buying low price guns (addiction)

[American_Fusilier]

I finally picked up an SKS a couple years ago. I got it from classic firearms for $300-$350. It's a Chinese type 56 (I think). It was in rough shape, but I was ready to clean off the cosmoline and turn her into a shooter.

I know I paid too much for it. But prices on SKSs ain't coming down and I really wanted one before it was out of reach for me.

It's just so darn fun to shoot!

 

[Mauser fan]

Here is what I do with the basket cases I get.

Small ring Mauser an 1893 Spanish receiver to be more precise. Just because I can. The born on date for the receiver is 1922.

Since this picture was taken in February I have forged the bolt and replaced the military 3 position safety with a Dayton Traister MarkII safety. This rifle is almost finished. All that is left is to make an ebony pistol grip cap from the left over piano keys.

She started out as nothing more than a barrel and receiver when I started this build. The total amount at the start was $15 for the barrel and receiver. The receiver has no pitting at all.

Complete bolt $90 from eBay.
Trigger Guard with hinged floor plate, magazine spring and milled follower $60 from eBay.
B square scope mount $30 from gun broker.
Dayton Traister safety $30 from gun broker.
Green Mountain barrel chambered for 7x57mm $90 6 years ago from Midway before being discontinued. Shelved until the right receiver was acquired.
Semi in-letted stock $30 from a gun show.
Butt plate and white spacer $5 from a gun show.
Fore-end tip re-claimed piano keys Free.
Pistol grip cap re-claimed piano keys Free.
Action screws made from Brownells screw blanks.

Total spent on parts to complete the build $335.

Tools purchased to complete this build.
Clymer Finish Reamer $100 from eBay
1/4x22 die $9 to make the action screws from Amazon.

All of the other tools I had on hand.

The satisfaction of completing a gun build on a beer budget priceless! Now I have a family heirloom to pass down to my crumb snatchers.

 

[Meeks36]

loved my Rossi 971 4in 357 mag. Thing was a tank. Paid $200 back in 2007. Also fond of any high points. And mossberg mavericks. Also marlin 60s.

 

[drk1]

Yea, me too! I'm also addicted to the low price stuff. Still can't "pull the trigger" on any of those on my want list above the 20K line. Is there a cure for it? I'd sure like to know because there's an auction coming up with several that I just can't talk myself into at this point.

Seriously, now, all scarcasm aside, the process of wrestling with "low price" guns can play an important role for collectors. "Low price" is a relative term, but in general the higher the "value" of a firearm -- at least for a collector -- the faster it will increase in value. For example, when I viewed a $1000 firearm as expensive, I was buying $500 stuff, but they the time that I was able to consider buying a $1000 firearm, the price for that firearm had gone up to $1500 or more. The moral of the story is to buy the best that you can afford, take care of it, and with a little bit of time, it might increase in "value" to the point that you can increase that point which you had previously considered "low price" and trade up.

 

[WisBorn]

Low priced guns?
Is there a dollar amount that defines that?
Is it a price that is based on a model?
A Holland and Holland custom for $3000 is a steal. But a M1 Garand for $3000 could be very expensive.

 

[Terry G]

paid $400 for this a few months ago! didn’t know they were that cheap before

View attachment 1149750

$100.00 All day long. I got a “civilian” model in 9MM with a blued frame and slide. I still have it. It was a whopping $140.00.

 

[Mark_Mark]

$100.00 All day long. I got a “civilian” model in 9MM with a blued frame and slide. I still have it. It was a whopping $140.00.

Time is not on my side! I don’t really have a lot of free time. About 30 minutes a week. So when I see something cool, either I look up prices or buy right then. Luckily I have a fare price dealer I can trust

 

[Mark_Mark]

Low priced guns?
Is there a dollar amount that defines that?
Is it a price that is based on a model?
A Holland and Holland custom for $3000 is a steal. But a M1 Garand for $3000 could be very expensive.

not sure you can get a H&H tee shirt for less than $3,000! lol

 

[I6turbo]

I like only higher-quality guns with design and craftsmanship that I admire. If I find one of those for a low price, I'm happy and I might snatch it up. But if a low-priced gun also means a low-quality or crude gun, I'm not interested. There was a time when the only gun(s) I had were pretty low priced, and I was happy to have them at the time, but after I got my first decent gun of my own (my 1966 10/22), I really started losing interest in low-price/low-quality guns, and mostly just waited until I could afford something I admired before I bought anything. I still have said 10/22, although with a more modern scope on it.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I like only higher-quality guns with design and craftsmanship that I admire.

