Best deal you ever got on a used handgun

[jimvac49]

Several years ago, I and my friend were helping out a a local private range. We would go out and check the shooting bays to make sure all were safe.
One of our regular shooters, and friend, had just bought a then new Ruger 6" stainless GP100. He was pretty upset and explained that the cylinder would bind up. I joking said "I'll give you a hundred bucks for it". He said "Here, take it". Astonished, I paid him and took the gun.
At home I discovered a burr on the cylinder star. I stoned it down, checked the others and dry fired it several times. No binding.
Next weekend, I brought the gun to the range and said to my friend "Here, it's fixed, you can give back the $100". To my surprise he said, "Nope, a deals a deal".
Now for the dilema. I already had a S&W stainless 6" 686, which I loved.
Hmm.. Keep one and give the other to my son? I wound up giving him the Ruger. Somehow I think he got the better deal.

[natman]

Early flat latch S&W Model 34 I-frame 22, misidentified as a Model 17.

I saw this at my LGS and got my wallet out so fast it left a contrail. The owner, who knew me well, was suspicious when I didn't even try to haggle.

[Ricklin]

The 80's was a good time to purchase Comblock surplus, I picked up several back then for chump change.

CZ 82 VG surplus condition right around 100 bucks, best DA trigger ever on a military semi auto.

CZ 52: The pistol that thinks it's a rifle. Arsenal refinished 79 bucks.

They all arrived with flap type holsters, only 1 mag with the 82's and the mags are pricey. The CZ 52 came with two.

The 82 can make an OK cc piece.

[jmstr]

Not the lowest price ever, but a good deal:

Found a High Standard Supermatic Trophy 102 [the 'space gun'] with all weights, muzzle brake/compensator, 2 magazines, HS wooden grips and the original blonde wooden case for $500.

The pistol has no appreciable wear other than the point the weight screws press under the barrel. I'd guess it would be at least NRA 90%, and might even be 95%.

This is what they look like, but it isn't mine:

[LOLBELL]

I once traded a Rossi lever gun in 45c that I had just bought for $200 for a Ruger Blackhawk in 327 Federal Magnum. Both guns were as new.

[Seedy Character]

I would have made that trade.

Funny, those Rossi's are being sold for $1000 and up, today. The Blackhawk is several hundred less

I would still love to find a .327, though. That caliber doesn't appear often.

[samann]

Years ago at a local gun show I watched a deal being made where a guy traded an HK P7M13 for a used Python. After it was done I asked the fellow what he wanted for the P7, he said $800. I paid the man and walked out with it. He apparently didn't know the difference between a P7M8 and M13. He got what he wanted and I did too.

[jmstr]

Seedy C, it depends on luck. I just picked up a 1981 Rossi 92 SRC in .357 for $500, or about what good condition used Blackhawks go for in my county.

[Seedy Character]

Outstanding bargain

The Rossi .44 and .45 models were ~$900-$1000
The .357 brings $1200-$1500.

I would love to have one, but mot that bad.

[Dauntae]

In the late 90’s I seen what looked to me like brand new Beretta 92F and the guy said it just came in on commission and it was priced at $299 with case, Still have it and still in great shape, Shoot it still as it’s a great gun.

[lamarw]

The following is just one of the good deals I received prior to the Covid/Biden explosion of firearms prices. On Dec. 8, 2018 at a live auction, I acquired a S&W Model 29 (no dash) .44 Magnum Revolver. It was unfired in a presentation case with Coke grips/stocks. Auction hammer hit the block at $1,500.00.

[LOLBELL]

Originally Posted by Seedy Character

I would have made that trade.

Funny, those Rossi's are being sold for $1000 and up, today. The Blackhawk is several hundred less

I would still love to find a .327, though. That caliber doesn't appear often.

And the 327 Blackhawks are selling upwards of a $1000.

[Seedy Character]

I can't even find one for sale.

But, I will not pay those prices.

Ruger will catch up with demand.

My OM .30 Carbine is ballistically equal. I will play with it.

[Stiofan]

I bought my one of my only two used guns about 30 years ago. This one was a Walther PPK/s in .380 made in France/West Germany (Manhurin) and was about 95% condition. I've put about 30 rounds through it since, so it's still pristine. I paid about $230 if I remember correctly. Probably worth in excess of $1,000 now. It's a great shooter but I have so many other guns for self defense/hunting, etc that fill my needs better I rarely ever shoot it.

[Lt.Nick]

In Dallas in the early 90's I lucked into a few good deals.
Downtown Dallas there was a regular occuring gun show. Market Hall, I went with my dad one time. Usually spending too much money was the norm. So, I switched to, bring a gun I didn't use anymore and trade into something. I once walked in there with a little 22 auto worth less than $200 and walked out with a used 4 Nickel python. I just kept trading for stuff, and lucked into the Python. I still have it. Lol

[Seedy Character]

Wow, only 2.

My used vs new is closer to 70% - 30%. Maybe, 80-20.

Now you got me curious and I have to go count.

[BornFighting88]

Finally finagled it to work on this forum. This was the officers model I purchased about a year ago.

