Handgun evaluation guidance

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Fargazer

New member
I have recently discovered 4 revolvers stored away NIB; two S&W Model 29s (5" DX and "Hostiles" 12 Revolver set member), and two Ruger single action New Blackhawks (one .44 Mag, one Vaquero .45 Colt). These are not the only pistols passed down to me, but the inventory list is missing, so I need to get some idea of value to insure, sell, or trade the firearms.

So far, I've:
  • Checked the "Library" and the Handgun Database
  • Looked at Shooters Xchange and GunBroker for comparable firearms
  • Had a brief evaluation at my local gun store
My requests are several:
  1. I am looking to purchase books on firearm values. I've seen the Blue Book of Gun Values, but have not seen feedback on it here in the forums. Is that a good reference, or are there better to get?
  2. I'm also looking for firearm references, particularly for Smith and Wesson and for Ruger. I've seen The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson recommended elsewhere, so that's a definite buy - any recommendations for books on Ruger firearms comparable to The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson?
  3. What are some other online sites to get an idea of what guns are selling for?

I don't mind if someone gets a good deal; I just want a reasonably good deal also, and that means I need to educate myself a bit :D
 
The Blue Book of Gun Values is a pretty good book. Gun Broker might give you an idea of what some guns are trading for presently. I would add this book to my list of sources if I were you. The more sources you are using the better idea you should have of the correct value of your guns.
 
GunsAmerica

look on GunsAmerica.

This is the best indication of retail value for new and used guns, because most of the listings are by dealers.
 
A few problems you are going to encounter, due to the fact that the market is actually somewhat fluid.

What is anything actually worth? Especially our money these days?

Gun Broker is an auction. Asking prices ("buy it now" prices) reflect what the seller wants, not necessarily what the item is worth.

The Blue Book of Gun Values is a valuable reference, and a general industry standard, but its not a rule, only a guideline (as the pirate says), even though some people think it is. And like any printed work, it lags somewhat behind the current selling prices, often.

Regional demand has a large influence on the value of guns, even though Internet sales have done a fair bit to even this out. Certain guns bring higher prices in certain markets, but are a drag in others.

And then there is manufacturer's MSRP. And if the guns are in the "collector" category, that further complicates matters.

All these things must be blended together to determine the current value. With very expensive or rare guns, it might be worth your time (and the money) to have them professionally appraised, especially for insurance purposes.

I can tell you that I have seen Ruger Vaqueros at recent gunshows, and the asking prices have been slightly above $500. Last weekend I saw a 5.5" stainless .45colt, NIB for $525. I can't say if this is what the gun is actually worth, or just a reflection of the regional price due to the local demand.

Good Luck.
 
I use gunbroker, but only if I can find that there's been some bidding on the item - then I'll follow it to see what the strike price is. However, I mostly ignore any listing prices where there has been no activity.........well, sometimes I use it if there are a bunch of the same thing listed for, say, $1,099. For example, you can pretty well figure out what you can get a PTR-91 for by reviewing the listings and discounting the lowest "no-bid" listing by 10% or so.
 
Well, I ended up getting the Blue Book of Gun Values and the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson. The latter is very nice; essential if you have several S&W products, but even if you don't it's fun to go through. I also did some more research on gunsamerica and gunbroker.

I ended up trading the two single action Rugers and some cash for a pair of target .22s:
The only trouble is, I've effectively traded two pistols for one - my wife drools over the Ruger and I fear I may never get to shoot it :o

For now, I'll keep the S&Ws. The "Hostiles" I'll eventually sell, and I'll keep the Classic DX; I'd only let go of it if someone paid well over market price.

Thank you all for your recommendations for price and value resources - that, and the various .22 threads were VERY helpful.
 
The values in the S&W catalog - since the 3rd edition was published in 2006 - are clearly out of date as soon as the book is printed - but as you say, the book is a valuable resource to S&W collectors.

In my area, in most all cases, guns like the model 29 DX are worth considerably more than the values listed in the catalog ---but as in all things / condition and how anxious the buyer is to have the gun will certainly affect the price. In my area the model 29DX in very good condition - is easily selling in the $ 800 range - if it has all the sights, etc / and there are not many around ...
 
In my area, in most all cases, guns like the model 29 DX are worth considerably more than the values listed in the catalog ---but as in all things / condition and how anxious the buyer is to have the gun will certainly affect the price.
Click to expand...

Good to know; in my case, both Model 29s are literally NIB; all accessories (sights, alternate grips in the case of the DX) are in the original box. At this point I'll probably hang on to them for a while; when I'm ready to sell them, I'll use the appropriate sales forum assuming I have sufficient qualifications at that point.

At this point the only thing left for me is to find a resource for Rugers similar to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson; any suggestions? I'm just as interested in the history as the values.
 
I carry the Blue Book of Gun Values. It is a good source but not the only one.
My distributor just dropped the price for the book. That is mainly because it is the 2010 edition. The 2011 edition usually is not printed until March or April though.

Anyhow, you should be able to buy the 2010 edition for $25-28.00
 
"...books on firearm values..." Don't bother. Books, the Blue Book of Gun Values, included, are at least 2 years out of date. Takes that long to publish. The Blue book reflects average values from all over the U.S. with no consideration for local supply and demand.
The assorted auction sites are better, but they cater to people who have no idea what anything is worth. Give you an idea though.
Go to your local gun shop. Just be aware that dealers base their used gun values on their wholesale values. Plus how fast they think they can sell it.
 
Checkout Davidson's Gallery of Guns and when searching for "instant quote" offers from numerous companies, select the 100 mile radius. Then find the lowest total price (watch the fees) and have your preferred local dealer match that price to avoid an additional FFL fee.
 
147 Grain,

Your answer is not relevant to the OP's question. He is asking about finding the value of used firearms. Davidson's distributes only new product.

Davidson's BTW only lists FFL's who regularly buy from them and ask to be added to their FFL list. I buy from Davidson's on occasion. Of the handful of large firearms distributors that I have accounts with, Davidson's wholesale prices can often be 10% higher than the others for the exact same product.
 
One tip with Gunbroker -- if I remember correctly, you can only search recently closed/ended auctions if you are logged in. So you need to create an account and log in to get any real data. Gunbroker is bombed with stuff for sale but you simply can't use that for reference because so many of it is always for sale but never sells. If you want to use Gunbroker as a guide for real prices, you have to check ended auctions.

Best thing about the Blue Book of Gun Values by SP Fjestad is that it's just loaded with variations and models and such. Sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what you are looking for, but it's a heckuva reference even if the prices aren't always in-line with current markets.
 
SW catalog

If you dont want to buy the catalog just to value the to 29s, PM me the details on the guns and I will look them up for you and give you the info. Might not be the most current but having that will help for insurance purposes. I can scan the appropriate pages and email them to you.
 
glenncal1 said:
PM me the details on the guns and I will look them up for you
Click to expand...
I appreciate the offer; however, I've already purchased the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

I see there's also a "Standard Catalog" book for Colt, Winchester, and Remington, but nothing I've seen for Ruger. Is there an equivalent reference that someone might recommend? Or perhaps a good book on Ruger's history?
 
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