[Sisco]

Gunshop has a very slightly used Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag hanging on the rack, he's had it hanging there several months now and I've been fondling it every time I go in there.
Really would like to have it but finances don't allow any purchases at this time so I started thinking about making a trade.
I have a stainless 6" GP100 in excellent condition. I've put a bead blast finish on it, Wolf springs, Millet front sight. Really like the gun but I've noticed it has been spending more time sitting in the safe than going to the range. I also have a SP101 that goes to the range all the time so it's not like I won't have a .357 if I trade the GP.
Once owned a S&W model 57, really like the .41 mag. Still have bunches of brass & bullets for reloading. 41 is by far a better choice for handgun hunting than the .357.
Rugers suggested retail lists the GP at about $100 more than the Blackhawk - new of course.

My quandary is if I decide to trade should I go for a straight across deal or ask for a little. Considering the Blackhawk has been there for a while I would think he'd like to move it.

Feedback appreciated.

[Mastrogiacomo]

I think you really know the answer already. I'd trade the gun, although you like it, you seem to really want the Ruger. You'll get more use of it too so don't delay or it won't be there next time you stop by to say hello....;)

[P95Carry]

I HATE trading or selling ... any gun!:p

But - here is a case where you have the reload gear ... major plus and .... if GP 100 been little used then ...... well, looks like a trade could be good. If you think the GP makes more than worth of .41 ..... try and deal for some extras ... ammo, accessories, whatever .... most dealers are far from keen to part with cash but a few ''goods'' usually can be ''discussed''!

Let us know what you decide.

[Sisco]

HATE trading or selling ... any gun!
I hear ya. Look at my sig line! Unexpected expenses and a kid starting college pretty well whacked my new gun fund.

The GP has a couple of thousand rounds through it but doesn't look it
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/p1b28d020bdc3e2827d1703197b67dd51/fc1957cf.jpg

Another plus side to trading, I don't have a single action. Everyone should have a single action, right?

There's some nice looking grips for the Blackhawk in the display case, maybe I can get him to toss in a pair.

[rbert0005]

Does your gun shop do consignment? If so consider that instead. A 15% hit is better that a 50% hit when trading.

Bob

[caz223]

Short barrelled blackhawks in .41 are my favorite gun of all time, I have multiple copies.
I'm not sure what brought you to this point in your life, but I'd advise against trading a good gun to get a good gun.
First of all, how much is he asking for the blackhawk?
$250? $275?
That will give you a little background if he's reasonable, or not.
Does he have a new GP100 for sale?
How much is that gun?
$400?
Remember, he needs to make money on every transaction to stay in business.
Therefore, you will lose money on every transaction with him.
I hate telling people to sell/trade their guns, but if he won't trade you even up, and you must sell your GP, sell it outright in the paper, or whatever.
You will prolly get full asking price for the blackhawk and a little for your trouble.

[Sisco]

Can't remember for sure, but it seems like he's asking around $350 for the Blackhawk.
I tried searching Gunbroker & Auction Arms for prices on used GP's & Blackhawks but there weren't many listed.

[Old Fuff]

I understand your desire to get the Blackhawk, but think about this. Ruger’s fine single action is a great gun, and you’re set up to load for it - which is important because most folks aren’t. The dealer has been sitting on it for months and it hasn’t moved, because frankly the Blackhawk isn’t too popular in that particular caliber. This is not to say that’s it’s bad but rather that too many folks haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing it.

The GP-100 on the other hand is something many people want. It’s a .357 Magnum, double-action, stainless steel, and you’ve customized it too boot. Potential buyers will drool over it.

The dealer would probably be delighted to work up a trade …. on his terms, which are that you lose and he makes a lot of money.

I would suggest - as others have, that you sell the GP-101 to someone for cash. You should be able to get more then the Blackhawk’s worth. Then go back and talk to the dealer about his best CASH price for the gun. Since he needs to sell it to get his money out of it so he can go on to other things he’ll likely talk turkey. You may be the only person that’s interested in it.

If you sell your customized GP-100 for what it’s worth and then buy the Blackhawk for a low-ball figure that the dealer is willing too go to, just to get it out-the-door, you will be the winner in this trade, not the dealer.

[Sisco]

I'm going to pay him a visit here in a couple of hours and see what he has to say.
One thing about this guy, he's honest. I've heard him tell people that they'd be better off selling to someone else and then buying from him outright because he would't be able to make a fair trade.
He doesn't do consignments.

