Treasure hunt score!

Well, mine was kind of indirect. I bought a Colt Trooper V at a local pawn shop for (I think) $425. A nice gun, but after a trip to the range, it just didn’t make my ears wiggle. Two weeks later at a gun show, a seller had a beautiful nickel S&W model 37 with a 3” barrel in 95%+ condition asking $750. He wouldn’t budge on the price, but in talking with him, he liked Colts. I went home and got the Trooper and headed back to the show. Made a straight across trade for that model 37.

^I see you have better taste!

This guy was $400 on consignment at the local range/shop:



S&W 325, ported, titanium cylinder and AirLite frame. Weighs 25 ounces unloaded, so it's a hoot to shoot. Don't see these around much, so I had zero hesitation. Even came with the original box. I liked the .45ACP revolver experience so much that I got a 625 recently to keep it company. I've become quite a fan of moonclips!

The cheapest I could get a new one would be $1080 for a Thunder Ranch model without porting, so I think maybe I got a deal, just this once.

Was looking high and low for a nice FN 1900 and found one in the local Cabela's gun library, of all places, for $159! No finish left, but fully functional and no pitting or gouges. The gun fairy had found me.

I've paid market price or just under for most, but really only two great deals, at least in my opinion. One was a "sneak" (unmarked) Finnish M-39 with a hex receiver and looked pristine for $230 last year. I asked to see the Finn and the guy kept correcting me, saying "you mean the Russian". Sure I do, buddy, just hold it long enough for me to count out a few bills

The second was about 5 years ago, a 1951 Winchester 1894 with some honest wear for $375 in a small gunshop in PA. She's a beauty!

Wasn't really wanting one or looking either, but I stumbled upon a genuine 1947 Enfield No.5 Mk.1 Jungle Carbine in a pawn shop in Grand Junction, CO, for $150. It had a scope on it, had an old leather dress belt for a sling, and was generally filthy. But it was all there, authentic, numbers matching, and no import markings.

Snatched it up for the $150 and gots me a right nice example of the model, and it's worth FAR more than what I paid! Last one I saw had an $800 tag on it.

A guy I used to work with told me his crazy sister-in-law was talking about shooting herself with one of her late father's pistols, so he asked me if I was interested in buying them to get them away from her.

Ended up with a French made MAB Model B/C in .32acp, and a 1914 Mauser Pocket Pistol, also .32acp. Got 'em both for $400. The MAB isn't real impressive but it works. The Mauser though, is a little gem and I think I got a great deal on the pair.

Guy I worked with and occasionally went shooting with had a pristine all numbers matching 8mm Yugo 48 that he knew I liked. He called me one day and told me he was moving to Houston and asked if I was interested in buying it. We settled on a price and he said he would be right over. Explained that I only had, if I remember correctly, $140 in cash, less than half of what we agreed on, and wouldn't be able to get to the bank until the next day for the remainder. He said he would take the cash I had and come back the next day on his way out of town for the rest. I found it kind of odd that he was in such a hurry but that wasn't any of my business. After dropping off the rifle and taking the money I had he never returned. All calls went direct to voice mail and he didn't respond to texts. Went to work the next day and found out he left town with another coworkers wife and did some other low life things. Tried a few more times after that to contact him then quit trying after a month or so. I don't like to be beholding to anyone but to tell the truth I don't have any remorse.

Had an acquaintance that was selling off some of Grandpa's guns. Had a Browning .22 auto rifle and a Ruger SP 101 stainless .357 that wouldn't cycle. The Browning needed cleaned an a small part replaced. The Ruger just had the cylinder rod backed out. Just tighten and it was good to go. Got them both for $450 IIRC.

Got a Les Baer Custom .45 for $650. Competition model worth +/- $1,400. After a couple months, I came to the realization that I was never gonna shoot competition. Figured it deserved to go to somebody that would use it. Sold it here for $1,250 IIRC. Worked out for me and he got a great price on a super firearm.

Best was a WW II 1911 that my neighbor carried as a pilot in the war. It is pristine. Got it free. B-I-L was gonna use it as a trade in a $100 gun buyback.

