chez323
US Veteran
Colt SAA 45 I missed at an estate auction last year. I was focused on a gun that was coming up and raised my hand to late, it went for $550. It was NIB, it was beautiful.
what's the gun you most regret NOT buying?
- Thread starter colrhino
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Hearsedriver
Member
I passed on a 28-2 about 3 weeks ago that was in 95% condition at a local pawn shop for $400.00. Went back the next day and it was gone...
bryan87
Member
Mine wasn't a S&W but a CZ-P01. It was used and slightly dirty but my LGS was asking $499.00. It came with ammo and a holster (which can be a pain for CZs).
I already have a CZ-SP01 Tactical and I convinced myself I didn't need an almost identical 9mm. Went home, realized I would love to pair the two and the P01 would have been a viable CCW. When I went back the next day to buy it, it was gone. Didn't make that mistake with my new 29-2 though!
I already have a CZ-SP01 Tactical and I convinced myself I didn't need an almost identical 9mm. Went home, realized I would love to pair the two and the P01 would have been a viable CCW. When I went back the next day to buy it, it was gone. Didn't make that mistake with my new 29-2 though!
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
In the 1960s and 70s when I was more active there were tons of guns I passed up for the stupid mistake of not paying a few more dollars at the time. It would be impossable to try and list even a part of them. Sure a few stand out that I am looking for now, like a browning 92 in .357. I remember a 4" nickle s&w model 21 NIB etc. What hurts more is rare guns that I did buy and stupidly sell to make a few bucks. Sharps carbine, winchester 73, 92`s, some old colt SAA`s, etc. A beautiful parker shotgun, winchester model 12 with two sets of barrels numbered to the gun etc. Just getting back about 10 of the cream of the crop of several hundred guns I once owned would please me to death!
I just remembered a like new triplelock in .45 colt that I could have bought for I think $200 or $250s from a collector friend around 1974. I wanted a .44 special. I later read that there were only about 15 made in .45 colt!!! This one looked unfired!
I just remembered a like new triplelock in .45 colt that I could have bought for I think $200 or $250s from a collector friend around 1974. I wanted a .44 special. I later read that there were only about 15 made in .45 colt!!! This one looked unfired!
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BCDWYO
Member
I recently was in the market for a 2 1/2" model 66 in decent shooter condition. I had been watching GB for some time and saw a real nice one that had a bobbed hammer and tuned trigger...just what I wanted. Trying to save a penny, I foolishly bid $30 under the "Buy it Now" price (which was reasonable). Well, predictably when I logged back on, the revolver was sold for the buy it now price. I ended up later paying a little more for another one that probably wasn't as nice!
I can think of two or three I should have decided to buy, and maybe a couple of auction items I should have bid a little higher on. But at the time I didn't know how much I was going to regret letting them go.
The memorables:
About three years ago I was in a gun store in San Diego with the self-granted permission to buy one gun that day. It boiled down to a choice between a 25-5 in .45 Colt and a longnose 57, both of them models I had never seen before. Both were in high-90s condition. I chose the 57 (which I don't regret, because it is an excellent gun); but when I went back 10 days later to pick it up, the 25-5 was gone. I have subsequently seen more 57s than 25-5s, so I called that one backwards.
About a year and a half ago, when I was dipping my toe into Colt waters, I found an Official Police in .41 Colt that I took a run at in a Greg Martin auction. I stopped bidding at about $350 and put my money into other guns. I like the other pieces I got, but I should have pushed another hundred or so toward the .41; it was in decent shape for a shooter-grade gun and had a former owner's unusual name scratched on the backstrap, and I later identified him in census records. I still dream about that one.
Recently I have been on a .22 Ladysmith kick. About three or four months ago I saw that a major S&W dealer had a six-inch target Ladysmith available for $3000, or maybe it was $3500. I thought, "No Ladysmith is worth that much!" and let it pass. That gun eventually ended up in a Gunbroker auction where it sold for nearly $5000. Can I have another chance at that one, please?
But I can't complain too much. I have been successful and lucky in my buys far more often than I have had cause to regret a missed opportunity. And there are still thousands of guns out there in the categories that escaped my grasp the first time. I can probably connect with one of those. Except for Mr. Chronister's .41 -- I think I am out of luck on that one.
The memorables:
About three years ago I was in a gun store in San Diego with the self-granted permission to buy one gun that day. It boiled down to a choice between a 25-5 in .45 Colt and a longnose 57, both of them models I had never seen before. Both were in high-90s condition. I chose the 57 (which I don't regret, because it is an excellent gun); but when I went back 10 days later to pick it up, the 25-5 was gone. I have subsequently seen more 57s than 25-5s, so I called that one backwards.
About a year and a half ago, when I was dipping my toe into Colt waters, I found an Official Police in .41 Colt that I took a run at in a Greg Martin auction. I stopped bidding at about $350 and put my money into other guns. I like the other pieces I got, but I should have pushed another hundred or so toward the .41; it was in decent shape for a shooter-grade gun and had a former owner's unusual name scratched on the backstrap, and I later identified him in census records. I still dream about that one.
