Colt 1911 Values

[CopperClad]

Got a nebulous question, I've a Colt Enhanced that I'm trying to figure a value on. Bought it new in the early/mid 90's, have the papers and blue box as well. Exact model : MK IV Series 80 Government Model Enhanced, No. 01070E I've shot and carried it a bit, but she's in fine condition.

Saw one go on gunbroker last year for large coin, but there doesn't seem to be many around to form a base price estimate from.

So the rest of the question is: When you're ready to move on something like this how do you determine value?

 

[guyfromohio]

My thought process…..

“Is it still produced?”
“Is the current production model much different?”
“What would it cost to buy the current variant new?”
“Has there been a manufacturing change that makes new better or worse?”
“Is it collectible?”
“What would I pay for it today?”

In the early ‘90s, that was probably a $600 gun. Today’s “competition” runs about $1000. I’d pay $800 for that gun, tops. I’m a 1911 enthusiast, not an expert on the gun, the brand, nor the valuation.

 

[bannockburn]

Looks to be in pretty good shape overall, provided you didn't do any serious mods to the gun. For a used and basically stock stainless Government Model I would say it's worth somewhere in the range of $750 to $850.

 

[Jimbo80]

When you're ready to move checking GB comps is good if you're going to put the gun on GB. Remember that local transactions rarely come close to GB premium prices so just because you see something sell for stupid money on GB doesn't mean that's what the gun is worth in the real world. One good way to find the value is take it to an LGS and see what they'll give you for it. That will be low value so if you double that you'll be in the ballpark.

 

[CopperClad]

When you're ready to move checking GB comps is good if you're going to put the gun on GB. Remember that local transactions rarely come close to GB premium prices so just because you see something sell for stupid money on GB doesn't mean that's what the gun is worth in the real world. One good way to find the value is take it to an LGS and see what they'll give you for it. That will be low value so if you double that you'll be in the ballpark.

The LGS wasn't even a reasonable low ball. Figured the GB #'s were high side. Looks like 8 to 12 is the range. Guess I'll take a road trip and see if any LGS wants to play ''Let's make a deal''. I've got a trade in mind if they'll play. Otherwise back into the safe.

It's unmodified, as left the factory stock.

 

[bannockburn]

amp-rat

It's unmodified, as left the factory stock.

That's good! About how many rounds do you think you've put through it over the years?

 

[Jimbo80]

What did the LGS offer? Did you try to negotiate? We're lucky in FL as we have the Florida Gun Trader website which is a good place to find local F2F buyers and sellers with no middleman.

 

[CopperClad]

The LGS offer was a knee capper, so to speak. Insulting actually. I'd like to sell locally it but too much paperwork for a ftf. Going to try some of the other shops and see if I can get a trade going. Otherwise, it'll just go back into the safe.

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Round count, a few hundred at most. I traded in my usp45 to offset this purchase, then a few short years later everything got stored til recently.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The LGS offer was a knee capper, so to speak. Insulting actually. I'd like to sell locally it but too much paperwork for a ftf. Going to try some of the other shops and see if I can get a trade going. Otherwise, it'll just ho back into the safe.

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Round count, a few hundred at most. I traded in my usp45 to offset this purchase, then a few short years later everything got stored til recently.

just remember, everyone need to make a buck. So unless you sell it Person to Person, everyone in thr chain needs a few $$$

GB will probably get $750-$800, and GB commission will be $150 then shipping will be a bunch. So expect to take home $550-$650. I say sell it locally for $675 and call it GOOD

 

[Nature Boy]

Another option, post it on the classifieds here. No fee and a lot of Colt 1911 fans

 

[Jimbo80]

Otherwise, it'll just go back into the safe.

Unless you need the cash that's a good option. Colt 1911s ain't getting cheaper.

 

[CopperClad]

Unless you need the cash that's a good option. Colt 1911s ain't getting cheaper.

I noticed that.

I'd like to get a pair of Ruger mk iv target pistols. Usually something has to leave if somethings coming home. Never really been attached to the colt. Just don't want to give it away.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I noticed that.

I'd like to get a pair of Ruger mk iv target pistols. Usually something has to leave if somethings coming home. Never really been attached to the colt. Just don't want to give it away.