Found a Savage 99 .300 Savage in really nice condition at the LGS. $400.

Not exactly earth-shaking, but I was in the market for a Nylon 66, when I came across
an Apache in good condition for 150$ at a local pawn shop. I fondly recalled shooting my buddy's blued version,when we were in high school, and wasn't even aware of the chrome model with the black stock,until it was in my hands.

I also lucked out on a NIB double-stack SS Para long slide match 1911. But that has been a labor of love.

A coworker in another facility in NYC called me to ask what paperwork our state agency required to dispose of a couple of guns he was selling before retirement. Said a LGS was buying both from him. I asked him what they were giving him, said $25 each. Without even asking him what they were, I said I'd take 'em, be right over, and do all the agency paperwork.

I get there and he had a Colt Det. Spl. in so so exterior condition, and there in the box, with all attendant pamphlets, test target, and original bill of sale, was a like new High Standard Victor. I offered more but he was just happy I was doing all the paperwork.

Got back to my office and had them on my desk looking at them when a coworker glanced by, said he'd been looking for a Det Spl. and offered me $50 for it. I had no need for the Colt, so essentially I got the Hi Standard for free. Keep in mind this was in the '80's, but this was obviously still a great deal.

I joined my agency in 1969, in the early '70's a lot of the older guys retiring were WWII vets, and I wound up with some bring backs, including a Luger, a nazi marked FN Hi-Power, a WWII 1911, and an M-1 Carbine. I was also offered a Nambu, but turned it down because he wanted way too much for it, $100. lol

BigBore44 said:

Congratulations on the new son....and the new gun.

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Thanks. He actually led to me being able to buy a Browning. Not as good as a Hi Power, but definitely alot more affordable!

BigBL87 said:

Thanks. He actually led to me being able to buy a Browning. Not as good as a Hi Power, but definitely alot more affordable!

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He’s awesome. I hope you two have a lifetime of enjoyment and memories together. Teach him well. Raise him right. Love him without reservation.

I was in my LGS and saw a used S&W 625 (Model of 1989) at a shockingly low price. I grabbed it up and never regretted it. I never thought I'd be able to afford a S&W revolver. That gun got me so hooked, I now own seven S&W revolvers. One great purchase has put me back into the poor house.

Mine was found by my wife, a 1957 Colt National Match 1911 for my 57th birthday present

kimberkid said:

Mine was found by my wife, a 1957 Colt National Match 1911 for my 57th birthday present

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That my friend is a keeper! And the pistol isn't too bad either.

Had a friend call and say he had someone wanting to sell a 9mm for 275.00...I agreed and he brought it to me...It turned out to be a 1988 Beretta 92f that was very close to unfired....upon closer inspection it had a Lasermaxx guiderod laser....I replaced the battery and it works. plus 150 rounds of 115FMJ ammo....best deal I have had so far.

Found an older Dan Wesson 357 in 2" in a local pawn shop. Perfect bluing, original grips. No one wants revolvers around here, especially with very short barrels, so the price had been reduced to $145.



Not even the 20 something salesman realized that DW barrels can be swapped by the owner. Now it lives on as an 8" target gun.

Last year, I decided I wanted an early, short frame 38 Special S&W Model 60. I did not think it would be difficult or "expensive".

The first one I came across was a John Jovino special order square butt model. Knowing not many were produced, I snatched it up.

The second one was an Ashland Distributer limited production special order 1-7/8" barrel Model 60 with adjustable sights. Again, I could not pass on it either.

Finally, as they say, the third time is a charm. I found a good standard, round butt, fixed sight Model 60 that I had wanted from the start. But, I'm pleased with my collection of Model 60's.

I'm now kind of keeping a look out for 3" barrel Model 60.

rfwobbly

A Dan Wesson for $145! That right there is "The Deal of the Century"! I had a Pistol Pack many years ago and while I didn't have any practical use for the 8" barrel it was still nice to have it with the other three barrels.

rfwobbly, good for you. Sounds like you have the luck of the Irish.

I would post some of mine, but it would only make some of y'all cry.