I've been reading around on third generation Smith and Wesson auto pistols for a few weeks and one comment has been getting repeated often - they aren't selling as cheap as they used to.
Maybe, maybe not. One of the examples usually given are the used police models and quoting some of the "heyday" prices of $329 for a typical gun. Having researched the net for the last week - you can still find those prices. I can't tell you the guns then or now were better or worse - considering the example are used service pistols - but I can tell you that going further than a casual glance to see which guns actually sold and which were ignored makes a difference.
The higher priced guns are getting very little bidding unless NIB, .45, or an option considered rare and wonderful. Some of those are moving into the collector grade and rivaling items like the HK P7, in the $1400 range. But a shooter, former Police Issue? There are listings for Ugly Guns, too, at $215 their choice.
Given a used decently clean and not too abused .45 ACP like the 4566, even with TSW option, and they are moving for $425 up. What aren't moving are guns with $599 entry level bids or high reserves, which are getting substantial resistance and a lot of relisting with no action. Not unlike some gun show vendors who seem to haul the same guns to the same shows year after year waiting for that one buyer. Oh well. But the guns that are moving? They have vendors who allow them to start low, and they sell. I know - I've been watching this for a few weeks and I just got one.
How many all stainless .45ACP guns are out there for pricing in the $400 - 450 range? New 1911's like that run $1,100. I even passed on a 457 for $300 buy it now to stay focused on the 4566's. Well, I can't buy them all.
Move up to a five inch 4506, or 645, and prices rise, expect near $800 levels. There are still guns that sell for less but they are fewer and further between.
The point being, it's not a blanket situation that "all third gen guns are going up." It's even discussed on their forum where values for the next guidebook are examined - LEO pistols are still depressing the market and that's a good thing for you and me. It won't last forever, the good ol days will come to an end where the last department sells off their all metal guns. Of course, at that point, we may well see polymer police trade ins moving under $150.
Well, it could happen.
Maybe, maybe not. One of the examples usually given are the used police models and quoting some of the "heyday" prices of $329 for a typical gun. Having researched the net for the last week - you can still find those prices. I can't tell you the guns then or now were better or worse - considering the example are used service pistols - but I can tell you that going further than a casual glance to see which guns actually sold and which were ignored makes a difference.
The higher priced guns are getting very little bidding unless NIB, .45, or an option considered rare and wonderful. Some of those are moving into the collector grade and rivaling items like the HK P7, in the $1400 range. But a shooter, former Police Issue? There are listings for Ugly Guns, too, at $215 their choice.
Given a used decently clean and not too abused .45 ACP like the 4566, even with TSW option, and they are moving for $425 up. What aren't moving are guns with $599 entry level bids or high reserves, which are getting substantial resistance and a lot of relisting with no action. Not unlike some gun show vendors who seem to haul the same guns to the same shows year after year waiting for that one buyer. Oh well. But the guns that are moving? They have vendors who allow them to start low, and they sell. I know - I've been watching this for a few weeks and I just got one.
How many all stainless .45ACP guns are out there for pricing in the $400 - 450 range? New 1911's like that run $1,100. I even passed on a 457 for $300 buy it now to stay focused on the 4566's. Well, I can't buy them all.
Move up to a five inch 4506, or 645, and prices rise, expect near $800 levels. There are still guns that sell for less but they are fewer and further between.
The point being, it's not a blanket situation that "all third gen guns are going up." It's even discussed on their forum where values for the next guidebook are examined - LEO pistols are still depressing the market and that's a good thing for you and me. It won't last forever, the good ol days will come to an end where the last department sells off their all metal guns. Of course, at that point, we may well see polymer police trade ins moving under $150.
Well, it could happen.
