What was the MSRP of the 3rd gens

[S&W1006]

I know the price varied over the years but I am just curious. I did a google search but I couldn't find an answer. I just wondered what they sold for new when they were introduced. They weren't on my radar back when they were new but I am a big fan now.

 

[potpot821]

I still have the receipts when I bought my first pistol in FL.
The 908 I bought new in '96 was $300+, Didn't like the blocky Glock like look, asked the LGS a couple of weeks later if I can exchanged it for a one similar to what he was carrying. He gladly took it back and handed me a 6904, for $530.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Here's a few prices...

In 1990, the 1006 had a MSRP of $720.

The 4006 was $701 (with adjustable sights) in 1990 but by 2004 the 4006TSW was $1001, as was the 4566TSW, while a 3913TSW was $806 & the 3913LS was $829. The value models 410 & & 457 were both $627 and a 910 was $567.

In 1997, the Shorty 45 had a MSRP of $1145, the 845 was $1470, & the Shorty 40 was $1025.

.

 

[HCH]

Here's a useful reference that includes MSRP.

The Handgun Information Resource

 

[k22fan]

My recollection of the early 1990s is that bright blue and stainless Series 80 Colt 1911s, Colt Double Eagles and 4506s had nearly identical MSRPs, all within a few bucks of $700 for fixed sighted 45s. I included the Double Eagle because it was Colt's competition to 645s then 4506s. However, then as now most retail stores charged less than MSRP.

 

[JohnHL]

I knew I kept these old books around for a reason.

From the 1991 Gun Digest (These prices were listed as MSRP):

3914/LS $493.00
3913/LS $541.00

3904FS $520.00
3904AS $545.00
3906FS $570.00
3906AS $596.00

6904 $539.00
6906 $589.00

5904FS $570.00
5904AS $596.00
5906FS $621.00
5906AS $651.00

4006FS $674.00
4006AS $701.00

4516 $674.00

4506FS $674.00
4506AS $701.00

1006FS $695.00
1006AS $747.00

And just for comparison purposes:

629 $510.00

(Amazingly, the only 3rd gen less expensive than the top-of-the-line 629 was the bottom-of-the-line 3914. Even the lowly 3913 listed for $31.00 more!)

John

 

[S&W1006]

Thanks guys I didn't realize how expensive the 3rd gens were. I feel better about the prices I have paid for mine.

 

[Martya]

Anyone have the 4513TSW listed? 2001-ish?

To the OP:

Rule #1: You can't pay too much for a gun you really want.
Rule #2: Photos or it didn't happen.

C'mon, get with the program....

 

[TTSH]

Thanks guys I didn't realize how expensive the 3rd gens were. I feel better about the prices I have paid for mine.

Yep! A very useful and interesting thread, especially for those of us (like Rip Van Winkle Me!) who, through no fault of his own, managed to "sleep" through the entire 3rd Generation.

I have one more request: Can anyone give me an idea of 3rd Gen street prices as a function of MSRP? What were folks actually paying for these guns when they were brand new?

 

[IraIII]

Here are scans of a 2004 S&W catalog which had tables listing msrp for I believe all the S&W products that year. I cannot find any copyright data in this catalog so I believe that it is not copyrighted and can be posted, if I am in doubt mods please delete this.

 

[k22fan]

[...] Can anyone give me an idea of 3rd Gen street prices as a function of MSRP? What were folks actually paying for these guns when they were brand new?

I bought a 4586 in 1996 for $580 plus tax. My 4586 came from a LGS we called "the cop shop" because most of their floor space was uniforms and other gear. That was about average for new 3rd gens with similar MSRPs. I resorted to buying it new after giving up on finding a used .45 DAO 3rd gen. I still have it.

Approximatly 2010 there was a thread on buying police surplus 4586s for under $300. That illustrates why most retailers would not tie up their money in 3rd generation pistols. They did so at the risk that the next flood of police surplus would be the model they inventoried leaving them stuck with an unsaleable pistol.

Also from the cop shop I bought a pre-owned but unfired NIB 4506 with factory adjustable night sights for $400 plus tax. The shop had sold them to a sheriff department then traded them back in on 4006s after the voters replaced the .45 loving sheriff with a sheriff who had to have the relatively new .40 S&W. The department never transitioned into 4506s. At the time multiple stores had excellent condition used 4506s and 1006s for $450 plus tax. I took advantage of other low priced surplus 3rd generation pistols but they all have surface wear.

Sorry for the long tale rather than a simple % of MSRP. I hope it was a little interesting.

 

[TTSH]

Sorry for the long tale rather than a simple % of MSRP. I hope it was a little interesting.

Please don't apologize! I sincerely appreciate the insight.

The theory that resale of police trade-ins & surplus helped to kill the (relatively expensive) 3rd Gens is an interesting one. Makes me ponder how I might have reacted to a situation like that had I been "awake" during the 3rd Gen years. Also makes you wonder if there will even be a market for used plastic guns traded-in by police. With brand new plastic being so inexpensive, how low can they go reselling traded-in police plastic and still have it be worthwhile? IMHO, plastic guns are not likely to be as good as all-metal guns in terms of durability or restorability.

 

[10xatten]

Thanks. I'm glad to know my purchases of a 3913tsw no rail and 4506-1 (3) almost LNIB were not any higher than the new prices. I, too was "asleep" during the 3rd generation hayday. Catching up now.

Richard

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Don't forget inflation

Thanks. I'm glad to know my purchases of a 3913tsw no rail and 4506-1 (3) almost LNIB were not any higher than the new prices.

You can also take comfort in knowing that if you could currently buy a new 3913TSW it would cost $1019 based on the 2004 cost of $806, inflation (only) factored in. That 1990 M1006 that cost $720 would (at least) be $1,330, in today's dollars.

.

 

[DanHend]

That explains what I've always wanted to know about the alloy S&Ws. Now comes my next, better question, "Who wouldn't spend an extra $50 for an all steel gun?"

 

[TTSH]

You can also take comfort in knowing that if you could currently buy a new 3913TSW it would cost $1019 based on the 2004 cost of $806, inflation (only) factored in. That 1990 M1006 that cost $720 would (at least) be $1,330, in today's dollars.

Yep... something to ponder. In some ways, you might even say that plastic has done us a favor by lowering the average cost of new 9mm, .40 and .45 pistols... thus depressing the cost of our beloved 3rd Gens (used ones, of course) to the point where poor folks like me are actually able to collect them.

While good-to-excellent condition 3rd Gen prices are steadily marching upward, they still generally represent an excellent value. And I always make it a point to thank those of my friends who prefer plastic to metal. They are unknowingly doing us 3rd Gen folks a big favor.