Colt Diamondback .22

Sir Loads-A-Lot · September 20, 2012, 08:28 PM

There is a Colt Diamondback .22 for sale at a club near me. I saw the piece and it is in absolutely perfect condition. It looks like it has never been shot much at all. I called Colt with the serial number and it was a 1980 manufactured gun. There are no papers or box with it. I want to make an offer under his asking price of $1200. I heard that he may take much less. I have checked the web and the going prices are all over the place. Do you think $900 is fair to offer and how high would you go?

Bob Wright · September 20, 2012, 08:35 PM

I'd start at about $600, and depending on how badly you want the gun, I wouldn't go much above $700.

What do you want, a collector's piece, or a squirrel gun?

Bob Wright

Joe_Pike · September 20, 2012, 08:42 PM

I'm thinking a $600 offer might get you an invitation to leave the premises. I've seen two in my area at the $1,200 level. I would be surprised if they sold for less than $1,100 as this shop doesn't talk down much.

Bob Wright · September 20, 2012, 09:07 PM

I doubt that my gun shops would ask me to leave the premisis. But here Diamondbacks don't bring the prices of Pythons. The last gun show I saw several .22 Diamondbacks in the $450~$600 range. But .38 Specials do command slightly higher prices.

Bob Wright

smokin54 · September 20, 2012, 09:46 PM

I use completed auctions on gunbroker to gauge prices, Diamond backs in .22 actually sell for 1000-1300 for like new in the box with papers . there was one in excellent used but well cared for shape that did not get a bid at $999.

It really depends on how bad you want it , it may sell for the asking price depending on how long there willing to leave it sit . If it is a consignment there may be less wiggle room in the price , if the shop owns it then you know they paid little for it . I would make the lowball offer and see were it goes.

SatCong · September 20, 2012, 10:37 PM

If it's a snub .22, that may well be priced below the market.

Mike

Joe_Pike · September 20, 2012, 10:48 PM

I'm not a collector anymore, so, a nice Ruger MK III serves me just fine for my plinking needs. If I wanted something nice in a revolver I would spend about half of that $1,200 and get a S&W model 17. In the end it comes down to how bad you want something.

Aguila Blanca · September 21, 2012, 02:06 AM

As the saying goes, "They aren't makin' those any more." The only right, fair price is what a buyer and seller can agree upon. That said, I suspect a Diamondback in excellent condition AND in .22LR is probably worth every penny of the $1200 asking price.

Different folks sell things in different ways. Personally, if I put something up for sale I ask what I think is a fair price, with no gouging. Anybody who insults me with an offer of half the asking price (or even three-quarters) is asked to leave immediately (or hung up on if we're on the telephone). I'd offer $1000 and hope to get it for $1100.

YMMV.

model18 · September 21, 2012, 02:43 AM

Buy a S&W model 17/18 and save the rest of your $$ for ammo!

Sir Loads-A-Lot · September 21, 2012, 10:02 AM

Well thanks for the input. I am going to make an offer tomorrow for the Diamondback. I will let you know how I make out. I really would like to have the gun because of the near new condition.
I already have a S&W 617. Good shooting gun. I put a Weigand mount and a Burris Fastfire lll reflex on it for pins and steel.

aarondhgraham · September 21, 2012, 10:27 AM

From the 2010 issue of the Standard Catalog of Firearms.

Quote:

NIB Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
1300 725 375 300 250 150
NOTE: Premium for 2.5” barrel or nickel finish.

I know these books are not the be-all and end-all of prices,,,
But at least it's a decent starting point.

Hope this helps,,,

Aarond

.

rodfac · September 21, 2012, 12:25 PM

They're going for over a thou here in Louisville at the big (1200 tables) gun shows....and .38's go for more than the .22's. I've got a 4" .22 that shoots well for me, but not as nice as several S&W M-18's I've been around. The 6" model is heavy as all getout but the 4's balance well. That said, it is a good looking handgun, vent rib and all...seems to me that Colt was the only one that got the vent rib on a revolver barrel right...all the rest look odd to me...and a straight barrel'd Colt looks odd as well, unless it's an early one with a taper from the front of the frame to the muzzle....much prefer the S&W look. Rod

Sir Loads-A-Lot · September 21, 2012, 04:28 PM

I just got back from our club and made a deal for the Diamondback .22. The owner wanted $1200, I offered $800 and we agreed on $900. I think I got a very good deal. There isn't a wear mark or blemish on the entire gun. The checkering on the grips are still sharp and look new. The other sweetheart in the picture is my S&W 17-6.

