Pawnshop Revolver Finds

robhof

Back in 1992, my son, a teen at the time went into a pawn shop and saw a Dan Wesson for $200. He called me and I came over. It was large like a 44, but wasn't and beside it was a mod 15 that was $325. I asked to look at the larger one and found it to be an unfired model 40 in 357max. I asked why the price and he replied that they don't make bullets for it anymore, I asked if he'd take $160 (all I had in my wallet) and he agreed, only if I signed a form to not bring the gun back for any reason(they had a 10 day return policy). I still have it and have added extra barrels and grips since.;):D:)
 

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I did not buy it because I was broke at the time but I saw a Dan Wesson 357 maximum about 5 years ago. I still wish I would of bought it... They wanted $250 for it... it was in decent shape but did have some wear.
 
About four years ago I got this S&W 686 no dash for $350, and they threw in a free box of 38 specials and a soft pistol case.

I make my pawn shop visits every few weeks on the way home from work. Sometimes it just works out.

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recently my brother called me and found a S&W 36 in VG cond $229, and a colt Police positive for $265 at a pawn shop, he didn't have any money but told me about them and I sent my dad down there the next day and he bought both of them for me, and they dropped the price on the 36 to $200. I havent seen them but my dad says the look and function good..
 
My local pawn shop is notorious for overpriced junk. The last time I went in there, he had three revolvers in the case that were rusted and banged up so badly, I couldn't even make a positive ID. They must have been dredged up from the bottom of the river.
 
Our pawn shops lack something!!!! If you pay $550 at 5% over cost, for a brand new hand gun, you would be lucky to get $300 for a trade the next day (even though you didn't shoot it). They don't care if their cost is the same as what you paid!!! One theory is the trailer trash is enough to support them and they don't give a rat's about a fair deal. The other theory is they are "lazier than cur dogs", and if they don't make a killing the paper work seems like a mountain.

Some of the characters I've seen behind those counters are sketchy at best, and the metal bars are a dead giveaway, but for some reason I return to pay the inmates a visit.:D
 
"Our pawn shops lack something!!!! If you pay $550 at 5% over cost, for a brand new hand gun, you would be lucky to get $300 for a trade the next day (even though you didn't shoot it). They don't care if their cost is the same as what you paid!!! One theory is the trailer trash is enough to support them and they don't give a rat's about a fair deal. The other theory is they are "lazier than cur dogs", and if they don't make a killing the paper work seems like a mountain.

Some of the characters I've seen behind those counters are sketchy at best, and the metal bars are a dead giveaway, but for some reason I return to pay the inmates a visit."
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We have a pawn/gun shop like that around here. I visit it once in a blue moon mainly for laughs. I have a friend who works for the owner of this shop and because of him have tried to buy from this shop but the owner thinks you should pay him $30-$100 extra for every purchase. The owner puts a huge mark up on his guns, then comes and gives you a ton off the sticker price but the price he shoots you is still higher than a fair price. If you don't know the going market rate for that particular gun you think you are getting a smoking deal but in reality your getting screwed. Sorry, for example when I can buy a really nice Ruger MkII for $240 otd at one shop why should I pay you $260 plus taxes for an identical gun? So I always walk...

The other pawn/gun I visit once every week or two and have bought several guns from them at fair to great prices. Sometimes their prices are too high but in most cases they are always fair and will always haggle with you.
 
I just bought a decent S&W Model 631 a few months ago for $414 at a local pawnshop. The S&W Forum guys say it's a good deal. The little sucker is growing on me as a shooter too.
 
My best finds are:
S&W 66-2 with a 3-in barrel: $400
Taurus 44 Tracker: $350
Taurus Model 82 with 3-in barrel: $200
Rossi 720 .44 Spec: $200
 
I just to be able to find a few fair deals, but the internet has ruined it for me. It seems every pawnshop owner/manager looks up the highest possible price on Gunbroker for a 100% condition example, then quotes that price for his 75% condition gun. :(
 
Well being a rookie to the handgun world I am not sure if i got a deal or not but here goes .... S&W 442 38 & an EAA 357 windicator both seem in good shape 550.00 out the door + 2 hip holsters ( for CWP class) if i paid too much it is a "lesson learned" and will shop harder next time I am intersted in thoughts on both. thanks
 
Every now and then I make a good find at pawn shops. Got the SW Model 10-3, .38 Spec. for $280.00 OTD; the Ruger SP101 .357 Mag., for $216.00 OTD, and, the Charter Arms .44 Spec. for $250.00 cash in a FTF sale (not at a pawn shop though.)


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A "package deal", I bought an excellent .30 US M-1 Carbine (Underwood), a pristine .303 SMLE #5 Jungle Carbine, and a so-so ex-LEO .38 M&P - for $300 total OTD, 10 years ago.

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Just saw a 41 msg redhawk for 499. Quite the find though I did not bite as I need a another caliber like a hole in my head
 
I have to retract some of my previous statements. I found a Security Six for $290. They are back on my list for possibilities.;)

Those places still make me uneasy, the bars are still on the windows and fight broke out during my background check. Some lady got into a heated argument with the attendant over some jewelry in the display case.

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One of my buddies owns a pawn shop and he knows what I'm after, so he keeps his eyes open. And sells 'em to me for what he paid. So when we go out for beers or dinners or whatever, I buy.

Mid '50s Colt Frontier Scout with unturned .22mag cylinder: $200

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Pawn shops are funny places. His is kind of small and not in the middle of the city, so he doesn't get the weirdos so much. Over the course of a month, I usually make it to all the shops in town and some of them are a little scary at times.
 
Good Finds In Central Florida

Now while I'm new to gun ownership, having just bought my first one this week, a 500A Mossberg, I've been looking at and pricing out the guns in the several pawn shops here in Deland, Florida and have found overall very good looking(hopefully functioing) guns between $100 and $270, I'd say a choice of around 40-50 guns.
I paid $208 for my Mossberg 500A and it has a 6 side-saddle on the side also and the gunsmith cleaned it all up for me too. :)
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With a few rare exceptions, all the revolvers I see in pawnshops have screws that look like some drunken oaf molested them with the first screwdriver his hand wrapped around in his tool box, are out of time and/or have damaged cranes from idiots flipping the cylinder shut over and over again, or are obscure junk brands made of pot metal from companies I have never heard of.
 
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