I have a Mk4 with 3 barrels/upper! Volquaskan sells the barrels CHEAP

 

[ontarget]

If you are looking to avoid the paperwork of a FTF sale locally, see if one of your LGS would do the transfer. In my area most will for the same 25-35.00 fee they charge for online transfers.

 

[CapnMac]

This website has some interesting features, in that it's querying other sites.
https://truegunvalue.com/pistol/COLT-1911-Enhanced/price-historical-value

The quoted value they are using for Enhances is skewed by all the 38supers in the History column.
As with much else in life, that grain-of-salt is important.

 

[CopperClad]

@CapnMac , That is a seriously interesting website. Never saw that before. Thank you for the lead.
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I've got one of my motorcycles up for sale, if it doesn't move in the next week or so I think I'll put the Colt up in THR's classified section. If the bike sells then the Colt gets held onto as it really does seem to have appreciated well. Seems to be a good plan, and the household stays satisfied as it stays hobby money for hobby uses.

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[Mark_Mark]

This website has some interesting features, in that it's querying other sites.
https://truegunvalue.com/pistol/COLT-1911-Enhanced/price-historical-value

The quoted value they are using for Enhances is skewed by all the 38supers in the History column.
As with much else in life, that grain-of-salt is important.

$1,200 to $2,000 WoW! Good luck on your sale!

 

[CapnMac]

$1,200 to $2,000 WoW!

Now, remember those were the Enhance model in 38 super, which can pull a premium all by its lonesome.
Which is probably from the dearth of "big name makers" with 38 super offerings (and the Armscor/RIA editions are bit thin on the ground, too).

Probably OP's is in the $850-950 F2F sale range, unless he finds some one really into collecting the "blue box" colts.

 

[WVsig]

I am a 1911 shooter and an admitted Colt Fan boy. This is a $900-$1100 Colt.

Here are the things it has going for it.

• Looks to be in VG to Excellent condition
• It has one of the better rollmarks of the period and is not marked 1991A1.
• Its a Colt
• It is in stock condition minus the grips.
• It is an 80 series gun. (Some people like that)
• Beavertail looks decently fit for a gun of it era.

Things going against it:

• Enhanced models of that era have a useable sight but you cannot swap it out easily because of the sight cut.
• It is an 80 series gun. (Most Colt snobs prefer 70 series guns)
• It is stainless steel
• It is not a candidate for a base gun for customization because of the sight cut.
• It is used so no collector value
• Does not seem to have the outer box which is more "rare" then the blue plastic.

At auction you will see some go as high as $1650 but they are new in the box exactly as they came from the factory. These types of sales are normally due to a collector who has a hole in the collection they need to fill and the wholeness of the collection is more important than over paying for a particular piece vs market price. This is why you will find odd GB auctions at crazy prices IMHO.

Now I think you could list this gun on a Colt oriented board and sell it for $800+ shipping. You could also get the same locally if you are patient and have decent local place you can list it. Any retail shop that knows what it is doing i not going to give you more than $500 because they have overhead, they gave you cash and they have to sell it for $800-$900. They might give you 20% more in trade because they get to make money on you twice. GLWS

 

[Otto]

Take the gun to your local pawn shop. Now multiply whatever they offer you x 4.
That’s basically what the gun is worth.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Take the gun to your local pawn shop. Now multiply whatever they offer you x 4.
That’s basically what the gun is worth.

pawn shop will give you $200

 

[halfmoonclip]

A little puzzled about swapping a 1911 on a Ruger, but I swapped a HiPo on a 1910 Browning.
Some great suggestions here, but the gun will be worth what it's worth...you're unlikely to get full value, regardless of how you part with it.
How's the trigger?
Moon

 

[CopperClad]

A little puzzled about swapping a 1911 on a Ruger, but I swapped a HiPo on a 1910 Browning.
Some great suggestions here, but the gun will be worth what it's worth...you're unlikely to get full value, regardless of how you part with it.
How's the trigger?
Moon

It's a sweet shooting 45.

A pair of 22 target pistols will be fun for the wife and I. The club I joined has a 22 indoor range and league.

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The bike sold this morning, so the 45 is safe. I'll be paying cash

 

[defjon]

Sold my series 70 stainless reissue a couple years ago for 700. Might've been on here?

Yeah. I regret it.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sold my series 70 stainless reissue a couple years ago for 700. Might've been on here?

Yeah. I regret it.

I regret ever gun I ever sold… probably 4-6 in my life