What was your best gun buy?

I've had several,what I call, "gun store saves"..... over the past 4-5 years. I would have to dig out the paperwork for the exact numbers but .......

First a dirty S&W 66-4 3" which cleaned up to 95% condition, about $350 out the door. (2008-09) "An older gentleman wanted to go to a J-frame carry gun"

A S&W pre 39 (ser.# 22xx) 98% condition with the origional mag., $450. (Nov. 2011)

Two 3914s used but both almost nib; both were plus or minus $300 ( 2005-06). No one wanted them as "they weren't stainless, and low cap mags."

The best for last; Marked as a "Model 27" with rubber grips and an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster.... was Registered Mag. #4629; 6 1/2 inch. gold bead ...+95%......on consignment for a wooping $325 plus tax and transfer. (2005-06)

I also bought 2 S&W 66-3's both 3-inchers, new in 1989/90 for about $275 each. One is still unfired nib. A local dealer in Harrisburg Pa. told me the distributer had "a bunch on the shelf that he couldn't move... everyone wanted the new "Wonder 9s".
 
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Not too long ago I bought the JM Performance Center gun shown second from the bottom in the picture below for $850. It came with an Aimpoint H1 Micro red dot sight I subsequently sold for $450. The only cost I incurred was for a new rear sight, which allowed me to install a .160" rear blade and .300" front which was ideal for my bullseye shooting. I figure I spent a total of $500 (not including grips) on a gun worth two or three times as much.

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In 1990, an elderly fellow I worked with asked if I would tell him "what a gun was worth"? I said I would and he brought me an 1886 Win in 40-82. It was not pristine but in decent shooting condition, made in 1891. I told him 1886s weren't my line but I would have it appraised for him. A local gun shop owner told me it was worth $1200. I reported back to my co-worker and he asked if I'd like to buy it. I declined. He said "It's yours for $100.00." He insisted. I bought it.

I later found out an acquaintance of his had been hounding my co-worker to sell it to him, something you just didn't do with this guy. He got P Oed and decided I should have it, instead. I've still got it. Wonder what's it's worth today?
 
I have only been "collecting" for a couple years, so mostly I have been buying what I like at hopefully fair prices. Maybe in ten years the $450 I paid for a 66-2 and $500 for an 18-3 will look like screaming deals, but right now I think I paid about what they are worth. The only great deal was a perfect 10-5 that was given to me outright.
 
Bought a 624 for $189.44 in 2005. This handgun had been neglected with small areas of pitting due to bad storage. Later returned to Smith for Patridge front sight and general maintenance. Still a favorite.
 
SW40VE for $219. A little beat-up on outside, but shoots great! Cheers.
 
4" 14-2 in box (Dayton HQ gun) 95%+........ $200
8 3/8" 16-4 in box 95%+....$325
4" 547...$315

10 - 15 years ago, these prices were the norm...
I remember passing up 581's & 681's for under $250 because they were only fixed sight....

Local gun show 12 years ago; my brother spots a black box across the way, comes back with it, in it... a 4screw pre 29....$325 (guy was asking $350) tools & all.
 
A 6904 for $225. An ex-LEO brought in a box of handguns the local G/S to sell. They E-mailed me and I got over there in time to miss a deal on a M-59 but bought the 6904. Broke it down to clean and it looked like it had never been fired. Put about 400 rounds thru it since and it has become one of my favorites.
 
I feel my best buy was a NIB S&W Model 64-3 3 inch barrel still with the tools wrapped in plastic and the original warranty card.
It letters to Boston Police Dept and is marked BPD-13 (lucky 13)
I was telling a dealer at a local gun show that I collect BPD Boston Police guns and a guy overheard me and offered to sell me his new in box model 64. It was never issued and never shot. I got it for $300, this was last year.
The problem is I can never shoot it, but to solve that I got another M64 BPD marked, was in same shipment as BPD13, this one is BPD85 got it from a forum member.
Oh to the forum members if you have any of those nasty Glocks or Colts that are BPD or Boston Police marked contact me and I can help you get rid of them

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Two come to mind. 1990, Ruger SP101 22LR for $100.00 at a gun show in HI. Honolulu gun range had a table full of them (rental guns, that were being replaced). I wish I had the money to buy a dozen of them, but I was a PFC and broke, so I only got one.

The second is a North American Arms 22LR for $1.00 last year. One of my supervisors hated it and knew I was/am a "gun nut" so she sold it to me for a buck.
 
S&W Model 31 in prestine condition for $50.00. It belonged to the father of a fellow worker. His wife did not want a gun in the house so he asked if I would give him $25 for it. I told him that it was worth much more and to see what he could get at a gun store. He said that he didn't want the hassel so we settled on $50.

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My RIA stainless 1911. Got it $100-$150 (depending on who's selling) cheaper than retail/other second hand sales.
 
again not a smith but i bought a luger 1906 american eagle fat barrel in probably 95% condition for $600, i had no idea what it was worth, so i thought i would go out on a limb and pay that much because i liked the eagle on the receiver
 
My best buy was a Winchester Model 57 I paid $20.00. I waited two years until I was legal to purchase the rifle. I checked every week to see if the local hardware store still had it for sale. I think the owner saved it for me until I was old enough. It is hard to find people like that anymore.
 
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