Question for the Pros!

[90%RealMoney]

With all of the mania going on in the gun market, I decided I need to get those final couple of wish list guns, to complete my needed WTSHTF arsenal. I have a Colt SAA 7-1/2" barrel, chambered in 45LC that is as new in box, never fired, cylinder never turned. I bought it in 1990. This is a gun that was part of the "Final 50" sets of six Colt handguns produced prior to Colt Industries changing hands to Colt's Manufacturing Co. I have the Colt Historian certicate for the specific gun, as well as a copy of the Colt certificate for the set of 6 guns it was included in. I want to sell it, since it's basically a"never fire it" gun, for display/collectors only. I want to get a couple shooters for it. I guess my question is, how do I get the best value out of this thing. I contacted Buds Gun Shop, their first (and maybe only) offer was $950.00 in trade value. I believe I could outright sell it for that, or more on gunbroker.com, for about $30.00 in fees. Since there is going to be transaction fees for every gun that gets sent back and forth between FFL holders, I have to take that into consideration as well. I just thought maybe someone here who is experienced in this kind of thing, could save me some time and legwork, with the most likely best method to get the most bang for the buck. I plan on going to a couple local dealers to see what they want to sell the gun for me, or the same deal Buds gave me. I'm afraid my local dealers don't have the good prices that Bud's has, nor the availability. I'm in Calif. so there's another negative! Two of the guns I'd like to get are a Ruger MKIII .22 auto pistol, and a mini 14. Problem is, the Rugers are going fast, if not sold out entirely already! Anybody got any ideas of the best way to go about this? Thanks a bunch!

[ttazzman]

around here most dealers will cosign a gun and should be able to look up the current wholesale and retail values for you.....but gun broker is a good way to go in My opinion but you still need a dealer to work with for transferring.......i have no idea how Comie fornia handles gun sales

[Mike]

Hi, I see 3rd generation single action Colt's NIB unturned cyl. in the $1200-1500 range. As for the other qualifier of the last Colt Industries etc. I never heard this would increase the value. The Blue Book says your revolver is worth around $1200 with the original box. Bud's offered you a wholesale price. I don't see you revolver going down in value. Most bang for the buck is a private sale. Don't be in a hurry Ruger is swamped (they say) but MkIII's will be around for a long time. As for Mini 14's there's a ton around, and in the pipe line. Regards, mike

[Argentium]

Not a pro, but agree with Mike, your best deal would be a private sale and I wouldn't take anything less than $1100 for it. It's not like it's going to decrease in value, just wait for the right buyer.

[90%RealMoney]

Appreciate all the replies guys! I guess the only caviat is what's going to happen in the new gun market from now until election time, and then after? I sure don't see it slowing down any, unless Obama gets kicked out of office somehow. I don't hold much hope for that scenario. With all of these new "Prepper" shows coming on t.v., I'm sure there will be a strong market for guns no matter what. Bud's is sold out on quite a bit of guns. My local dealer in a small town has a full shop most days too! Sure glad I made alot of my purchases many years ago. Thanks again!

[Hystckndle]

Gunbroker. Price it right and they will go.
Just my 02.
Have both of your wish items. Egggscellent choices.

[SilverCity]

It is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Your pistol is not a high demand item right now. Collectors only. Find a gun shop that has what you want and offer a trade or go to a big gun show in your area.

Minis, ARs, and AKs, etc. are selling fast because folks are expecting a $hit$torm when Obummer gets re-elected.

Good luck.

SC

[DualCarbon]

I disagree with selling it. A long barrel colt SAA is a classic, and that one sounds particularly nice.
Hard assets should hold their value long term, and gold/silver bullion doesn't need to be the only asset class to own.
Also, those new guns are not going to be sold out entirely. A mini-14 and .22 are not rare by any means.
I'd recommend just buy them sometime this year or so, and shop around without adding to your anxiety.

Here is a colt SAA video to watch:

[SongSungAU]

.... Two of the guns I'd like to get are a Ruger MKIII .22 auto pistol, ...

