PRICES: I cannot possibly be THIS out of touch!

[mod34]

Got a craving for a gun fix lately so took the day off and went poking around to some shops - some I had been to before, some I have not. Some of what I saw:

-NIB Colt Frontier .22/.22mag. Lovely and like new, the box, paperwork, etc were perfect. I figured it was circa 1970'ish. $800!

-3 screw Ruger BH (not flat top), not converted, 7.5" barrel: $900!

-SW Mod.36-1 with the box (numbered to it). Had paperwork, but nothing else. Wasn't beaten up, but clearly used: $700!!

-SW Mod17. Far, far from perfect, no box or docs: $1,200!!

ALL of these prices seemed extraordinarily high to me, like in the 35-40% high. Also, these were scattered across several different shops and no big-box shops.

A few that were tempting that almost seemed "OK" price wise:

-SW 442 (no lock) Performance Center: $515 (which almost didn't seem tooo bad. Close to NIB

-SW 642-2 (no lock), also PC: $525 (really nice grips on this one: $525 (which again, almost didn't seem bad. I'd call this one NIB.


So tell me guys and gals, have I finally lost touch, have the aliens come, is this somehow COVID related or have prices just plain gotten nutty while I wasn't looking??

 

[jscheck]

Well I'll tell you: Those prices ARE high, you've lost touch with reality, the aliens came but left because of COVID, and the prices are unnaturally high due to panic buying during COVID. Don't worry about it just buy here from the classifieds.

 

[mod34]

Excellent advice from a fellow NC'er.

 

[Rule3]

Gun shops or Pawn Shops that sell guns??
Depends on location as well, some parts of the Country prices are different than others. We have a almost brand new state of the art gun shop and range, They sell everything and some high ends guns. I will not even go in there anymore due to absurd prices on a few used guns they have,

 

[Rock185]

I quit going to pawn shops years ago due to the kind of prices you report. And if a pawn shop did have a gun that might be desirable, or even collectible if in high condition, it would generally be very well used to beater condition. But of course, the price would be consistent with the very highest condition collectible examples of the same gun.

I salute those who report the great deals they get at pawn shops, But alas, the pawn shops I've been in were apparently not in business to give me any of those great deals

 

[panther]

Prices are high here too. The panic last month had a lot to do with it. The shops still haven't restocked their inventory of reasonably priced used guns. They are getting in new guns but prices are high.
Thankfully, ammo is getting restocked now and prices seem to be what they were before the panic.

 

[mod34]

Fairness in reporting: These are from 3 gun shops and one pawn shop.

 

[Skwirl]

I've seen a few guns out of the ballpark the last few months.
If its priced stupid, I just move along. Dont even look at it. Maybe in a few months, sanity sets back in and at at least worth my time to check it.
It's a **** shoot though, the lgs is retail, or praying on the more money than brains group I'm 4th edition and read here and gb.
I leave em sit.
If, in a few months the gun I like is still there, I might test the waters on buying.
It's a give and take, they want it all, I'm only giving so much. Lol.
Heres a perfect example, a gun on these classifieds. Wants a lot of money and it's got hacked on grips and obviously used a lot. Plus the last transaction that seller had, didnt go very well. Even though it's a gun I'd like to buy,
Stupid price for what it is.
Theres others.

 

[lkabug]

Pricing seems to be out of line in my area also. I saw a well used model 10-5, maybe an 80% gun, priced at $750. I was told it "may have been a police gun". I have stopped looking until this virus craziness stop.

 

[Jack Flash]

…
-NIB Colt Frontier .22/.22mag. Lovely and like new, the box, paperwork, etc were perfect. I figured it was circa 1970'ish. $800! …

That one doesn't seem too far off base, considering LNIB with both cylinders, etc. There is an element of gun buyers who go ga-ga over anything with the Colt name on it.

 

[UncleEd]

It's a matter of supply and demand.

Less supply, greater the prices.

In the case of S&W, no matter what
the production figures have been, the
number of guns is still finite.

One fix, for instance, would be for all
the members of the S&W Collectors'
Assn. to greatly reduce their holdings and at
fair market prices of say those that
existed 30 years ago.

 

[mattallamerican]

you were at the wrong shop

 

[Bugkiller99]

I’ve seen evidence that high unemployment is beginning to put some guns on the market with good prices. But just a little. Sadly, I expect that to be a coming trend. Well, sad for those selling anyway.

 

[Beemerguy53]

That one doesn't seem too far off base, considering LNIB with both cylinders, etc. There is an element of gun buyers who go ga-ga over anything with the Colt name on it.

Guilty as charged, your honor...

In fact, when I read Mod34's original post, my first thought was that that Frontier was a bargain...

 

[Fishslayer]

Yes, prices are crazy. Darn shame, too. Tax season has always been one of my favorite times to peruse the consignment case.

 

[Eddietruett]

Most shops are selling all of the sub $500 guns they can get their hands on as well as tons of ammo. I've found some of the Pawn and Gun Shops I frequent are not nearly as motivated on other guns as during normal times. If you were ever going to make money with a LGS, now is the time.

 

[Fishslayer]

If you were ever going to make money with a LGS, now is the time.

True, but a lot of shops went under during the best 8 years that ever were for owning a gun store.

Lots of people selling guns to pay bills but lots of panic buyers sucking 'em up, too.

Hopefully the trainers will be doing land office business in the coming months teaching the n00bs how to not accidentally shoot themselves or others.

 

[BSA1]

Buying a gun during a panic is like trying to buy a life preserver after the ship you are on hits a iceberg. It is easy to foresee guns remaining in high demand until the elections in November. If you find a gun you want that is close to what you are wanting to pay the best advice is buy it then and there.

 

[LVSteve]

I've seen some fun on BrokeGunner over the last couple of days. Two very unusual, new old stock, European pistols came up. The first sold for over $900. The other one sold today for $125 LESS. Where was the loser from the first auction, I wonder.

Oh, and it was me who got the second gun.

 

[rwsmith]

No matter what the price tag.....

..I'd give a fair offer and I they wouldn't take it I'd walk.