New LGS, several nice guns, which would you get?

[silicosys4]

So a new lgs just opened up and I had the time to take a look.

There are a few deals I thought I'd the forum about.
I've already got a trade offer of $750 for a sig 1911 Nitron railed.
I'm only into it for $650 and don't like very much So that's a win, and there are a few guns I would MUCH rather have. I have cash to throw on top if need be but sadly can't get them sll.

I have tentatively reached an agreement for trading the sig +$100 for an early 60's commercial colt 1911 with replacement grips and trigger. It would be 99%+ EXCEPT for a dime size blotch of completely missing bluing on the slide and frame. Bare shiny silver metal. No pitting or rust though. So what, about 95% finish remaining.

But I have other options.
A 1959 winchester m70 in 30-06, solid 90% finish, used but not abused, good wood still, good bore, , $900

A 1961 winchester 94, 30-30, 85%, thinning finish but good bore, honest gun, $800

A 98% python, 4", blued. Late 60's with service stocks in box, $3k. Up there but I'd make it happen if it were a solid investment. Very nice finish, the grips look pristine, looks like it might be unshot but i'd have to look closer.

An early winchester 52 with the heavy barrel, target peep sights, and banded stock, 90%, $800 This one is nice, very heavy barrel, very substantial and precise rear peep sight apparatus with hooded front, stock in nice shape, bluing thinning but still almost all there

Post 64, 1968 Buffalo Bill commemorative winchester '94. Not really my thing, ugly painted finish, cartoonish engraving, but it's in my favorite configuration for the 94, a 26" octagon rifle pattern. 95%, $550.

U.S. property Remington 1911, 98% in issue box, parkerized, $1950. This one is interesting. Looks unissued and uncarried, i'm guessing its numbers matching. I have no idea how old or if its wartime, so this one might need further inspection.

S&W 29-4, 3" barrel, hogue grips, unfluted cylinder, 95%, no box, $1500. Lew Horton maybe?

Those are some of the things I saw that I wanted more than the sig.
What would you do and why?

 

[Frulk]

Post 64 Winchester with octagon barrel depending on caliber is the only thing that would interest me. That is if it’s not too gaudy. I’d make it a shooter. It certainly seems to be the bargain of the lot.

 

[Old Dog]

I have tentatively reached an agreement for trading the sig +$100 for an early 60's commercial colt 1911 with replacement grips and trigger, 99%+ EXCEPT for a dime size blotch of completely missing bluing on the slide and frame

That's a trade I'd probably make.

U.S. property Remington 1911, 98% in issue box, parkerized, $1950.

I would jump on that. If it's not refinished, or a Franken1911 and indeed at 98%, hit the ATM up now and run, don't walk, to be there when the doors open. Is it in a CMP box, or did they just drage out a box from somewhere, because if it's a military-issue pistol, there's no box. But you do know what CMP would be asking, right, 'cause that'd be an "auction grade" pistol. Service grade pistols are going for over a grand, and they're pretty worn.

 

[silicosys4]

That's a trade I'd probably make.
I would jump on that. If it's not refinished, or a Franken1911 and indeed at 98%, hit the ATM up now and run, don't walk, to be there when the doors open. Is it in a CMP box, or did they just drage out a box from somewhere, because if it's a military-issue pistol, there's no box. But you do know what CMP would be asking, right, 'cause that'd be an "auction grade" pistol. Service grade pistols are going for over a grand, and they're pretty worn.

It looks to be all original. The numbers and rollmarks look crisp and it doesn't have obvious signs of refinish. Like I said, this one might be the gem of the bunch depending.
The box might not be correct. It looks like something a government issued 1911 might come in, a 2 piece brown kraft box that fits the pistol snugly with enough room for 1 extra magazine...but I haven't seen it out of the case and don't know if there is anything tying the two together. I'll take a closer look tomorrow.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, if you're like many of us and have bought firearms before out of sentimentality (my goal has been to own a specimen of each handgun and infantry rifle issued to American soldiers/sailors/marines since 1775) and a nod to history, I think it might be a centerpiece in a collection.

 

[silicosys4]

I can basically spend $1k + the $750 trade for the Sig, so I can get any 2, OR the Remington 1911, or MAYBE the Python if I think I can make some money in the long term.

I really can't decide on this one. I like them all for different reasons so it really just comes down to which one is more likely to appreciate more in value over the next 20-30 years?
The Python and the Remington are the highest condition guns of the lot. The Python I think is less strong of an investment. New pythons being produced, plenty of pythons out there, I don't see them going much higher than they were 2 years ago and I think $3k is about the high water mark.

