Best deal you ever got on a used handgun - Page 4

FlyFish · May 24, 2020, 10:15 AM

This may not be the absolute best deal from a strictly financial perspective, but it's the one that always makes me smile. I saw an S&W Model 29 listed on consignment at my LGS for $800 and called to ask about condition - was told "it looks pretty good" so I asked them to hold it for me and got in the car. Well, I guess it did look "pretty good" - it turned out to be an unfired 29-2, P&R, 6.5" barrel, i.e., the "Dirty Harry" model, in the mahogany presentation case with all tools and paperwork, including the original buyer's receipt. I couldn't get my checkbook out fast enough. It remains my one and only Safe Queen.

kenny53 · May 25, 2020, 12:31 AM

Best deals, I picked up two AK47's for $300 ea, Bought a NIB SP 101 357, 4.2" barrel $400. Bought my New Model Single Six brand new for $97. That was in 1976.

NoSecondBest · May 25, 2020, 09:20 AM

Smith & Wesson model 48 .22mag for $75....virtually new.

hdbiker · May 26, 2020, 01:50 PM

I bought a 6 inch Colt Anaconda .44 Mag from a work mate for 300.00 bucks. Perfect condition, got a western style holster rig with .44 loops and a couple boxes of empty's. The guy was too intimidated by the recoil, sold it to me for cash to buy a 9mm auto LOL. hdbiker

hdbiker · May 26, 2020, 01:53 PM

I also bought a 7 1/2 inch Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag. in very good condition for 200.000 from another workmate . hdbiker

SR420 · September 2, 2021, 11:08 AM

New in the box Gen 3 Glock 17 RTF2 with crescent moon cuts on the slide... $365.00

Carl the Floor Walker · September 2, 2021, 11:32 AM

A possibly good deal would be the Sig 365 XL with a Red Dot for $350 except for the fact that I do not like this gun. But as far as a deal, I can use it in another trade.

aarondhgraham · September 2, 2021, 11:47 AM

When my best friend and main shooting buddy passed away,,,
I offered to buy the revolver she had gotten for her 11th birthday.

It was the one gun she always brought to the range,,,
For her 11th birthday her Father took her to a gun store,,,
Then told her she could pick out any of the .22 pistols in the store.

The gun she picked out was,,,
A brand new 4" nickle plated round butt S&W Model 34.

Her father was an avid shooter/re-loader,,,
She had some basic knowledge of guns even at 11 years of age.

I asked her why she chose that particular pistol,,,
Her reply was, "It was shiny."

Anyways I offered her brother a fair market price for the gun,,,
He just handed it to me and said "She would have wanted you to have it."

Not really a "best deal" story,,,
I just like telling it.

Aarond

.

armabill · September 2, 2021, 11:33 PM

Iver Johnson .22 long, small frame 7 shot revolver for $24.00.

jetinteriorguy · September 3, 2021, 06:47 AM

Back in the 70’s a friend of mine owed me $30.00 and couldn’t pay me, so he offered me an old war rifle instead and I accepted. It was a Winchester 1917 Enfield and was one of the most accurate rifles I’ve ever had. I wound up selling it for $50.00 to a good friend only because he was going to have it sporterized as a gift for his grandfather who was a special person to me. A couple years later I was visiting his grandfather and he pulled out this beautiful rifle and asked if I recognized it. Then I realized it was my old rifle. We went outside to the shooting bench and he handed me the rifle and five rounds. He pointed to a five gallon can on the other side of the coulee and said that’s 350 yds away. He told me where to aim and I proceeded to shoot. My first shot just went over the target,I made a slight adjustment and nailed it the next four shots. Not bad for iron sights, sure wished I had those eyes still.

Oops, my apologies for this being a rifle story. I forgot this thread is about handguns.

Logs · September 3, 2021, 08:09 AM

Bought an HK compact 9mm for $300 out the door at local pawnshop. It only had one mag and someone painted the glow sights. I was able to get the paint off and now you can't even tell they were painted.

