M24 Lew Horton
what's the gun you most regret NOT buying?
- Thread starter colrhino
- Start date
Lefkiguy
Member
Back in 1989, I almost bought a FN FNC. You can find FAL's all over the place, but not many FNC's, and with that model being listed in the assault weapon ban back in the 90's, you can't get one in CA anymore, no one bothers to make a clone.
629shooter
Member
Earlier last year, I passed on a 25-2 for $300. Oops. I've kicked myself many times.
pineappleshooter
US Veteran
Stopped in my LGS a while back to get some ammo and saw an early 60's Detective Special with a Tyler T for $225. The finish was 75% and the grips had a few nicks. I went to the range and decided to stop and put the DS on hold - it sold while I was at the range.
papajohn428
Member
Like so many others, our department offered us our old revolvers when we switched to autopistols. Ours were 2-year old S&W 681's with a weird matte finish, we were told we could buy them for a hundred bucks each. The kids were little, we were broke, and $100 was a lot of money back then. The department armorer called me up and gave me one last chance, there were seven guns available and he said I could have my pick. I couldn't do it, so he bought them all himself. He doubled his money in a month when he sold five of them, and kept two for his kids. I still have nightmares about those 681's.........they're on a table a few feet away but my legs won't move. Or my wallet is stuck in my pocket. Oh, the agony!
My "regret" gun was a German re-manufactured WWII Luger. These were spectacular in fit & finish, VERY commercial grade. The one I should have bought was carried in a shoulder holster during the Cold War by an AF pilot who was stationed in Germany. He was always on alert to "drop the big one". Fast forward to Vietnam (he carried a different sidearm in VN) where he was a Wild Weasel pilot that went in first to get Hanoi to turn on their AA radar with his wing men behind to "take care" of the radar/missile batteries. He was shot down and spent 5+ years in the Hanoi Hilton. Just before he was shot down he had saved the life of one of his wing men and was awarded (after he returned home) the Medal of Honor. I met Leo Thorsness when he ran for the Republican nomination for US Senate in WA state. I worked on his campaign. Leo was selling off stuff to help in his run and I found buyers for 3 of his firearms. The Luger went for $600 to a friend. I should have bought that one.
To this day, I consider Leo a friend.
To this day, I consider Leo a friend.
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Murdock
Member
1. A Model of 1950 .45ACP for $650, with box about 7 years ago. Passed it up because I already had a M25-2 and a M1917. DOH!
2. A consecutively numbered pair of pre-M21's for $400 in 1975. Just couldn't afford them at the time.
3. A Model 1928-A1 Military "New York" Savage Thompson SMG in 1996 for $3,000. I had recently retired from military service and was back in graduate school and did not think I could afford it. Three years later I saw the identical model at a GS for $18,500, and more recently for over $25K.
4. This story has to have a happy ending, right?
Three years ago there was an Appleton ASP M439 9mm in my LGS. They didn't know what it was, and listed it only as a "customized S&W." $695 OTD. Blue book was $1250 at the time. Last year I was offered $2,000 and have seen them go on Gunbroker for $3,995. My wife (bless her) told me not to sell it because it doesn't eat much and we don't need the money. Anybody have an ASP rug they want to sell?.
2. A consecutively numbered pair of pre-M21's for $400 in 1975. Just couldn't afford them at the time.
3. A Model 1928-A1 Military "New York" Savage Thompson SMG in 1996 for $3,000. I had recently retired from military service and was back in graduate school and did not think I could afford it. Three years later I saw the identical model at a GS for $18,500, and more recently for over $25K.
4. This story has to have a happy ending, right?
Three years ago there was an Appleton ASP M439 9mm in my LGS. They didn't know what it was, and listed it only as a "customized S&W." $695 OTD. Blue book was $1250 at the time. Last year I was offered $2,000 and have seen them go on Gunbroker for $3,995. My wife (bless her) told me not to sell it because it doesn't eat much and we don't need the money. Anybody have an ASP rug they want to sell?.
