Gun Trades's Guide and other "blue books"...

[StrikeFire83]

Hello, everybody!

Several months ago I inherited a bunch of reloading stuff and old magazines/books. One of the books is Paul Wahl’s “Gun Trader’s Guide” from 1984. It claims to be an industry standard for median used gun values. Obviously, being from 1984, it’s nothing more than a curiosity now. I was wondering if this book is still made or is there another more respected “blue book” for gun values?

 

[Jim Watson]

Uh, the Blue Book is the most respected "blue book" of gun values.

It isn't perfect but everybody (mostly) knows what it is and it gets you on common ground.

 

[StrikeFire83]

okay. Thanks. What's is its exact title?

"The Blue Book of Guns" or something like that? Is it available online or for purchase. I'm new to this used gun values thing and would apprecaite any help yall can give.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

"Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values", I believe.

 

[Ala Dan]

I use the Gun Trader's Guide soley as reference material, too help
identify a particular make of firearm. Like my friend and fellow southerner
Jim Watson said, the "Blue Book" pretty much defines the pricing.

 

[kennedy]

you can buy a new gun traders guide at walmart in the fall each year, its a basic starting guide, gives good pictures and discriptions, but leaves out a lot of low production models(like the high standard marshall made just two years)

 

[P5 Guy]

Blue Book

One thing I've found is that the guy who found out his gun is worth more than he thought the Blue Book is the Bible. And the guy whose gun isn't worth what he wants for it thinks the Blue Book is full of it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Oh yeah. All the price guides are tools for the wheeler dealer to prove your gun is worth less than theirs. Strange how they can't find anything in the listing but the best condition scarcest variation... of theirs.

 

[dfariswheel]

Of the gun values books, the two best are:
"The Standard Catalog of Firearms" by Schwing, and "Blue Book of Gun Values" by Fjestad.

Of the two, "The Blue Book" is best since it gives a much more detailed range of conditions, and extra information on some models and the companies that made them.
Where most books give a value for "Good" "Excellent" etc, The Blue Book gives values based on condition, ie 50%, 95%, 98%, 100% etc.

 

[ShelbyV8]

As well as the guides check Gunbroker and GunsAmerica to see what they are selling for. Check for guns that have sold or have bids on them not what they are listed for.