Blue book of gun values

[2FNSLO]

So what does everyone think? Is the blue book a good reference with the current market?
I absolutely love buying / selling / trading all types of guns and was thinking about picking up one of the books to help with research but not sure it would be of much value with the current market situation. Currently I do everything on the net.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks

 

[harmonic]

I don't use the blue book. I use the net.

What good would the blue book have been, for example, when trying to ascertain the value of a good AR in January?

I check the prices of the gun I'm interested in on several gun store web sites (like Buds), then compile prices off Gunbroker and Gunsamerica.

 

[Acera]

It is inherently out of date the day you get it.

On fast moving items, like during this panic, it is not as relevant.

On older, collectible guns that are not part of the current spending spree I consider it a good base to start from.

 

[crazy-mp]

If you want an idea of what a gun is worth go for it, you might not be able to get that price if you are selling, but it will give you a ball park if you are unfimilar with the model.

If you do buy one get this one. It tell more about the guns than the blue book does. http://www.amazon.com/2009-Standard...d_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237606815&sr=8-2

 

[WardenWolf]

I check Gunbroker.com for current going rate. Gunbroker tells me what real people value the gun at, not some imaginary number that's only valid for an unfired, new in box gun that's being sought by a collector with more money than they know what to do with. I don't give a crap about off-the-mark numbers. I care about what my gun is worth to a potential buyer.

 

[crazy-mp]

Mike the Wolf has a point EXCEPT people are still paying over 150.00 for AR receivers on gun broker, where you can call some companies like E.A. and have them sent to your local FFL for 105.00, back to that supply and demand thing again.

 

[Frank Ettin]

But the Blue Book has a lot of other information that can be useful: the variations a gun was made in; dates of production; sometimes rough production figures, etc. And The Standard Catalog, mentioned above, can also be useful.

 

[hometheaterman]

My experience with it has been that it has been way off. a buddy has one and a Browning like mine it was was worth 600 new in the box. I got offered 625 for mine and it's hard for me to find many other used ones for under 700 much less nib for that price.

I had guys online look up 2 guns for me. Members on here actually as I like to know what it says. One was a shotgun I was looking at on gunbroker.com and the blue book said like 80 or 85 or something. It sold on gunbroker.com for 255 then you had 35 shipping and whatever transfer fees were.

Another was a .22 a friend had and it said it was worth 150. The cheapest one I saw on Gunbroker was 300 and had a fair amount of time left.

I like it for general values but in this day and age it just seems to be low on stuff.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

The blue book for guns is no different than the one for cars. It is accurate the day they put it together, but it does not consider or change with the day to day fluctuations of the market. For example, the blue book for cars during the high gas prices last summer said a 1995 suburban was worth $10,000(just made up number) and a bank may have been silly enough to loan that for one, but the fact is, you couldn't sell one for $4,000. The gun book says a yugo SKS is around $200-250, You're probably not gonna find one for less than $350-400.

 

[PT1911]

it gives you what the gun is worth on an average... not taking into account location, collectors, and many other factors... some guns listed as being worth 2 or 300 bucks can sell for triple that or more to the right person in the right place...... it is a good resource but I wouldnt depend on it alone...

 

[ThrottleJockey]

General rule for determining the value of ANYTHING.

It is worth exactly, not one penny more or one penny less, but EXACTLY what another is willing to pay for it!!!

 

[R.W.Dale]

Either buying or selling I simply walk away when anyone references the "blue book".

In my opinion you'd get more relevant and current real market gun pricing from reading a Lane Bryant catalog.

 

[JohnBT]

"I simply walk away when anyone references the "blue book". "

So if someone offered you a new Colt AR for the Blue Book price you'd walk away?

If someone said that Remington only made 31k+ of the Model 541-S and pointed it out in the BB you'd walk away?


"What good would the blue book have been, for example, when trying to ascertain the value of a good AR in January?"

It would tell you that before the price run up a, say, Bushmaster went for a bit less than a Colt. IOW, it shows relative prices, plus scarce models, serial number ranges, options, barrel lengths, a bunch of stuff including a guide on the percentage rating system with pics.

I buy a BB every 2 or 3 years and pass my old ones on to people who want to learn about guns.

I keep a BB in the trunk for quick reference. There isn't always a net connection at every flea market, farm auction and pawn shop.

John

 

[Smithiac]

Those books and I don't care who's name is on it can help you or bite you. I dont usually trust them especially if the item is old. example I have an old Iver Johnson Hercules Grade double barrel the book say's its worth over $1000.00 gunbroker says $300.00

Those old Belguim Brownings are another good example a couple of years back you couldn't touch a Light Twelve for under a grand now your lucky if they bring $5-600.

However I do use it for serial # references and things like that.

 

[Smithiac]

General rule for determining the value of ANYTHING.

It is worth exactly, not one penny more or one penny less, but EXACTLY what another is willing to pay for it!!!

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[raveneap]

For a realistic value of a given gun, check one or more of the many internet gun aucton/sales sites. You'll see what they're actually going for. And don't look at what the asking price is, look at the sell price.