Is this book worth the price? Is there any free online resources to estimate value of guns? Right now, I am trying to get the value of a S&W 5906 in excellent condition and a 6906 is very good condition. The 6906 was a carry gun for a police officer and has some holster wear, but functions perfect.
Blue book of gun values
- Thread starter captain54
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45Badger
Member
Check out the online sales and auction site- Gunbroker, auctionarms, etc.
See what people are ASKING for similar guns. See what they SELL for.
While I am no expert at assessing gun values, I find the blue book is most often used by a potential buyer (usually a store/dealer) to justify a very low price on a trade or purchase. This is not a slam on dealers/retailers- they need to make a buck, and making it "on the buy" is over half the battle.
See what people are ASKING for similar guns. See what they SELL for.
While I am no expert at assessing gun values, I find the blue book is most often used by a potential buyer (usually a store/dealer) to justify a very low price on a trade or purchase. This is not a slam on dealers/retailers- they need to make a buck, and making it "on the buy" is over half the battle.
deadin
Member
I've always found the "Blue Book" kind of a waste of time. As stated before, the prices seem to tend to be "low ball" and are good only if being used for buying. The problem is if you are the one that is buying, you usually can't find anyone willing to sell at those prices. (Unless they don't know any better.) It's not useful for identification due to the lack of pictures and minimal descriptions.
I recently picked up a copy of the "Standard Catalog of Firearms" and although the pricing is a little shaky in some areas, it's a great reference with over 1,700 photos and lots of info. The main problem is its lack of military firearms. There is a separate volume "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms" I'm going to need to get.
Other good choice’s are Flaydermans (Only good for prewar and antique US guns) and the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (If your bent is S&W. Also, with the SCSW, you have to be very critical when judging condition to realize the higher values listed.).
On-line auctions (Gun Broker, et al) and sales sites (Guns America, etc.) can be useful. The main thing I don’t like about them is that, for the most part, they show what some folks would like to get for their guns, not what they actually are selling for.
I’ve always figured that the actual value is somewhat less than what you see being asked. This is mostly true on GA. On GB, as long as the gun doesn’t have a Reserve, you have to watch the auction actually “close” to get a feeling for the selling price.
As far as I’ve been able to figure out there’s no way to look at “closed” auctions on GB to see actual selling prices. (Maybe someone can let me know if there is a way to look at closed auctions.)
I recently picked up a copy of the "Standard Catalog of Firearms" and although the pricing is a little shaky in some areas, it's a great reference with over 1,700 photos and lots of info. The main problem is its lack of military firearms. There is a separate volume "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms" I'm going to need to get.
Other good choice’s are Flaydermans (Only good for prewar and antique US guns) and the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (If your bent is S&W. Also, with the SCSW, you have to be very critical when judging condition to realize the higher values listed.).
On-line auctions (Gun Broker, et al) and sales sites (Guns America, etc.) can be useful. The main thing I don’t like about them is that, for the most part, they show what some folks would like to get for their guns, not what they actually are selling for.
I’ve always figured that the actual value is somewhat less than what you see being asked. This is mostly true on GA. On GB, as long as the gun doesn’t have a Reserve, you have to watch the auction actually “close” to get a feeling for the selling price.
As far as I’ve been able to figure out there’s no way to look at “closed” auctions on GB to see actual selling prices. (Maybe someone can let me know if there is a way to look at closed auctions.)
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
The 27th Edition of Blue Book Of Gun Values comes pretty close on
determining the value of most firearms. Its good reference material,
and needs to be used only as a guide~! Worth the money? Yes
determining the value of most firearms. Its good reference material,
and needs to be used only as a guide~! Worth the money? Yes
JohnBT
Member
It's low for some areas and high for others and I wouldn't be without one because of the production dates, model details and because most everybody else is looking at one before and during a deal. Their gun grading system with pics is good info, but it's available online.
Sometimes they go on sale for $25 and if I put another order in to CDNN I'll pick up a new one for $29.
www.cdnninvestments.com/blboofgunva2.html
John
Sometimes they go on sale for $25 and if I put another order in to CDNN I'll pick up a new one for $29.
www.cdnninvestments.com/blboofgunva2.html
John
never_retreat
Member
I take my blue book in my back pack to every gun show. It can help keep people honest also.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
It's a reference, not a bible. A useful tool to serve as a general guideline. But it's just one of several...
Art
Art
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