CP93 · September 3, 2021, 10:00 AM

Traded a lightly used Ruger Single-Six for a lightly used 70's era S&W K-38 (don't remember the model now) plus a Bianchi thumbsnap holster. Have never found a trigger that 'glassy smooth' since. Like the dumb kid I was, sold it later and now wish I still had it.

TunnelRat · September 3, 2021, 12:05 PM

A store had two SIG P228s for sub $400 (I think it was $365). My best friend was looking for a 9mm at the time so I called him and let him know.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

KMO · September 4, 2021, 03:11 AM

It was about fifteen years ago, so this will sound like an even better deal now than it was at the time. I live in a small AZ town, but my job used to require me to fly in & out of Phoenix on a regular basis. My habit was to check the Phoenix backpage.com sports section on the night before I was to fly home. It may as well have been labeled the "firearms" section. I was looking for a S&W Lady Smith revolver at the time, and, sure enough, one showed up on the website. It was a once-used Model 60LS in the factory box with two holsters and two boxes of ammo for $400. The poor guy's girlfriend just did not like it. My wife did.

JDBerg · September 4, 2021, 11:12 AM

About 12 years ago I paid $395.00 for my LNIB factory hardchromed BHP MkIII. Still my best gun at the best price.

BourbonCowboy · September 5, 2021, 01:19 AM

I picked up an HK VP9 on GunBroker for $325/shipped. The seller didn't have a lot of feedback, but I took a chance. When I got it, it was in mint condition. But upon firing it, I had a failure to return to battery problem with my first shot (115gr. ammo). Turns out that it hadn't been fired enough to soften up the spring. I ran a few mags of 124gr. through it and it was perfect. I haven't had the problem since.

After adding a Lobos trigger, enhance striker sleeve, Speed Sights, and low-profile magwell, I still think I made out under (pre-pandemic) selling prices.

Seedy Character · September 5, 2021, 09:27 AM

Every deal I have ever done. If it wasn't a good deal, I wouldn't have done it

Jeff #111 · September 5, 2021, 05:34 PM

Gen 4 Glock 19. Issued to me by my agency 2013 (new in the box). Sold to me 2021 for $200.00.

FITASC · September 5, 2021, 06:05 PM

HK P7, $600
S&W 19-3 snub RB, $349
both slightly used

5whiskey · September 6, 2021, 08:40 PM

Hmmm.... my personal best deal on a handgun was probably when I bought my security six from Gunbroker in 2011. It’s a blued .357, 6” barrel, 150 prefix serial number... in that it will be C&R eligible in a couple three years. I paid less than $350 including shipping and FFL transfer fee. Totally worth it. It’s not one of my favorites, but it’s a solid option and my first choice for handgun hunting. Bluing is 98% and it still looks great. Only issue was the original grips were a little dinged up. I made a new set of grips for it.

Seedy Character · September 7, 2021, 12:33 PM

There was one, that probably could be classified as BEST and WORST.

Early 90's timeframe, decided to go checkout the Gun show. 13yo son wanted to go with me. As we are leaving, Wif calls out, " don't buy ANYTHING! "

Hadn't been there long, looking over a table, 20-something guy walks up and asks about a 4" Python. Seller says he has a 6" and hands the gun over for inspection. Looking it over, guy asks how much? and says he really wants a 4".

Price is $650. Guy hands it back. Writes down booth number and says he might be back.

We wandered a couple of aisles. Stop at a table, a guy is looking at a deer rifle, $350. Asks about a trade? Hands over a revolver. Seller says no, he wants cash.

I ask to see the revolver. A pristine, 4" Python. I offer $350 cash. He takes the deal. I give him the cash. He gives cash to table and takes his deer rifle. Everybody happy.

Son saying, " Mom said to buy anything. "

Shhh, what happens at gun show, stays at gun show.