Proceeds to post photo of 10/22. smh

On a serious note, I'm glad you're happy with your 10/22-a lot of people are, but I never understood the success of the 10/22. I've had nothing but really bad experiences.

...if a low-priced gun also means a low-quality or crude gun, I'm not interested. There was a time when the only gun(s) I had were pretty low priced, and I was happy to have them at the time, but after I got my first decent gun of my own (my 1966 10/22), I really started losing interest in low-price/low-quality guns, and mostly just waited until I could afford something I admired before I bought anything.

I wholly agree. This is pretty much my philosophy on jus about everything. Guns. Tools. Vehicles. etc.

 

[d31tc]

Low priced guns?
Is there a dollar amount that defines that?
Is it a price that is based on a model?
A Holland and Holland custom for $3000 is a steal. But a M1 Garand for $3000 could be very expensive.

Honestly didn't know about "Holland and Holland" until I saw someone post about one in the billionaire thread. I didn't know about Tisas until people started posting about them on THR. I'd personally say a $3,000 Holland and Holland is cheap. No guarantees, but anything you buy and can turn around and sell it and guarantee you will multiply your money, isn't expensive. It's a waste of money not to buy it. I'd even put that purchase on a credit card if I had to. Like sitting at Walmart and only buying 2 Savage Axis Rifles for $62 and passing on 4 more that could have been had for literally almost nothing after rebate because of uncertainty about the rebate. in hindsight, that turned out to be "expensive" to pass on purchasing those. And they were cheap to boot, even without the rebate.

 

[I6turbo]

Proceeds to post photo of 10/22. smh

On a serious note, I'm glad you're happy with your 10/22-a lot of people are, but I never understood the success of the 10/22. I've had nothing but really bad experiences.

I described the 10/22 as "my first decent gun of my own," and I think it qualifies very well. I've only elected to have the one 10/22 among the hundred or so guns I have or have had, but I'd still say it's a quality gun. Mine has been as reliable as any semi-auto I've ever owned, shoots about 1.5 MOA at 50 yards with quality ammo, and hasn't broken or worn out any parts in its 57 years and many, many thousands of rounds. So, I guess I've only had good experiences with the 10/22.

 

[JL1048]

Here is what I do with the basket cases I get. View attachment 1150046

Small ring Mauser an 1893 Spanish receiver to be more precise. Just because I can. The born on date for the receiver is 1922.

Since this picture was taken in February I have forged the bolt and replaced the military 3 position safety with a Dayton Traister MarkII safety. This rifle is almost finished. All that is left is to make an ebony pistol grip cap from the left over piano keys.

She started out as nothing more than a barrel and receiver when I started this build. The total amount at the start was $15 for the barrel and receiver. The receiver has no pitting at all.

Complete bolt $90 from eBay.
Trigger Guard with hinged floor plate, magazine spring and milled follower $60 from eBay.
B square scope mount $30 from gun broker.
Dayton Traister safety $30 from gun broker.
Green Mountain barrel chambered for 7x57mm $90 6 years ago from Midway before being discontinued. Shelved until the right receiver was acquired.
Semi in-letted stock $30 from a gun show.
Butt plate and white spacer $5 from a gun show.
Fore-end tip re-claimed piano keys Free.
Pistol grip cap re-claimed piano keys Free.
Action screws made from Brownells screw blanks.

Total spent on parts to complete the build $335.

Tools purchased to complete this build.
Clymer Finish Reamer $100 from eBay
1/4x22 die $9 to make the action screws from Amazon.

All of the other tools I had on hand.

The satisfaction of completing a gun build on a beer budget priceless! Now I have a family heirloom to pass down to my crumb snatchers.

 

[JL1048]

Spanish ‘93. Just finished 257 Roberts. Makes single hole groups. Shaw barrel for under 200$ before they jacked up their prices.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a good supply of Taurus revolvers; all older - from the early 90s back to the 70s. No problems with any of them. I still think that vintage of Taurus revolvers are severely under priced. I believe the market will catch up.

I also seem to fall for the European autos - Tanfoglio, Star and such, usually in 32 Auto. When I take them out to shoot, usually nobody knows what they are.

No matter, I like them.

I don't understand the Taurus haters. Bought my first in 1988, a PT99AF. Then bought an 85, then a 669. Used to take the 669 to the range running quals. There I had a unlimited supply of ammo. With a lifetime warranty I'd burn off a couple of hundred rounds of magnums each trip. I must have put over 10,000 rds of magnums through it. Still tight, never needed any work. Delegated to one of my HD guns now. I had a Smith m19 I bought in the 70s. After a couple hundred rds of magnums had flame cutting and timing issues.

