Unicorn find

Deals? Great Deals? Awesome Steals?

What are you guys (and maybe gals too) talking about? Some of you state you got a great deal or something...........

ALL, I MEAN ALL, of mine have been "greatest deal ever, 400% value increase the day I got it, nobody else in the whole world has ever found one like this, I feel so bad for paying what I did, etc. et. al. ad infinitum......"

You say you don't believe me............just ask my wife!!!!:D:o:rolleyes:

Disclaimer: This post better self-destruct in 10 seconds.

Sorry for the thread drift....can't resist a "screaming deal".
 

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Gentlemen,

I bought this 27-2 5", proof fired in 1978, TT, TH ands equipped with the so called Mustang aftermarket stocks (now Ahrends Target), some years ago for then 300 Euro (then about 370$). I was the only bidder on an egun auction, and I never regretted to be so shameless. Description said some minor surface pitting and the photographs showed that there were very small spots on the bluing (apart from the Mustang stocks which of course were not adding to the value). When I got it, the turnline and the traces on the recoil shield said: A few rounds fired and then stashed away for the next 38 years. Needless to say: Lockwork is perfect as is accuracy. The tiny spots have long gone zhanks to regulary wiping the bluing with oil.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 
cndrdk said:
We all love a good deal and I have stepped into a few (and refused a few) myself over the years, yet we morally blasted SWM183 on his 2nd ever post to the forum for getting an 18-3 for the asking price $200. I hope SWM183 will continue to participate.
Click to expand...

A good deal from a LGS or pawn shop or gun show seller who should know what they're doing is one thing. Buying something from a friend or even an acquaintance for far less than you know the value to be is something else. In my book anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
Not to hijack, but Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters was quite a place in the day. These guys (Herman and Ray) could fix anything.
They also had a big network to obtain hard to find parts.

In addition to being a Colt warranty center, they also were a warranty center for Ruger. Their prices were very reasonable. Many of the pistols
they repaired for me are still going strong after 40 to 50 yrs ago. Both were factory trained by Colt in Hartford.

Herman rebuilt a Colt DA 38 for me in the 70's
and it still works well. He also worked on the
Colt lightnings. He rebuilt a M1911 that was tired and defaced into a full blown match pistol with a
Gold Cup barrel. After almost 50,000 rounds, its
still accurate as the day I picked it up from him.

These guys were true craftsmen. I'm pretty sure
they knew the value of BamBam's RM but priced
it as the seller wanted. Back in the 70's, a new
Model 28 wasn't that expensive, like around $140 or so new. So a RM at 325 wasn't unreasonable, but 3 times what a stock 28 was.
 
Last edited:
22hipower said:
A good deal from a LGS or pawn shop or gun show seller who should know what they're doing is one thing. Buying something from a friend or even an acquaintance for far less than you know the value to be is something else. In my book anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
Click to expand...

I agree....... the other thing to remember is a lot of these shops don't have collectors in residence........ I figure that if they're asking $500 for a used gun they probably only paid $350-400 for it ...... they're just looking to turn it for a profit.

What bothers me is the shop that offers a "widow" pennies on the dollar.

Can't count the number of times I've heard a Gun Shop employee say "What are you looking to get out of it??" Most folks don't have any idea what Granddad's gun(s) are actually worth ....... it's just a "used" gun to them....MY RM was in on consignment for the price of a Model 28. The shop had skin in the game as they were getting 15%.
 
this-thread-is-worthless-without-pics.gif
 
bam bam,

These guys were no dummies. I'm sure they priced your RM as the seller wanted. Everyone
got what they wanted. The seller, the shop and
you. You got a great deal.

Remember some 15 yrs ago, revolvers were pretty much passe' with the new plastic autos.
 
Last edited:
noro said:
bam bam,

These guys were no dummies. I'm sure they priced your RM as the seller wanted. Everyone
got what they wanted. The seller, the shop and
you. You got a great deal.

Remember some 15 yrs ago, revolvers were pretty much passe' with the new plastic autos.
Click to expand...

The guys you knew had been gone for several years..... IIRC Ray(?) passed away around 2000 and his wife ran the business for 4-5 years before selling it to a young Gunsmith and his Dad.

They didn't last long as the location in Westview a good location in the mid-20th century.......... was off every beaten track by 2000...... location is everything for a business.
 
Last edited:
About 10 years ago I was in a Gander Mountain to buy some fish bait, and I casually walked past the handgun counter. There was a long barreled N Frame in the counter. The tag was partially covered, but it was identified as a Model 27. I asked to see it. Of course the clerk had to see my pistol permit before he would open the case, so naturally I obliged.

I opened the cylinder and it was not a 27, it was a pre-27, and it appeared unfired. Then I flipped over the tag........$295.

After gaining my composure I said "I'll take it". I pulled out my MC and started filling out the 4473 while the clerk went in the computer to pull up the record and delete it from inventory.

I sensed a problem. The clerk got the manager and the 2 of them came over and tried to talk me out of buying it. He said a record problem and it might take a very long time to fix it. I said I'll wait. No problem, I'm not in a hurry.

It took an hour and a half but I ended up taking the gun home. I suspect the tag was mismarked and it should have been $1295.

A year later I bought a nice condition (but not new) pre-14 in the same store for $195.

Gosh, I loved that place.....
 
BamBam

You bring back a lot of memories. Herman owned the business, and Rosemary (his wife)
took care of the business end and did the test
firing. Herman took on Ray as an apprentice,
and sent him to Colt for the factory repair courses.

Herman was a hell of a gunsmith and overall
nice guy. He told me he restored my DA 38 as
a favor and never wanted to work on one again.
Too much hand fitting. He could fix 10 pistols in
the time it took to fix it. Still have the receipt for
$50. New hand, new cylinder with ratchet, and
retime. (1975)
 
Last edited:
Daimler1989 said:
Gentlemen,

I bought this 27-2 5", proof fired in 1978, TT, TH ands equipped with the so called Mustang aftermarket stocks (now Ahrends Target), some years ago for then 300 Euro (then about 370$). I was the only bidder on an egun auction, and I never regretted to be so shameless. Description said some minor surface pitting and the photographs showed that there were very small spots on the bluing (apart from the Mustang stocks which of course were not adding to the value). When I got it, the turnline and the traces on the recoil shield said: A few rounds fired and then stashed away for the next 38 years. Needless to say: Lockwork is perfect as is accuracy. The tiny spots have long gone zhanks to regulary wiping the bluing with oil.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

Click to expand...

Tis a sin to own a 5" M27 for all that time and not shoot it. Shame, shame! :D
 
Muley Gil said:
Yep, it's a sin.

Back in 2006, my LGS had a NIB M27, nickel & 8 3/8" barrel. I bought it, found a 5" nickel barrel, and had David Clements swap barrels. It was a great shooter! Ain't no safe queens at my house.
Click to expand...

Now THAT's a sin...

Show me a 8 3/8 of any S&W for sale and I'll probably come home with me.
 
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