The Remington...I'll bring my phone in and do some research on the numbers and the box, see if its as it says it is.
The M70 is kind of average price for what it is, the most common caliber, nothing fancy, so no great deal there
Same with the 1961 '94 winchester
The Buffalo Bill commemorative 94...Its kind of gaudy, but Its cheap.

The Winchester M52 has a lot of promise though. I know where it came from, I know the previous owner.. a gunsmith who's done work for me in the past. I trust what it is to be correct.

 

[Zahn]

Your new LGS really knows how to open their doors. That is quite the list.

The Remington 1911 is the gem. But I've also been looking for a nice 30-30, and a pre-64 specimen would get my attention.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I'm with Frulk on the BB '94.
I have learned how to google and it sure looks ok to me (as a shooter), especially when you consider what
the new Winchesters in that configuration cost.
I have yet to see any factory machined engraving that looks much better that what google showed me.

You don't mention which model or barrel configuration - heavy or bull - the 52 is. If the stock is unaltered
that would be a big plus.
If it is a 'C' (or possibly a 'B') I would sure give it another look, especially if you know the history.
I'd also take along a .22 dummy to try the trigger on it if it's a 'B'. 'C's are completely and simply adjusted.

Nice to have such quality choices to review in person.
Best of luck with your choices,

JT

 

[kidneyboy]

I am also with Frulk on the Winchester 94 followed closely by the Winchester M52. A distant 3rd would be the S&W 29.
I'm not a collector so my take is kind of utilitarian.

 

[JDeere]

Sounds like some nice ones for sale. If the Python is unfired or fired very little that would have to stay that way to retain it's value. I have seen some nice ones in the 23 to 2700 range. I'd have to shoot it so that's a no for me. I can't collect firearms, I have to shoot them. Read up on the GI 1911s. That may or may not be a deal. A lot of those fake boxes are out there and it would need to be stripped to make sure parts are of correct manufacture, period correct with matching wear...

 

[Jim Watson]

U.S. property Remington 1911, 98% in issue box, parkerized, $1950. This one is interesting. Looks unissued and uncarried, i'm guessing its numbers matching. I have no idea how old or if its wartime, so this one might need further inspection.

Study up.
There are no numbers to match. Colt numbered the slide for a few years but quit as wartime production ramped up.
ALL Remington Rands were produced during WWII.
Sincere looking but fake boxes abound.
Many to most such guns were arsenal refurbished, it might well be 98% refinish. Many but not all will be so marked.

A lot of those fake boxes are out there and it would need to be stripped to make sure parts are of correct manufacture, period correct with matching wear...

Right, those boxes aren't even a copy of a GI container, guns were shipped in crates.
Identifying small parts is tedious but can be done. Matching wear is an expert opinion.

 

[bannockburn]

I would definitely be interested in taking a closer look at the Remington 1911A1!

 

[lightman]

The M52, M70 and the 1911's caught my attention. I already have a Python and I gave a Pre-64 M70 away recently but would take another one. Sounds like a nice store.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I wouldn’t go for the Python or either Win 94. 30-30s are a dime a dozen and way too common as are the various commemorative 94s.

The Win 70 or Win 52 are more my thing. Pre 64 is neat on the 70 but wouldn’t sway my decision.

 

[doubleh]

The Winchester 52 is the only one that would interest me. Get what you want, not what any of us want. Take your time and choose well.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

So a new lgs just opened up and I had the time to take a look.

There are a few deals I thought I'd the forum about.
I've already got a trade offer of $750 for a sig 1911 Nitron railed.
I'm only into it for $650 and don't like very much So that's a win, and there are a few guns I would MUCH rather have. I have cash to throw on top if need be but sadly can't get them sll.

I have tentatively reached an agreement for trading the sig +$100 for an early 60's commercial colt 1911 with replacement grips and trigger. It would be 99%+ EXCEPT for a dime size blotch of completely missing bluing on the slide and frame. Bare shiny silver metal. No pitting or rust though. So what, about 95% finish remaining.

But I have other options.
A 1959 winchester m70 in 30-06, solid 90% finish, used but not abused, good wood still, good bore, , $900

A 1961 winchester 94, 30-30, 85%, thinning finish but good bore, honest gun, $800

A 98% python, 4", blued. Late 60's with service stocks in box, $3k. Up there but I'd make it happen if it were a solid investment. Very nice finish, the grips look pristine, looks like it might be unshot but i'd have to look closer.

