Random 3rd Gen Thoughts...

[TTSH]

... on a quiet Friday morning.

I've mentioned before that I am about at the practical end of 3rd Gen collection "build-up" stage and am now more interested in collection refinements, mags and parts rather than increased numbers. But I still pay attention to what's out there locally:

• A used Model 5906 with one magazine just sold for $499.95 at one local dealer. It sold in one day.
  
  
• Other than the two-tone 5943 I already mentioned, the only other 3rd Gen to make an appearance at last weekend's gun show was a Model 4006 in "really used" shape for an astounding $639.
  
  
• My travels also revealed a used Model 4053 in one MA shop for $375 (3 mags, no box). While I'd love a second one, it was a little too "used & abused" for me to seriously consider (even though I would have loved the discontinued mags).
  
  
• One agency-marked Model 4013 that I had seen before made a return appearance in a different area shop. It looks like someone did what I was thinking about doing at one point: Buying the gun just for the 5 rare/discontinued magazines that came with it and reselling it afterwards. Where it sits now, it's down to one magazine. Same price (roughly), but 4 less magazines!
  
  
• Also found another Model 910S. This is one of my personal favorites in the value line (I own two), but another one was not to be. This one was a little too "used & abused" with a weird sort of semi-scratch out of the model & serial number. Could have just been totally accidental or... who knows?
  
  
• I found locally one of the very late MIM Model 4506 pistols described well by member 18DAI in this most excellent thread. Price was high ($639) for one mag and no box and a whole lot of holster wear. Broke my heart that it wasn't in better shape... but with a laser-marked slide, it wasn't going to be a cheap nor easy refurb job to get it back into top condition. Damn!

BTW, I may make it sound like there's a lot out there locally but there really isn't. It's pretty thin pickings and prices are no bargain. Top condition guns with box are scarce and being sold at a premium when you can find them.

It's getting worse folks... not better.

 

[Arik]

.
It's getting worse folks... not better.

That seems to be an MA problem. While there are obviously less of them due to being out of production there isn't much of a shortage here. Of course selection isn't what it would have been if these were still made but every shop has a few and one shop has a lot.

The other thing of course is your use of the the phrase "used". I'd love to see a pic one day of what you consider "used" aside from the obvious beat to hell and back through the jungles of Columbia with FARC

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[petepeterson]

I've noticed in the past year that the LGS's that used to sell 3rd Gens for 300-350 have now decided the same pistols are worth 450 and up. Still see quite a few, though.

The bargains are in the private owners that list them. They can usually be found in the $350 range. I try to be realistic when I sell something, and list it for what I would pay for it. For instance, I sold a 5906 with some finish wear awhile back for $350. Maybe that's not very smart these days!

 

[nataliator]

That seems to be an MA problem. While there are obviously less of them due to being out of production there isn't much of a shortage here. Of course selection isn't what it would have been if these were still made but every shop has a few and one shop has a lot.

The other thing of course is your use of the the phrase "used". I'd love to see a pic one day of what you consider "used" aside from the obvious beat to hell and back through the jungles of Columbia with FARC

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+1, pickings aren't super slim in SEPA. Though I do notice prices have gone up - I deal with private owners on these and not the shops - it has made for some great deals in my book.

 

[TTSH]

... every shop has a few and one shop has a lot.

Wow!!! As we've discussed before, I need to move down to your neighborhood for a while. Up here it's "most shops have none and no shops have a lot"!

Even worse than that, some shops that would occasionally have one come in in the past absolutely never get one in anymore. That part is even more confusing than the lack of nice 3rd Gens in the area generally. Put another way, it's become increasingly uneven as some shops appear to have decided to sell new tactical plastic only and totally ignore older metal. My nearest shop (a relatively new one) literally doesn't even know what a 3rd Gen is. I kid you not.

The other thing of course is your use of the the phrase "used". I'd love to see a pic one day of what you consider "used" aside from the obvious beat to hell and back through the jungles of Columbia with FARC

LOL!!! I think my offending phrase is "used and abused" because all the 3rd Gens in my collection are used and all the 3rd Gens I'm likely to ever find before I kick the bucket are used as well.

Used is perfectly fine with me. "Used & abused"... not so much.

 

[ColbyBruce]

My favorite LGS has a few S&W 5906's and had something similar with a rail; I was in a hurry and did not fondle them.

 

[TTSH]

I've noticed in the past year that the LGS's that used to sell 3rd Gens for 300-350 have now decided the same pistols are worth 450 and up. Still see quite a few, though.

The bargains are in the private owners that list them. They can usually be found in the $350 range. I try to be realistic when I sell something, and list it for what I would pay for it. For instance, I sold a 5906 with some finish wear awhile back for $350. Maybe that's not very smart these days!

Obviously, I didn't get to see that Model 5906 with one magazine that sold in one day for $499.95. I'm guessing that it was a fixed sights model as those seem to sell faster and for more money.

For a long time, I've been looking to "upgrade" from my current adjustable sights (w/wings) 5906 to a fixed sights version... but $499.95 with one magazine? No thanks!