Walk around a couple of aisles, standing at a table looking. Hear a voice, " do you have a 4" Python? " Table guy says, " no, don't see them often. "

I say, " I have a 4" Python. " hand it to him. He looks it over, " how much? "

" $650 "

Son is stammering, I give him 'a look'.

Guy hands me cash and we part happy.

Get home and Wif asks, " did you buy anything? "
Son chimes in, " he did, but you ain't believe it. "

He never got to go to another gun show with me.

Wish I had a pristine, 4" Python to sell TODAY.

BornFighting88 · September 7, 2021, 08:29 PM

Got my officer's ACP for $400 + tax and trade.

New to me, but was lightly used. Broken in, utterly reliable. Loved that deal, and the shop was great. Painless.

Best deal I got on a used handgun, by far.

langenc · September 7, 2021, 09:30 PM

2006-Smith 66-4" for $275.

About 1967 K 22 6" for $98--NEW.

Moonglum · September 9, 2021, 09:24 AM

I went to the range with some church friends several years ago. The guy in the lane next to me was shooting a S&W 4006. I mentioned that I had always wanted to buy one but had never been able to find a used one.

The next morning in church he offered it to me for $200. He said he wanted to be sure he gave me a fair deal.

eflyguy · September 9, 2021, 10:30 AM

I think I paid $300 for my Ruger 1911 SR. That's probably the best deal I got.

Bought several firearms from a guy that was dumping them due to financial issues, but I paid what he was asking.

My daughter shoots the G17 (or 19? I always get them confused) I bought from him in USPSA. Had action/trigger rework done by a fellow competitor.

May 24, 2020, 10:15 AM	#76
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,731	This may not be the absolute best deal from a strictly financial perspective, but it's the one that always makes me smile. I saw an S&W Model 29 listed on consignment at my LGS for $800 and called to ask about condition - was told "it looks pretty good" so I asked them to hold it for me and got in the car. Well, I guess it did look "pretty good" - it turned out to be an unfired 29-2, P&R, 6.5" barrel, i.e., the "Dirty Harry" model, in the mahogany presentation case with all tools and paperwork, including the original buyer's receipt. I couldn't get my checkbook out fast enough. It remains my one and only Safe Queen. __________________ NRA Benefactor Life Member NRA Certified Instructor: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, PPIH, Metallic & Shotgun Shell Reloading; RSO Pemigewasset Valley Fish & Game Club

September 2, 2021, 11:08 AM	#81
SR420 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 3,343	New in the box Gen 3 Glock 17 RTF2 with crescent moon cuts on the slide... $365.00 __________________ https://athenswater.com/

September 2, 2021, 11:47 AM	#83
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	When my best friend and main shooting buddy passed away,,, I offered to buy the revolver she had gotten for her 11th birthday. It was the one gun she always brought to the range,,, For her 11th birthday her Father took her to a gun store,,, Then told her she could pick out any of the .22 pistols in the store. The gun she picked out was,,, A brand new 4" nickle plated round butt S&W Model 34. Her father was an avid shooter/re-loader,,, She had some basic knowledge of guns even at 11 years of age. I asked her why she chose that particular pistol,,, Her reply was, "It was shiny." Anyways I offered her brother a fair market price for the gun,,, He just handed it to me and said "She would have wanted you to have it." Not really a "best deal" story,,, I just like telling it. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 3, 2021, 08:09 AM	#86
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,782	Bought an HK compact 9mm for $300 out the door at local pawnshop. It only had one mag and someone painted the glow sights. I was able to get the paint off and now you can't even tell they were painted. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

September 4, 2021, 03:11 AM	#89
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 952	It was about fifteen years ago, so this will sound like an even better deal now than it was at the time. I live in a small AZ town, but my job used to require me to fly in & out of Phoenix on a regular basis. My habit was to check the Phoenix backpage.com sports section on the night before I was to fly home. It may as well have been labeled the "firearms" section. I was looking for a S&W Lady Smith revolver at the time, and, sure enough, one showed up on the website. It was a once-used Model 60LS in the factory box with two holsters and two boxes of ammo for $400. The poor guy's girlfriend just did not like it. My wife did. __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

May 25, 2020, 12:31 AM	#77
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	Best deals, I picked up two AK47's for $300 ea, Bought a NIB SP 101 357, 4.2" barrel $400. Bought my New Model Single Six brand new for $97. That was in 1976.

