Used Performance Center Semi-auto Values

[Sevens]

It might help at least a bit with perception if we can toss out the idea that there were kind of two different levels or "echelons" of PC semiauto pistols. And try and not get bent out of shape here, but...

The PC carry/defense guns are NICE. They are extremely sharp looking, low in production numbers and with smooth DA triggers and Briley bushings. But those DA/SA pistols don't quite match up with the Limited 5-inch and 6-inch precision, single action target pistols.

The 952's, 845's, the 3566 Limited, the PPC9's and various Euro-Target Champion guns offer something beyond the classy and short-printed PC carry pistols and they cost more when new and they tend to (typically) go for more money now.

 

[BAM-BAM]

It might help at least a bit with perception if we can toss out the idea that there were kind of two different levels or "echelons" of PC semiauto pistols. And try and not get bent out of shape here, but...

The PC carry/defense guns are NICE. They are extremely sharp looking, low in production numbers and with smooth DA triggers and Briley bushings. But those DA/SA pistols don't quite match up with the Limited 5-inch and 6-inch precision, single action target pistols.

The 952's, 845's, the 3566 Limited, the PPC9's and various Euro-Target Champion guns offer something beyond the classy and short-printed PC carry pistols and they cost more when new and they tend to (typically) go for more money now.

Why should we "toss out the idea that there are two different levels...of PC semi-auto pistols".....?????????????? LOL... your very post seems to imply there were two levels........ Nice carry guns that don't "match up" to the PC target guns..


You are right they were different guns for different purposes.......carry vs target pistols.....but you're still talking guns mostly from the 1990s;

3566;1993
845s; 95-97, 98
952; 2000

As far as I know none of those have been made for at least 10-15 years.

I've seen a "lot" of threads over the past 15 years talking about the PC revolvers..... looking cool but nothing special in the action/accuracy dept.

Now the PC is making PC M&Ps ...........................OK....what's so PC about them ....... ported barrels?.....after market trigger?.... Hi-Vis sights?

As to the 1911s...... I don't know......but only 1/3 the price of a Wilson.


But the PC isn't making any of the custom guns of the 90s anymore.....folks want them and prices have gone up.......but "3-4-5 grand" guns they are not.....IMHO...

 

[18DAI]

If somebody wants to give me $2K for my LNIB PC Shorty 9 please have your FFL fax a copy to my FFL. Oh, and THANK YOU!!!

 

[Sevens]

Shocked that someone got annoyed with a post. Like never happens...

I'm merely attempting to SHARE the idea that the 5-6" Performance Center target pistols are trading (typically) at prices above and beyond what the shorter, smaller, defense/carry oriented DA/SA pistols trade at, and perhaps suggest why that might be.

In any case, when I said "toss out the idea" I didn't mean "throw the idea away", I meant "put this idea out here to be discussed a bit."

952? If it's priced at $1,800 consider it SOLD, gone, vaporized, history, yesterday's news and you won't get a second chance. 952 can and will sell comfortably at $2,500+. And though these are totally amazing pistols, I believe (simply compared to other PC semiautos) that the 952's are just a bit inflated considered they were perhaps made in the highest volume compared to any/all of the other 5-6" target PC pistols.

The most recent 845 on Gunbroker didn't sell at $2495 until it ran for three weeks. VERY surprising to me, I figured it was a slam-dunk at $2,495. The last two were over $2,700. That's a pistol that reportedly under 600 were made.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Shocked that someone got annoyed with a post. Like never happens...

I'm merely attempting to SHARE the idea that the 5-6" Performance Center target pistols are trading (typically) at prices above and beyond what the shorter, smaller, defense/carry oriented DA/SA pistols trade at, and perhaps suggest why that might be.

In any case, when I said "toss out the idea" I didn't mean "throw the idea away", I meant "put this idea out here to be discussed a bit."

