Popularity of LE trade-in guns

[hdfinder47]

Several years ago I bought a M64-1 sheriff department trade-in from a local police supply store. Paid $450 plus 10% tax. I used it to demo SA/DA revolvers for my CCW classes. It's posted in a local forum to get my money back with no takers. Question:
Do LE guns bring more or less due to the Agency markings?
Gun is in decent shape with bubba relieved left grip for easy of reloading. Shoots great. Ed

 

[Echo40]

Personally, I've always been willing to pay extra for agency markings because it makes the firearm distinguished/interesting.

I think they're just cheaper upfront because they're used, but down the line those markings can make them collectable.

 

[kaaskop49]

For me, condition has more to say about value than LE provenance. When a Strip casino ditched its Model 64s for Glocks, I bought 2 from the LGS that had picked up these guns. However, I had to examine 9 guns to find the 2 best, given the wear and action condition. Even then, I had to pop the sideplates to clean out the hardened lubricant that passed for 'maintenance.'

'Decent shape' means little to me. The bubba'd grip detracts from appearance and value. $450 sight unseen seems like a lot for a common used revolver. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[LVSteve]

Not a lot of people want used revolvers at $450 when you can get CZ P-10s for $350 or less. That's the market today.

 

[.455_Hunter]

You "local forum" may not be the best venue for such a firearm. Consignment at a popular regional LGS would increase exposure.

I am going to assume you have plenty of other DA/SA K-frames in your herd? Any kids or grandkids that will need a good sidearm in the future?

 

[S-W4EVER]

I don't think many young people have even fired a revolver. When a fellow Officer went to Firearms Instructor basic he was required to bring a revolver in addition to his service (auto) pistol so I let him take my M19-4.

 

[Sevens]

I think there's probably a wide array of folks and their opinions of former LE issued service guns.

I think for many of us, if we KNOW the revolver is formerly LE issued and so marked, external wear seems to make good sense and might be less of a detractor to what you're possibly buying.

Formerly LE issued also often carries the idea (not backed with any evidence whatsoever!) that the gun was carried a lot, a WHOLE lot, and rarely ever fired. For plenty of buyers, that's a selling point right there.

There's one thing I absolutely love in the used gun market, and that's guns with lots of exterior wear, and that's because it almost always reflects a lower price. It should! I love a lower priced gun when I know it's a damn good gun.

 

[silicosys4]

Less in some instances, more in others. For a lot of revolvers, having a few random armory marks is either no factor, or slightly detrimental as a sign of a gun that was, well, not babied.

On the other hand, I sold a Chicago PD commemorative M66 at auction that I believe got a decent boost from the fact that it was also stamped with a Chicago PD badge number, thereby tying the gun to a member of the service to which it was a commemorative.

I do believe that the further we get away from the heyday of the cheap surplus revolver, that surplus revolvers with identifiable agency marks will gain in collectors value.

 

[cd228]

I'd say it varies by condition and desirability of a particular agency's markings.

I generally view LE trade ins as a way of getting a revolver or semi auto at a reduced price. It's also a good way to get older and no longer produced models.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I like former LE guns. They have character. I own a half dozen.

 

[silicosys4]

$400 is also a lot for a surplus K frame that shows significant wear. I can drive 12 miles down the road to the LGS and pick up a finish worn but mechanically excellent ex Loomis M64 for $250.
I just might do that next week, I already picked through their M67's.

At the $400 price point i'm looking for a non-LE gun. LE surplus guns are cool because of the price break. No price break, for $400 no thanks, I'm looking for those sock drawer K frames. They are still out there.

Especially if the grips are bubba'd. That makes it a $450 gun because I hate bubba'd grips and decent factory magna's aren't cheap any more.

 

[BB57]

$450 is high for a M64 with lots of finish wear and bubba'd grips.

Even on non collectible pistols I'll use a non factory grip and modify it if I have to make a change, so I can resell it as delivered from the factory.