May 25, 2020, 09:20 AM	#78
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	Smith & Wesson model 48 .22mag for $75....virtually new.

May 26, 2020, 01:50 PM	#79
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	I bought a 6 inch Colt Anaconda .44 Mag from a work mate for 300.00 bucks. Perfect condition, got a western style holster rig with .44 loops and a couple boxes of empty's. The guy was too intimidated by the recoil, sold it to me for cash to buy a 9mm auto LOL. hdbiker

May 26, 2020, 01:53 PM	#80
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	I also bought a 7 1/2 inch Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag. in very good condition for 200.000 from another workmate . hdbiker

September 2, 2021, 11:32 AM	#82
Carl the Floor Walker member Join Date: June 3, 2017 Location: South Posts: 1,422	A possibly good deal would be the Sig 365 XL with a Red Dot for $350 except for the fact that I do not like this gun. But as far as a deal, I can use it in another trade.

September 2, 2021, 11:33 PM	#84
armabill Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2001 Location: Glenolden, Pa. USA Posts: 250	Iver Johnson .22 long, small frame 7 shot revolver for $24.00.

September 3, 2021, 06:47 AM	#85
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,476	Back in the 70’s a friend of mine owed me $30.00 and couldn’t pay me, so he offered me an old war rifle instead and I accepted. It was a Winchester 1917 Enfield and was one of the most accurate rifles I’ve ever had. I wound up selling it for $50.00 to a good friend only because he was going to have it sporterized as a gift for his grandfather who was a special person to me. A couple years later I was visiting his grandfather and he pulled out this beautiful rifle and asked if I recognized it. Then I realized it was my old rifle. We went outside to the shooting bench and he handed me the rifle and five rounds. He pointed to a five gallon can on the other side of the coulee and said that’s 350 yds away. He told me where to aim and I proceeded to shoot. My first shot just went over the target,I made a slight adjustment and nailed it the next four shots. Not bad for iron sights, sure wished I had those eyes still. Oops, my apologies for this being a rifle story. I forgot this thread is about handguns.

September 3, 2021, 10:00 AM	#87
CP93 Member Join Date: February 15, 2021 Posts: 22	Traded a lightly used Ruger Single-Six for a lightly used 70's era S&W K-38 (don't remember the model now) plus a Bianchi thumbsnap holster. Have never found a trigger that 'glassy smooth' since. Like the dumb kid I was, sold it later and now wish I still had it.

September 3, 2021, 12:05 PM	#88
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,427	A store had two SIG P228s for sub $400 (I think it was $365). My best friend was looking for a 9mm at the time so I called him and let him know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

September 4, 2021, 11:12 AM	#90
JDBerg Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2015 Location: PA Posts: 1,835	About 12 years ago I paid $395.00 for my LNIB factory hardchromed BHP MkIII. Still my best gun at the best price. __________________ Words to Live By: Before You Pray - Believe; Before You Speak - Listen; Before You Spend - Earn; Before You Write - Think; Before You Quit - Try; Before You Die - Live

September 5, 2021, 01:19 AM	#91
BourbonCowboy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2019 Posts: 143	I picked up an HK VP9 on GunBroker for $325/shipped. The seller didn't have a lot of feedback, but I took a chance. When I got it, it was in mint condition. But upon firing it, I had a failure to return to battery problem with my first shot (115gr. ammo). Turns out that it hadn't been fired enough to soften up the spring. I ran a few mags of 124gr. through it and it was perfect. I haven't had the problem since. After adding a Lobos trigger, enhance striker sleeve, Speed Sights, and low-profile magwell, I still think I made out under (pre-pandemic) selling prices.