An early winchester 52 with the heavy barrel, target peep sights, and banded stock, 90%, $800 This one is nice, very heavy barrel, very substantial and precise rear peep sight apparatus with hooded front, stock in nice shape, bluing thinning but still almost all there

Post 64, 1968 Buffalo Bill commemorative winchester '94. Not really my thing, ugly painted finish, cartoonish engraving, but it's in my favorite configuration for the 94, a 26" octagon rifle pattern. 95%, $550.

U.S. property Remington 1911, 98% in issue box, parkerized, $1950. This one is interesting. Looks unissued and uncarried, i'm guessing its numbers matching. I have no idea how old or if its wartime, so this one might need further inspection.

S&W 29-4, 3" barrel, hogue grips, unfluted cylinder, 95%, no box, $1500. Lew Horton maybe?

Those are some of the things I saw that I wanted more than the sig.
What would you do and why?

I don't mean to be pushy, but do you know who these guys are and if they were a home/gunshow FFL before getting a shop? Cause dad and I have half way looked into buildings but we refuse to rent a building cause that's a waste of money lol, and we don't have enough cash flow from gunshows to finance anything either... It seems like people will pay the money to get into the show (14 bucks!!!!!!!) But then not buy a single thing and just say that they are looking at stuff and price checking. Lol ok you can do that online for free so idk what they are thinking... Sigh...

 

[jmr40]

I would hold and not trade. None of those would interest ME. If it were ME, I'd ask how much they would pay in cash for the Sig you don't want.

 

[I6turbo]

If I didn't already have one, the Winchester 52 would definitely be the top candidate out of that bunch for me. I admire all of the others, but probably not enough to sink money into them because they don't fill any gaps for me. The 52 (assuming there's nothing wrong with it) would be a joy to actually shoot and operate, and built with outstanding craftsmanship that you can just feel in hand. My 52B with Thomas trigger is probably the last rimfire I'd voluntarily get rid of (except for my Dad's Remington 121), and I have a bunch of rimfires that I love.

 

[Howland937]

I've already got a trade offer of $750 for a sig 1911 Nitron railed

I have a few SIG 1911's and $750 wouldn't touch any of them. In fact, $1000 wouldn't because I'm not convinced I can replace them for that. I'd only get rid of them if I felt I was trading up, and the only upward trades I see there are maybe the commercial Colt...just maybe...and the Remington 1911A1 (excluding Python because the gap is huge).

My 52B is my favorite rifle and I'd be interested in another if it was A-better than mine or B-a different version. But the prices seem to be crashing on them unless they're museum quality. $800 is a good price, but not a great one. I wouldn't trade the SIG even for one unless it was near excellent condition.

You mentioned long term appreciation, so...

30-06 is usually a harder caliber to move no matter what rifle it is. Commemorative rifles rarely bring as much as the regular ones...which leaves the pre-64 30-30. If it's only 80%, I'd have to pass on it too.

 

[Armored farmer]

Winchester 52
You'll be shooting that when you're a hunnert.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Id go with the M52. I have a Pre-A and it is fantastic. Look carefully at the receiver left side bolt locking surface. They are known to crack if someone tries to force the bolt open when the safety is engaged. Also, the safety lever shaft is fragile and easily bent if the gun is set down on it.
But if it checks out, this would be my choice.

 

[Demi-human]

The 52 sounds nice, though, I’d not have left the Remington!

And I’d be going back for the Colt…

 

[entropy]

The 52.

 

[silicosys4]

I have a few SIG 1911's and $750 wouldn't touch any of them. In fact, $1000 wouldn't because I'm not convinced I can replace them for that. I'd only get rid of them if I felt I was trading up, and the only upward trades I see there are maybe the commercial Colt...just maybe...and the Remington 1911A1 (excluding Python because the gap is huge).

My 52B is my favorite rifle and I'd be interested in another if it was A-better than mine or B-a different version. But the prices seem to be crashing on them unless they're museum quality. $800 is a good price, but not a great one. I wouldn't trade the SIG even for one unless it was near excellent condition.

You mentioned long term appreciation, so...

30-06 is usually a harder caliber to move no matter what rifle it is. Commemorative rifles rarely bring as much as the regular ones...which leaves the pre-64 30-30. If it's only 80%, I'd have to pass on it too.

I hear you. I have never liked this Sig though. It has a ridiculous 20% failure rate with my cast lead reloads, which is an improvement from the 50% failure rate it had before it went back to the factory for adjustment. It has literally never been able to get through a full 8 rd magazine of my reloads without a failure. The chambers on those Sigs are just too short and tight for cast lead and thats 99% of what I shoot.
I told the guy that and he still offered me $100 more than I paid new.

 

[silicosys4]

Here is the Colt I ended up trading for the sig. Tickled pink about this one, blemish and replacement trigger be darned.