Fair price for Ruger SBH .44 mag

[wombat13]

My FIL wants to sell his Ruger SBH .44 mag 7.5" to me for a fair price (likely slightly less than it is worth). Neither of us is sure what a fair price is. It is blued and has both the original wood grips and hogue grips. There is a number stamped on the frame that begins with 84 which I think is the year he bought it (new). It has had several boxes of ammo through it over the years but is in excellent condition, from what I can tell (my FIL takes great care of all of his guns and equipment). It also comes with a very nice Ruger leather holster, but I won't be able to use it (I'm left-handed).

Any ideas on how much this handgun is worth?

 

[ldhulk]

Not less than 400, or 450 if you want to be generous, should be fair to all concerned.

 

[X-Rap]

You want to keep peace with the FIL so I would check some of the local shops and deduct 10-15% commission that would be taken if he consigned it for sale. In my locale I can find them for around $350 in good shape but you don't want him looking at similar guns for the rest of his days and being pissed because you bought his for far under the market in your area.

 

[wombat13]

Bud's has SBHs NIB for $511. I found one in similar condition on gunbroker, starting bid $449 with no bids. I think the fair price is between $350 and $400.

 

[CraigC]

They don't intentionally coordinate serial number prefixes with the year of production but coincidentally, it would've been made somewhere between 1982 and 1984. It is a very common model/configuration and I'd say $325-$350. I have two and wouldn't pay $400 for a used New Model in any condition.

 

[wombat13]

Thanks for the info folks.

 

[Red Cent]

I have a very nice SBH 44. Single action is as good as any or better. 1# trigger. I ain't ever touched it. Stock, Very accurate. Deep polished blue. And the value is $400.00.
And you pay more for a new Vaquero, fixed sights and rough around the edges compared to the SBH. Go figure.