 

[TTSH]

+1, pickings aren't super slim in SEPA. Though I do notice prices have gone up - I deal with private owners on these and not the shops - it has made for some great deals in my book.

The only thing rarer up here than nice condition 3rd Gens in gun shops are nice condition 3rd Gens for sale in private hands.

GaryS does a much better job than me in watching local boards for private sales. He gets up earlier and stays up later. I should do more but I've not had tons of luck with local private buys.

 

[oldman10mm]

the 4053 and 4013 would be good candidates for 10mm conversion.

 

[petepeterson]

Wow!!! As we've discussed before, I need to move down to your neighborhood for a while. Up here it's "most shops have none and no shops have a lot"!

If I'm not mistaken, there was an offer on the table from BAM and myself to move you into a retirement home here in the free state of Western PA. We'd take turns visiting and taking you to gun stores (or at least we would tell you that we did, counting on you not really remembering at your advanced age...)

 

[nocents]

If I'm not mistaken, there was an offer on the table from BAM and myself to move you into a retirement home here in the free state of Western PA. We'd take turns visiting and taking you to gun stores (or at least we would tell you that we did, counting on you not really remembering at your advanced age...)

..the down side of that for TTSH is that he would have to become a Steelers fan instead of a Patriots fan

 

[cololab]

From my observations there aren't many 3rd Gens hitting the shops in my area either; and certainly not many in decent shape or at a reasonable price. Like any number of things, the Internet sites have pushed up prices and/or reduced availability.

I don't like playing the auction site game. However by the time you drive all over creation looking for, and not finding, what you would like, it may currently be your best method of locating what you are after.

 

[BAM-BAM]

..another up-side of that for TTSH is that he would have to become a Steelers fan instead of a Patriots fan

See a win win win win win for TTSH .............. Steelers , Penguins, Pirates, 3G mags shipped from Oldman10mm without fear of jail time and monthly... USCPSA* matches



Oh Ya, I fixed that for you nocents...LOL




*United States Curmudgeon's Practical Shooting Association/ AARP Division

 

[petepeterson]

See a win win win win win for TTSH .............. Steelers , Penguins, Pirates, 3G mags shipped from Oldman10mm without fear of jail time and monthly... USCPSA* matches



Oh Ya, I fixed that for you nocents...LOL




*United States Curmudgeon's Practical Shooting Association/ AARP Division

BAM,

My younger son is a rabid Pats fan. Gronk shirt, Brady shirt- an embarrassment to the town. We can have him "sit" with TTSH on Sundays while we take his hardware for a "test-fire."

 

[nocents]

BAM,

My younger son is a rabid Pats fan. Gronk shirt, Brady shirt- an embarrassment to the town. We can have him "sit" with TTSH on Sundays while we take his hardware for a "test-fire."

better in the 'Burgh" with a Gronk and Brady shirt than a Burfict or PacMan jersey

 

[TTSH]

the 4053 and 4013 would be good candidates for 10mm conversion.

I always figured that if someone was going to put that kind of time, money and/or effort into doing a 10mm conversion... that they would want to start with the nicest 4013 or 4053 available (unless, of course, a refinishing was planned).

I mean... why put good money or effort into a ratty gun?

That's what I would do anyway... and yes, I know I am a little bit anal about cosmetic appearance.

 

[TTSH]

If I'm not mistaken, there was an offer on the table from BAM and myself to move you into a retirement home here in the free state of Western PA. We'd take turns visiting and taking you to gun stores (or at least we would tell you that we did, counting on you not really remembering at your advanced age...)

..the down side of that for TTSH is that he would have to become a Steelers fan instead of a Patriots fan

See a win win win win win for TTSH .............. Steelers , Penguins, Pirates, 3G mags shipped from Oldman10mm without fear of jail time and monthly... USCPSA* matches.

Wise guys!!! All wise guys!!!

You characters know that I'm stuck here behind enemy lines! And at my advanced age, you never know. A radical change like that could kill me!

 

[TTSH]

From my observations there aren't many 3rd Gens hitting the shops in my area either; and certainly not many in decent shape or at a reasonable price. Like any number of things, the Internet sites have pushed up prices and/or reduced availability.

I don't like playing the auction site game. However by the time you drive all over creation looking for, and not finding, what you would like, it may currently be your best method of locating what you are after.

Believe me, I know. And I live in a relatively small state. My 3rd Gen magazine shopping gasoline bill alone is up into FIVE FIGURES!!! Okay, so I count the cents in that... but you get the idea!

Add up the gasoline, turnpike tolls, gun show parking, gun show admission, lunch at the show, soda break on the way home... and the cost of the magazines themselves, of course. Suddenly it is cheaper to buy them on-line through that big firearms auction site that we can't mention.

But worst of all is when you spend all that time & money and don't score at all. Add that in and your cost per discontinued/pre-ban/hard-to-find magazine actually found is through the roof.

 

[MWater]

Here's a list of every 1-3 gen to go through my "L"GS (GAT Guns in northern Illinois) since I started keeping track.

