I can't believe revolver prices.

Get the urge for something gently used, like a police trade in. That'll wet your whistle!!

I would just sucked it up and buy a new stainless revolver. They aren't getting any cheaper.

I don't know the percent or dollar figure, but a large part of the cost of firearms, especially handguns, goes toward self-insurance against lawyers and organizations determined to put gun companies out of business by lawsuits. And most insurance companies won't insure gun makers and many won't insure gun dealers, even sporting goods stores who have guns as any portion of their sales or stock. The claim is that trading in guns is an "anti-social" business. The Obama administration even declared gun dealers "high risk" businesses, in effect ordering banks to refuse the loans or even to allow customers to use their credit cards. That has now (the administration says) been "corrected" and of course this open and honest administration would never lie, cheat or steal.

Jim

I guess it depends on where you are looking. Gander Mountain always has insanely high prices, while other places can be pretty reasonable.

You need to look more often.

That way the sticker shock doesn't hit you all at one time.

I wonder how much of the current wheel gun craze is due to the "Rick Grimes" factor. It seems like Colt revolvers of all kinds jumped a grand overnight after The Walking Dead pilot aired and then everybody assumed their 681's and Security Sixes must follow suite....not to take anything away from these guns, but seriously $600 for a Ruger with worn blueing and tattered Hogue grips is pushing it.....

P.S.- don't forget local pawn shops! They often price guns based on what they take them in for, not necsessarily what the going price on Gunbroker is, they are always negotionable, and they usually do layaway too....

Gp100s in stainless 4" .357 are often online at under 600 shipped. Just have to grab one when they pop up as they often sell out quick

"you want a taurus which I kind of dont. "

Good move on your part. Should read REALLY DON'T WANT!!!

Maybe give Taurus, EEA and/or RIA more consideration. Depends on what you consider important, but I've found considerable value in these firearms. I enjoy shooting them.

A few months ago, my local Dick's had 686's for $699. They even let you use a $25 off coupon out of the flier.

I've bought a number of classic Colt and S&W revolvers lately, none of which were over $300 except one, and it was a hundred or more less than average. You just need to keep looking and not be picky about minor finish wear.

High Revolver Prices ?

Go "used", by all means. A "trusted" pawnshop or other reliable gun shop is best. If you go "new", get a dealer that stays within 8-10% profit range.

Definitely go used. They made lots of them and they're out there. Finish wear - what's that?

Bud's has a stainless steel SP101 for $474 and a Blued GP100 for $541

I think a large part of the higher prices of revolvers could have to do with the higher cost of metals nowadays. Metal prices don't affect the cost of polymer framed pistols nearly as much as all metal revolvers.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

I wonder how much of the current wheel gun craze is due to the "Rick Grimes" factor. It seems like Colt revolvers of all kinds jumped a grand overnight after The Walking Dead pilot aired and then everybody assumed their 681's and Security Sixes must follow suite....not to take anything away from these guns, but seriously $600 for a Ruger with worn blueing and tattered Hogue grips is pushing it.....

P.S.- don't forget local pawn shops! They often price guns based on what they take them in for, not necsessarily what the going price on Gunbroker is, they are always negotionable, and they usually do layaway too....

Click to expand...

Pawn shops are the worst. I gave up seriously looking in them over 35 years ago. Once in a blue moon I will walk in one, look at the prices and be reminded why I only walk in one about every 5 years. And please don't give me that song and dance that they will deal. Having lived in the same 2 mile area for the last 64 years I think I know what happens in my area. I have had real good luck buying off forums such as this one.

I dont know what you are looking for exactly, but Charter Arms is making good products. I just bought a 44 SPL Bulldog, and its excellent. I also recently bought the 6 shot Police Undercover 38 SPL. These 2 revolvers are unique. No one makes a small 44 Special except Charter, and a small frame, 6 shot 38 Special is also a rarity. With free shipping from Buds, and a $25 transfer from my LGS, each revolver comes in at under $400

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_203/Charter+Arms/

My 1999 Ford F-150 truck cost me $14,000 new I seem to recall. It's no high end truck but it does have all the creature comforts and it still runs well, starts easy, get 20MPG, is fully paid for and liability insurance is dirt cheap. Its book value is less than $1,000.

I looked at new trucks last weekend; I'll be keeping what I have.

Guns are no different from trucks and cost may be high to you now, but give it twenty years and it's likely to have been a bargain. My 1969 "T" series BHP was $109, my Mini-30 was under $400, my old GP100 was around $350 and my Smith 629 bought last year was $697.

Shop early; avoid the rush.

ColtPythonElite said:

I would just sucked it up and buy a new stainless revolver. They aren't getting any cheaper.

Click to expand...

This

Have you considered purchasing online, these guys have GP100's in your price range.

http://www.impactguns.com/ruger-gp1...inish-4in-heavy-barrel-1705-736676017058.aspx

ColtPythonElite said:

A few months ago, my local Dick's had 686's for $699. They even let you use a $25 off coupon out of the flier.

Click to expand...

That is pretty close to $700.

S&W do run more, but are nicer guns. Though J frames run about same as LCRs

It has nothing to do with the price of metals. It is because older revolvers were machined from billets of steel and required a lot of hand fitting. Most of the manufacturing today would rather to use injection molding and MIM and investment casting to save money and make profits. In the old days labor was cheap and machines were expensive. Not true any more. It takes a long time and a lot of money to teach people to handfit parts into a quality firearm. Fiarearms are being built today to a price point like everything else we buy. If you want the good stuff it'll cost you. But they're worth it.

Another thing to consider is revolvers aren't mass-produced on quite the same scale as semis. Quick and dirty comparison, gunbroker has 36,733 new semi-automatics for sale and 7,721 revolvers. I wouldn't doubt that the machinery to produce revolvers costs a lot more to buy/maintain per revolver than per semi-automatic since only about a fifth as many appear to be being produced.