Question on L frame 696 .44 special

[desertdweller]

I know on the sites such as gunbroker the model 696 L frame .44's have the "buy now" prices set pretty high. But are they really commanding those prices?
I have an opportunity to buy one but the guy wants me to make an offer.
So.....for a 95% gun [no box or paperwork] what would you think is a reasonable offer?
Thanks, John

SORRY orginally posted on the 1961 to 1980 forum...........

 

[qballwill]

People can ask whatever they want for a gun, but that doesnt mean that is the market value. I have looked at the last few that have actually sold on gunbroker. The last 7 that have sold in all conditions, boxes etc averaged $755. Prices ranged from $525-900. In my opinion $600 - 700 would be a fair price as you described. You can always offer less and hope for the best.

 

[ol timer]

The no dash models with the forged lockwork command the highest price. They were made approximately one year.

 

[Hexer]

I owned one once upon a time and foolishly sold it. I don't know why I did that.

 

[ExMachina1]

The market will always support low prices

Multiple sales in the $800-1000 rang indicate that that's where the top of the market is now. "On demand" sales like gunbroker (as in "I want one and I want it NOW") will always be a little higher.

Since 696s they don't come up for sale that often, it makes it harder to assign them a "going rate".

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have a -0 and you can't buy it for $700 - it wouldn't be less than $950 if I was going to sell it.

 

[RABULL]

I have a 696-no dash and have been offered $900 cash for it and turned it down. It's a great little L frame that they aren't making anymore (and if they did it would have the IL on it). I can understand why people want them. Just for information, I paid $500 for it 5 years ago and was told I paid too much for it.....I wanted it and so paid it and I have never regreted buying it...My only regret is I didn't buy a second one at that price....

 

[peyton]

I paid around $850 for mine from a forum member here.

 

[ENGINE18]

I've shared this story before, so I'll make this brief. My better half gave a 696 ND to me for Christmas, 1997. It was $400.00 +/- with tax. She got the ony great deal I ever had!

 

[Torakan]

I sold my 696 no dash in January for $875. No box, just the revolver with factory grips.

 

[Iowahunter]

I bought mine NIB when they 1st came out and It was close to $400 otd when I done the deal. At the time I felt it was abit high but, such a neat little gun I wanted it anyway. Dealer had 2 in stock at that time and in hindsight I should have grabbed both of them. Yes I still have the little beauty!!

 

[roundgunner]

I would love to have one. I looked at the new 396 NG, it would be nice to have but I just cant seem to get excited enough to part with $875 plus tax.

Until I get the right deal I will do OK with this 2" 45.

 

[WilliamP]

I tried to trade my 696 no dash even for a model 21-4 at a gun show. The dealer said my gun even at 95% and with the box and papers wasn't worth over $250 according to Blue Book. Naturally, I said "no deal."

 

[youngda9]

Click on advanced and go look at completed auctions...and only at the ones that sold. GB allows unlimited listings for free...so many items are way overpriced and waiting for a sucker or someone with deep pockets to come along.

 

[ExMachina1]

Click on advanced and go look at completed auctions...and only at the ones that sold. GB allows unlimited listings for free...so many items are way overpriced and waiting for a sucker or someone with deep pockets to come along.

done.

looks like a 696 no dash has been going for $780-850

 

[ExMachina1]

The dealer said my gun even at 95% and with the box and papers wasn't worth over $250 according to Blue Book.

not much of a "reader" was he?

 

[desertdweller]

696

I purchased this after the gunbroker auction closed with no bids.
The guy put is phone number to answer any questions and I called him and got it locally for $725. These grips weren't on it, they were junkers I picked up and had VM perform his magic on them. This came with the factory Uncle Mike's.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Ordered my (no dash) when they were first announced. Paid less than $400 for it. Prior to that I shot the other small .44 special............A Rossi model 720. 3" stainless with 5 shot unfluted cylinder and adj. sights. Almost same size as the 696 and a good gun too. They are sleepers..........buy one when you find it.