[Woody_in_MN]

Can anyone reccomend a good reference book for researching modern pistols & checking book value?

It seems like the 2 big ones are "Gun Digest" and "Book of Gun Values". It would be nice to have some pics along with specs. I don't think "Book of Gun Values" has this. Not sure about "Gun Digest".

- W

[Old Fuff]

Both books offer estimates, which may or may not be accurate - especially in some areas. I have on occasion, found some super-buys because the seller was going by "book value."

Today we have the Internet auctions like (www.gunbroker.com) and (www.gunsamerica.com) which will give you a more realistic value.

Go by the winning bid, and also keep track of those that are overpriced and don't attract any bids at all.

[Woody_in_MN]

Fuff,

Yup. I started looking at those sites a couple weeks ago. I'm as much looking for a reference book with photos as neccessarily a blue book.

- W

[HighVelocity]

If you look at similar guns on gunbroker.com then make sure you look at the "completed" auctions. Only then can you see what the gun actually sold for, if it sold at all. I've seen several dozen of the same pistol listed at inflated prices but out of the many, perhaps only ONE actually sold. Of course that would be the one to gauge value against.

[Old Fuff]

Woody in MN:

I don't know that there is single book that covers all kinds of guns with illustrations. Pictures take up a lot of room so it would be a very thick (and expensive) book. On the other hand there are books that cover specific kinds of firearms, such as handguns, antiques, etc. So my question to you is, "exactly what kind of guns are you interested in?"

I hope the answer isn't, "everything ..." :D

[Woody_in_MN]

Fuff,

Modern pistols.

- w

[dfariswheel]

The top book for value and info is "The Blue Book of Gun Values" by S.P. Fjestad.

This has more usable info than any other.
In The Blue Book, prices are arranged by a much wider range, based on actual condition.
In addition, the book has some great chapters on HOW to grade a firearm, trademark references, Brand name references (who really made what) and serial number info.

Included is much more info on production dates for various guns.

The Blue Book has a MASSIVE amount of info, and covers just about any gun ever made.

Most dealers and collectors go by The Blue Book.

The second best book is "The Standard Catalog of Firearms" by Ned Schwing.
The Standard Catalog has more pictures. It too covers a HUGE number of firearms.

I'd try to get both, since they compliment each other, and often correct minor errors made by the other.

These are far better than the Gun Digest or Book of Gun Values.
In those books, you find a LOT of "holes". You'll look for a not that uncommon gun, only to find NO info at all.

[Majic]

For photos and specs don't forget the internet. A web search can possibly provide the same info and possibly more as the books. So don't forget to add that to your tools of reference.

[JohnBT]

Think about going to a gun show and buying older editions of the Standard Catalog and Gun Traders Guide - they don't change the pictures very often. I'm always flipping back and forth between a stack of these two and Fjestad's Blue Book. Heck, you can save money by buying last year's Blue Book too.

The internet auction sites are okay, but I'm always tempted to bid on something.

John