PetahW · September 21, 2012, 06:47 PM

That's a pretty nice 6" Diamondback IMHO.

BTW, they were made on the same, smaller, D-frame as the Detective Specials (DS).

.

FoghornLeghorn · September 21, 2012, 06:48 PM

Dude. You got a 22 Diamondback w/six inch barrel in mint condition for $900?

I hate you.

The 22 is the most desirable of the Diamondbacks and I'm looking for a six incher for my collection. I've got a four and sold a six, so I need a replacement.

The best (real world price; forget the blue book, other books, etc) price I can find either locally, on gunbroker or the net for a mint DB is $1,600.

You got a heck of a deal.

shurshot · September 21, 2012, 06:55 PM

About 5 or 6 years ago, I saw a 4" .22 Colt Dimondback for sale at a Gunshop in Southern Maine. I returned ASAP the next day with the cash required ($450.00), and IT WAS GONE!

At that price, I guess I should have known, and put my name on it the day before...

. I have not seen another in person since, and I do shop around at the shows.

The gun, if in good condition, is worth what you are willing to pay. Just remember, they don't sit on shelves for long.

Sir Loads-A-Lot · September 21, 2012, 07:04 PM

Thanks for the good words and advice. I own and have owned a LOT of guns. This DB is so nice that it seems a shame to shoot her. The first thing I am going to do is get another set of grips to preserve the originals. The stars were aligned when I finally had her in my hands. It's funny though, I have a 6" Python that I really like, but this gun is a real charmer.

Microgunner · September 21, 2012, 07:24 PM

I sold my near mint 4" blued .22lr Diamondback about 4 years ago for $900 and it sold very quickly at that price.

Mediocre accuracy was the reason for selling.

22-rimfire · September 21, 2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

But here Diamondbacks don't bring the prices of Pythons. The last gun show I saw several .22 Diamondbacks in the $450~$600 range. But .38 Specials do command slightly higher prices.

Actually Pythons sell for more than $1200 in most cases. $2000 is just around the corner for a nice python. The 22's sell for more than the 38 DB's. The 2.5" 38spl DB is the most sought after of the regular blued ones, but the 6" 38 is the least common of the 38's.

Quote:

I just got back from our club and made a deal for the Diamondback .22. The owner wanted $1200, I offered $800 and we agreed on $900. I think I got a very good deal.

You got a great price. $1200 was not too much for that 6" DB. Hope you enjoy it. I honestly prefer shooting a 4" DB 22 to the 6". I have a couple 6" DB's, but prefer the 4" ones. But in all honesty, I don't shoot them much anymore and pretty much have them parked for a rainy day. I shoot a M18 or M17. The latest toy is a LCR-22.

September 20, 2012, 08:28 PM	#1
Sir Loads-A-Lot Member Join Date: July 17, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 84	Colt Diamondback .22 There is a Colt Diamondback .22 for sale at a club near me. I saw the piece and it is in absolutely perfect condition. It looks like it has never been shot much at all. I called Colt with the serial number and it was a 1980 manufactured gun. There are no papers or box with it. I want to make an offer under his asking price of $1200. I heard that he may take much less. I have checked the web and the going prices are all over the place. Do you think $900 is fair to offer and how high would you go?

September 20, 2012, 08:42 PM	#3
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 729	I'm thinking a $600 offer might get you an invitation to leave the premises. I've seen two in my area at the $1,200 level. I would be surprised if they sold for less than $1,100 as this shop doesn't talk down much. __________________ Stay Groovy

September 20, 2012, 10:48 PM	#7
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 729	I'm not a collector anymore, so, a nice Ruger MK III serves me just fine for my plinking needs. If I wanted something nice in a revolver I would spend about half of that $1,200 and get a S&W model 17. In the end it comes down to how bad you want something. __________________ Stay Groovy Last edited by Joe_Pike; September 21, 2012 at 08:20 PM.