September 5, 2021, 09:27 AM	#92
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	Every deal I have ever done. If it wasn't a good deal, I wouldn't have done it

September 5, 2021, 05:34 PM	#93
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,074	Gen 4 Glock 19. Issued to me by my agency 2013 (new in the box). Sold to me 2021 for $200.00.

September 5, 2021, 06:05 PM	#94
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,655	HK P7, $600 S&W 19-3 snub RB, $349 both slightly used __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

September 6, 2021, 08:40 PM	#95
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,753	Hmmm.... my personal best deal on a handgun was probably when I bought my security six from Gunbroker in 2011. It’s a blued .357, 6” barrel, 150 prefix serial number... in that it will be C&R eligible in a couple three years. I paid less than $350 including shipping and FFL transfer fee. Totally worth it. It’s not one of my favorites, but it’s a solid option and my first choice for handgun hunting. Bluing is 98% and it still looks great. Only issue was the original grips were a little dinged up. I made a new set of grips for it. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

September 7, 2021, 12:33 PM	#96
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	There was one, that probably could be classified as BEST and WORST. Early 90's timeframe, decided to go checkout the Gun show. 13yo son wanted to go with me. As we are leaving, Wif calls out, " don't buy ANYTHING! " Hadn't been there long, looking over a table, 20-something guy walks up and asks about a 4" Python. Seller says he has a 6" and hands the gun over for inspection. Looking it over, guy asks how much? and says he really wants a 4". Price is $650. Guy hands it back. Writes down booth number and says he might be back. We wandered a couple of aisles. Stop at a table, a guy is looking at a deer rifle, $350. Asks about a trade? Hands over a revolver. Seller says no, he wants cash. I ask to see the revolver. A pristine, 4" Python. I offer $350 cash. He takes the deal. I give him the cash. He gives cash to table and takes his deer rifle. Everybody happy. Son saying, " Mom said to buy anything. " Shhh, what happens at gun show, stays at gun show. Walk around a couple of aisles, standing at a table looking. Hear a voice, " do you have a 4" Python? " Table guy says, " no, don't see them often. " I say, " I have a 4" Python. " hand it to him. He looks it over, " how much? " " $650 " Son is stammering, I give him 'a look'. Guy hands me cash and we part happy. Get home and Wif asks, " did you buy anything? " Son chimes in, " he did, but you ain't believe it. " He never got to go to another gun show with me. Wish I had a pristine, 4" Python to sell TODAY.

September 7, 2021, 08:29 PM	#97
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 454	Got my officer's ACP for $400 + tax and trade. New to me, but was lightly used. Broken in, utterly reliable. Loved that deal, and the shop was great. Painless. Best deal I got on a used handgun, by far.

September 7, 2021, 09:30 PM	#98
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	2006-Smith 66-4" for $275. About 1967 K 22 6" for $98--NEW.

September 9, 2021, 09:24 AM	#99
Moonglum Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2015 Posts: 468	I went to the range with some church friends several years ago. The guy in the lane next to me was shooting a S&W 4006. I mentioned that I had always wanted to buy one but had never been able to find a used one. The next morning in church he offered it to me for $200. He said he wanted to be sure he gave me a fair deal. __________________ Skating On Thin Ice

September 9, 2021, 10:30 AM	#100
eflyguy Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2021 Posts: 335	I think I paid $300 for my Ruger 1911 SR. That's probably the best deal I got. Bought several firearms from a guy that was dumping them due to financial issues, but I paid what he was asking. My daughter shoots the G17 (or 19? I always get them confused) I bought from him in USPSA. Had action/trigger rework done by a fellow competitor.