0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 4583TSW, .45 ACP - 399.99
0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 5943, 9mm - 369.99
0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 908, 9mm - 389.99
2015-09-30 - Smith & Wesson 910, 9mm - 289.99
2015-10-30 - Smith & Wesson 669, 9mm - 399.99
2015-11-11 - Smith & Wesson 915, 9mm - 359.99
2015-12-06 - Smith & Wesson 422, .22 LR - 199.99
2015-12-06 - Smith & Wesson 5906, 9mm - 479.99
2015-12-23 - Smith & Wesson 4506-1, .45 ACP - 499.99
2016-01-08 - Smith & Wesson 910S, 9mm - 299.99
2016-01-14 - Smith & Wesson 910S, 9mm - 299.99
2016-01-15 - Smith & Wesson 422, .22 LR - 219.99
2016-01-21 - Smith & Wesson 410, 9mm - 399.99
2016-01-23 - Smith & Wesson 3913, 9mm - 239.99
2016-01-23 - Smith & Wesson 457D, .45 ACP - 239.99
2016-02-04 - Smith & Wesson 5906, 9mm - 399.99
2016-02-14 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 599.99
2016-02-14 - Smith & Wesson 4006, .40 S&W - 349.99
2016-02-19 - Smith & Wesson 22A, .22 LR - 189.99
2016-02-19 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 389.99
2016-02-28 - Smith & Wesson 669, 9mm - 399.99
2016-03-10 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 699.99 (nickel)
2016-03-12 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 499.99
2016-03-16 - Smith & Wesson 4006 Shorty 40 MK III, .40 S&W - 999.99
2016-04-28 - Smith & Wesson 410, .40 S&W - 329.99
2016-05-14 - Smith & Wesson 5903, 9mm - 399.99
2016-06-08 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 389.99
2016-06-10 - Smith & Wesson 915, 9mm - 319.99

I could probably make a note of quality for each, but most were pretty good to excellent. The $500 4506-1 might have been the best deal, as it was basically LNIB. They had a 5906 in at the same time that was a bit beat up and priced for $480, which seemed like a stretch. It was gone fast, though. Not sure what was going on with the 3913 and 457 for $240... they were gone the same day they popped up on the web site. I'm guessing they never hit the display case.

Private sale listings I see on Armslist seem to be a joke around here (very high).

 

[TTSH]

Here's a list of every 1-3 gen to go through my "L"GS (GAT Guns in northern Illinois) since I started keeping track.

0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 4583TSW, .45 ACP - 399.99
0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 5943, 9mm - 369.99
0000-00-00 - Smith & Wesson 908, 9mm - 389.99
2015-09-30 - Smith & Wesson 910, 9mm - 289.99
2015-10-30 - Smith & Wesson 669, 9mm - 399.99
2015-11-11 - Smith & Wesson 915, 9mm - 359.99
2015-12-06 - Smith & Wesson 422, .22 LR - 199.99
2015-12-06 - Smith & Wesson 5906, 9mm - 479.99
2015-12-23 - Smith & Wesson 4506-1, .45 ACP - 499.99
2016-01-08 - Smith & Wesson 910S, 9mm - 299.99
2016-01-14 - Smith & Wesson 910S, 9mm - 299.99
2016-01-15 - Smith & Wesson 422, .22 LR - 219.99
2016-01-21 - Smith & Wesson 410, 9mm - 399.99
2016-01-23 - Smith & Wesson 3913, 9mm - 239.99
2016-01-23 - Smith & Wesson 457D, .45 ACP - 239.99
2016-02-04 - Smith & Wesson 5906, 9mm - 399.99
2016-02-14 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 599.99
2016-02-14 - Smith & Wesson 4006, .40 S&W - 349.99
2016-02-19 - Smith & Wesson 22A, .22 LR - 189.99
2016-02-19 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 389.99
2016-02-28 - Smith & Wesson 669, 9mm - 399.99
2016-03-10 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 699.99 (nickel)
2016-03-12 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 499.99
2016-03-16 - Smith & Wesson 4006 Shorty 40 MK III, .40 S&W - 999.99
2016-04-28 - Smith & Wesson 410, .40 S&W - 329.99
2016-05-14 - Smith & Wesson 5903, 9mm - 399.99
2016-06-08 - Smith & Wesson 39-2, 9mm - 389.99
2016-06-10 - Smith & Wesson 915, 9mm - 319.99

I could probably make a note of quality for each, but most were pretty good to excellent. The $500 4506-1 might have been the best deal, as it was basically LNIB. They had a 5906 in at the same time that was a bit beat up and priced for $480, which seemed like a stretch. It was gone fast, though. Not sure what was going on with the 3913 and 457 for $240... they were gone the same day they popped up on the web site. I'm guessing they never hit the display case.

Private sale listings I see on Armslist seem to be a joke around here (very high).

That's a pretty darn impressive list for just one dealer. I'm especially impressed by the Model 3913 for $239.99. But I can see a lot of 3rd Gens on the list that I could see myself picking up.

You're very fortunate to have a great dealer like that nearby!