Your thoughts on dept gun buys

[oldman45]

I have a chance to buy a couple of the S&W 40 cal sidearms that has been in service with a local SO. The price is right and somewhat negotiable and the guns are in decent shape. They just have the agency name stamped across the frame.

My Glock serial number is the badge number so it is not as noticible. My old Model 66 from the early 70's has just the dept's initials across the strap so no big deal.

Yet would you not question the stamping or pay a lower amount due to the stamping?

I do not need the guns but would not mind owning a couple of that type (Model 4006) at $375 each. The apparent stamping has me concerned in the event I wanted to sell one later.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
In my part of the world the Agency sells to the Officers with the understanding that the weapon (s) will not be re-sold.
Mine was given to me at my retirement party along with my badge and other mentos in a glass case.
Jimmy

 

[oldman45]

Hi:
In my part of the world the Agency sells to the Officers with the understanding that the weapon (s) will not be re-sold.
Mine was given to me at my retirement party along with my badge and other mentos in a glass case.
Jimmy

Around here there are nine different agencies within a 30 mile radius. Every four years, pretty much all of them sell off the guns for new ones. The officer gets first chance for his weapon. Then other officers are offered the guns that are available. If there are guns remaining, they can either be turned in on trade or else sold to gun dealers by way of bids.

There are no restrictions on re-selling a gun once bought.

 

[rburg]

My son's first revolver was a trade in model 66. He wanted one, and we went downstate to a gunshow. The one table had some guys who had bought out a full lot of m66s from their local PD. The sign said "Model 66 .357s, $200" Then another sign on the side "select $25 more."

He just wanted one of them. Dad's job is to both instruct and occasionally show some common sense. I ponied up the $25 extra. The $200 guns were in pretty good shape, but clearly had been carried and were showing some wear and tear. The one we took home was NIB in every respect. But its not these days! He got a great gun, and I was just out $25 and we all felt good about it. Come to think about it, I'm out a lot of ammo from my reloading room, too!

 

[GatorFarmer]

Currently, a 4006 is probably unlikely to resell for 375 dollars anyway, though that may change in the future. It isn't particularly sought after by the general public. Department stampings could well add value in that far distant future where someone may be collecting 4006s. The majority of these guns on the market probably once belonged to an agency, since LE sales far surpassed commercial ones on the .40 caliber third gen autos.

 

[Frank237]

I stopped looking at this hobby as a money making endeavor a long time ago. Keep something long enough and it will probably make you or your Heirs a profit...but profit is not what drives me to BUY.

If you want one of the 4006's BUY one. Shoot it and enjoy it.

If the Dept would give you a Dept letterhead stating that S&W 4006 ser # whatever was ours, this was then sold to... etc. The letter may add some dollars down the road, as there are collectors who do like Dept issue/marked guns.

See if you can get original box,etc. as well.

Way back in the late 80's I looked through some Dept turn in M-19's. They were CHEAP by even the standards of that time. NOW I wish I'd bought them ALL for $175-$225 each. Many in original box. I spoke to one of the guys and ended up with a like new, 3T's, blued 4" 19, an unused gun in box...it was the Under Chiefs or some Captains.

FN in MT

 

[deanodog]

Police turn ins are good bargains in my opinion. I have bought several over the years and have sold some of them later. I never failed to get what I paid or more than I paid when I sold them. I have got lot's of good shooting from them and still own some. I have just bought two 3rd Gen 45 ACP.

 

[truckemup97]

I don't mind department stampings if the gun is in good shape otherwise. I have a couple from TPD (Tulsa), one of which I bought directly from the retired officer. However, the price on yours seems a little steep. Summit Gun Brokers has some trade-in 4046s in good shape under three bills.

 

[customizedcreationz]

Actual value is really in the eye or hand of the purchaser. Regardless of whether the gun is valuable or not, its only worth what someone will give you for it.

So with that said, I would say buy one for yourself if you want. Buying them in bulk to resell, you would have to get a much better deal on it I would think.

Department guns seem to draw attention by some and turn others away at the same time. I think it would be cool to have a dept's name on guns sometimes, other times I don't. Depends on the gun really and how cool the engraving is.

Lots of people buying dept guns and reselling them lately , at least from what I see.

Good luck
Todd

 

[cjw3]

I bought one 686 and two Glock 22's that I carried. The 686 has no stamping, but both of the Glocks do; perhaps there may eventually be some collector interest in agency-stamped Glocks like you see for revolvers.

Regardless, I won't sell any of these. As conservation officers, we frequently worked alone and were sometimes in locations that were a long way from help. You become fond of a gun under such circumstances.

 

[OIF2]

I bought my 67 .38 from the LAPD as surplus when I retired for $81.00 plus change a couple of years ago...I thought that was a good deal. Before that, it sat in a sock drawer as a house gun while I carried a succession of cool semi-autos. I'm glad I bought it-I forgot how much fun this .38 was to shoot from my Academy days.
Bob