WAC Gunshow S&W 3rd Gen Report (Feb 2014, Puyallup-WA)

[skjos]

The WAC puts on 24 gunshows in WA every year, 12 shows are in Monroe and 12 shows are in Puyallup. I typically attend the Puyallup shows. These shows are the largest in the state. That being said, there are not a lot of 3rd gens for sale, here is what I found this month:

6906 = $425
75-80%, polished slide, non-original grip (grip wrapped around the front).

6690 = $850
95%; a carry-over from last month' show

5944 = $550
99% with original box; a carry-over from last month's show

2nd Gen 459 = $675
85% nickel, with original box and 3 mags

Then the two I sold:

4043 = $385
85-90%, 2 mags

5906 = $415
98% (refinish), 1 mag, non-original grip

My asking price was $425 for the 4043 and $450 for the 5906, but I sold them as a package for $800, I probably should have held out for more cash.

 

[BruceB]

You must have missed the 645 with four original yellow follower mags for $500. Some minor scrapes or rub marks on one side of the slide, but otherwise pretty good.

Or the "NIB, never fired" 4006 w/adjustable sights with obvious wear and dirty lube still hanging in the rails. I don't recall the price, but too much.

There was nickel 439 as well, I think maybe $650 ? Grey box but end label ripped off.


I got there about 10:30 on Saturday, TONS of cars in the lot, and I didn't remember that it wasn't in the usual building, so got some extra walking in. Lots of people in the Pavilion, ground floor was crazy. Between the baby strollers, groups strolling along in the middle of the narrow aisles 3 abreast sipping coffee and not even looking at the tables, and guys whacking me with long guns slung over the shoulder or huge tactical backpacks, it was a zoo.

 

[carbuncle]

That's pretty good, when I lived out there I used to hit the Monroe show every couple of months and would only see one or two 3rd Gens. Usually completely beat down and priced $100 over the former MSRP...

Posted from my car phone.

 

[skjos]

You must have missed the 645 with four original yellow follower mags for $500.

Or the "NIB, never fired" 4006 w/adjustable sights with obvious wear and dirty lube still hanging in the rails. I don't recall the price, but too much.

There was nickel 439 as well, I think maybe $650 ? Grey box but end label ripped off.

I did miss the 645, with that price it could have been sold before I got around to it.

I also missed the 4006, I really need to get my glasses checked. Last month I saw a 4006 that someone was claiming was a shorty forty, they wanted $800 or so... I just laughed.

The 469 I saw could have been the 439, again its the glasses thing.

 

[thumper32514]

I bought the 4006. I know I ended up overpaying but I wanted it and have not been able to find a really nice one fast enough to snap it up before it sold. Even resorted to GB and even beat up ones are starting to get pricey on that site. Overall a wash I guess but happy to have it and glad I can stop looking. I must have missed the 6906....been looking for one.

 

[BruceB]

I bought the 4006. I know I ended up overpaying but I wanted it and have not been able to find a really nice one fast enough to snap it up before it sold. Even resorted to GB and even beat up ones are starting to get pricey on that site. Overall a wash I guess but happy to have it and glad I can stop looking. I must have missed the 6906....been looking for one.

I didn't mean to imply that the 4006 was a dog, it was a very nice example, I just don't believe it was NIB. With today's market it probably is an OK deal, particularly with no shipping, and no FFL fees(?).

The 645 was in the right-hand building, along the left wall, the only gun an the table. the guy was selling some sort of chest holster rig, and a bunch of other stuff, I think he said it was a personal gun. I actually walked back to it twice, and even called the "Treasury Dept" at home to see if my Fun Fund was restocked enough to get it. I think the square trigger guard (I still don't really like those) and the slide scuffs togther made it a mental coin toss as to whether I would take it.

So instead, I blew $500 at Costco on the way home

 

[skjos]

The right hand building was the last I went to, so I'm sure it was gone when I got there, still I couldn't believe I missed it, so I went back to the show today. Sundays are certainly less crowded, so I could actually take a real good look at the tables... here are a few more I missed:

CS9 = $475
Stainless, 2 mags, this was 90-95% except for some really scratched up areas on the bottom of the dust hood and inside the trigger guard. I didn't really miss this one yesterday because they guy said he had just picked it up.

1st Gen M-59 = $535
85-90%, 2 mags

1st Gen 39-2 = $725
90%, original box

2nd gen 559 = $675
85%

Also, the 5944 was now marked at $525.

 

[thumper32514]

I understand what you meant. Agreed, after taking it home and taking it apart it was definitely shot, just not a lot. I plan on shooting it so no biggie to me. Looking forward to see what pops up at next months show. I just started collecting the 3rd gens in the last year and it is becoming a lot of fun tracking them down.

 

[Redcoat3340]

The problem I had with the WAC is that they charge you $50 or so to join the WAC Club...and you can't buy at gun at one of their shows without being a member. So add $50 to the purchase price. Also, I was at the Monroe show last weekend and didn't see much that wasn't at the top end of prices, if not way overpriced. It's mostly dealers.

Also, the WAC does it's own background check on all new members, and you can't join or purchase without their check, whether one is buying from a dealer or private sale (WA state doesn't require a background check on private sales).

 

[BruceB]

I figure that the membership fee more than covers the gate admission costs I would otherwise incur, plus the newsletter, and no hassles from most of private sale tables. I don't have an issue with them doing the WATCH (WSP) check to verify no recent serious criminal history.

The membership requirement is a state CPL which implies a fingerprint and background check, or a separate background check.

This effectively shuts down the "gun show loophole" arguement. If the table holders do the right thing, and report declined NICS checks, and only sell to badged members, it goes a long way to keeping these gun shows open.

 

[OLDFED]

The WAC vs. The Other Coast Shows

I spent many dollars and hours at the East Coast shows around the MD/VA area and find that the WAC has the best show rules and controls ever. The biggest difference is that the eastern shows had many more private "walkers" with signs and the deals were better. As others have noted, I get tired of the beef jerky, stuffed toys and useless doodads that have crept into shows. Imagine finding a gun table at a food or jewelry show. I think not! The show sponsors probably wouldn't let you in.