I've never sold a Taurus.

 

[EIB0879]

I have a Maverick (Mossberg) rifle that I bought on clearance several years ago for $170. It is a 270 and with a clearance Weaver 40/44 3-10x 44mm scope I have $300 in it once you throw in rings and sling. I have taken a deer with it but don't use it much and it is my designated loaner.

I really wish I would have grabbed a couple of others in different calibers that I didn't have just for the heck of it.

 

[Blue Brick]

Most expensive item I have was just under $400. I bought it around 2008. I own less than 15 items total.

 

[Armored farmer]

I don't understand the Taurus haters. Bought my first in 1988, a PT99AF. Then bought an 85, then a 669. Used to take the 669 to the range running quals. There I had a unlimited supply of ammo. With a lifetime warranty I'd burn off a couple of hundred rounds of magnums each trip. I must have put over 10,000 rds of magnums through it. Still tight, never needed any work. Delegated to one of my HD guns now. I had a Smith m19 I bought in the 70s. After a couple hundred rds of magnums had flame cutting and timing issues.

I've never sold a Taurus.

I think you have three of their top performers. I had a 669 that had an excellent trigger. It was a really good gun.

 

[GRIZ22]

I think you have three of their top performers. I had a 669 that had an excellent trigger. It was a really good gun.

At the time I purchased them they were 1/2 the cost of a comparable Smith or Beretta.

My 669 has always had a smooth trigger (smoother now after shooting it 35 years!!!). Not light but smooth and reliable.

Other cheap guns I've acquired are single barrel shotguns for $25, pumps (like S&W 916s) for $50. Not the most glamorous or durable guns but worthy of having around for a spare.

 

[GRIZ22]

I think you have three of their top performers. I had a 669 that had an excellent trigger. It was a really good gun.

I bought a used Taurus 608. 8 shot n frame size, target trigger, ported. $200. Just a few years ago. It's replaced my Blackhawk for testing 357 loads.

 

[hemiram]

I have an unported 608 variant, a 658, which is a 3" unported oddball. It's seems to be a very nicely done gun.

 

[Legionnaire]

“Low price” is relative. I’m not a fan of guns targeted at the low price segment. I had several KelTecs over the years but eventually sold them to buy higher quality. Like the few Handi Rifles I’ve owned, I never got attached to them. Never had any interest in HiPoint. Perhaps my only “low price gun” is the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Spl. That one I do like.

On the other hand, I’m a sucker for a gun priced well below market, like the second hand SP101 I picked up at a gun store for $250 shortly after it was put out, or the Remington 7615 Police in wood furniture I found well under market price. My modest accumulation includes quite a few that were bought at a price too good to pass up.

 

[drobs]

I used to have a price range of under $400 where I would probably buy any quality used handgun that I saw at a gun shop.
Then Gunbroker came along, and I had to stop doing that.

Also Palmetto State Armory made me stop doing that as well. I frequently find I can assemble a Palmetto AR15 for under $400. Plus now that PSA offers their Dagger Compact (Glock 19 copy) at under $400, I really have to watch myself.

FYI - PSA complete AR15 lowers for $99.99
https://palmettostatearmory.com/complete-psa-ar-15-lower-classic-edition.html
And complete uppers for $229.99
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-classic-m4-freedom-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html

The combination of which = $329.98 AR15 + $20 for FFL transfer + another guestimated $40 shipping = a $380ish AR15.

Also complete Dagger Lowers for $49.99
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-dagger-compact-complete-polymer-frame-gray.html

Add a $200 some complete slide assembly:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-dagger/slides-slide-parts.html
And you can easily have a sub $300 Glock 19 clone that is just as reliable and uses Glock mags.

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm interested in value, in getting a good deal. I don't really buy guns based on their being low-cost. I also don't buy high-dollar guns. I'd be more interested in a $250 Ruger than I would a $150 Jennings.

 

[usaral63]

Bought one of those Norinco .22's from Wally world back about 90 or 91..........same price . Actually good guns, had a large amount of .22 short at the time and picked up a feed block and tube from Gun Parts........easy conversion and as reliable as what it was first chambered for.

When you could buy them, I think Chinese-made Norinco firearms offered very good quality guns, especially for the price. Custom gunsmiths had no problem building high-end pistols based on inexpensive Norinco 1911s. Back in 1992, I paid $99.83 for a Browning .22 Auto rifle lookalike (the "ATD 22"). In terms of quality, it isn't a Browning or even the later Miroku-made rendition but it's a surprisingly well-made firearm, certainly when you consider the price spread at the time between the copy and the "real McCoy".