The best deal you have ever gotten on a firearm?

[Buick]

I lent a friend 600.00. He never contacted me again or tried to pay me anything. Unusually for me I had accepted some collateral on his loan. A 1944 German G43 with original scope. It had been bubba'd slightly so it really wasn't worth what a truly collectable G43 would bring. But what a cool rifle that shot and functioned 100%.

 

[bigmtnman]

More than just a "FREE" gun

At a Tanner Denver gun show around 2005 a fellow just puts out a Ruger XR3 frame first model Single-Six with FACTORY sambar stags in it's original box for $235. I immediately pick it up and know it's going to be mine. I did NOT make the mistake of putting it back down as I could feel the hot breath on my neck of the guy behind me .

I sold the grips for $250 and the box for $60. I have used that SS since then for making my elk grips for the XR3. It's like I got PAID to take that gun

 

[SLCDW]

A minty early 90's model 632 Centennial Airweight mislabeled as a 642 at my LGS and priced at $400. Actually asked the newby sales clerk twice to confirm that the label and price was correct. In my pocket as I type this.

 

[pharmer]

I got quite a few deals as an FFL for most of the 1980's and half the 1990's. Some outright free. I guess this is as good as it got; HK 91 with "Arlington" address mark (before they moved to Chantilly). The "spare parts kit" was $150 (a thoughtfully cut up, new, Portuguese G3. I sold the 3 position lower for $100, quickly).
I have been offered $3,500 for all of it. Joe

 

[Rubone]

Most of my best deals have been free for various reasons, so a subject for another thread!

 

[Rubone]

Bought this one just a few years back for $700 OTD. A like new 29-5 full endurance package 8-3/8 in Nickel..

 

[AJ]

Have been given guns several times over the years. Some by family members and friends.........does that count?

 

[pmanton]

When I was in Vietnam I had an SKS. I wound up getting Med-evacued so I had no SKS to take home.
Some many years later I mentioned it to a friend. He then gave me an SKS to replace the one I had lost. I treasure it.

 

[Dvus]

Two come to mind. First was a perfect pre-ban Molot VEPR for $700. Second was an all original 90% 1911 War Horse Colt from 1918 for $1500 from the local pawn shop.

 

[Notch8]

About 5 years ago I went into my LGS to see what they had on their used gun rack. I didn't see much so, as I always did, I asked if they might have any Marlin 39As in the back that hadn't been put out yet. The guy says hold on a minute. He goes in the back room and a few minutes later he comes out carrying a box. I think to myself this can't be what I think it is. So he sets the box on the counter and opens it for me to see. There it is! A 1966 Marlin 39A in mint condition with the original box and even the original sales receipt from the local hardware store at that time nearly 55 years ago. On top was a steel Weaver K4 60-C scope in the same condition and it was also wearing a German made Brownells Latigo sling. The steel Marlin sight base for scope mounting was on there too.

The original owner still lived in town and was getting up in years so was selling off some of his guns on consignment. I said how much? $875 I think is what he told me. I thought about it for a few seconds and said would he take $750? The clerk said he didn't know but would call him and see what he said. A few minutes later he came back and the owner said he could let it go for that. I'm sure it has been fired but you honestly can't tell it from one NIB. I don't know this for a fact but I kinda think the gun shop might have held that gun in the back till I came in because I always asked for a 39A every time I was there. When you find one like this on Gunbroker, mint in the box, they are usually somewhere around $1500 or higher.

 

[LVSteve]

Have been given guns several times over the years. Some by family members and friends.........does that count?

Or how about finding one left behind by the former owner of the house you just bought.

 

[Rubone]

Or how about finding one left behind by the former owner of the house you just bought.

With old blood on it??

 

[Abbynormal]

I've been looking for a good Win M94 for the past couple of years.
e
Found one at my lgs. It is a late 60's/70's 1894 Antique models.
I had one years ago. It was my favorite lever gun and regretted ever selling it.

The Antique model had a case hardened reciever and etching
for Gold filling on both sides and a brass saddle ring and loading gate.

The one I found was exactly that and they wanted $650 on consignment.
The guy that put it on consignment was there and we negotiated.
I laid out $C notes out and he agreed to the deal at $500.

I was happy, he was happy and I still had $150 in my pocket!

 

[desi2358]

Or how about finding one left behind by the former owner of the house you just bought.

I got a Winchester 1906 22 pump from a deal like that. Fellow I knew had bought an old house and was ripping out the ancient furnace and some of the duct work. Found the rifle on top of the ducting. Pump handle was broke and had crumbling old yellow tape around it. He didn't want to mess with it so brought it to me, wanted $50 for it. Which I gladly paid him! Exterior finish was fair but the bore was perfect! Pinned and epoxied the pump handle back together and still have it today!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Bid at an auction on a 32-20 round butt Hand Ejector with pearl after market grips and got it for $90. Sold the grips for $80. Final cost = $10. It now wears a nice set of gold washer period correct grips that are worth way more than the gun.

Next best is the fairly nice 38 SA bought for $60 at a local GS. Also bought a very nice 32 SA with a missing broken grip panel for $140, then went and found the needed grip on Ebay for $15 that night.

And then there is my 8" model 57 that I won at an estate auction for under $350 a few years ago. It was wearing a seat of rubber Pachmayrs but I managed to find a nice set of targets for $25 shortly after.

The most interesting trade was a recent one where I bought a reproduction Colt Walker that was missing the grips, grip strap and was non functional. Bought the parts and got it working. had less than $200 in it and traded it for a nice Glock 19 with extra mag and IWB holster. nice gun but really not a semi auto fan so I traded that for a S&W 442 and two boxes of factory ammo. Total cost with the 2 transfers = $250.

John

 

[LVSteve]

With old blood on it??

Fortunately not.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Just wondering what the best deal you have ever gotten on a firearm. I'm not asking about those given to you from a relative or friend but one you happened upon at a gun store or gun show. Something you actually laid out some cash (credit counts) for.

I'll start with my Colt/Armalite SP1 with its 5-digit serial number at $175.00 purchased in 1977. 480 rds of ammo, bayonet, scabbard, bipod, and 5 twenty round mags completed the deal.

Adding late to the show; it also came with the 3 power Colt scope.

Llance

That's $910.52 in today's money.

 

[Dave_n]

An Inglis Mk 2 that was not recognized by the Gunshop as a "rather rare piece!" They simply said "Dave you might like this Canuck 9 mm" What made it even better was that the gunshop had a book on the Inglis pistols on display with the serial number of the Inglis on the cover was three higher than the one they sold me. I almost broke my wrist reaching for my wallet!! Dave_n

 

[John Fugate]

I bought a decent model 36 during the pandemic for 1125.00 no box but it came with two speedloaders and an uncle mikes deluxe holster.

 

[stu1ritter]

In 2014 I dropped by one of my local gun shops to see what they had in the show cases. I found something interesting and asked the salesman to take it out so I could see it. As he is reaching for it in the case, right next to it I see a K frame 4" barreled S&W marked .32 Long with a price tag of 599.99. Before he even gets his hand on what he was after I tell him I'll take the .32 next to it. He then said "You know it has a cut barrel"! I told him I didn't care. For $650 out the door I purchased a K-32 Masterpiece Pre-Model 16 with a factory cut 4" barrel. It dated to 1949 and was a special order to BW Folsom in Warren OH. The revolver was almost as new. I sold it a year later for well into 5 figures. My best deal ever.

Stu