Popularity of LE trade-in guns

[wood714]

Never owned one, but I've seen S&W revolvers with police department badges stamped into the frames. I'd like to have one of them.

I have a police trade in Colt LE6920, and a ONG Remington 870.

Bought a Model 60 off a cop that said he carried it in an ankle holster, and a 2.5" Model 66 from a retired US Marshal that worked in witness protection. He said his other carry gun was a custom Remington 870 he kept under his jacket in a custom shoulder rig.

 

[stanmerrell]

Some LE marked guns bring in more than a comparable non-marked guns, it all depends. I'm pretty sure you could sell your model 64 if you had a wider audience and some good pictures at that price. Maybe list it on GB? Or better yet, keep it. They are nice guns.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Nothing wrong with an attachment to LE guns, but I don't have one, except I wouldn't mind coming across my great-grandfather's gun. I guess I'll have to make do with one of his watches.

Now, if he had served in NYC instead of Youngstown, Ohio, maybe R. M. Vivas could help me out.

 

[JohnRippert]

As said above, you are unlikely to get back what you paid when there are similar guns on the market these days for $100 less. One of the reasons I like former LE firearms is that they make good truck/training/loaner guns with what is usually a fair bit of outer wear and tear but the innards are usually quite nice. They often need a good detail strip, cleaning and lube, which I enjoy doing.

 

[DETROIT]

Your just advertising to the wrong crowd

 

[CajunBass]

I kinda like department marked guns. I wouldn't pay anymore for one but the markings make for a better back story than just being an "old gun." I don't go out of my way to look for them, but when they turn up it's kinda neat I think

I had a 1938 4", Colt Official Police that was marked "Treasury Department Secret Service". I shot it a few times, tben sold to a fellow who collected department marked Colts. I had a Virginia and a Pennsylvania State Police Commerative Model 66. Sold the VSP one to a Virginia State Police officer, and the PSP one went to a fellow who was originally from Pennsylvania. Both were tickled to get them. (Commeratives are a little different I think). I at least got my money back on all three IIRC.

Right now I've got a 1954, 5 screw, 38 M&P. Just a plain, run of the mill 4' "pre-10" that has a five digit number stamped on the grip frame. There is a SS number scratched onto the bottom of the aftermarket (Sile) grip. I'm told by people who know such things the five digit number is a NYPD badge number, and the S/N of the gun puts it in a shipment that went to the NYPD in late 1954. The SS number was issued in North Carolina. No idea if the two are related or not, but I suspect the SS number was added later during the 70's when that was a "craze" thing to do. The gun itself is in "used" condition shall we say. It looks like it's walked a beat or two. Mechanically it is fine, and shoots like you'd expect an old M&P to shoot, at least with wadcutters. It's one of my favorite "fidgit spinner" guns. I'll get it out at night, and just set it beside me and pick it up from time to time and work the action, and listen for it to tell me it's stories. I suspect it's got a lot of them. If not, I'll make up a few.

 

[44wheelman]

I used to get them so cheap, that even I couldn't lose money on them. A few well-worn model 10's & 28's have come & gone.

Most surplus pistols I have seen are not agency marked. I've only had 1 645 that was.

The oddest one was the surplus P228's deal I found. Not local, but close (and in-state). Seller would only deal with FFL's. Being freindly with the local gunshop (retired LEO), he sent me down with his FFL copy, and a note that I was acting as agent/carrier for him. One for me, one for him, & one for the shop. Still ran a background check on me when I got back; said he was puzzled, and didn't want any surprises.

 

[lamarw]

I have a significant number of LE Trade-ins normally because of the low prices in past years for guns I wanted. A vast majority of them are unmarked but were acquired from a local law enforcement distributor. Some are not prior LE firearms but were still trade-ins. I know the origin since this distributor leaves the hangtag on the firearms annotating the particular origin. A few are even marked as the firearm place up for sale by the spouse of a former lawman.

 

[BB57]

This Mini 14 was surplussed by the state of NC, and was a great deal.

It's in a little different configuration now, in part as while it was very accurate with that 8oz monstrosity of a muzzle device on it, the weight lowered the point of impact 8" below point of aim at 50 yards with maximum sight adjustment. They obviously used it with a scope. I want the ability to shoot it with or without a scope.

It's still 1.5 MOA accurate, with the mods made, on par with the AR-15 below it. That was a Colt M16A1 upper surplussed by my department and put on an NDS-601 lower with a new bolt and bolt carrier assembly when they switched to M4 uppers.

I also picked up a Colt SP1 upper half at the same time and put it on a second NDS-601 lower.

Both hold 1.5 MOA five shot groups with Hornady 55 gr FMJs loaded to M193 velocity using BL(C)2.

 

[PatriotX]

The NY-1 revolvers, the NYSP 681, and the amazing CS-1 686 are all examples of agency markings commanding a premium over unmarked guns.

 

[ladder13]

DSS, Diplomat Security Service model 19. I have the box and factory letter.

 

[damienph]

Personally, I believe that LE trade ins are almost always a good value. Usually maintained by a factory trained armorer. Maybe carried a lot but typically not fired a lot.

I would pay a premium for a dept marked firearm over a similar non marked firearm.

 

[TAROMAN]

My absolute favorite revolver is an LE trade-in Model 64 NY-1. DAO, of course.
Years ago, it was about $200ish from one of the big surplus dealers, Century IIRC.
Sent it back to S&W to have the vapor hone finish renewed and a "combat revolver" job. Back when they knew how to work on revolvers. Papers signed by "Vito".
DA is silky smooth, ~ 6 pounds.
With my 158 grain handloads it shoots to the sights at any reasonable range. Especially good on the steel.
Just picked up a spare cylinder that's going off to TK Custom for a moon clip conversion. Soon be able to shoot it even more.
That's my favorite LEO gun among several others.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I like LEO used firearms and have a few, it usually means that they inexpensive and effective shooters. Your 64-1 might sell quickly at any of our gun shows in Houston.