I am a gun newbie so don't have answers for you. I have a newbie question though. Why do you want a Ruger MKIII over a Ruger SR22? I have an SR22 and love it but am I missing something about the MKIII? Do you want it for competitions or something or just plinking? I bought my Ruger SR22 from kygunco.com for $299.99. I will buy from them again as they are fast and courteous. The SR22 is easy to breakdown and clean but I thought I heard that the MKIII is a pain to breakdown. Perhaps what I heard is incorrect, I don't know.

Anyway, thanks on any info why you prefer a MKIII over an SR22 pistol.

[SilverCity]

Dual, why don't you make the OP an offer?


SC

[DualCarbon]

Dual, why don't you make the OP an offer?


SC

I also have a collector firearm I was thinking of selling to buy a shtf gun.
My reasoning was probably somewhat similar to the OP, and to what you posted (Obama rerun, etc.).
I've decided to hang on to my collector gun. Also, a colt SAA is on my list of eventual guns to get, though not now.

[90%RealMoney]

It is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Your pistol is not a high demand item right now. Collectors only. Find a gun shop that has what you want and offer a trade or go to a big gun show in your area.

Minis, ARs, and AKs, etc. are selling fast because folks are expecting a $hit$torm when Obummer gets re-elected.

Good luck.

SC

Yeah, you're right. My local gun shop will sell on consignment for a 15% commission, which is fair. However, they have another SAA on consignment there, that has been sitting for 3 months! Their offer in trade was 50% of what they thought they could sell the gun for, which is absolutely ridiculous! Almost half of what Bud's offered me! For some reason I have a gut feeling that if I don't do this now, I may regret waiting too long. Probably unfounded, but the collector gun does me no good sitting in the safe. I took Bud's offer. To answer the question of why the MKIII, I'm going to use it for target practice, small furries (mainly gophers) and The MKIII and the mini add up to exactly what the offer was. I'm trying to do it with the least amount of out of pocket expense. The SR22 is nice, but 40 or so bucks more. I have other personal defense handguns already. Plus, I just like the MKIII. I would love to have gotten the longer barreled version, but it's out of stock as well.

[90%RealMoney]

I am a gun newbie so don't have answers for you. I have a newbie question though. Why do you want a Ruger MKIII over a Ruger SR22? I have an SR22 and love it but am I missing something about the MKIII? Do you want it for competitions or something or just plinking? I bought my Ruger SR22 from kygunco.com for $299.99. I will buy from them again as they are fast and courteous. The SR22 is easy to breakdown and clean but I thought I heard that the MKIII is a pain to breakdown. Perhaps what I heard is incorrect, I don't know.

Anyway, thanks on any info why you prefer a MKIII over an SR22 pistol.

I've heard the same about the MKIII's take down procedure. Oh well, it'll keep the aging mind sharp, huh?

[SilverCity]

I have owned firearms in the past that just appreciated themselves right out of the market. As the price rose, the number of potential buyers shrank. And finding that right buyer can take a long time...

SC

[Mike]

[QUOTE=90%RealMoney;362328]Yeah, you're right. My local gun shop will sell on consignment for a 15% commission, which is fair. However, they have another SAA on consignment there, that has been sitting for 3 months! Their offer in trade was 50% of what they thought they could sell the gun for, which is absolutely ridiculous! QUOTE]

Hi, I agree, ridiculous ! bordering on theft. They will make 50% profit plus the profit on what you take in trade. Find another gun shop. Regards, Mike

[SilverCity]

I have observed dealers for many years and 50% is about all any of them will pay for used firearms (it's considered by many to be used once it walks out the door). Because once they buy a gun from a private seller, the liability shifts to them.

Stolen, defective, monkeyed-with, downright dangerous to shoot, or just one that sits on the shelf for months on end ...all these possibilites cost them time, money, maybe even lawyers' fees.

Unless you have established a solid relationship with them over the years and they know you well, they probably won't cut you any slack. It's just good business sense.

SC

[90%RealMoney]

I have observed dealers for many years and 50% is about what all of them will pay. If they buy a gun from a private seller, the liability shifts to them. Stolen, defective, monkeyed-with, or downright dangerous to shoot...all these possibilites cost them time, money, lawyers' fees. Unless you have established a solid relationship with them over the years and they know you well, they won't cut you any slack. It's just good business sense.

