonged to a guy who had just won the Handicap in a State Shoot beating all the other several hundred shooters there for 5K. The triggers were purchased used from a Precision dealer who got them from shooters who wanted newer ones for about $1900 for both, and all the stocks were purchased from shooters who liked the adjustments and lack of felt recoil of the Precision Fit Stocks, but liked the look of wood better for about $750 each (Precision Fit Stocks look like an artificial arm or prothesis).
My least expensive trap gun is a BT-99 by Browning, which I bought slightly used, added a Precision stock and a release trigger for about $1400 total. This one just stays in the safe or the back floorboard of my SUV as a back-up in the unlikely event my Perazzi goes down in a big shoot somewhere.
I have been tempted to buy new guns after shooting a good score, too, but, so far, I have managed to avoid the temptation and "make do" with the used Perazzi.
But, I am always on the look-out for the guy who wants to sell his gun cheaply to buy a more expensive one. Many trapshooters think they can buy more broken targets by buying more expensive guns. (I told you this defies explanation
).And, I like to be in the vicinity when they decide to make the change-glad to help them out.
Bob
williamlayton
Member
Captain Beyond
Member
15 grand for a Colt S A 1890 vintage black powder .45 4 3/4. Lettered to El Paso Texas. Had some documents of ownership and provinance to an El Paso resident. I purchase the gun in California and traveled a week later to sell it for a nice profit to an El Paso Collector.
The good old days are gone.
The good old days are gone.
S&W5906
Member
Most I've spent was $3K for a matched set of Colt factory camo AR-15 and Colt Camo Companion and another $1500 for a Colt Silver Star 45 with matching serial number to the Colt Camo Companion.
Viss
Member
I have to be frugal due to my modest income, the most I ever spent was $1000.00, 30% of that was the scope.
I'm kind of low rent copared to some of the beautiful firearms pictured here. My highest priced both came this year. I got this model 61 Winchester magnum for $1,000.00 this spring and the Colt AR 6920 at Tulsa for close to $1,400.00. I have a couple S&W revolvers that could bring more, but I bought them earlier.
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I do own a gorgeous hand engraved Browning Grade ll Superposed shotgun (well over $2K)- LOVE IT and have always wanted a Midas Grade (in the same gun). I saw one "as new" in a gun store for $12 Grand (came with a second set of barrels and a fitted case too) but just could not do it (kids were in college at the time). I think I am over it though and just admire mine these days.
Chief38
Chief38
Coldshooter
Member
An Anschutz Fortner biathlon rifle. The rear sights alone cost what most of my other guns did. Once fit and fully adjusted the Anschutz made all my other long guns feel like 2x4s. Nice thing there is a good resale since the dollar keeps losing against the Euro.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
Let's just say that when I was healthy, I shot trap and skeet.
For perspective, my EDC gun, bought to abuse, cost $1500.00.
I'm eat up.
For perspective, my EDC gun, bought to abuse, cost $1500.00.
I'm eat up.
mike from st pete
Member
Walther P5 compact when I finally found one NIB in the mid 90s $750.
CMP Correct Grade M1 Springfield '06 $995.
CMP Correct Grade M1 Springfield '06 $995.
About three years ago a shop here in the Philadelphia, PA area got a hold of about 300 Colt 1911 Goverment Models, manufactured in 1951 and still unfired in the box. I paid $1200, and although that was the most money I ever paid for a gun, I thought it ws money well spent. And yes, I shoot it all the time.
rburg
Member
Not a gun I bought, but about 10 years ago an Atlanta dealer (I think his name was George, last name) had Winchester M70, serial #2. He'd been setting up next to us for a number of shows so we kind of got to know him. He was a nice guy. So he was selling a package at the time. It was the gun and its case, along with a whole sheath of documentation on the gun. And of course the book written about it with dozens of photos of the gun you got. At the time he was asking $33,000 for it, but showed some willingness to compromise. Looking back, I might have been able to afford the gun, but I'd have to sell off a bunch of other really nice guns to swing it. I just couldn't bring myself to do that.
So over time the gun was sold. And I was kind of rude and later on asked him how much, generally, it sold for. He said just under $20,000. Had I known that at the time I would have moved mountains to own it. But things don't always go my way. So a while later I settled for M70 #202. And it was relatively cheap. And there's still hope I can find one with even a lower number than the one I have. I continue to look.
One thing I realized about 15 years ago (as I was approaching my 50th Bday) was that no one was ever going to buy me a "rightous" gun. It just wasn't going to happen. My son's both plead poverty. My wife gasps when I buy or sell a gun for a grand. There's probably no real reason for that because by now she should know I usually do pretty well. But there is just no way she's going to spring the cash for a nice gun. So that was back in 1998, early. On my Bday, I told the old man who owned the place I'd be gone a little long and that it was my birthday. He asked where I was going, so I told him a gun shop. That made him smile and tell me to take as long as I wanted. He wouldn't have done that had I been going to a clothing store, but he liked guns. So I walked into the gun shop and bought the Weatherby. It was kind of extravagant. But then the scope, the Leupold LPS, cost as much as the gun.
