Pawn Shop Steals

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Cosmoline

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Two recent finds have convinced me that it's possible to turn the tables on pawn shops and get a good deal in the process. The first was a Police Positive Special from 1971 for $175. Both shooting this revolver and looking at how much even second run PPS's are going for makes me think I got a very good deal on it.

And, even better, I found a VERY nice Mora hunting knife, in a style no longer produced, for $5! I think the pawnbroker was confusing it with the much less expensive Mora general purpose knives. Under the grime, this one has awesome steel, very nice brass fittings, and a solid hardwood grip.
 
Police Positive Special for $175 is indeed a good buy. Well done Sir.
 
I think the key is getting past the terribly overpriced stuff out front. Both of these "steals" were off the main shelves in the back corners. The PPS was being used as a backup defense gun for the cash register, and the Mora was rusting on a forgotten shelf. If the pawnbrokers, bless their souls, think there's any value in the item they are sure to raise the price dramatically
:D
 
the key is getting past the terribly overpriced stuff out front.
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The 2 pawn shops near me only specialize in the over priced! I doubt I'll have the good fortune of finding diamonds in the rough as you did! Congrats! ;)
 
Around here the only stealing done by pawn shops is from the customers.

$900 for a Colt New Service in .357 Magnum? That looks like it's been dragged behind a truck for a couple hundred miles?

No, you moron, it's not rare, it's uncommon in that caliber, and you're asking a price more befitting one in almost new condition...

$615 for an S&W Model 18 in .22 LR? Wait, don't tell me. It's rare in that caliber... :rolleyes:
 
I have the rare good fortune to be acquainted with a pawn shop owner who is an honest gentleman and a good businessman. For those in Washington, the shop is Cascade Loans and Sporting Goods, in Auburn WA.

Example? S&W 915, with pre-ban hi-cap, looked unfired, for $300.00.

Great guy, great business.
 
Some of my best deals are from a local pawn shop. The staff knows very little about firearms and they get their knowledge from a 5 year old blue book of gun values. Often times they have asked me how much they they should value a gun for sale or trade. I can always get a better deal at this shop then any gunshow or gunshop, the downside is they only have an inventory of 100 guns or so at any one time. I've gotten Norinco SKS's for $125, Russian SKS (2) for $199, or an unfired gold inlaid Colt 1911A1 for $600. You just have to be patient, they even have lay aways for 10% down and 24 months to pay. I enjoy military firearms, he doesn't want them because of their "evil" image. I have often walked out of his store with both of us smiling.
 
This winter I got a Ponsness-Warren 800b shotshell reloading outfit,set up for 12 gauge, with six bags of Federal wads, all for $60. One small fix on the press and it is like new.
 
Pawn Shop deals are like gold...

they is where you find them.

I remember in my mis-spent youth looking in a lot of cases in pawn shops in downtown Portland, Oregon. A couple of those places had rather knowledgeable employees and they took a liking to the kid who would listen. I learned a lot about strange old guns.

I also learned that you find both treasure and trash. I remember seeing a Colt Cold Cup National Match (45 ACP) for $50. (New price at the time was $125.) Not long after that, in another shop, I saw a single barreled Iver Johnson shotgun for $75. Go figure.

Keep looking. Have money in your pocket. Don't be afraid to make an offer. Don't be offended by the dealer's BS stories about this being John Paul Jones' personal sidearm.
And if you know more than the dealer (not uncommon), don't rub their nose in it.
 
The closest pawn shop near me that sells guns is incredibly overpriced for most items (though occasionally I've seen fair prices, a bit on the high end but not outright overpriced).

Once I pawned a Taurus 605, I meant it to be temporary but I needed the cash right away (short unemployment, had a job but bills were due before my paycheck would come- I would have sold but no dealers I called would do better than a consignment and I need $ ASAP). I was given only $100 and unfortunately I didn't get my second paycheck in time to redeem the gun (the 1st all went to bills as it was smaller than expected and I couldnt' redeem my gun and pay bills w/ it). This same shop was selling a beat up Taurus 85 for more than I paid for my 605 new (I know, it is my own dumb fault for pawning it, but I was in a very temporary financial spot and thought I'd have the money in time, and even if I knew I didn't really have many other options).

