What's the Value of an Arminius 45 LC?

TylerOutdoorsman · October 21, 2012, 02:25 PM

My local gun store has a sharp looking Arminius SAA with color case hardened frame, 5-1/2" barrel in a 45 Long Colt. The gun looks to be 98% condition and it feels good. He's asking $250 for it. That seems a bit high from what I can find. Any input would help. Thanks!

Pond, James Pond · October 21, 2012, 02:33 PM

I can't comment on that model, but when I first started looking into guns, a Arminius DA/SA .38 Spl snubbie was an option.

I quickly dismissed it based on what I learnt: they don't seem to be a gun renowned for being well made or durable. Estimates were of a 3-4000 round life span, if that and having to keep checking screws etc...

Others may be able to tell you more, but I'd say proceed with caution!!

TylerOutdoorsman · October 21, 2012, 02:38 PM

I understand where you are coming from. It seems like people who have had experience with them either love them or hate them. I'm just having trouble finding out if that's a fair price. All other potential issues aside...thanks for the post!

Pond, James Pond · October 21, 2012, 03:03 PM

Hope you find out what you need: I didn't really address you question, but then I know nothing about the US market.

I'm sure others will be along to shed light!!

bossman · October 24, 2012, 09:54 AM

Life's a crap shoot, sometime you win and sometime you lose. The 45 Colt is a low pressure round for the most part, stay away from Ruger only type loads, and it could be a very nice find. I've had a few deals where I was disappointed but most the time the guns have worked out alright.

$250 for just about any 45 Colt sounds ok, check out the lock up for movement and if it seems tight, Roll the Dice and see what you come up with.

twobit · October 24, 2012, 01:19 PM

I don't know that brand but it is about half of what a new Cimarron will cost you. I do have Cimarrons and they are very good.

DWFan · October 24, 2012, 10:50 PM

That's at the high end of the price range, but if it's "low mileage", I'd go for it. The Arminius is a decendant of the Hawes, cousin to the Herter's PowerMag and the precursor to the Bounty Hunter.

MLeake · October 25, 2012, 05:09 AM

I suspect the value of the Arminius is in making you appreciate the SAA clones from Ruger and Beretta that much more...

CajunBass · October 25, 2012, 06:21 AM

So offer $200...$225. The worst thing they can say is "no." What you got to lose? It's not a life altering decision. If you don't like it, sell it or trade it. At very WORST, you've got a pistol shaped paperweight, and an excuse to have a good laugh on yourself.

Personally, if it look and feels good, and passes the tests in the revolver checkout thread at the top of the page here, I'd probably take a chance on it.

TylerOutdoorsman · October 25, 2012, 09:37 PM

and I am very pleased overall. I got it for $250 OTD and it included a full box of Magtech LFP ammo. The ammo was priced at $40.25, so I have about $200 in the Arminius. It's still tight, shoots good, timing is good, finish is good. I'm very pleased. Thanks for the input. I've got a picture, but I'm having trouble getting the dang thing to attach. It says the file is too big. If I can figure it out I will post it later.

October 21, 2012, 02:25 PM	#1
TylerOutdoorsman Junior Member Join Date: October 21, 2012 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 8	What's the Value of an Arminius 45 LC? My local gun store has a sharp looking Arminius SAA with color case hardened frame, 5-1/2" barrel in a 45 Long Colt. The gun looks to be 98% condition and it feels good. He's asking $250 for it. That seems a bit high from what I can find. Any input would help. Thanks!

October 21, 2012, 02:33 PM	#2
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 1,705	I can't comment on that model, but when I first started looking into guns, a Arminius DA/SA .38 Spl snubbie was an option. I quickly dismissed it based on what I learnt: they don't seem to be a gun renowned for being well made or durable. Estimates were of a 3-4000 round life span, if that and having to keep checking screws etc... Others may be able to tell you more, but I'd say proceed with caution!! __________________ You cannot wake someone who is pretending to sleep. Stop pretending. Wake up. Doubt: ...it's the only thing I'm sure of... -Marsupials: Nature's idea of Concealed-Carry-

October 21, 2012, 02:38 PM	#3
TylerOutdoorsman Junior Member Join Date: October 21, 2012 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 8	A bit skeptical I understand where you are coming from. It seems like people who have had experience with them either love them or hate them. I'm just having trouble finding out if that's a fair price. All other potential issues aside...thanks for the post!

October 21, 2012, 03:03 PM	#4
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 1,705	Hope you find out what you need: I didn't really address you question, but then I know nothing about the US market. I'm sure others will be along to shed light!! __________________ You cannot wake someone who is pretending to sleep. Stop pretending. Wake up. Doubt: ...it's the only thing I'm sure of... -Marsupials: Nature's idea of Concealed-Carry-

October 24, 2012, 09:54 AM	#5
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 988	Life's a crap shoot, sometime you win and sometime you lose. The 45 Colt is a low pressure round for the most part, stay away from Ruger only type loads, and it could be a very nice find. I've had a few deals where I was disappointed but most the time the guns have worked out alright. $250 for just about any 45 Colt sounds ok, check out the lock up for movement and if it seems tight, Roll the Dice and see what you come up with. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

October 24, 2012, 01:19 PM	#6
twobit Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2010 Location: Coyote Creak, SW Texas Posts: 484	I don't know that brand but it is about half of what a new Cimarron will cost you. I do have Cimarrons and they are very good. __________________ Twobit, LEO, NRA member, Native Texan. Shooting and hunting for over 45 years!

October 24, 2012, 10:50 PM	#7
DWFan Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 206	That's at the high end of the price range, but if it's "low mileage", I'd go for it. The Arminius is a decendant of the Hawes, cousin to the Herter's PowerMag and the precursor to the Bounty Hunter.

October 25, 2012, 05:09 AM	#8
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 9,765	I suspect the value of the Arminius is in making you appreciate the SAA clones from Ruger and Beretta that much more...

October 25, 2012, 06:21 AM	#9
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: Chancellorsville, Virginia Posts: 3,130	So offer $200...$225. The worst thing they can say is "no." What you got to lose? It's not a life altering decision. If you don't like it, sell it or trade it. At very WORST, you've got a pistol shaped paperweight, and an excuse to have a good laugh on yourself. Personally, if it look and feels good, and passes the tests in the revolver checkout thread at the top of the page here, I'd probably take a chance on it. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

October 25, 2012, 09:37 PM	#10
TylerOutdoorsman Junior Member Join Date: October 21, 2012 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 8	I bought it... and I am very pleased overall. I got it for $250 OTD and it included a full box of Magtech LFP ammo. The ammo was priced at $40.25, so I have about $200 in the Arminius. It's still tight, shoots good, timing is good, finish is good. I'm very pleased. Thanks for the input. I've got a picture, but I'm having trouble getting the dang thing to attach. It says the file is too big. If I can figure it out I will post it later.