[Drm50]

I’ve got lots of good deals because that’s what I look for. A few were flat out steals. In handgun dept the best would have been a Mauser Broomhandle 7.63 with holster rig. This was about 20yrs ago. A guy called me and said he had a German Luger that a uncle had brought home from WW2, would I be interested. I’m not an expert on Lugers as far as in depth collecting, let alone Mausers. Somebody had told the guy Lugers were worth $1k.
We meet in local restaurant parking lot. I immediately said buddy that ain’t a Luger. He was asking how much I would give him for it, asking $500. I was kinda off balance just getting gun out of holster. Before I could say OK he says $250? Needless to say was new owner of Mauser. One of few good deals I manage to keep. I actually built my collection with WW2 bring homes. I was never interested in such, but kicked them out and traded them for classic
hunting and target guns. Many a WW2 vet had a souvenir pistol that he would trade for a 22 pistol or rifle. When I started out a Ruger 22 was $37.50, that’s what I usually traded for Lugers. Anything less was usually a H&R revolver that was about $29.95. The good old days.
You got to remember a dollar was backed by gold back then.

[great scot]

Smith and Wesson 2213 in mint condition at Cabelas for $149.

[jaysouth]

In the 70s, I bought a 1911 .45 from a neighbor. I paid him the asking price, $75. He gave me the set of orders from the army transferring the gun to him upon separation from the service in 1947.

The gun was a civilian Goverment model Colt made in 1918 with a blued finish. It was purchased by the Army during WWII and issued to my neighbor shortly thereafter.

I was offered $3,000 for it in 2015. I still have it. I am holding out for $5,000.

[aarondhgraham]

When a friend of mine had to liquidate her deceased Fathers guns,,,
She asked me if there were any that I wanted to own.

I knew what she had as I had helped her catalog/clean/price them.

There were four revolvers I was interested in:
Hawes (?) Western Marshall in .357 Magnum.
Dakota SAA clone in .357 Magnum.
Colt Trooper Mk-III in .357 Magnum.
S&W 36 Snubbie in .38 Special.

I told her of the guns I liked,,,
But also said that I didn't have much disposable money at the time.

All I could afford to spend was $500.00 cash.

So I picked the Model 36 and the Dakota and asked if that would be enough,,,
The next day she delivered all four revolvers to me and said the $500 was enough.

Basically $125.00 per gun.

Later she sold me a Rossi 911 in .22 LR for another $125.00.

I almost felt that I had ripped her off badly,,,
But then again we had both determined higher market values form the Blue Book.

She was satisfied and I was ecstatic.

Aarond

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[Jcon72]

These are fun conversations, but to be completely fair there are several factors involved; it of course depends on when the gun was purchased, for what price, and how that price compared to the gun's worth at that time compared to today's market.
So here are a few;
S&W 48-0 in poor condition cosmetically but mechanically excellent, $100 in 2018. IMO this was an awesome price even though it would be considered just a backyard shooter rather than a show piece.
S&W 14-3 in excellent condition with holster and some handloads (yeah, I know, handloads from a stranger...), $140 back in early 2000's. Yes it was a really good deal even then, but to be honest back then you could probably pick that model up pretty commonly in the $200-250 range. The same deal today would be like finding one for $400-500.
S&W 19-3 in excellent condition for $180 back in 1990-91. Again it was a good deal but not like a $180 deal in 2021 would be; more like finding the same gun for $500-550 now.
JM Marlin 1894 .44 Mag with XS Scout Rail and Leupold 4x IER scope, $500 in 2019. Now that was a great deal, at least in our geographic area!
It's all relevant to the era and value of the dollar.

[hub1home]

I bought a S&W Model 57, .41 Magnum, Nickel Plated in S&W wood box, 4" barrel at a gun show for $350! The fellow wasn't a dealer but someone with a friend. The gun was like new.

[Jcon72]

Oh yes, I about forgot these:
1 year ago I was at a local auction where guns normally sold for sky-high prices due to Internet bids. For some reason this day they were selling for really affordable prices and I deeply regretted not having about $5K on hand just for "investing". Most of the handguns sold early, and as the sale wound down and many people had already left there was just one revolver still for sale among the remaining long-guns; a beautifully refinished (sadly) but numbers-matching S&W 1937 Brazilian (with ugly synthetic Altamonts) that I really hadn't seriously considered earlier. It came up for sale and the auctioneer announced there was an opening bid of $275. Silence; nobody moved. Well, there was NO WAY someone else was gonna walk away with that gun for $275 so I bid--and won-- at $300. A few months ago I found a set of original grips and an original lanyard ring for it and it's back the way it should be.
Then there's the 6-inch S&W model 27-2 in original presentation case with paperwork, etc, along with a Tex Shoemaker gun belt and Bianchi drop holster, and a still-loaded speedloader that showed up at my local gun shop in 97% condition for $750 shortly before Christmas a few years ago. The guys at the shop said they told the seller it was worth more but he told them that's all he wanted for it. Thank God for the layaway option!

[Jcon72]

Originally Posted by hub1home

I bought a S&W Model 57, .41 Magnum, Nickel Plated in S&W wood box, 4" barrel at a gun show for $350! The fellow wasn't a dealer but someone with a friend. The gun was like new.

One of my very favorite models! For years I searched for a 57 in my price range then found 2 on GunBroker about 20 months ago within 3 weeks of each other; blue and nickel 6-inchers.
Just a few days ago I found a really good deal on a 657-2 and should be receiving it next week. That one will likely be taken to the deer woods but the others stay in out of the weather.