Recently I have been on a .22 Ladysmith kick. About three or four months ago I saw that a major S&W dealer had a six-inch target Ladysmith available for $3000, or maybe it was $3500. I thought, "No Ladysmith is worth that much!" and let it pass. That gun eventually ended up in a Gunbroker auction where it sold for nearly $5000. Can I have another chance at that one, please?
But I can't complain too much. I have been successful and lucky in my buys far more often than I have had cause to regret a missed opportunity. And there are still thousands of guns out there in the categories that escaped my grasp the first time. I can probably connect with one of those. Except for Mr. Chronister's .41 -- I think I am out of luck on that one.
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A nice Third Generation Colt Detective Special around 1997 or 1998 for $225. My wife's friend wanted me to help her find a carry gun and took me to a small gunshop. I told her to buy it but she wanted an automatic so I think we walked away with a PPK or something. I went back later that day with the cash and they'd sold it.
Amazing I still think about it.
Amazing I still think about it.villageidiot
Member
after having both a 58 and a 520 in my hands and not having the $
to close the deal. Got to eat I guess. I always wanted to carry a 58 as
a duty weapon but Plastic got in the way, but new policy allow what
you can buy will fly but, the good ones got away by now...
to close the deal. Got to eat I guess. I always wanted to carry a 58 as
a duty weapon but Plastic got in the way, but new policy allow what
you can buy will fly but, the good ones got away by now...
stevebarracuda
Member
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1992 , Standing at a gunshow table with $500 dollars in my pocket. Guy walks up and asks the vender if he's interested in a couple of .22 mag pistols . He says no so I say watcha got , he opens the 1st rug and there is a absolute mint unfired blue to kill for colt officers model match .22mag that takes my breath away and i knew what it was worth. While admiring the colt he opens the second rug and there is a mint 6" full target model 48 that i just briefly glance at because of the colt having my attention. I say what are you asking and he says $250 each or both for $400 .I quickly peel out $250 and head for the door and home with the colt. Only later when i had regained my senses did i realize i had passed on the smith for $150.
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Passed up a 1945 manufactured, numbers matching NRA excellent condition M-1 Garand for $599 out the door last July.
Haven't seen one that nice since and the prices have been $700 and up.
Haven't seen one that nice since and the prices have been $700 and up.
I guess if you are serious about buying and adding to your collection you probably would never be able to say there wasn't one that you should have bought and passed as that's the nature of this game we all love to play. It might have to do with cash flow timing or whether you had a different model in mind when you saw the really nice gun that you should have bought but didn't.
geodimeter
Member
I like this thread because the accounts apply to so many of the people that read them, not just the posters. I saw a few references to model 25's and if I see a nice used one in 45 Colt I'm certainly not passing it up next time.
dirty gary
Member
About 35 yrs ago I responded to an ad for a Browning pistol for sale. It was beautiful, in a presentation case with a detachable shoulder stock. The owner wanted $300, I went to get the cash. Spoke to a friend about it, mentioning it was 30 Luger caliber. We were not very familiar with this round, so we did some research (books, no internet). When I went back, he'd sold it an hour earlier. I still think about that gun every now and again
Too many to count over the years. Either money was tight at the time or I was too hesitant.
Now, I make sure of my funding when I get the itch for something new for the collection or as a shooter...and I don't hesitate.
The worst one was the nickle 29-2 4 inch with a set of really stupid looking grips made by some unknown goober with a belt sander...I could have had that for $400....
The right grips would have been a cheap investment in that gun.
Duh.....
Now, I make sure of my funding when I get the itch for something new for the collection or as a shooter...and I don't hesitate.
The worst one was the nickle 29-2 4 inch with a set of really stupid looking grips made by some unknown goober with a belt sander...I could have had that for $400....
The right grips would have been a cheap investment in that gun.
Duh.....
Let's see; during my "FFL time": Ashland 3" 66's for $239, KY Imports NOS 27-2's NIB for $229 blue or nickel your choice, Jovino's 624's in 6 1/2" for $199, RSR Model 520's for $199 or $189 (CRS again) on closeout or the HK line 91's, 93's or 94's for $399 and the 9mm VP70Z with 4 18 rd mags for $199. Can I stop now or I'm going to need Prozac. Joe
one eye joe
US Veteran
You'd be payin' 2 1/2 or 3X that amount today......
gmiller0737
Member
Not a S&W but several years a go on My way to the Hunting Club for a afternoon Deer Hunt I stopped by a Pawn Shop on the other side of town in their gun rack was a Winchester Model 73 Rifle in 38/40 caliber in great shape even had the original cleaning rod in the butt trap asking price was $799.00 they were very busy that day and for some stupid reason I walked out,When I got to My truck I was thinking that I should be buying that gun but I went hunting instead & did not see a thing,The next day at lunch I raced back over to that Pawn Shop & of course the 73 was long gone! It was likely at that time worth 6 times their asking price & I remember that the serial # placed it near the end of production & ended with 00
Back in the early 70's while laid off, I had a guy offered me Thompson full auto sub-machine gun, that he brought back from Vietnam. Wanted $150 for it. First, I didn't have the money and 2nd, it couldn't be registered so I passed on it. A year later, I saw a pre-64 Wnchester Model 70 factory target rifle for $300 with all of the sight inserts and let it go.
LAS&W4me
Member
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