And since that time I continue to realize that if I want nice guns, I'm just going to have to buy them for myself. And its a realization everyone here needs to come to. If you want an RM, you just need to buy it. Find a way. Guilt only lasts a short while. Or not. It doesn't matter because you've got the gun.
So over time the gun was sold. And I was kind of rude and later on asked him how much, generally, it sold for. He said just under $20,000. Had I known that at the time I would have moved mountains to own it. But things don't always go my way. So a while later I settled for M70 #202. And it was relatively cheap. And there's still hope I can find one with even a lower number than the one I have. I continue to look.
One thing I realized about 15 years ago (as I was approaching my 50th Bday) was that no one was ever going to buy me a "rightous" gun. It just wasn't going to happen. My son's both plead poverty. My wife gasps when I buy or sell a gun for a grand. There's probably no real reason for that because by now she should know I usually do pretty well. But there is just no way she's going to spring the cash for a nice gun. So that was back in 1998, early. On my Bday, I told the old man who owned the place I'd be gone a little long and that it was my birthday. He asked where I was going, so I told him a gun shop. That made him smile and tell me to take as long as I wanted. He wouldn't have done that had I been going to a clothing store, but he liked guns. So I walked into the gun shop and bought the Weatherby. It was kind of extravagant. But then the scope, the Leupold LPS, cost as much as the gun.
And since that time I continue to realize that if I want nice guns, I'm just going to have to buy them for myself. And its a realization everyone here needs to come to. If you want an RM, you just need to buy it. Find a way. Guilt only lasts a short while. Or not. It doesn't matter because you've got the gun.
A Springfield Armory M1A national match built by the late Glenn Nelson, brand new in 1987 from Springfield at Camp Perry, a new one today would cost two and a half times what I paid then, but it was ALOT of money even back then, or a brand new Les Baer Premier II Tactical 45 with the accuracy package a few years ago, never regretted either purchase, still have them both.....
My Investment!
An Uncle passed away and left me some money which I decided to invest. Here is my investment, on which I spent $15,200. It is an MG08/15, the light machine gun used by the Germans in WWI. The tripod was added feature and is not original but sure makes the gun a lot easier to shoot.
The gun came with many all original accessories such as drum magazine, bi-pod, belt loader, cloth belts, spare barrels, sling, steam tube and container, etc. It is a real blast to shoot and is a very reliable MG. I get plenty of notice when I take it to the range.
An Uncle passed away and left me some money which I decided to invest. Here is my investment, on which I spent $15,200. It is an MG08/15, the light machine gun used by the Germans in WWI. The tripod was added feature and is not original but sure makes the gun a lot easier to shoot.
The gun came with many all original accessories such as drum magazine, bi-pod, belt loader, cloth belts, spare barrels, sling, steam tube and container, etc. It is a real blast to shoot and is a very reliable MG. I get plenty of notice when I take it to the range.
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I have a Winchester Model 12 "Super Pigeon" 20 ga with B-carved wood and #5 engraving that wifey got me for x-mas one year...it was $7500.00. I have a 12ga and 20 ga set of Ansley Fox X grade doubles made in 1916 that were $20,000.00. I have a Lefever Arms EE grade double that was $4350.00 and a D.M. Lefever and Sons 7D grade that was $5400.00. I once owned a Luger that belonged to a U-Boat commander. I also had his Knights Cross medal and a post card from Hitler. I sold it and wish I hadn't. I better not say what that stuff cost...my luck is bad and the wife might read this.
sqhead
US Veteran
most I paid for a gun is 1500 for a unfired smith 651 22 magnum,2 in. barrel,box etc AND a factory fitted 22 lr cylinder w/ a couple extras.........it's just cool to own one.
While shooting ATA registered trap in 2006 I bought a Krieghoff Trap Special. It was my retirerment gift to myself, 11,000 dollars. It was a beauty.
Jboutfishn
Member
Kreighoff Classic 470 NE
Nice guns
Back in 2000 I purchased a double rifle for $1500 cash far exceeding my ability to pay, but I wanted it very much. It belonged to my recently deceased friend. Lately, two new wife-approved Browning T-Bolts with scopes cost near two grand. Good guns cost money.
-sevensix
Back in 2000 I purchased a double rifle for $1500 cash far exceeding my ability to pay, but I wanted it very much. It belonged to my recently deceased friend. Lately, two new wife-approved Browning T-Bolts with scopes cost near two grand. Good guns cost money.
-sevensix
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I paid $1,000 for a brand new remington 700 in 338wm with sling and mounts with scope and the aluminum suit case for it. It's the most expensive gun I ever purchased.
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