[Sisco]

No deal. Went in and asked what he wanted for the Blackhawk, he priced it to me for $280, said he was taking a loss at that price. Had four used GP's in the case, really didn't want any more.
The more I looked at my GP sitting on the counter the more I thought about how much work I have put into it and decided I really didn't want to trade anyway.

[caz223]

Well, he's certainly not taking a loss on anything, esp. not the blackhawk.
I'm glad to see that you have come to your senses.
You would prolly have been happy with your new blackhawk, but after a few months, you would most certainly miss the GP.
Keep it, save your pennies, the blackhawk will prolly still be there when you have enough to buy it.
If not, the price certainly wasn't anything to write home about, you'll find another.
Any gun you liked enough to customize, you should keep.
It's absence will surely make you regret how you parted company.

[Old Fuff]

I agree with caz223. This dealer may want $280.00 for the Blackhawk, but wanting and getting are two different things. I suspect the ony reason he held firm was because he already had some GP-100's. Sometime down the road go in and talk CASH and see what his tune is.

[BluesBear]

Lay-A-Way

:D

(yes it's only one word)

[Rob96]

I agree with BluesBear.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I don't think I would trade for the Ruger Blackhawk in
.41 magnum; but I would try to find another means to
finance the project. My reason? Because the Ruger
.357's that you own already are very versatile, with
the capeability of firing .38 Specials or .357 magnum's.
Lots of times, a person don't feel like going to the
range and feeling the roar and blast of a big magnum;
and will resort to the use of .38 Special target loads.
At least, I know that is my situation; as I don't shoot
many magnums any more.

Agreed, that the .41 magnum is an excellent caliber.
My very first magnum caliber "big-bore" was a Smith
& Wesson model 57 with a 4" barrel. Early Sierra
handloading data had a 170 grain JHC with W-W
630P ball powder (sorry, but I don't remember the
charge) traveling at an estimated 1300 fps; and I
think that was the starting load!



Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Sisco]

Layaway is not an option, he deals in cash, check or credit card only. He used to do a layaway deal but got burned too many times by people putting down a minimum then not returning. This left him with inventory he couldn't sell.
Looking forward to a bunch of overtime coming up, maybe I'll have enough left over. By then though I'll find something else to drool over!

[BluesBear]

If he has had it for a while he might be willing to sell it on lay-a-way.

Just tell him you'll put down X amount of dollars for him to hold it for you 30/60 days (whatever works for you). Tell him he can write "non-refundable deposit on Lay-a-way" on the receipt. This way he can't lose. He either get's the entire amount guaranteed in 30/60 days or her get's to keep the $x and STILL has the gun for sale. Either way he has the $x RIGHT NOW.

Remeber... Money talks, Bullstuff walks.

[caz223]

If it was an exceptional deal, it may be worth the effort.
From what I've seen it's not.
Move along, nothing to see here.
I have 3 Ruger blackhawks chambered in .41 mag, as well as other rugers, and other .41s.
They still make them.
A friend of mine bought a brand new blued .41 mag blackhawk, brand new for $360. 6 months ago.
Back when Rugers were a little more money, and money was worth a little more, I bought a used ruger blackhawk, 4 5/8", with uncle mike's rubber grips, B-square scope mount, pro-point 30mm red dot, and hard case, for $300. out the door.
Still have it.
They make many different .41s, including bisley-gripped acusports, hunter models with built-in scope mounts, stainless models, barrel lengths of 4 5/8", 5 1/2", 6 1/2", and 7 1/2".
Unfluted roll-marked cylinders, sweet hammers, etc.
The last one I bought, a acusport bisley 5 1/2", stainless construction, roll-marked, unfluted cylinder, adjustable sights, bisley hammer and trigger, for a little over $400, brand new.
Pretty as a picture.
Here a link to a thread with a pic of mine...
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39093&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

[Old Fuff]

I think "caz" is right.

At this point you should start saving your money and at the same time look for opportunities. There are more .41 Ruger's around then the one you were looking at, including those very neat .41 Bisley/Blackhawks he mentioned. In the long run the dealer in question is going to have to find an interested buyer - which so far he hasn't. Attend some gun shows and scope out some other dealers. Somewhere a gun is waiting for you ....

Never forget, when dealing guns, "cash is king."

[Sisco]

Excellent advice from all, thank you.
One problem is location; locally there are two real gunshops, one I won't set foot in. A few pawnshops but they're really proud of their merchandise. I mean so proud that they've had some guns for years. Guess they just like looking at them.