Should I Have Bought Or Passed?

xfarfuldog

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This thread concerns pinned, non-pinned and even a 3rd gen. I couldn't decide which forum was appropiate but it mostly concerns non-pinned revolvers.

I am lucky to live in an area with many gun shops. Unfortunately there are very few with what I look for. Also there many decent gun shows. I was at two last Saturday. There is a larger gun show this weekend in Lima. Next weekend is the OGCA.

Last Saturday the first Smith was an excellent condition 4516. Came with box but only one 7 round mag. Price was $ 625. I offered $ 600 but he refused. The next was a 65-3 three inch for $ 700. Just a little rough so I kept looking. Third was an excellent 19-7 two an one half inch in original box. It was $ 850. I offered $ 750 and he lowered price to $825. I then came upon a 66 four inch ND new in the original box. It had the stainless rear sight, unopened tools, paper and everything including the original sales receipt. Price was $ 1000. Lastly a guy was walking around with a LNIB 681 four inch. He wanted $ 800.

I sat down with some friends, ate breakfast, and thought about it. Another friend was selling a Smith 22LR two inch revolver in box. He wanted $ 750. It was in good condition and I eventually offered him $ 650 but he refused.

I looked all the above guns more than once. I eventually picked up the 65 for $600. The seller was an acquaintance who had purchased my 4566 a few months ago.

I'm wondering if I am becoming jaded when I find guns that I like. I was going to pick up the 4516 but the 65 seller talked me out of it(after I bought the 65). He said he was sure that 3rd gen prices would come down in a few weeks. I'm interested in what forum members would do in the above situation.
 
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I would have probably offered $700 to the guy walking around with the 681.
 
Wow, that sure is a lot of S&Ws at one place to choose from! I think you did pretty good getting the 65, especially when sellers really aren't budging on their asking prices. But, who can really blame them? Supply and Demand rules still apply.
 
For various reasons, none of the guns mentioned would have had me breaking out my wallet, but if I had to choose, it would have been the 4516, I think.

Larry
 
Sounds to me like your first concern is getting a good deal rather than buying a gun you would like to own.Nothing wrong with that approach its just not for me.I have never walked away form a gun that I ran into that I wanted that didn't take my offer. Unless of course it was grossly over priced
 
I can agree with you about leaving over $ 25. But when I go to gun shows with something to sell I leave a little room for bargaining. Now if they were tell me their price is firm, I completely understand. They have a set price to either make money or not lose any. I just feel that they need to set up their wishes beforehand.

Another issue is the prices. There was a 3913 LS at this show.His price was $ 700 with 1 mag and the LS bag. There is a 3913 NL for sale locally. I could buy the NL for $ 525 with 3 mags. I did not buy because the condition was not great. I purchased a 3913 last year for $ 575 with 4 factory magazines in better condition than either of these.

One of the reasons for this thread is to see if I am being too picky over $ 25.
 
My problem would be wanting 2 or 3 of them. I'd have come home with the 65-3 and the Model 34 then regretted not getting the LNIB 681.
 
….to picky over $25?

No, I think you were just showing restraint. If you really had to have one of the previously mentioned….you would have.
 
On a firearm that is 6-7-800.00 dollars whats 25-50.00 dollars if you really want it. If it's just a potential resale then every dollar counts. I've only bought one revolver with the deliberate thought of a resale, a lovely H&R 2 inch Bicycle in the box. Sold it for twice what i paid for it.
 
Unfortunately,all different sellers. I feel jaded because the gun shows come around every month or so. Otherwise I find slim pickens. I had enough money on me to pick up the 65, 4516, 19, and maybe the 34. But wanted to save a little for the upcoming shows. Looking back I should have bought all four.

My money situation is good for right now but that will not last.
 
Well you are in luck, when you accept the buying price is $700 to $850 for used S&W firearms, the selling price will be $850 to $1,000, and you still won't own the gun you want that is no longer made.

According to this Forum, the prices I paid for the used S&W revolvers I bought from 2006 to 2010 was up to $200 too much. Today I can't afford to buy any of those revolvers because the prices have increased up to 75% . I'm beginning to think it is time to sell the estate sale revolvers.
 
Nothing in the OP would have made me do cartwheels. I might have found a common ground with the guy who had the 34.

I might toss out there to the OP: get a table at all those shows. You get to sit down much of the time. You let somebody else "pay" for your table when you sell something. You get lots of folks trying to sell something to you. Be part of your own solution.

Besides, it's great fun.
 
My thinking on gun prices. If it a gun you rarely see and the price is close, buy it. If you can't agree on a price there is always another down the road. As for the $25 dollar difference I have come to the conclusion, If I drive 50 to 100 miles to a gunshow, buy lunch, pay to get in and turn down a gun because the seller wants $25-$50 more that I would care to pay, I buy it. I have already spent $30 on gas there and back, $30 on lunch and $10 to get in, I have already spent $70 and It would be a waste of time going to the show If I passed up a purchase because of $25. Another thing, I don't know what sales tax is in Ohio but in Texas it is 8.25%. 8.25% on a $700 purchase in a shop would be about $57.75. Plus I would be POed when I get half way home and realized I should have bought that gun.
SWCA 892
 
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None of the ones listed would have gotten me really worked up. I have gone through many similar experiences that I remember though, and some I have regretted the outcome and others I haven't.
 
The problem with asking this question to me, is that we do not have the the kid in a candy store feeling being at a good gun show.

On my couch reading this, I would say pass on all of them.
At the gun show I'm screaming "take my money!"
 
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