952? If it's priced at $1,800 consider it SOLD, gone, vaporized, history, yesterday's news and you won't get a second chance. 952 can and will sell comfortably at $2,500+. And though these are totally amazing pistols, I believe (simply compared to other PC semiautos) that the 952's are just a bit inflated considered they were perhaps made in the highest volume compared to any/all of the other 5-6" target PC pistols.

The most recent 845 on Gunbroker didn't sell at $2495 until it ran for three weeks. VERY surprising to me, I figured it was a slam-dunk at $2,495. The last two were over $2,700. That's a pistol that reportedly under 600 were made.

LOL.... Sevens...... sorry I misinterpreted your comments........

my point all along is that the originators of the PC ...... were eliminating the need to send factory guns out to be customized...... by purpose building "custom" guns from scratch ....... like a Wilson Combat.....that philosophy seems to have been lost at the PC in the past decade........

therefore searching for and buying a older PC gun is like finding a gun customized in the 70s, 80s by well known gunsmiths........but the limited supply of 90's PC guns is driving the prices up......

what those guns are "worth" depends on who and why they want them....

 

[Sevens]

Oh, it's all good!

In my opinion, there are S&W semiauto pistols available on the used market (well out of production) that does NOT have the PC logo or name but it absolutely has the Performance Center blood in them. That would be the models 41 and 52.

The fitment, the slide-on-frame "feel", the lock-up, the on-target accuracy/repeatability and as much as anything -- the incredible trigger (clean, light, short break, lack of overtravel and terrific reset) makes these two older pistols thoroughly Performance Center in all but name.

If someone considers themselves big fans of the golden era of the PC and digs the semiautos we know and love, they are cheating themselves if they haven't chased the 41 & 52.

I realize the 41 is still in production... but I've never handled a newer 41 so I'll have to reserve comment until I have.

 

[BAM-BAM]

So true.........I have my Father's early 60s 41............wish my 60 something eyes were up to getting the best out of it!!!!!

 

[Tom S.]

So true.........I have my Father's early 60s 41............wish my 60 something eyes were up to getting the best out of it!!!!!

Two words: Red dot. Not the powder or a laser either. Although my vision isn't terrible, I still shoot better when using a red dot in place of open/iron sights. Bought my first Aimpoint in the late 80's, just about the time my eyes started losing their ability to see both sights clearly, especially in low light situations like at one of our local indoor ranges. I stuck it on a Browning GP Competition, and the difference was very noticeable, not only to me, but to my friends who shot it and wanted one for their guns. Aimpoint has gotten pretty pricey now days, but there are cheaper alternatives, especially for a low recoil firearm like the 41. Of course if your 41 is old, you might have to decide whether or not you want drill and tap holes in the top, but I suspect since it was your father's, you aren't worried about resale value.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Two words: Red dot. Not the powder or a laser either. Although my vision isn't terrible, I still shoot better when using a red dot in place of open/iron sights. Bought my first Aimpoint in the late 80's, just about the time my eyes started losing their ability to see both sights clearly, especially in low light situations like at one of our local indoor ranges. I stuck it on a Browning GP Competition, and the difference was very noticeable, not only to me, but to my friends who shot it and wanted one for their guns. Aimpoint has gotten pretty pricey now days, but there are cheaper alternatives, especially for a low recoil firearm like the 41. Of course if your 41 is old, you might have to decide whether or not you want drill and tap holes in the top, but I suspect since it was your father's, you aren't worried about resale value.

Drill and tap a family heirloom........NOOOOOooooooo!!!!!!!

LOL

 

[James&theGiant1911]

Here is a PC insert from my mk3, it is pretty cool and very rare. Do not know how many have survived in tact with the cases, and pistols.

 

[lhump1961]

Mine are a couple of favorites that sit in the safe and periodically get oiled up and wiped down. I've pretty much gone away from buying guns I don't shoot so I'll hang on to the one's I have and go from there.

As for prices I have some stuff that I picked up before the prices went out of sight but there are others that I passed on thinking the price was too high then but would pay that price now very quickly...wouldn't we all like to go back 15 years with what we know now! Should have bought the Shorty 45 when I had the chance...probably can't afford one now.