And then I'm not into wood butchering either as that would make my daddy spin in his grave. When I see poor end user gunsmithing it makes me wonder what else they did to (screwed up) in it.

 

[Golddollar]

A while ago some good soul posted a notice about a gun shop over in Chester County, PA that acquired a bunch of SIG P220 .45 ACP pistols from the Connecticut State Police. I jumped in the car and made the drive over there to look at the guns. I was amazed at how fantastic the gun looked, like it had never been used. It came home with me.

I made the test target that is attached. At first I was scattering the rounds but as I got more accustomed to the gun I started putting the bullets into the big hole. Getting that gun was a great deal.

 

[Dump1567]

I like former LEO guns, but mainly because I'm former LEO. Would I pay a premium? Depends on the gun.

I honestly don't think the younger generation cares much about these things. And the older generation that might, are dying off.

Just being on this forum for 20 plus years, it's seems the interest has waned. And that's with a population increase.

Today I took out my CHP over stamped model 67 and ran some drills. Great shooting gun.

 

[panamajack310]

I have several law enforcement trade in guns. Most of them were my duty guns that I purchased when we switched guns. I have also purchased several LEO trade ins from other agencies online, my two favorite are my CHP 4006 and I happened to get a NIB with factory stickers still on it, a 4026 KCPD that I got from a retired cop who got the gun the day before he retired. He never shot it and it is still unfired today.

Some LE guns do demand a premium with LE gun collectors. I can't see paying $800 for a NIB glock from NYPD or LAPD that was never issued. It is still a glock I don't care what agency's name is on it. To me it is worth what I can buy a new glock for which is about $500.

 

[Ματθιας]

I like LE guns, I have several. There's been some great buys in the past few years.

K frame for $450 + tax, that's too much. If it were a snubby K-frame, I might be interested, but not really.

If you want to move it, you'll have to take a loss.

I think you over paid, truth be told.

 

[mchom]

Do the markings identify the Dept?

In some cases such guns appeal to those who collect Dept marked guns. Especially if the Dept is well known or desired by these collectors. The SFPD or SAPD 58's for example, these bring pretty good prices.

To get best price such a gun probably needs to be seen by larger audience.

Guns from LA, NY, or various HPs or State Police are more desirable.
Less well known dept marked guns not as much if at all.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I honestly don't think the younger generation cares much about these things. And the older generation that might, are dying off.

Just being on this forum for 20 plus years, it's seems the interest has waned. And that's with a population increase.

What do you consider the "younger generation"?

I am 48, never a member of law enforcement, and own probably 8 ex-LE or security guns- all steel and alloy, no poly or strikers.

My son is 18, and enjoys shooting his 4" Model 10-5 just much as his classic true West German P225. They are not ex-LE specifically, but similar to many others that are...

 

[BB57]

I have a number of European police surplus and or military security service pistols. I buy them because:

- they are almost always very inexpensively priced;
- are very likely to appreciate as they are surplussed in limited numbers; and
- they can almost always be found in very good to excellent condition.

In my experience American law enforcement surplus doesn't usually meet all of the above conditions. They are often well worn with a history with a security company post law enforcement befor e again being surplussed, or in poor condition, or (particularly this long after they were discontinued) are already over priced as collectible police property marked revolvers, and or as collectible models of a revolver.

Personally, I won't pay through the nose for a revolver just because it has a police property mark.

 

[john17427]

I'm on the forum you have it listed on and I've looked at the listing several times. Since you've asked for feedback, I'll venture a little.

I love 64's. I also love the sheriff's office markings since I've lived in that parish/county for over 40 years. The trouble is I already have some, (though frequently can't resist another one). That's my problem. I don't need another one in its condition at that price point, and I don't like making offers when I'm so far away from where someone's asking price is. Just my 2 cents. I do hope it sells for you; I like to see people get what they want from the sale of a firearm. It's always a matter of the right buyer showing up that has an envie(strong desire) for that particular firearm.

 

[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.