September 21, 2012, 12:25 PM	#12
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,223	They're going for over a thou here in Louisville at the big (1200 tables) gun shows....and .38's go for more than the .22's. I've got a 4" .22 that shoots well for me, but not as nice as several S&W M-18's I've been around. The 6" model is heavy as all getout but the 4's balance well. That said, it is a good looking handgun, vent rib and all...seems to me that Colt was the only one that got the vent rib on a revolver barrel right...all the rest look odd to me...and a straight barrel'd Colt looks odd as well, unless it's an early one with a taper from the front of the frame to the muzzle....much prefer the S&W look. Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73

September 21, 2012, 06:48 PM	#15
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 289	Dude. You got a 22 Diamondback w/six inch barrel in mint condition for $900? I hate you. The 22 is the most desirable of the Diamondbacks and I'm looking for a six incher for my collection. I've got a four and sold a six, so I need a replacement. The best (real world price; forget the blue book, other books, etc) price I can find either locally, on gunbroker or the net for a mint DB is $1,600. You got a heck of a deal. __________________ "I say, boy, I say, you're doing a lot of choppin', but no chips are flyin'."

September 20, 2012, 08:35 PM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,248	I'd start at about $600, and depending on how badly you want the gun, I wouldn't go much above $700. What do you want, a collector's piece, or a squirrel gun? Bob Wright

September 20, 2012, 09:07 PM	#4
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,248	I doubt that my gun shops would ask me to leave the premisis. But here Diamondbacks don't bring the prices of Pythons. The last gun show I saw several .22 Diamondbacks in the $450~$600 range. But .38 Specials do command slightly higher prices. Bob Wright

September 20, 2012, 09:46 PM	#5
smokin54 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Posts: 183	I use completed auctions on gunbroker to gauge prices, Diamond backs in .22 actually sell for 1000-1300 for like new in the box with papers . there was one in excellent used but well cared for shape that did not get a bid at $999. It really depends on how bad you want it , it may sell for the asking price depending on how long there willing to leave it sit . If it is a consignment there may be less wiggle room in the price , if the shop owns it then you know they paid little for it . I would make the lowball offer and see were it goes.

September 20, 2012, 10:37 PM	#6
SatCong Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Location: Twangtown Posts: 175	If it's a snub .22, that may well be priced below the market. Mike

September 21, 2012, 02:06 AM	#8
Aguila Blanca Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 4,830	As the saying goes, "They aren't makin' those any more." The only right, fair price is what a buyer and seller can agree upon. That said, I suspect a Diamondback in excellent condition AND in .22LR is probably worth every penny of the $1200 asking price. Different folks sell things in different ways. Personally, if I put something up for sale I ask what I think is a fair price, with no gouging. Anybody who insults me with an offer of half the asking price (or even three-quarters) is asked to leave immediately (or hung up on if we're on the telephone). I'd offer $1000 and hope to get it for $1100. YMMV.

September 21, 2012, 02:43 AM	#9
model18 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Posts: 368	Buy a S&W model 17/18 and save the rest of your $$ for ammo!

September 21, 2012, 10:02 AM	#10
Sir Loads-A-Lot Member Join Date: July 17, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 84	Well thanks for the input. I am going to make an offer tomorrow for the Diamondback. I will let you know how I make out. I really would like to have the gun because of the near new condition. I already have a S&W 617. Good shooting gun. I put a Weigand mount and a Burris Fastfire lll reflex on it for pins and steel.

September 21, 2012, 06:47 PM	#14
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,279	That's a pretty nice 6" Diamondback IMHO. BTW, they were made on the same, smaller, D-frame as the Detective Specials (DS). .

September 21, 2012, 06:55 PM	#16
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 708	About 5 or 6 years ago, I saw a 4" .22 Colt Dimondback for sale at a Gunshop in Southern Maine. I returned ASAP the next day with the cash required ($450.00), and IT WAS GONE! At that price, I guess I should have known, and put my name on it the day before.... I have not seen another in person since, and I do shop around at the shows. The gun, if in good condition, is worth what you are willing to pay. Just remember, they don't sit on shelves for long.

September 21, 2012, 07:04 PM	#17
Sir Loads-A-Lot Member Join Date: July 17, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 84	Thanks for the good words and advice. I own and have owned a LOT of guns. This DB is so nice that it seems a shame to shoot her. The first thing I am going to do is get another set of grips to preserve the originals. The stars were aligned when I finally had her in my hands. It's funny though, I have a 6" Python that I really like, but this gun is a real charmer.

September 21, 2012, 07:24 PM	#18
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,490	I sold my near mint 4" blued .22lr Diamondback about 4 years ago for $900 and it sold very quickly at that price. Mediocre accuracy was the reason for selling. __________________ NRA Endowment Member