New Winchester M1 Carbine, still in the cosmoline. $75 from the DCM.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A Model 27-2 made in 1963 with a special order 4" barrel. It was a presentation to the late entertainer Buddy Hackett in recognition of some charity work he did and was inscribed with his name. This was about 8 years ago and the price was about $600 and I now wish I had bought it.
How about a 9x19 95% Mauser C96 Broomhandle, real German manufacture, WITH the matching serial numbered stock, and wood presentation box, for $600 OTD.
Stupid me (This was about 2 years ago, I had just turned 21) went to the show with enough money, looking for a Glock 19. I could have gotten that Mauser and sold it for $2500 easily. It literally looked like it just left the Mauserwerks factory.
After looking at it for a bit and deciding I would never shoot it, for fear of putting wear on it, walked away.
Well a C&R holder was standing behind me 10 ft the whole time and snatched it up right as I walked away.
If only I could relive that day once.....
Stupid me (This was about 2 years ago, I had just turned 21) went to the show with enough money, looking for a Glock 19. I could have gotten that Mauser and sold it for $2500 easily. It literally looked like it just left the Mauserwerks factory.
After looking at it for a bit and deciding I would never shoot it, for fear of putting wear on it, walked away.
Well a C&R holder was standing behind me 10 ft the whole time and snatched it up right as I walked away.
If only I could relive that day once.....
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fat tom
Absent Comrade
I had to think about this for a while. There have been quite a few,but considering relative desirability,difficulty in acquiring and potential value,I'd have to say a mint,Swiss military issue Sig 210. Could have got it for $500 bucks. 
There was also a 98% K-22 Outdoorsman WITH THE BOX that was $650. Was feeling guilty about having spent so much at the time on guns so I informed a fellow forum member and he bought it. He added a helpful hints brochure and an SAT and later sold the package for $2750. My wife got REALLY mad at me!
f.t.
There was also a 98% K-22 Outdoorsman WITH THE BOX that was $650. Was feeling guilty about having spent so much at the time on guns so I informed a fellow forum member and he bought it. He added a helpful hints brochure and an SAT and later sold the package for $2750. My wife got REALLY mad at me! f.t.
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zelda
Member
Item:10764431 CARVED IVORY, SMITH & WESSON, MAGNA, K FRAME For Sale at GunAuction.com
l missed these lvories Sunday. l should have bid when l first saw them. lnstead l just kept watching them. A bit of time with a 13 year old ended my chance. They would have looked great on my Model 15 snubbie
l missed these lvories Sunday. l should have bid when l first saw them. lnstead l just kept watching them. A bit of time with a 13 year old ended my chance. They would have looked great on my Model 15 snubbie
I passed on a new in box Talo edition 642 that was mismarked at $350. The guy offered to sell it to me at that price but I had just paid off a 98% condition 6 inch M28 so I was broker than our government. And this was yesterday...
It was 1967 or 1968 and you could take your pick from dozens of M1 carbines for $35 or the Argentine Cavalry models for $25. Under my Dad's infulence I did buy a 1903A3 (Remington) for $35. The 1903A3, well that one can and should be posted on the "Guns I Regret Selling" thread.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
I was at a small, local gun show about four years ago. A fellow there had a S&W Model 25-5, blue, 4" barrel, display case, etc. Price was $375, but he probably would have dealt for $325. I still kick myself over that one.
Chromedhearts
US Veteran
I also regret not buying a Class III as NIB 1928 Thompson that I drooled over for weeks, then there were several MP 40s and a Uzi or two back before '86. I passed over Class III Mac 10s for less than 4 bills.
A few of those would have payed for my kids college.
A few of those would have payed for my kids college.
orion1
Member
About 12 years ago a guy that I worked with offered me a 29-2 4" for $200.00 and a browning High Power for $400.00. I know he would have accepted an offer. About 30 years ago I was offered what I now know was a pre 64 mod. 70 Winchester in 30-06 for $125.00. While I was trying to whittle him down to $110.00 someone else snatched it up.
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