SC

I agree. They are a small operation too, and probably can't afford to have too much paid for inventory sitting on their shelves. As a side note, this particular gun shop produces their own AR15 platform, that took third place Nationally in some sort of competition last year. Sweet rifle! I handled the Gen III model while at the shop. Wouldn't mind having one, but 5 grand for an AR is a bit much! He said he needs a large order from a law enforcement concern, or otherwise, to get the price down, etc. His sales pamphlet states a guy named Tom Sarver hit 19 out of 20 shots at a 12 by 12 inch steel target from 1000 yards, shooting at a "fast as humanly possible rate". Nicest AR I've ever seen.

[Mike]

Hi, Gander Mountain ( a big Chain ) used to buy at 70% of Blue Book and 75% on trade ins. I hear they now pay 60%. At the Kenosha WI store they recently ( last Year) bought a few things from me and it was about 70% by my calculations. Just my take, Regards, Mike

[SilverCity]

I don't know where in CA you are, but when I was there in the 80's they had the Great Western Gun Show at the Pomona County Fairgrounds. Huge show...

That would have been a good place to take it...

How about the Crossroads of the West show in Costa Mesa? I'll bet someone there will be interested.

Good luck

SC

[90%RealMoney]

I don't know where in CA you are, but when I was there in the 80's they had the Great Western Gun Show at the Pomona County Fairgrounds. Huge show...

That would have been a good place to take it...

How about the Crossroads of the West show in Costa Mesa? I'll bet someone there will be interested.

Good luck

SC

Yeah, I've been to the big one in Pomona, almost impossible to see it all in one day! They haven't had that show in 15 years or so. The local Lib Politicians got it nixed. I'm in Norcal, so a show in Sacramento would be the best. The gun is on it's way to Bud's right now.

[illuminate10]

The mkiii hunter 7" was on my to get list at one point. I opted out when economics really showed it's face; and I went with the Beretta Neos 7". The pros for the U22 Neos was half the cost, no tools needed for breakdown, and switchable barrel.

Needless to say..... I still wouldn't mind getting the mkiii hunter


P.S. As far as armory and .22 cal firearms go, a ruger 10/22 is a must if you don't have one. Preferably with a folding stock, makes it really compact.

As far as the mini 14, I haven't looked at them for a while..... but I always wanted Saiga 5.45 in place of the 5.56 in a 16" barrel.

[90%RealMoney]

The mkiii hunter 7" was on my to get list at one point. I opted out when economics really showed it's face; and I went with the Beretta Neos 7". The pros for the U22 Neos was half the cost, no tools needed for breakdown, and switchable barrel.

Needless to say..... I still wouldn't mind getting the mkiii hunter


P.S. As far as armory and .22 cal firearms go, a ruger 10/22 is a must if you don't have one. Preferably with a folding stock, makes it really compact.

As far as the mini 14, I haven't looked at them for a while..... but I always wanted Saiga 5.45 in place of the 5.56 in a 16" barrel.

Yeah, I have 2- 10-22's. One blue, one stainless. I like that new take down, 2 piece 10-22 that just came out. They're on sale right now too! The two guns I am getting, pretty much completes the "Necessary" firearms list. I feel better about my decision after reading the "Open season on Whitey" thread!

[90%RealMoney]

The mkiii hunter 7" was on my to get list at one point. I opted out when economics really showed it's face; and I went with the Beretta Neos 7". The pros for the U22 Neos was half the cost, no tools needed for breakdown, and switchable barrel.

Needless to say..... I still wouldn't mind getting the mkiii hunter


P.S. As far as armory and .22 cal firearms go, a ruger 10/22 is a must if you don't have one. Preferably with a folding stock, makes it really compact.

As far as the mini 14, I haven't looked at them for a while..... but I always wanted Saiga 5.45 in place of the 5.56 in a 16" barrel.

This is the one I really wanted! Sold out, and more expensive of course!

[illuminate10]

This is the one I really wanted! Sold out, and more expensive of course!

That's exactly the one I want also. It has a nice balance/feel and weight, which I'm sure help to make it easier to be accurate.

Plus it looks niiice! Which is always a plus.

[90%RealMoney]

That's exactly the one I want also. It has a nice balance/feel and weight, which I'm sure help to make it easier to be accurate.

Plus it looks niiice! Which is always a plus.

Well, they have them back in stock now. $493.00, free shipping.