$615 for an S&W Model 18 in .22 LR? Wait, don't tell me. It's rare in that caliber...
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Mike, of course it is. They are normally only made in .22, just regular .22 caliber. This one is .22LR, see that .22LR. That is a rifle caliber, it says so right in the name, "Long Rifle" so it is very rare for a handgun to be made in that caliber.:evil:
 
I'm now on my second GREAT deal with local pawn-shops

I've had several other good deals, also. I liken it to the mention of the store that uses a 5y.o. Fjestad's book.:cool:

I've learned to look past the 'tagged' price and inquire serously, with a serious offer, if you're seriously interested in a gun. I get the feeling the tags serve two purposes: One, they'll occasionally bag an honest-to-goodness sucker at full-pop. Two, they help discourage those that just want to fondle and maybe not be interested in anything. I'm not saying I agree with it, mind you, it's just my perception.
 
I have the rare good fortune to be acquainted with a pawn shop owner who is an honest gentleman and a good businessman. For those in Washington, the shop is Cascade Loans and Sporting Goods, in Auburn WA.

Do they also have one in Auburn? The only Cascade Loans I know of is in Lynnwood. And yes, he is an honest man and can concur that he does have the best priced guns for a pawn shop. Almost like a gun shop working out of a pawn shop.
 
I slipped my chain today and skulked off into the wilds of West Dallas. Over on Harry Hines Blvd. at a Cash America I saw an 85% or slightly better S&W model 13-3 for $199. that the manager said he had a little 'wiggle room' in. Not bad for a plain, half slick .357.

It'll be there if anyone wants it. I passed; I have enough wheel guns, thanks.

Regards,
Rabbit.
 
powderman....You are correct, I've been doing business with cascade for years and have found some good buys on pistols and rifles there, kevin is a good guy! He deserves a plug here.....tom
 
Nothing to REALLY brag about. S&W 64 4" HB for $135 I think, S&W 10 Half moon front sight, Pinned not recessed $150. Beretta E2 9mm $400. Ehhh.
 
Some of my deals from pawn shops:

Beretta 21 in .25 ACP $150.00
Charter Arms AR-7 $69.00
Swede Mauser w/ hand made stock $75.00 (Could have had 2 for $150.00)
Universal M-1 Carbine $300.00
Marlin 336 .30-30 w/ 3x9 scope $189.00
German Commission Model 1888 $69.00
Japanese Arisaka $69.00

Of course, I've also bought a Taurus 66 for $189.00 that turned out to be stolen. I had to give it up to the cops and it took several days to get my money back.

The deals are out there. You just have to shop around.

Frank
 
It'll be there if anyone wants it. I passed; I have enough wheel guns, thanks.
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That's sinful talk man! Say 100 hail Colts and you will be forgiven :D.

Pawn shops are like dumpters, sometimes it's good to jump in but most of the time it's just trash.

M.
 
I cruise through a couple regularly for nothing if not the comic relief. One is a gun dealer with a pawn shop, he has a shooting range and moves a lot of guns. Gives good deals if he knows who you are. The other one is a mess, they make most of their money moving jewelry and sundry junk on E-bay. All firearms are priced at 98%+ condition whether they need it or not. Guns sit there for several years without moving. I have gotten good buys there because I know what I want and how much I will pay and feel no shame in telling them how much their stuff is worth and how wrong their price is. I picked up two MKII BHPS there, for 400 and 390 respectively.
I bought a Kahr MK40 that was near unfired for 425 which wasn't bad. I look a lot and buy a little.
 
i got a Mossberg 500 persuader or what ever it is (18 inch barrel 7 shot mag) for a $160
when i lived in GA i picked up my 1st handgun a S&W 915 w/ a hi-cap for $300


recently while scavenging there was a colt 1991 with a crimson trace laser grip all black an looked brand new for 800. i laughed an left when the 2 salesmen kept steppin on each others toes when i asked a question.

me: got the original grips?

yes-no-yes-no-yes??-no???

looked like a cartoon.
 
Maybe I'll have enough time to troll pawn shops for good deals when I'm retired. Seems like - unless you just have "hit the Powerball" luck - an awful lot of work would be required before you might encounter any measly reward, but as an appellate criminal defense lawyer I'm pretty much used to that. :(
 
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