Insane used Colt prices...

[larry starling]

Went to a local store today and was looking around and found a few Colt's. One particular Colt was a Tank Officers Model. For those not familiar with this model its basically a Officers ACP slide on a Commanders frame. This version is one of those limited RSR/ Lew Horton limited edition pieces. 1 of 350 or so. Well I asked to look at said gun and the first thing that stood out was the fact that someone removed the Colt MSH and replaced it with one from a Colt Sistema. Also the matte blue finish was was at best 90-95% condition. And the magazine was a non Colt one also. Well let me cut to the chase. Asking price $1099.00 I think this price for this gun in its non original altered condition is crazy. When I asked if there was any wiggle room I was in formed "NO" price is firm. Has anyone else ran into this kind of Piracy before?

 

[psychophipps]

A local gun store I frequent has a used SP101 .357 snubby for $350. Too bad I can buy a brand new one for $359, eh? A lot of gun owners try to get as much back on their investment as possible without really bothering to check how the weapon actually sells for.

Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )

 

[pinotguy]

I've seen some 9x23 Series 80 Colt's starting at $995 and going up rapidly. Honestly, I know they don't make them anymore but $1K? These can't be that collectable yet, can they? Even NIB, I can't help but think that $750 would be at the top end for one of these.

 

[Old Fuff]

Has anyone else ran into this kind of Piracy before?

Sure have... for over 6 decades.

I have a simple solution. If the asking price is higher then I am prepared to pay (which it often is these days) and the seller is firm, I just put it back and leave. Without fail, tomorrow will turn up more guns, and sometimes at more reasonable prices.

The seller has a right to get as much as he can, and if it's worth more to someone else and they have the money they can have it. As a potential buyer I have a right to draw a line past which I won't go. Seems fair to me.

 

[Croyance]

Colts always go for a lot because of the name and the demand - they were never a volume manufacturer.
If you think that is crazy, look at the price of Pythons.

But everything they made had rough equivalents elsewhere. And I feel I get better 1911's for the money from other manufacturers anyways.

 

[evan price]

It's only piracy if you are forced to pay it. In situations like this I typically smirk to myself, laugh slightly, and walk away.
The problem is all you need is one twonk with more money than sense and presto the seller's inflated asking price is justified.

 

[Sunray]

"...Tank Officers Model..." There's no such thing from Colt. That's a marketing term. Just like the term 'tactical'.
Real Armoured types got regular Government models. The only piece of kit I've ever seen that was issued to CF armoured units only was a 10 round mag for our Sterling SMG's. Except for them and crew suits there's no such thing as 'tanker' anything.
"...one of those limited RSR/ Lew Horton limited edition pieces..." That's why there was no dealing on the price. Some less informed buyer will snap it up at that price because they think they're getting something rare. Also the pistol may have been 'on consignment'.

 

[dragongoddess]

Ahh consignment. There is a Bushmaster 24" Bbl. “VARMINTER” with a so so scope at the gun shop near me. Its been there for 4 months with a price of $1341 on it. I made an offer of $900 and he pays the tax and it was refused. Seems the guy who has it on consignment seems to think its worth that much. Its been sitting in the shop for 4+ months now and mine was the first serious offer. Guess the darn thing will be there for some time. Next month I should go back and offer $750 and see if the guy who has it on consignment will let it go at that.

Like moma said: Its only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[Kestrel]

A lot of dealers price Colts in a way that makes them look crazy. I can't believe that people pay what they try to get.

About two years ago, I was in a store, that had a Series 70 GM (original, not reissue). I asked about it and the owner hands it to me, saying it is original and has never been fired. "He had just kept it in storage."

The thing had been obviously fired and the front sight looked like it was about to come off. The best part? He wanted $1200 for the thing. $1200.

I felt like he was wanting to intentionally cheat me. Yeah, we can say free enterprise all you want, but when that kind of thing happens, they are trying to cheat you.

And, uh, no - I didn't buy it...

 

[armoredman]

The guy who drove Jensen's into bankruptcy would list used beat up Model 10s for $350.

 

[Rinspeed]

I want another Python bad but these jerk offs that think a very good condition Python that doesn't even have the box or paperwork are worth $1200 are on crack. They can keep them, you can still find a 27-2 that will shoot just as well if not better for a whole lot less.

 

[Kestrel]

Rinspeed - ha! You just reminded me... That same dealer that was trying to overcharge for the Colt GM, also had a Colt 4" blued Python for sale. It was OBVIOUSLY refinished. The factory lettering, logo, etc., were very shallow from the reblueing job.

His price? $850.

I mentioned that it had been reblued and he said, "Yeah, I know".

I handed that one back to him, too...

 

[magsnubby]

It seems like in the last year prices on used handguns have just gone crazy. A couple of years ago i could find a real nice blued 4" Ruger Security Six for $150. Now the price is around $300. I recently had a couple of Colt wheelguns appraised. The first one was a Diamondback .22 in like new condition that my dad bought used for $250 in the mid 80's...."This isn't a real common gun...it's worth $725..." The other was his fishin' gun, a 4" Viper .38 spcl, he bought nib in 1978 for $178. It's still in perfect mechanical condition but has alot of wear on the end of the barrel, the leading edges of the cylinder, a nasty scratch on the left side of the frame below the cylinder and a light scratch on the front sight. "This is a pretty rare Colt. It's worth about $450"

Are they worth that much? Hell no. Would i sell 'em for that price? Hell no. Would i buy 'em for that price? Another big hell no.

 

[dragongoddess]

Stoped by the gun shop today and learned that that Bushmaster that had been there the last 4+months sold yesterday after I left the gun shop. And it went for the full asking price of $1341

 

[panther22]

Colt prices are crazy, and so are some Winchester prices now. After the big announcement about them stopping production some guy brought two, new, model 94's to my local shop, one is a .357, the other a .22. He's asking $700+ each. They've been there a couple months now and are collecting dust.

 

[Trisha]

Maybe they're trying to pay for gas?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I just bought a Colt Woodsman, First Generation, for $225. This gun has micro sights (which make it less collectable than if it had the original sights) but it shoots like Billy-be-damned.

Squirrel season starts in three weeks.